Households with several types of surface to clean
If you clean hard floors as well as grout or windows, decide which jobs you need to do before choosing a type of cleaner and its accessories. Every surface must be suitable for steam.
Who is a steam cleaner for?
How useful a steam cleaner is depends as much on the surfaces in your home as on the jobs you need to tackle.
People looking to reduce their use of detergents
A steam cleaner turns water into steam, so you don’t always need to use detergent. However, steam cleaning is not suitable for every material.
Homes with a mix of materials
If your home has wood surfaces or electrical appliances, don’t use steam on them, in line with Que Choisir’s guidance. For other coverings, check both their instructions and those for the appliance.
What should you check before choosing?
First, check which surfaces are suitable, then choose a type of cleaner to match the jobs you need to do. The accessories matter more than simply how many there are.
Cylinder steam cleaner
Suitable for: hard floors and other surfaces across several rooms, provided the necessary accessories are included.
Keep in mind: it’s generally bulkier to store than a steam mop.
Steam mop
Suitable for: cleaning compatible hard floors; a handheld attachment can also help with occasional jobs.
Keep in mind: other uses depend on the attachment, accessories and surfaces permitted by the instructions.
Handheld steam cleaner
Suitable for: targeted cleaning on a compatible surface, using the right attachment.
Keep in mind: this compact option isn’t a substitute for a floor cleaner when tackling large rooms.
| What to consider | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | Identify each floor covering. Check its instructions and those for the cleaner; a steam setting doesn’t make a material suitable if it’s not recommended for steam. Que Choisir advises against using steam on wood or electrical appliances. | I have several types of surface at home, so I want to know which ones I can actually clean with steam. |
| Accessories | Check which tools are included for the jobs you have in mind: a nozzle and floor cloth for floors, a small brush for some smooth surfaces, a squeegee for windows or an attachment for narrow gaps. | I’m also interested in cleaning windows or grout, so I need the right tools for those jobs—not just a long list of accessories. |
| Ease of use | Consider how much space it takes up and whether you have room to store it. If you clean for long periods, check whether the model’s tank can be refilled while you use it. | I clean several rooms in one go and want an appliance that’s comfortable to use, without too many interruptions. |
| Maintenance | Check which pads or other consumables you’ll need, and find out what information is available about spare parts for the model. | I want to be able to maintain the appliance and replace parts as needed over time. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Assuming all hard floors are suitable for steam
Que Choisir’s guide recommends steam cleaners for hard floors, but advises against using them on wood or electrical appliances. The term “multi-surface” alone doesn’t confirm that a particular floor covering is suitable.
Make a note of the materials in your home before you buy. For every surface you plan to clean, check the instructions for the covering and the appliance.
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Choosing based solely on heat-up time
Cleaning a floor, a window or a narrow gap may require different accessories. Que Choisir tests these tasks separately in its steam cleaner testing process.
Make a list of the jobs you do regularly, then check which tools are actually included with the model you’re considering.
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Confusing a steam mop with a roller floor cleaner
They clean in different ways: a steam mop uses steam, while Kärcher’s range of roller floor cleaners uses clean water.
If you mainly need to wash your floors as part of your regular cleaning routine, compare the two types based on your floor coverings. If you also want to tackle smaller jobs with steam, check the accessories and which surfaces are suitable.
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Forgetting about replacement parts
Being able to replace a pad, an accessory or a part can make a difference to how long you can use your appliance.
Before you buy, check which consumables the model needs. In France, the DGCCRF says that sellers must tell consumers how long spare parts will be available if they know this information.
Some brands to know
These examples show some of the options available; check the features and restrictions for each individual model.
Kärcher
The range includes cylinder steam cleaners such as the SC 3 EasyFix.
- Kärcher France says the SC 3 EasyFix has a tank that can be refilled while in use and two steam settings.
- These features alone don’t confirm whether a particular floor covering is suitable.
Polti
The Vaporetto range includes the SV220, which combines a steam mop with a handheld cleaner.
- According to Polti France, the SV220 has adjustable steam, a tank that can be refilled while in use and 10 accessories.
- Even if an accessory is included, you’ll still need to check whether the surface you want to clean is suitable for steam.
BLACK+DECKER
The FSMH13E5-QS is a steam mop with a handheld cleaner.
- BLACK+DECKER France lists five accessories and a washable pad for this model.
- The brand specifies sealed floors; check the instructions for your particular floor before use, too.
A steam mop option on Joybuy
This steam mop with a handheld attachment may suit you if you’re looking to clean floors and tackle smaller, targeted jobs. Before choosing it, check that your surfaces are suitable and that it includes the accessories you need.
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ROUNY STEAMO X, 2-in-1 steam mop with handheld cleaner
The mop format and handheld attachment let you tackle floors and smaller jobs, but only on surfaces suitable for steam. The product name lists a pressure of 3 bar, a 25 s heat-up time, a 6 m cord and five accessories; check which attachments are included for the jobs you have in mind. Read the instructions for both the model and your floor covering before use: according to Que Choisir, steam must not be used on wood or electrical appliances.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use a steam cleaner on wooden flooring or an electrical appliance?
No. Que Choisir’s guide advises against using steam on wood or electrical appliances. For other floor coverings, check their instructions and those for the cleaner rather than assuming they’re suitable based on how they look.
How do you choose the right accessories?
Match each job to a tool included with the cleaner: a nozzle and floor cloth for compatible floors, a small brush for some smooth surfaces, a squeegee for windows or a suitable attachment for narrow gaps. Then check that the instructions allow you to use it for the task you have in mind.
Does the statutory guarantee of conformity also apply to a refurbished appliance?
Yes. In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies when a business sells a refurbished item to an individual, according to the information sheet published by economie.gouv.fr in September 2026. The same sheet says it also applies to new and second-hand goods sold under these conditions.
Should you check spare parts before buying?
Yes, if being able to replace parts matters to you, check the details for the specific model. The DGCCRF says sellers must provide information about how long spare parts will be available if they know; Kärcher France states that parts essential to the SC 3 EasyFix will be available for six years after production ends.