Floorcare buying guide

How long should a steam cleaner take to heat up?

This’ll vary by cleaner. A lot of steam cleaners can heat up quickly – in some cases, this can take just 20 seconds. Cylinder steam cleaners usually take a bit longer, needing around six to eight minutes to heat up (because of its pressurised steam chamber). Even though you have to wait for a few extra minutes, this gives you high power steam that’s a lot more consistent.

What is a good steam time?

Steam time is the amount of time that the cleaner can produce steam before it runs out of water and needs a refill. It’s directly linked to the water capacity.

Handheld steam cleaners have a smaller capacity. So, they can only create steam in short bursts and need refilling more often. This makes them great for short tasks and cleaning specific spots. You should be able to get about 20 minutes of steam time out of them.

Bigger steam cleaners – like cylinder models – usually have a longer steam time thanks to larger water tanks. This lets you use them for longer without having to refill them. Having 30+ minutes of steam time is perfect for those big cleaning jobs.

What is the capacity of a good steam cleaner water tank?

That just comes down to the amount of cleaning you need to do. The capacity of steam cleaners is measured in litres (L). A large capacity steam cleaner means you won’t need to refill it as often.

Cylinder steam cleaners have the biggest capacities. And that makes them perfect when you’ve got a large surface to tackle. But this does also mean that they take longer to heat up.

Although steam mops have a smaller capacity, they’ll heat up quickly. Many also have removable water tanks. So, you can fill the tank straight from a tap without having to grab a cup and funnel.

Steam cleaner vs steam mop: what’s the difference?

Steam mops can be used on hard floors – like tiles – and some models come with adjustable steam control. Which makes them suitable for laminate and wood floors too. Some models have a clever detachable design, letting you clean those hard-to-reach spots.

Cylinder steam cleaners are a bit more versatile. They’re not just for mopping floors, but for cleaning kitchens and bathrooms as well. Cylinder steam cleaners tend to have longer steaming times than steam mops. And that’s because of their bigger water tanks. It does mean they’re not as quick to use though. They can come with a mixture of tools that help with cleaning grouting, ovens, and floors – or steam creases out of clothes and curtains.

Handheld steam cleaners are cheaper and more portable. They have a variety of tools too for different jobs around your house. But their smaller tanks need refilling more regularly.

How to clean steam mop pads

Cleaning steam mop pads is really easy. Most steam mops have washable mop pads, which you can pop off and clean in the washing machines when you’re done using them. Steam mops that come with two pads mean you’ll always have a clean one to use while the other is in the wash. Some models even let you use both sides of the pad without having to switch it over. Giving you double the cleaning area!

Do carpet cleaners heat the water?

That depends on the model you’ve got. Not all models have a heat function. But some do, and this’ll heat up and maintain the temperature of the water in the carpet cleaner. Hot water makes it way easier to break down dirt and grime in your carpets. And it’ll even lead to faster drying times, as the heat helps to evaporate any moisture even faster.

What is the capacity of a carpet cleaner?

Capacity is measured in litres (L). Carpet cleaners have both clean and dirty water capacities, as the water gets separated when it’s used.

The clean water tank holds the clean water that’s used to clean the carpet. The dirty water tank then holds any water and dirt particles that are lifted from the carpet. Clean water capacity is usually bigger than the dirty water capacity, as dirt particles from the wash fill up space in the dirty water compartment.

Which carpet cleaner has the best suction?

Carpet cleaner suction power is really important, as it’ll determine how well it cleans. The ideal suction power for a carpet cleaner really depends on the type of carpet and the level of stains and dirt you need to tackle. Here’s a good guideline to follow:

• Moderate suction power (around 70-100 inches of water lift) – great for regular cleaning on low-pile carpets or lightly stained areas.

• Strong suction power (around 100-150 inches of water lift) – for homes with medium to high-pile carpets and bigger stains. More powerful suction reaches deep into the carpet fibres, extracting any embedded dirt effectively.

• Variable suction settings – some carpet cleaners have adjustable suction settings – letting you customise the level of suction to suit whatever you’re cleaning.

Can you use laundry detergent in a carpet cleaner?

No, you’ll need to use a detergent that’s specially designed to be used with carpet cleaners. Using laundry detergent in your carpet cleaner can cause problems like…

• Residue build up – laundry detergents will leave behind a soapy residue on your carpet, which is a pain to get out.

• Foaming – the wrong detergent can cause foaming in the carpet cleaner. And that can cause damage to the machine.

• Harsh chemicals – lots of laundry detergent contains chemicals that aren’t suitable for use on carpets or furniture – damaging the fabric, colours, and fibres.