20 Surfaces You Can Clean With a Steam Cleaner

Nothing feels better than a day at the spa with a nice steam to clear your pores and help you relax. The same could be said about your home—a good steam cleaning can make it feel fresh and rejuvenated. Steam cleaning your home is an amazing way to use fewer chemicals and tackle tough stains using only heat and water. If you just got a steam cleaner and are stuck on where to use it, we’ll break down the areas in your home you can clean with a steam cleaner.

1. Floors

The most popular use for a steam cleaner is your floors. It’s way more efficient than a mop or broom, and steam can remove the residue left by old cleaning products, leaving your floors feeling cleaner. It’s especially good at getting into the grout—no need to get on your hands and knees with a toothbrush.

However, not all floors can handle the heat. Unsealed floors trap moisture, causing them to plump, warp, twist, and mold. Furthermore, vinyl floors and some hardwood will also bend and warp from the high heat and pressure created by the steam cleaner—causing permanent, hard-to-fix damage and may even void your warranty.

Best for: Sealed floors and tile with dirty grout.

2. Upholstered Furniture

Couches are some of the most important and high-traffic furniture in your home. A few times a year, your old couch needs TLC beyond your weekly vacuuming. Steam cleaning can penetrate deep into upholstered furniture like couches and armchairs, giving them new life and helping them feel as good as new.

However, some upholstery, like velvet, velour, or anything containing plastic, can get damaged when exposed to high heat and excess water. Thankfully, your couch should have a fabric care label with a code based on government regulations; double-check before you steam your couch. Steaming your furniture also leaves behind a lot of moisture, so thoroughly dry each piece before putting it back together to eliminate the risk of mildew or mold building up.

Best for: Fabrics that can handle the heat.

3. Kitchen Appliances

After years of crafting culinary delights for you and your loved ones, your kitchen appliances might seem a little worse for wear. Your steam cleaner can loosen and break apart that caked-on grime built up from years of use and can tackle those hard-to-reach spots on your oven racks. Your stovetop is also a prime spot for a steam cleaner, getting into the crevices you cannot otherwise reach. If you’re burnt out on deep cleaning your kitchen and want to cook in a cleaner space, a steam cleaner is the perfect sous-chef.

You only need to worry about the electronics in your appliances. If not managed correctly, the steam can find itself in the electrical components of your appliances and cause damage. It’s best to work in short, concentrated bursts to avoid letting the steam work up to where any circuit boards are.

Best for: Ovens and stove tops.

4. Mirrors and Windows

Mirrors and windows are notoriously difficult to keep clean, and the wrong products could result in streaks and lines. A steam cleaner can help you tackle a dirty mirror or window so you can start seeing yourself and the world anew.

For windows, you want to be particularly careful, as the tempered glass can crack due to the drastic temperature change created by your steam cleaner. To avoid this, gradually introduce the steam onto the window before cranking it up to where you need it, and only use it sparingly.

Best for: All mirrors and gradual introduction on windows.

5. Carpets

You don’t want to step on dirty carpets all day, and steam cleaning them can help you feel better about putting your best foot forward. The steam will get into the fibers to remove built-up dirt and bacteria and eliminate any old odors. Before steam cleaning, vacuum and spot-treat any particularly stained areas to maximize your carpet cleaning. Ensure your carpet is thoroughly dry to prevent mold or mildew from forming.

Pro tip: Use a folded microfiber cloth around the areas you’re steaming to help catch any dirt splatter that may pop up as you go, leaving less work to get your carpets spotless.

Best for: Sporadic cleaning in conjunction with regular vacuuming and spot cleaning.

6. Bedding

You can now sleep better at night knowing you’ve found a better way to keep your bedding clean and dirt-free. Whether you need a mattress refresh or your pillows are looking a little worse for wear, a steam cleaner can help make for a cleaner sleep. Steaming can also be very effective at keeping out bed bugs, getting rid of bacteria, and preventing infestations.

However, your bedding is very absorbent, and the excess water, if not applied properly, could leave damage or cause mold and mildew to appear. Make sure that you thoroughly dry items before remaking your bed.

Best for: Heavily soiled or infested bedding.

7. BBQ Grills

Backyard chefs rejoice: Your steam cleaner is one of the best tools for blasting away years of charred food, sticky marinades, and carbonized build-up from your grill without harsh degreasers. Steam penetrates the tough-to-reach areas like grates, drip trays, and burner covers, breaking down all the stubborn residue that you don’t want on your kabobs.

Before you begin, make sure the grill is completely cool and disconnected from any gas source. Remove the grates and trays for separate steaming, and avoid aiming steam at ignition switches or control knobs to prevent electrical damage or corrosion.

Best for: Grill grates, heat shields, and drip pans on gas or charcoal BBQs

8. Outdoor Furniture

A steam cleaner is an excellent tool for loosening the dirt, dust, and grime that accumulate on your patio furniture. Steam can revive plastic, metal, or treated wood furniture without the heavy scrubbing or harsh chemicals. It can also be used on outdoor cushions, provided the fabric is steam-safe and dried thoroughly.

Be cautious when using a steam cleaner on wood that hasn’t been treated or fragile materials, as the moisture and heat can cause swelling or warping. Always check the care tags on fabric and test a small area before going full steam ahead.

Best for: Plastic chairs, metal frames, outdoor tables, and washable cushions.

9. Wall Tiles and Backsplashes

Your backsplash and tile walls around sinks and stoves can get coated with grease, food splatters, and soap residue. Steam cleaning breaks it up quickly, especially in difficult-to-clean grout lines.

