
Steam cleaners are incredibly useful and effective when it comes to cleaning your home. Steam vapor is naturally sanitizing and deodorizing and when it penetrates surfaces it destroys mold spores, germs, viruses, dust mites, and bacteria (no chemicals needed.)
But as great as they are, they can also be really pricey! Many full-size steam cleaning machines cost between $100-200. But a full-size steam cleaner isnโt the only way you can take advantage of the cleaning power of steam! Handheld clothes steamers are a lot cheaper than full-size steam cleaners, and will only set you back about $30-60, depending on the model. Today Iโll be sharing ways you can use an affordable clothes steamer to clean things all over your house!
If you already have a clothes steamer at home, then you probably already know how useful they can be for keeping your clothes wrinkle-free. They also save on space โ since storing a handheld steamer requires a lot less space than storing a bulky ironing board โ and help you keep your iron clean. Using your clothes steamer to also help keep things clean around the house is a no-brainer! And if you donโt have a handheld clothes steamer at home, I think this post will give you a few good reasons to consider buying one. ;-)
Related: This Is The Perfect Solution For Your Hard-To-Iron Clothes
9 Things You Can Clean With A Clothes Steamer

1. Remove Grease
Use your clothes steamer to help clean up greasy buildup around your stove and oven. Just point your steamer at any greasy or grimy spots, and the mess will loosen up making it easy to wipe away.

2. Clean Grout
If the grout on your backsplash could use some TLC, grab your clothes steamer! The steam will loosen up the mess on your grout, then you can just wipe it clean. In addition to cleaning your grout, youโll be sanitizing your grout too!

3. Defrost Freezers
If you have an old freezer that needs to be defrosted, you can make the process quicker and easier with your clothes steamer. Empty the contents of the freezer out, then place a towel at the bottom of the freezer. Point your steamer at the ice, and as it melts it will drip down and get absorbed by the towel. Youโll be done in no time!

4. Sanitize Counters
Use your clothes steamer to help clean and sanitize your countertops without the use of additional chemicals. Steam is hot enough to kill most kinds of germs, so it can be an easy way to stay healthy during cold and flu season!

5. Car Clean-Out
Spills that get into the nooks and crannies of your car interior are tricky to clean up, but cleaning your car doesn’t have to be a total pain!. Use your clothes steamer to help loosen up those sticky messes, and theyโll be much easier to wipe up afterwards!

6. Windows & Mirrors
Using a steamer can help you get a streak-free shine on your mirrors and windows. Apply steam to the glass surface from top to bottom, then wipe the condensed water downwards in multiple passes using a squeegee.ย You wonโt leave any streaks behind, because you wonโt need to wipe it down!
7. Remove Rug Stains
A small steamer is the perfect tool for spot treating small stains. Aim the nozzle towards the stain, and allow the steam to help loosen it up. Then just blot the stained area with a clean rag or paper towel to absorb the stain!

8. Clean Shower Curtains & Doors
Prevent mold and mildew from building up on your shower curtain or shower door with the help of your trusty clothes steamer. Just pass the steamer over the surface of the curtain or door, then wipe any loosened mildew or soap scum.

9. Refresh Upholstery
Use your steamer to freshen up your curtains, bedding, and furniture. The steam will help loosen any dust or grime, and give it a shiny finish that will make it look brand new!
Note: Keep in mind that some clothes steamers can only be used when held upright. You can still use it for cleaning a lot of things, but there may be things you can’t reach without tipping the steamer over. But many higher-end clothes steamers can be held at any angle!



























