Steam Cleaner vs Carpet Cleaner: Which one is the right choice for your needs?

Both steam cleaners and carpet cleaners are effective tools for removing dirt and stains from your floors. These devices also help in reducing allergens in the home, while preserving your floors' condition and prolonging their life.

Despite their similarities, steam cleaners and carpet cleaners operate in distinct ways. Below, we will dive into their differences, weighing the pros and cons of each, and identifying the best scenarios for using both types of cleaners. Here’s everything you need to know to make an informed choice between a steam cleaner and a carpet cleaner for your floors.

Key distinctions

Chase Hines, an expert in upright deep cleaning at Bissell, shares, "Steam is an incredibly powerful method for sanitizing without relying on harsh chemicals. This steam process uses water and heat to cleanse and disinfect sealed hard floors and many other hard surfaces around the home."

Hines further explains, "Carpet cleaners excel at cleaning wall-to-wall carpets and large area rugs. They are capable of removing deep-set stains in carpet fibers, helping maintain the fresh look and smell of your carpets."

Advantages and Disadvantages of Steam Cleaners

Here are key points to think about when determining if a steam cleaner is the right option for your cleaning needs.

Advantages

Beyond just hard floors, Hines points out that steam cleaners are useful for a variety of tasks. "They are ideal for deep cleaning and sanitizing hard surfaces throughout your home, including tile grout, counters, sinks, windows, and more," he explains.

Alessandro Gazzo of Emily’s Maids concurs, stating, "A steam cleaner is particularly beneficial if you're looking for a tool to clean multiple surfaces, as it’s incredibly versatile."

For homes with both hard floors and carpeting, Gazzo notes that a steam cleaner can be especially practical. "It’s a single tool that handles both floor types, plus other surfaces like water fixtures and countertops," he adds.

Brett Labeka, a virtual handyperson expert at Frontdoor, also values the versatility of steam cleaners, highlighting that they can be used on everything from tile and grout to upholstery, curtains, and even clothing.

One of the benefits of steam cleaners is their ability to clean without chemicals. "Steam cleaners rely solely on water, making them an environmentally friendly choice for those looking to avoid harsh chemicals," says Labeka.

Steam cleaners also offer sanitization. "The high-temperature steam eliminates bacteria, germs, and dust mites, ensuring a more thorough clean," Labeka observes.

If you're eager to avoid waiting for your floors to dry, steam cleaners offer a quicker drying time. Labeka highlights that steam cleaners typically use less water compared to traditional carpet cleaners, allowing surfaces to dry faster.

Disadvantages

Despite their advantages, steam cleaners come with some drawbacks, and one of the more concerning ones can be hazardous. Hines cautions that steam can be dangerously hot and cause severe injury if proper safety measures aren't followed. "Always read the user manual before using your product," he advises.

If you have deeply embedded stains, a steam cleaner may not be as effective as a specialized carpet cleaner.

If you're aiming for a top-tier steam cleaner, Labeka notes that the cost can be quite high.

The relatively small water tank size is another factor that may be considered a downside. "You may need to refill it frequently for larger cleaning jobs," Labeka points out.

Steam cleaners are suitable for various types of floors, but Labeka cautions against using them on painted surfaces. "The heat from the steam can cause bubbles to form beneath the paint, leading to peeling," he explains.

Advantages and disadvantages of carpet cleaners

Here are some key considerations to keep in mind when deciding whether a carpet cleaner is the right choice for your needs.

Advantages

Carpet cleaners come in a range of models and types. "You can select between portable and upright deep cleaners, which are versatile for cleaning carpets, refreshing area rugs, spot treating, and cleaning upholstery, along with other parts of the home," says Hines.

Gazzo adds that carpet cleaners are excellent for removing built-up grime and delivering a more thorough clean. "A carpet cleaner typically comes with attachments designed for various fiber types and can tackle even the toughest surfaces," Gazzo points out.

Labeka concurs, saying, "When you shop for a carpet cleaner, you'll find that many models feature a variety of functions, such as built-in heaters, multiple brushes, and strong suction power for deep cleaning."

If you have carpets, remember that carpet cleaners are specially designed for this kind of surface. Labeka mentions that they are generally more effective at removing deeply embedded dirt, stains, and odors. "Carpet cleaners go deeper into the fibers of the carpet compared to steam cleaners, delivering a more thorough clean," he explains.

Disadvantages:

Although spot cleaning models are typically light, carpet cleaners aren’t made for cleaning wall-to-wall carpets. The ones designed for this task are usually large and cumbersome, making them difficult to move around. Additionally, they can be hard to store if you have limited space.

Gazzo advises using a regular vacuum cleaner for everyday cleaning, bringing out the carpet cleaner only once a month or every few months for deeper cleaning.

Though it might sound contradictory, Gazzo believes a carpet cleaner is only worth buying if you'll use it often. "For example, if you have pets that frequently stain your furniture," Gazzo adds.

Carpet cleaners often rely on chemical-based cleaning solutions, which can add to the overall expense. Additionally, some users may prefer to avoid these chemicals, as they can have ingredients that might not align with personal preferences, Labeka mentions.

The drying time for carpet cleaners is typically longer due to the larger amount of water they use compared to steam cleaners.

Surfaces unsuitable for steam cleaners

While steam cleaners are versatile, they aren’t suitable for all surfaces. According to Hines, steam should be avoided on non-sealed or porous hard surfaces, as well as surfaces with glue. It’s always a good idea to test a small, inconspicuous area before cleaning, ensuring that the steam doesn’t alter the surface’s color or cause damage.

Labeka advises against using steam cleaners on unsealed flooring, as the heat can cause damage to unsealed hardwood and other natural stones like marble and limestone. He also cautions against steam cleaning engineered hardwood floors, as the steam may weaken the adhesives that hold the layers together.

Labeka also advises against using steam cleaners on laminate floors, as the heat can cause the material to warp and swell. Similarly, bamboo, being a porous material, should be avoided. Additionally, he points out that vinyl tile and vinyl plank flooring aren’t designed to handle the high temperatures required for steam cleaning.

Surfaces not suitable for carpet cleaners

Hines mentions that carpet cleaners work well on full carpets or large area rugs. However, he recommends against using them on tile, laminate, or hardwood floors unless the machine is specifically designed for multi-surface use.

Other considerations to keep in mind

Both steam and carpet cleaners are highly effective, but it’s crucial to consider additional factors. Hines emphasizes understanding the surface you're cleaning and the types of messes you're tackling. Another important aspect is selecting the right size and type of cleaning appliance to meet the desired level of cleanliness.

To conclude, Labeka recommends using a steam cleaner if you’re in need of a flexible cleaning device suitable for different surfaces, prefer to avoid chemicals, and desire faster drying times.

Labeka advises choosing a carpet cleaner if your main goal is a thorough carpet cleaning, especially when dealing with high foot traffic, frequent spills, or tough stains.