To steam-clean hard floors without adding detergent, first check the care instructions from your flooring manufacturer. UFC-Que Choisir specifically advises against using steam on wood. If your floor is suitable, a steam mop is mainly designed for floors, a cylinder steam cleaner can be used on several compatible surfaces, and a handheld model is useful for small areas. If steam is unsuitable, a cold-water floor cleaner is another option. These generally use detergent and require you to clean their tanks and accessories.
The type of flooring you have and how often you clean other surfaces matter more than a list of accessories on its own.
If you regularly clean tiles that are suitable for water and steam, your main choice is between a steam mop designed for floors and a cylinder steam cleaner whose accessories can also be used elsewhere. UFC-Que Choisir lists tiles and ceramic wall tiles among the surfaces suitable for this type of cleaning.
Looks alone won’t tell you how to care for your floor. Identify the flooring and its finish, then check the manufacturer’s instructions before considering steam. UFC-Que Choisir advises against using steam on wood. Approval for a specific vinyl product does not apply to all flooring.
If floors are your main concern but you’d also like to clean compatible grout or tiled walls, compare the accessories supplied with a cylinder steam cleaner with the handheld unit on a 2-in-1 steam mop. According to UFC-Que Choisir, a standalone handheld model is better suited to occasional use.
Start with your flooring’s care instructions. Then choose a type that suits the area you need to clean and the maintenance you’re happy to do afterwards.
| Priority | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Flooring | Identify the material, finish and product reference for your floor. Check the flooring manufacturer’s instructions, followed by those for the appliance. A steam setting does not make a floor suitable if steam is not recommended for it. | My floor is parquet, laminate or vinyl, and I want to know whether steam is suitable for this specific flooring. UFC-Que Choisir advises against using steam on wood. Gerflor Home says it can be used on its LOFTEX 2167 LUX BLOND product, but that does not apply to all vinyl flooring. |
| Type | For floors, look for a floor head and cleaning pad. For other surfaces, check which accessories are included and what the instructions say they can be used for. Bear in mind that a cylinder model takes up more space. | I mainly clean floors, so a steam mop suits my needs. If I regularly clean several compatible surfaces, a cylinder model could be useful. For a few small areas or grout lines, a handheld model is usually better as an occasional-use option, according to UFC-Que Choisir. |
| Cleaning method | Check the difference between steam generated from water and cleaning with cold water. For cold-water cleaners, read the instructions on detergent and check that the model is suitable for your flooring. | I’d prefer not to add detergent. Steam meets this preference only if my floor is suitable for it. Otherwise, I can consider a cold-water floor cleaner, which generally uses detergent, according to UFC-Que Choisir. |
| Maintenance | For a steam cleaner, check the filling instructions and, if applicable, how to maintain the limescale filter. For a cold-water floor cleaner, find out how to empty the tanks and clean the rollers, pads and filters. | For my cleaning sessions, I want to know when to refill the appliance and which parts need cleaning afterwards. UFC-Que Choisir points out that looking after the tanks and accessories is part of using a floor cleaner. |
UFC-Que Choisir advises against using steam on wood because moisture can damage it. A general claim about an appliance does not override the care instructions for your particular flooring.
Check your floor’s product reference and finish, then compare the manufacturer’s instructions with those for the appliance. If you’re still unsure whether it’s suitable, don’t assume steam is safe.
A cold-water floor cleaner may not suit you if you want to clean without detergent: UFC-Que Choisir says these appliances generally use detergent.
If steam is not recommended for your floor, check how the alternative appliance works and which products are permitted before choosing it.
You’ll also need to empty the tanks and clean the rollers, pads or filters after use.
UFC-Que Choisir presents handheld models as an occasional-use option. To clean an entire floor, look instead for a large brush and a cleaning pad designed for that purpose.
If cleaning floors is your main task, compare steam mops with cylinder models that have a floor head. Keep a handheld model for small areas that are suitable for steam.
UFC-Que Choisir’s guide advises against using steam on electrical appliances. Heat and moisture are also unsuitable for some materials.
Keep steam away from electrical appliances and sockets, and follow the exclusions and accessory instructions in the manual.
These brands use different cleaning methods. Compare the instructions for each model with those for your flooring before making a choice.
A brand worth comparing for 2-in-1 steam mops and cylinder steam cleaners.
A brand to consider if you’re also comparing cold-water floor cleaners.
Another brand to consider when comparing floor-cleaning appliances.
A brand to compare in the cold-water floor cleaner category.
A brand to consider if cleaning with cold water is more suitable for your flooring than steam.
This option combines a steam mop for floors with a handheld unit for occasional jobs. It is intended for surfaces whose manufacturers approve the use of steam.
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The mop mode is designed for hard floors that are suitable for steam. The handheld unit can be used on small areas, provided they are also confirmed as suitable. The product title lists 1 200 W, a steam pressure of 3 bar, a 25 s heat-up time, a 6 m cord and 5 accessories. Before buying or using it, check the care instructions for your flooring and the manual for this particular version, especially if you have wood flooring. Do not direct steam at electrical appliances or sockets.
Don’t assume it’s suitable: UFC-Que Choisir advises against using steam on wood, as moisture can damage the finish. For parquet, laminate or wood-effect flooring, check the care instructions for your specific floor, including its finish and installation, then read the appliance manual.
UFC-Que Choisir lists tiles, ceramic wall tiles and stone among the surfaces that can be cleaned with steam. However, always check the care instructions for your flooring. For vinyl, Gerflor Home’s approval for its LOFTEX 2167 LUX BLOND product does not apply to all vinyl products.
They use different methods. A steam cleaner turns water into steam without adding detergent, while a cold-water floor cleaner generally cleans with cold water and detergent, according to UFC-Que Choisir. If steam is unsuitable for your flooring, consider this alternative method and check its instructions, along with how to maintain the tanks and accessories.
For floors confirmed as suitable for steam, start by comparing steam mops with a floor head and cleaning pad. A cylinder model may be worth considering if you’ll regularly use its accessories on other compatible surfaces. UFC-Que Choisir considers handheld models more suitable for occasional use.
Follow the instructions for your chosen model, particularly for filling it and maintaining any limescale filter. If you choose a cold-water floor cleaner, UFC-Que Choisir also reminds users to maintain the tanks, rollers or pads, and filters.