My daughter just used her’s (the smaller version) to remove a whole bathroom’s worth of old wallpaper! It worked fabulous! Just two late evenings when everyone was in bed and it was all gone!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Would it work on a mattress?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It might, but I am wary of introducing moisture into the mattress – I would suggest a dry treatment, like this one: https://jillee.co/2MNnxpi
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve cleaned and sanitized door knobs and around where you touch the door.Also works for
Please log in or create a free account to comment.gunky stuff around kitchen cabinet handles.I also have a regular steamer.It’s not for clothes
and has different attachments,like a short hose,nozzle,upholstory attachment.You can also use at different angles and the top locks when you screw it on. It gives a powerful burst of steam when you push a button. I got it online at Walmart.
Also, you can also steam things like wax off of a candle holder, steam bamboo rugs, grease on appliances, help clean the glass on your framed photos, clean your screen door and window tracks, and the sanitizing benefits are great! Use them on your phone screen, on bathroom door knobs, quickly take that container of pens and pencils you have – steam and then wipe them, etc. Also the steamer is great on all cloth items like drapes, pillow cases you can hang from pant hangers. Steam your make up trays and brushes, or down the sides of your sticky refrigerator door. Use them to clean your flip flops and sandals in the summer (or many other shoes) because we track in so many germs from our shoes into our homes and with all the bead-word and other bling on our sandals it helps clean that away with a rag, you can steam most jewelry, clean and disinfect your cat box, there’s so much stuff you can do with a descent steamer!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great ideas!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.As I was enjoying your article on the benefits of a steam cleaner I was feeling kind of sad for you. Reason being is I have the OLD model of the My Little Steamer which is actually full size and not the small portable size which holds much more water – actually I measured 1 1/2 c. water in mine to top of fill level and mine has both a large and small nossel and one with something like a vacuum cleaner beater bar attachment as well. Yours looks like a different model but still the smaller travel size. I loved mine so much I bought a My Little Steamer on line for a friend of mine when I was visiting her, however it was the travel my little steamer. The ads don’t tell you any different nor the capacity of water so I wouldn’t have known. She still has it but I bet barely uses it. The reason I felt so bad is because I mainly use mine for clothes that I hang on the back of my kitchen door from a hanger. It will last me through 3-4 shirts or sweaters where the one my friend got barely did a little over one shirt and we had to refill it again, and again…. I was so appalled that I got her the small and only one they make now that it still bothers me. I found the travel size to be convenient for one thing and that is travel only, the filling up all the time wasted my time. I ended up using my go to wrinkle releaser instead more often. But some things only the steam can work out. I found out through searching last year that only the very expensive steamers had a larger water capacity and didn’t go to check further but I bet they didn’t have the extra nossel attachments either. Mine used to have a plug that would wind back into the bottom of the steamer, but after all these years it finally gave out and my dad helped me disassemble it to find it couldn’t be fixed, but we just made it so the cord stays out like other appliances and it still steams fine. I ask you, have you ever come across a larger water reservoir unit and it and a large nossel and found it to be reasonably priced. I’ll tell you, I couldn’t do it. They are all so expensive those kinds. Suggestion: Anyone reading this if you ever find a My Little Steamer that they used to sell, not the mini ones at a thrift sale or something – GET IT! You won’t find them on line anywhere else. Let me know if you find a larger steamer that is economically priced. Someone shouldn’t have to spend $50-$80 for a steamer that is good!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hello I have a wonderful steamer it holds one gallon of water and last me forever, I use it on many things and I found it for 10.00 at a thirft shop.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I actually use mine to steam my hair when it needs extra tlc and to steam my face…lol
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I just removed tinting from my bathroom window that was bubbling up, with a steamer!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Does your steamer deliver a constant flow of steam? I had one that would stop and start , it became very frustrating to use.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It has a little “trigger” button that releases the steam when you hold it down :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hey ladies, don’t forget to steam the mattresses on a beautiful spring day and be sure to leave the windows open to air dry them. I don’t know how I lived without a steamer for so long. I even steamed wrinkles out of my drapes and shower curtain.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hey Jillee! I bought the little portable steamer from your link after reading this. I hate ironing and didn’t realize I could get something cheap and small like this! I was thinking about adding a couple drops of lavender EO when steaming clothes to add a light fragrance. Do you think that would be fine? Or possibly damage something?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.One drop should be safe, but I would test out something you’re not too attached too. :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Will the steamer affect the film on the window?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes, it definitely can.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Wow, thank you, thank you so much for these excellent tips. I would have never thought a steamer could do so many wonderful things. I got to get one of them.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.They can also be used for quick cleaning of wine glasses that may be a little spotty! Steam a few seconds and dry with a lint-free cloth!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great idea!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have been wondering for a while…will a hand held steam cleaner clean tile flooring grout?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Not if the grout is stained. Unfortunately, most floor grout isn’t sealed when first installed, so it remains porous. Dirt gets embedded, and many things stain it easily. I use a Bissel floor steamer regularly on my tile floors, and while I feel it ends up at least somewhat sanitized, the grout doesn’t get any brighter.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Only if you can tilt your steamer that far – mine can’t be at more than a 45 degree angle, so it only works on upright surfaces.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have a canister style steamer. I had white tile and grout before we moved. When the grout looked grungy I would drag it out, put the bristle brush on and steam away. Use an old towel to wipe up the grunge. Worked great and no more smells.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Fantastic ideas. I have been wanting a steamer for a while, and now I know I need to get one!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.steam will also restore scrunched down foam in upholstery and make it puff up again. Makes old sagged furniture look newer. Many videos about this on you tube.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Wow! Thank you! My sofa back pillows needs this done!
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