One of the benefits of steam cleaners is that the heat eliminates viruses, mold, and allergens, making them a good countermeasure for dust mites.
Nevertheless, before you can benefit from these capabilities, you first have to find and purchase the best steam cleaner for dust mites in your budget range. Thankfully we reviewed and tried various steam cleaners and listed the best ones below. Options that take a long time to heat up didn’t cut it since they’re a waste of time. Additionally, we looked at the functionality offered by the accessories provided. For instance, mop attachments in some models make cleaning floors significantly easier. To learn more about the features we used to select the devices and why, keep reading.
More features: 6.5 ft hose, 45 min steam time, mop attachment included, 15 accessories, 15 ft power cord
Starting the list is the Steamfast SF-370, which is a workhorse. It comes with 15 accessories that cater to the different surfaces you may have to clean. This includes squeegees, a mop, corner tools, and more. Also notable is that the steam cleaner comes fitted with a 15ft power chord. Add that to the 6.5-foot hose, and you realize the device has impressive reach as well.
Thanks to the multiple accessories included, the Steamfast SF-370 is for users who want a versatile cleaning tool that works for most surfaces while still getting rid of dust mites.
More features: 20 accessories, 18 ft power cord, 90 min steam time, onboard accessories storage, 212° F water temperature
A close second is the McCulloch MC1375, although it’ll set you back a few more dollars than the editor’s choice. In terms of the value, you get an 18 ft power cord attached to the device and a 10 ft hose. Also, it ships with up to 20 cleaning accessories. As for the heating time, it stands at 10 min which isn’t that long once you realize the machine can run continuously for up to 90 minutes.
This is an ideal steam cleaner for people with more money who need the best in terms of accessories, steam time, cord length, and more.
More features: 1500 W power consumption, 23 ft power cord, 6.2 lbs weight, 12 in wide cleaning path
Next, we look at the Bissell Power Fresh 1940, an upright steam cleaner with a 23ft power cord. It uses 1500W power, and with only a 1 minute heating time, you don’t need to wait long after turning it on to use it. Also, the tank capacity is only 16 oz which may seem substandard but is often enough to clean floors. This is partly thanks to the device’s 12 inches wide cleaning path.
This Bissell Power Fresh 1940 steam cleaner is for users who want an easier, faster time cleaning their floors.
More features: 2 microfiber pads, soft-grip handle, 4.8 lbs weight, 20 ft power cord
Another option for making light work of dirty floors is the Shark S3501. Like the Bissell Power Fresh 1940, it features a 16 oz tank and fast heating time. Consequently, even if the tank capacity isn’t the best, you can keep refilling and using it without having to take long breaks in between. At only 4.8 lbs and featuring a soft-grip handle, users shouldn’t have problems using the device for extended periods either.
The Shark S3501 is for buyers who don’t want to wait long between refilling the tank and using the steam cleaner given the 30-second heating time.
More features: 40 min steam duration, 293°F steam temperature, 5.7 ft hose, 46 psi steam pressure
As for the Dupray Home Steam Cleaner, it shares a similar heating time to the McCulloch MC1375. That said, the tank provided is smaller at only 34 oz capacity. Nevertheless, you won’t struggle much with clean-up jobs due to the 293°F steam temperature, not to mention you can adjust the pressure depending on what you’re cleaning. Also, like other canister steam cleaners, it ships with a full suite of accessories and attachments for different tasks.
For those having problems cleaning grout lines, this is one of the best steam cleaners for you.
More features: 45 min steam duration, 19 accessories, 226° F steam temperature, 16 ft power cord
The COSTWAY Multipurpose Steam Cleaner is bound to impress you with its 52 oz tank capacity. That said, each full tank can only last you 45 minutes before a refill is necessary. It’s a canister steam cleaner designed with a 16 ft power cord. This allows for more extended reach, and the built-in wheels make it easier to move from room to room as you clean.
The COSTWAY Multipurpose Steam Cleaner is for users who need a heavy-duty steam cleaner to handle huge workloads and various project types.
Ultimately if you want excellent value for your money with your steam cleaner, it’s not a good idea to rush into the purchase. Instead, you should consider different variables, such as what you’re hoping to achieve with the cleaner, features, and the benefits of each feature. As such, this buying guide could act as a checklist, so you don’t forget anything.
According to the latest research on Pub Med Trusted Source The use of domestic steam cleaning for the control of house dust mites - PubMed These data indicate that steam cleaning has considerable potential as an highly effective and efficient method of killing dust mites and reducing concentrations of Der p 1 in domestic premises. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov , steam cleaning has proven to be efficient and effective at eliminating dust mites from your home. This is because the bugs will die at 130-degree heat.
As shown by options like the Dupray Home Steam Cleaner mentioned above, the steam released from these devices can be as hot as 293°F, which should be more than enough to kill the bugs.
Of course, there are other tips and tricks you could use to eliminate the allergens and keep them away from your home, as highlighted below.
