Vapor Steam Cleaners - Why Do Some Cost More Than Others?

A steam cleaner can have different dry steam temperatures, safety features, and more

by Mercia Tapping, President, AllergyBuyersClub.com

A NEW COMPARISON CHART. Since we have the largest and most complete line of vapor steam cleaners anywhere on the Internet, and we continually add more information on them, some of you are understandably getting a little confused. Now we have a comparison chart where you can compare prices and critical steam cleaner features at a glance.

Compare Vapor Steam Cleaners

INFO LINKS Vapor Steam Cleaners Overview - view all Vapor Steam Cleaners sold by AllergyBuyersClub.com Vapor Steam Cleaners Comparison Chart - a comparison with pluses and minuses of all the best Vapor Steam Cleaners Vapor Steam Cleaning most frequently asked questions - Answers what is vapor steam cleaning, common cleaning uses, & more Best Steam Cleaner Articles - Editor's top picks on steam cleaner info

 

I also get asked all the time "Why do some vapor steam cleaners cost more than others?"

Here is why:

1. Actual temperature of the steam. Residential units generally use steam between 240 and 295 degrees. Avoid anything of lesser temperature. Hotter steam means a quantum increase in cleaning effectiveness. What's more necessary is to start with a much higher temperature than you would think you might need, as all vapor steam cleaners lose some temperature on the way to the tip.

2. The very best machines have boilers made out of stainless steel which heat up faster, and do not rust.

3.Cheap machines have no safety caps when refilling water, versus safety caps.

4. The ability to refill water continuously is more important than you might think. If you have a continuous refill machine you do not have to wait for the machine to cool down and heat up again when you want to refill it [this can be a 20 plus minute wait]. It also means that the machine is lighter as you are not lugging around all that water.

5. Holding water tank capacity. Very small water tanks can drive you crazy when you have to refill them every 15 to 20 minutes.

6. Having the ability to regulate the steam outflow with pressure is important. Some tasks require a finer more concentrated jet of steam. This can be important when you want to avoid the splattering of dirt particulates all over the place.

7. Ability to regulate the steam temperature. Some fabrics and surfaces require a cooler temperature.

8. Length of warranty on boiler and other parts. It is usually 3 years on a good residential machine and 5 years on a commercial machine.

9. Good handle for easy lifting up stairs. Somebody needs to have really paid attention to this design feature.

10. Decent sized castors allow for easy maneuverability.

11. The accessories included for special cleaning tasks, and optional accessories available add to the cost of the machines. Size of the cleaning brushes is also an added expense. The better machines have bigger sized tools which allow for the cleaning to be done faster.

12. Quality of toweling covers and whether they can be attached and removed easily makes a difference. The better machines have easy clips to attach the toweling covers.

13. There are a greater number of steam outlets and larger orifices in more expensive machines. And my personal favorite? The Ladybug steam cleaner at $1049.95. Best deal? The WhiteWing Steam Cleaner at $499.95.

First Published: January 2001
Updated: April 2007

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