Homes with several rooms with hard floors
If you clean several areas of your home, consider the floor head, how the cleaner is filled and whether you’ll need to stop during a cleaning session.
Who are these models best suited to?
Homes where floors and awkward corners both need cleaning
If you want to move from floors to grout or taps, check which attachments are included and, for a steam mop, whether it has a handheld unit.
People who mainly need to clean small areas
If you mainly use your cleaner for small areas, ease of handling and heat-up time matter more than covering every floor in your home.
How do the different models compare?
First, check which surfaces are suitable for steam. Then choose between cleaning floors, tackling several rooms in one session or focusing on specific areas. If you’d rather vacuum and wash hard floors with detergent, a floor washer is a different type of appliance, not a steam cleaner.
Steam mop
Choose this: for cleaning that mainly focuses on hard floors; a handheld unit can also make it suitable for targeted cleaning.
Bear in mind: you’ll only be able to reach awkward corners if the model comes with the right attachments.
Cylinder steam cleaner
Choose this: for cleaning several rooms and different types of compatible surfaces in one session.
Bear in mind: these models are generally bulkier to move around and store; whether you can refill the tank while cleaning depends on the model.
Handheld steam cleaner
Choose this: when small areas and awkward corners are your main concern.
Bear in mind: this type is better for occasional jobs than for cleaning every floor in your home.
| What to consider | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Surface compatibility | The material of each floor covering; the model’s instructions and the floor manufacturer’s care guidance. Do not use on wood or electrical appliances. | If I have different types of flooring, I want to avoid buying a cleaner I can’t use on the surfaces I plan to clean. Around 36% of consumers rank compatibility as their top priority. |
| Covering several rooms | How the cleaner is filled, the stated run time and the model’s reach. | If I’m cleaning several hard floors in one session, I want to keep breaks to a minimum. This is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Reaching awkward corners | Attachments included and whether they’re suitable for grout or taps; whether the cleaner has a hose or handheld unit. | If grout and other small areas are a regular part of my routine, a floor head on its own isn’t enough. Around 21% of consumers prioritise being able to clean these areas. |
| Quick cleaning jobs | Stated heat-up time and how easy the cleaner is to move around, without confusing these with run time. | For short cleaning jobs, I prefer a cleaner that’s easy to get out and handle. This convenience is a priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming ‘all floors’ means there are no exceptions
A general claim doesn’t replace the guidance for your specific floor covering and model. UFC-Que Choisir advises against using steam on wood and electrical appliances in particular.
Make a note of the materials in your home, then check the cleaner’s instructions against the care guidance for each floor covering.
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Choosing a floor mop when awkward corners matter just as much
A mop designed for floors won’t necessarily be suitable for cleaning grout, bathroom fittings and taps.
Check that it comes with the specific nozzles, brushes, hoses or handheld units you need for these areas.
You may need compatible accessories or a second appliance for jobs that the mop alone can’t handle.
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Choosing based on heat-up time alone
A quick start-up doesn’t tell you how long a cleaning session will last or which surfaces you can clean with the supplied attachments.
Also compare how the cleaner is filled, its reach and the attachments, based on the way you clean.
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Confusing steam cleaners with floor washers
A floor washer that uses cold water and detergent does a different job from a steam cleaner, which uses steam on compatible surfaces and for targeted cleaning.
If your main aim is to vacuum and wash hard floors in one pass, look at the features of the floor washer you’re considering. If you want to clean awkward corners with steam, compare the different types of steam cleaner and their attachments instead.
A floor washer may also require compatible detergent and consumables.
Brands to consider when comparing
Polti
The Vaporetto range includes cylinder cleaners, mops with handheld units and compact handheld models.
- According to Polti France, the Smart 100_T has nine accessories and a tank that can be refilled while in use; the SV220 combines a mop with a handheld cleaner.
- Features vary by model, so check which attachments are included rather than assuming they’re standard across the range.
Kärcher
The French range includes EasyFix steam cleaners for compatible hard surfaces.
- Kärcher France says the SC 3 EasyFix’s tank can be refilled while the cleaner is in use.
- The filling system and accessories vary between models; they don’t make wood or electrical appliances suitable for steam cleaning.
Rowenta
Rowenta offers steam mops for floor care, as well as floor washers, which are a different type of appliance.
- Rowenta France lists three steam settings for the Steam Power RY6597WH.
- The brand’s floor washers don’t replace the accessories needed for targeted steam cleaning in awkward corners.
Joybuy products for floors and targeted cleaning
This selection features a steam mop with a handheld mode, so you can switch between floors and small, compatible areas. Before choosing, check that it has the attachments you need for awkward corners and that it’s suitable for your floor covering.
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ROUNY STEAMO X, 2-in-1 steam mop and handheld cleaner
Mop and handheld modes make it suitable for cleaning both floors and compatible targeted areas.
Specifications listed: 1 200 W, 3-bar steam pressure, 25-second heat-up time, 6 m cable and five accessories.
Before use, check the instructions to make sure it’s suitable for each floor covering, and see which attachments are right for grout or taps. Do not use steam on wood or electrical appliances.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use a steam cleaner on wooden flooring or an electrical appliance?
No. UFC-Que Choisir’s guide advises against using steam on wooden surfaces and electrical appliances. For other floor coverings, check both the cleaner’s instructions and the floor manufacturer’s care guidance.
Do you need to add detergent to a steam cleaner?
No. According to UFC-Que Choisir, a steam cleaner uses water converted into steam, without detergent. A floor washer that uses cold water and detergent is a different type of appliance.
Which appliance should you choose to clean floors and awkward corners with one machine?
A mop with a handheld unit could suit you if you regularly switch between floors and small areas. A cylinder cleaner is worth considering if you clean several rooms and surfaces in one session. In either case, check which attachments are included and whether they’re suitable for the surfaces you want to clean.
What are your rights in France if the appliance is faulty or doesn’t match its description?
For new, second-hand or refurbished goods sold by a professional to an individual in France, the statutory guarantee of conformity is compulsory, according to the French Ministry of the Economy. If the appliance is faulty or doesn’t match the seller’s description, contact the seller to have the issue assessed under this guarantee.