First, you have to be aware that dust mites prefer spots with lots of dust and moisture. As such, if you can eliminate them from your household, the dust mite population will be dramatically reduced.
Your carpet, for instance, is one of the top spots for dust mites since dust tends to collect there, and they hold a lot of moisture between them and the floor. Consequently, removing your carpet and cleaning up cluttered areas could help.
Buy dustproof covers for your mattresses and pillows. That way, the dust mites will only attach to the washable parts of your bedding. Speaking of washable, whenever you clean these covers alongside sheets and other components of your bedding, use 130°F water. As mentioned above, dust mites die at these temperatures.
Non-washable items in your household can be thrown in the dryer and left for 15 minutes or more with the temperatures set to 130°F or higher. There’s also an alternative for items that don’t handle heat very well. You can leave them in the freezer for at least 24 hours.
Additionally, you could reduce the dust levels in your home and the accompanying dust mite population by installing the best filters in your air conditioning units. Lastly, reduce the humidity levels in the house. Ideally, humidity should be 50% or lower to keep away the bugs, so you may have to get a dehumidifier depending on your location.
As for how to pick the best steam cleaner for dust mites, here’s everything you need to look out for.
First, check the type of steam cleaner as the capabilities for each type can differ. Some variations include garment steam cleaners, handheld steam cleaners, upright steam cleaners, canister steam cleaners, and more. The trick is to get the type that is best suited to your needs.
For instance, a garment steam cleaner could work if you want to eliminate dust mites from your clothes. An upright cleaner is better if you want one for your wooden laminate flooring since it’s designed like a vacuum cleaner.
As for canister cleaners, they seem to be among the most versatile steam cleaners as they come with different attachments for different jobs.
The water tank capacity is definitely going to impact how the device handles various clean-up projects. If the capacity is high, you can generally run the machine longer without taking breaks. Conversely, if the capacity is too small, you’ll need to keep refilling the tank and waiting for the device to heat the water, which is less convenient.
Nevertheless, if your clean-up projects generally don’t take too long, you won’t have any issues with a small water tank in your steam cleaner.
Check the heating and steaming times as well. Ideally, you should get something with short heating and long steaming times. If you do, setting up to clean the floor or some other surface won’t take long, and you won’t have to worry about steam running out before you’re done cleaning.
That said, you may have to choose one or the other. With the Shark S3501, for instance, you get one of the shortest heating times available in the market. This is made possible by the smaller tank included in the design of the steam cleaner. After all, smaller volumes of water don’t take long to heat.
However, the steam produced by these small quantities of water isn’t much and won’t last long. As such, you lose out on getting extended steaming time by picking the Shark S3501.
The dimensions and weight also matter a lot. A smaller, lighter device is advantageous since it’s easy to store, easy to transport, and should be less strenuous to use. However, that often means a reduced tank capacity which is a problem.
Bulkier steam cleaners tend to have more power, larger water tanks, and generally offer a longer steaming time. However, they take up too much storage space and are a chore to move around during use.
Steam power could also determine the effectiveness of the cleaner. Generally, options with more power are effective even against the toughest stains. Of course, if your cleaner doesn’t have enough power, the reverse is true, and you’ll struggle with some of your clean-up projects.
Cord length is another crucial factor. Remember, these devices need to be effective at cleaning all parts of the house. This can be hindered by the cord if it’s not long enough. That’s why options like the McCulloch MC1375 come with 18 ft power cords. As such, the device should have enough reach to clean most rooms while attached to a socket.
That said, even if you don’t get a long cord, you can always get an extension cable to make up the difference.
Also, try to get a durable steam cleaner with a comprehensive warranty like the Steamfast SF-370. That way, the device won’t get damaged easily during use, and if there are any manufacturing defects, you won’t have to cater to that out of your pocket. Instead, the manufacturer will either repair or replace the device at no extra cost to you.
Lastly, there are a few optional extra features such as the cleaning accessories provided, the size of the cleaning path, controllable steam pressure, onboard accessory storage, and more. The more extra features you have, the more value for money you’ll be getting. That said, some of these additional features could be the reason why the steam cleaner you’re eyeing is so much more expensive than the alternatives.
Ultimately, the Steamfast SF-370, McCulloch MC1375, and the Bissell Power Fresh 1940 are our favorite picks from the list above. The Steamfast SF-370 is an excellent all-rounder and provides excellent value for money. Also, the tank capacity, reach, and 45-minute steaming time are impressive.
The McCulloch MC1375 is even more impressive in terms of reach. Additionally, it’s hard to beat the accessories provided and the 90-minute steaming time. Lastly, the onboard storage for accessories is another feature we liked.
As for the Bissell Power Fresh 1940, it’s one of the best steam cleaners for dust mites, especially if you’re eliminating the bugs from your floors. The wide cleaning path ensures you don’t have to make as many passes through the room. Also, the 23 ft power cord isn’t bad either.