When steam cleaning tiles, avoid prolonged steam exposure to decorative tiles with adhesive or paint overlays.

Best for: Kitchen and bathroom tile.

10. Kids’ Toys

Hard plastic toys are perfect candidates for steam cleaning, especially if you’re trying to avoid using chemical disinfectants. A blast of steam can sanitize toys after a playdate or illness without using anything toxic.

Avoid battery-powered toys or anything with open seams where moisture could enter.

Best for: Solid plastic toys and blocks.

11. Car Interiors

Your steam cleaner isn’t just for the house; you can use it in your car, too. It’s especially useful for fabric seats, door panels, cupholders, and carpeted floors. 

Don’t use a steam cleaner on leather unless it has an attachment specifically rated safe for leather.

Best for: Cloth upholstery and carpets.

12. Pet Beds and Crates

Your pet’s bed and crate can harbor odors, dirt, and bacteria, even after a wash. A steam cleaner can help sanitize soft surfaces and neutralize smells while being safer than chemical cleaners. 

Avoid steaming foam inserts directly as they can trap moisture and grow mold.

Best for: Crates, washable pet beds, and hard plastic carriers.

13. Shower and Bathtub

Soap scum, mildew, and grime build up quickly in bathrooms, especially around the tub and shower. Steam cleaning can help lift stains and kill bacteria without using harsh bleach or scrubbing on your hands and knees. Use it on tile walls, glass doors, and metal fixtures to loosen grime and buildup before wiping it away.

Avoid using steam directly on caulk, especially if it’s old or loose, as it can deteriorate with prolonged exposure.

Best for: Tile, grout, and non-porous bathroom surfaces.

14. Trash Cans

Even with liners, trash cans collect grime and odors over time. A steam cleaner can sanitize the inside and outside of indoor and outdoor cans, killing bacteria and helping neutralize smells without bleach.

Best for: Plastic and metal trash cans.

15. Window Tracks and Sliding Door Rails

Window tracks and door rails are extremely tight crevices that are dust and gunk magnets. Steam cleaning helps loosen and flush out the grime from window tracks and sliding door rails without the need for poking around with toothpicks or toothbrushes.

Best for: Window tracks, shower door runners, and sliding door rails.

16. Light Switch Plates and Door Handles

High-touch areas like light switches and door handles can harbor tons of germs. A steam cleaner can sanitize these spots quickly without any chemicals, and it’s especially handy to have during cold and flu season.

Best for: Plastic switch plates, metal doorknobs, and drawer pulls.

17. Aquarium Supplies

Considering the slightest trace of chemical residue can wipe out a tank’s livestock and destroy its delicate ecosystem, a steam cleaner is an invaluable tool for aquarium keepers. Steam cleaning provides a safe, chemical-free way to sanitize essentials like nets, siphon tubes, algae scrapers, and scrub brushes between uses or when switching between tanks. It also effectively eliminates harmful bacteria, algae, parasites, and pest microfauna, helping protect your fish and plants without introducing toxins.

Never use a steam cleaner directly on a filled tank or any heat-sensitive plastic components. Ensure all items are fully cooled and dry before placing them back in the tank to avoid sudden water temperature fluctuations.

Best for: Nets, gravel vacuums, tank-safe brushes, and decor outside the aquarium.

18. Workout Equipment

A steam cleaner offers a chemical-free way to sanitize your gym equipment and accessories, such as yoga mats, benches, and dumbbells, killing bacteria and breaking down oils and buildup. Steam is especially handy for textured grips or fabric-covered gear that’s hard to wipe down thoroughly.

Be cautious with electronic components on machines like treadmills, bikes, or rowers. Avoid steaming screens, control panels, or wires, and always check the manufacturer’s guidelines before use.

Best for: Yoga mats, benches, dumbbells, resistance bands, and other non-electronic gear.

19. Garden Tools

Steam cleaning can remove caked-on sap, dirt, and bacteria, helping to keep gardening blades sharp and prevent plant diseases from spreading. It’s especially handy for sanitizing pruning tools like loppers or shears, as these can easily spread diseases to plants and trees when making a cut.

Best for: Metal garden tools like pruners, shovels, and shears.

20. Air Vents and Registers

Air vents and registers collect a ton of dust, allergens, and pet hair, which can recirculate through your home and affect the indoor air quality. A steam cleaner is a powerful tool for blasting away the build-up without chemical sprays. It can help loosen gunk stuck between vent slats and sanitize metal or plastic covers, especially in kitchens or bathrooms where grease and moisture tend to accumulate.

Be sure to turn off your HVAC system before cleaning, and avoid directing steam into the ductwork itself, which could introduce excess moisture and encourage mold growth.

Best for: Removable vent covers, bathroom exhaust fans, and floor registers.

What You Cannot Clean With a Steam Cleaner

Looking at all the ways a steam cleaner can benefit your life, it’s easy to believe that these machines can solve all your cleaning problems. But due to their high pressure and temperatures, a steam cleaner can potentially cause damage to certain areas of your home, including:

• Unsealed floors or flooring with cracks

• Cheap laminate flooring or countertops

• Certain fabric couches like velvet, velour, or anything containing plastic

• Walls with wallpaper or water-based paint

• Silks

• Anything porous

• Untempered glass

Before going wild with your steam cleaner, check the laundry or care instructions on any furniture or items you’re looking to steam clean before you start to save yourself the trouble.