If you mainly want to clean hard floors without adding detergent, choose a steam mop if you’ll mostly be cleaning floors, a cylinder steam cleaner if you also need tools for other surfaces, or a handheld steam cleaner for spot cleaning. A cold-water floor cleaner that uses detergent is designed for a different need. Whatever type you choose, check the instructions for each floor covering and accessory. Don’t use steam on wood or electrical appliances, in line with the precautions set out by UFC-Que Choisir.
If you often clean hard floors and rarely tackle higher-up surfaces, a steam mop focuses its accessories on your main task. UFC-Que Choisir notes that steam mops are often designed for floors, so check that the pads and settings on your chosen model are suitable for your floor covering.
If you want to clean more than just floors, including grout, windows or other reachable areas, consider a cylinder steam cleaner or some multifunction models. Their usefulness depends on the brushes, nozzles and squeegees actually included, as well as the materials approved in the instructions.
If you mainly need to clean grout or corners, a handheld steam cleaner may be enough. UFC-Que Choisir recommends this type for occasional cleaning, so it isn’t the best choice for regularly cleaning entire rooms.
First decide whether avoiding detergent is essential, then consider whether you need to clean floors, other surfaces or just occasional spots. Whatever type you choose, you’ll still need to check that it’s suitable for the material.
Choose this if: most of the work involves compatible hard floors.
Limitation: steam mops are often designed for floors, according to UFC-Que Choisir; cleaning other surfaces requires the right accessories and explicit approval for that use.
Choose this if: you also want to clean reachable higher-up surfaces or windows with the right accessories.
Limitation: what you can clean depends on the model and accessories included; this type generally takes up more space.
Choose this if: you mainly need to clean small, reachable areas.
Limitation: UFC-Que Choisir recommends this type for occasional cleaning rather than washing all the floors in your home.
Consider this if: you’re happy to wash floors with cold water and detergent.
Limitation: according to UFC-Que Choisir, it works differently from a steam cleaner and isn’t suitable if you want to clean without adding detergent.
| Consideration | What to check before buying | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Frequent floor cleaning | Check that it has a floor head and suitable pads, and that the instructions approve its use on your exact floor covering. | If I need to clean hard floors often, I’d choose a cleaner designed for the job rather than one with tools for other surfaces. Around 36% of consumers put this need first. |
| Several types of surface | Check that the accessories for each area are actually included and that each one is approved for the relevant materials. | If I also want to clean grout or windows, I can’t make my decision based on the floor head alone. For around 29% of consumers, cleaning several types of surface is the main priority. |
| Occasional spot cleaning | Check that it includes a nozzle and small brushes, and that the type of cleaner suits the size of the job. | For a few corners or localised marks, I’d rather avoid a cleaner designed primarily for whole rooms. This is a priority for around 14% of consumers. |
| Cold-water cleaning | Check whether you’re happy to use detergent, and what products and consumables the floor cleaner requires. | If cold-water cleaning suits me, I may be happy to use detergent rather than look for a steam cleaner. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this different option. |
UFC-Que Choisir advises against using steam on wood, while a BLACK+DECKER product page mentions a parquet setting for a particular model. That setting alone doesn’t prove that your wooden floor can be cleaned with steam.
Don’t use steam on wood. For other materials, check the instructions for the model and accessory against the flooring manufacturer’s guidance.
A floor head won’t replace a small brush, nozzle or squeegee for grout and windows. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the different accessories needed for different surfaces.
Make a list of your main cleaning tasks and check which accessories are included before choosing a type.
Without a suitable accessory, you may need another cleaner for these tasks.
UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes steam cleaners from floor cleaners that use cold water and detergent. They won’t suit the same cleaning preferences.
If you don’t want to add detergent, check how the model works before comparing its accessories.
Depending on the model, Rowenta and BLACK+DECKER product pages mention pads, an anti-scale cartridge or a water filter. These parts aren’t interchangeable between models.
Check which consumables are required for the model you choose, and consult the instructions for how to maintain and replace them.
These ranges showcase different types of cleaner. A brand’s inclusion here doesn’t confirm that its products are compatible with any particular floor covering.
Polti France’s range includes handheld steam cleaners, steam mops and cylinder models for a variety of household cleaning tasks.
Rowenta’s range includes the Steam Power steam mop and the Clean & Steam Multi, which has a removable handheld cleaner.
The BLACK+DECKER range includes steam mops, multifunction models and cylinder steam cleaners.
These two steam cleaners are worth considering for hard floors other than wood and, depending on the accessories, some targeted cleaning. Compare their designs and check the instructions for each model to make sure your floor coverings are compatible before buying.
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The mop mode is designed for floors, while the handheld cleaner is for smaller targeted areas, subject to the uses approved in the instructions. The product page lists a pressure of 3 bar, a 25 s heat-up time, a 6 m cord and five accessories.
Don’t use steam on wood or electrical appliances. Also check that each accessory is suitable for the material you want to clean.
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Worth considering if you want to clean hard floors and targeted areas using an accessory kit. The product page lists a pressure of 3.5 bar and a 15 s heat-up time.
Before buying, confirm the power supply voltage and frequency required in France, then check which surfaces are approved for each accessory. Don’t use steam on wood or electrical appliances.
Not necessarily. According to UFC-Que Choisir, steam mops are often designed for floors, while cylinder steam cleaners can cover more types of surface. For grout or windows, check which accessories are included and which materials are approved in the instructions.
Don’t use steam on wood when choosing a cleaner: UFC-Que Choisir advises against it. A parquet setting listed on a BLACK+DECKER product page doesn’t prove that the cleaner is compatible with your floor covering.
Look for tools to suit the jobs you have in mind: a small brush for some reachable surfaces, a nozzle for corners or a squeegee if you plan to clean windows. Check that they’re included and approved for use on each material concerned.
Maintenance varies by model. Some Rowenta or BLACK+DECKER models have pads, an anti-scale cartridge or a water filter. Check the instructions to find out which parts need maintaining or replacing, and how often.
Search for the brand and exact model on RappelConso before buying and while using the product. This public service lists recalls of dangerous or faulty products and explains what to do if your model is affected.