Hand Held Steam Cleaners - A Good Choice?

You probably already know that steam cleaners are a natural, healthy way to keep your home clean, sanitized and allergen-free. But do hand held steam cleaners really work? Are they worth buying over the larger models?

There are benefits and drawbacks to all types. This article will go over the benefits and drawbacks of hand held steamers, so you can make the right choice for you.

Cleaning Time
Hand held steamers work the same as the larger models. They have a water tank, a heating element to heat the water, and a trigger to release the pressurized steam. These steamers, of course, have a smaller tank...which means you have shorter cleaning time compared to models with a larger tank. However, the water tends to heat up much faster so you don't wait as long to get started.

What You Can Clean
Attachments are essential if you want to clean various surfaces, and most come with at least a few different cleaning heads. Depending on what you need to clean, you want to be sure this type of steamer can accommodate those needs. Not all come with a hose, which can make cleaning different surfaces more difficult.

Portability
The appeal of these type of steamers is their easy portability. However, keep in mind of their power source. Battery-powered steamers may have more portability, but often have a shorter running time than models that plug in.

However, if you want to clean your car for example, this type of steam cleaner can't be beat for ease of use. They are lightweight and easy to use, and can be taken along with you in the car or a mobile home.

Storage
Many larger models are lightweight, and have become easier to store away in a small closet. A hand held, however, is easy to store anywhere. You can tuck it away in a cupboard and keep it hidden from sight. Some even come with storage bag, so you can keep all of your attachments and cleaning cloths neat and tidy, and all in one place.

Affordability
There are many models that are extremely affordable, mainly because they do not come with more than basic attachments, and for basic household cleaning they are perfectly sufficient. Price will increase along with the amount of features, but in general a hand held will be cheaper and more versatile than a larger model.

Overall, this type of steam cleaner will do just as good a job as their larger cousins. What it comes down to is whether or not a specific brand meets all of your specific cleaning needs.