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Steam Cleaner Guide & Tips

Using Vapor Steam Cleaners

Vapor steam cleaner usage guide for Ladybug, Ladybug XL and VaporJet steam cleaners. These portable steam cleaners use dry vapor and are great for floors, carpet cleaning, household cleaning, residential, commercial use, tile, mold, mildew, bacteria, asthma, allergies. Click on quick links below for steam cleaner use on various surfaces and items.


Floors | Carpets | Walls & Ceilings | Upholstery |
Blinds | Glass | Kitchens | Bathrooms | Cars-RVs-Boats | Other

  Vapor Steam Cleaners Comparison Guide
Check out the Vapor Steam Cleaner Comparison Guide for vapor steam cleaner prices, ratings, consumer reviews and recommendations!

Volume Control Levels on steam cleaners: Low (1/4 turn), Med (1/2 turn), High (fully open)

General steam cleaning guidelines:
1. Let the hot vapor do the work at low volume
2. Begin in least dirty area and work towards most dirty
3. Do edging and detail first with steam cleaner, then large areas
4. Consider how heat affects the surface you are steam cleaning.

Floors Steam cleaner volume Tools or accessories to be used with steam cleaner Hints & Techniques
Vinyl Tile or Sheet Goods Low-Med Large brush + towel, extension tubes, nozzle with nylon
nozzle brush, triangle brush
Sweep or vacuum first; mop with large brush, corners and baseboards with small
nozzle brush or large nozzle brush; do by sections using continuous motion, heavily soiled areas use triangle brush, no towel.
Quarry Tile, Slate, Ceramic Tile Grout Med Large brush + towel on front clips only, nozzle with nylon
nozzle brush, triangle brush with towel
Sweep or vacuum first; mop with large brush, flip towel under brush to finish wipe, use nozzle brush on grout lines and wipe away loosened dirt.
Hardwood Low Large brush + towel, extension tubes Fix towel to large brush, heat with steam "on", reduce or turn steam off and mop floor, repeat as towel cools. Towel should be hot and moist, not wet.
Smooth Concrete Med-High Large brush + towel on front clips only, triangle brush Sweep or vacuum first; mop with large brush, flip towel under brush to finish wipe, use nozzle brush or triangle brush for heavily soiled areas.
Wax Removal Med-High triangle brush, extension tubes Treat by section with triangle brush, no towel. Do twice, DO NOT OVERHEAT
Carpets Steam cleaner volume Tools or accessories to be used with steam cleaner Hints & Techniques
Wall to wall, Maintenance, Area Rugs Med Large brush + towel, extension tubes Vacuum and then PRE-STEAM with triangle brush or large brush a 6'x6' area at 6" above the surface. Attach towel to large brush and wipe in two directions-the second at right angles to the first. Stubborn areas may be pre-treated with a light application of gentle detergent followed with steam treatment.
Spot Cleaning Med-High Nozzle or Steam gun When using nozzle or steam gun on spots, stay 4" - 6" from carpet surface. Blot spot with towel, repeat as necessary. DO NOT OVERHEAT
Wall & Ceilings Steam cleaner volume Tools or accessories to be used with steam cleaner Hints & Techniques
Painted, Paneling, Wallpaper Low triangle brush or large brush with towel, extension tubes Painted walls, wallpaper, wood paneling are heat sensitive. Always use 2, preferably 3 layers of towel on brushes when treating these surfaces. Do not dwell on any one area too long - treat once, let cool and retreat. On heavily soiled areas, pre-steam with nozzle 6" from surface and then use brush withtowel. Towel surface may be pre-treated with gentle detergent mist to help loosen soil. On wood paneling move quickly, check towel surface for color transfer. WALL PAPER REMOVAL - use nozzle on seams, wallpaper stripper on large areas. Use triangle brush with towel to remove residual paste.
Acoustical Tile Low triangle brush or large brush with towel, extension tubes
Vents Med-High Nozzle or extended nozzle, ext. tubes, large brush with towel Wipe vent surface with large brush with towel. Pre treat with extended nozzle if necessary. For louvered vents, use nozzle with nozzle brush and towel.
Upholstery Steam cleaner volume Tools or accessories to be used with steam cleaner Hints & Techniques
Vinyl, Synthetics Low-Med triangle brush with towel Test in inconspicuous location prior to treatment. Some velours are very heat sensitive and may deform. Pre-steam area with steam gun at 6" from surface. Use triangle brush with towel over surface, working in two directions. Towel should be hot & moist, not wet. Use nozzle on seam lines at 2" from surface, wipe away dirt with towel. Condition leathers after treating.
Cotton Low-Med nozzle, no brush
Leathers Low triangle brush with towel
Blinds Steam cleaner volume Tools or accessories to be used with steam cleaner Hints & Techniques
Levelor, Venetian type, horizontal Low-Med nozzle, extension tube, extended nozzle Light dust - open blind ½ way & use nozzle on med - high from 4" away. Caution - Thin plastic blinds may be deformed by too much heat. Use care. Heavy or greasy dust - shut blind, mist with mild detergent, use nozzle at 4" from surface, wipe immediately with towel. Vertical vinyl - triangle brush with towel on one side and large brush with towel on opposite side - top to base, switch sides
Glass Steam cleaner volume Tools or accessories to be used with steam cleaner Hints & Techniques
Windows, Mirrors, Window Screens Med Window cleaning tool, triangle brush with towel, extension tube(s) Pre - steam glass with steam gun at 6" from surface or use triangle brush with towel over entire surface the first cleaning. Follow up with window tool. Wipe squeegee blade often. Avoid cracked mirrors or windows. Use triangle brush with towel on screens.
Window Frames Low-Med nozzle with nozzle brush, extension tube(s), towel Use nozzle + brush to renew frame area, latches etc. Use towel over nozzle brush to finish and polish.
Kitchens Steam cleaner volume Tools or accessories to be used with steam cleaner Hints & Techniques
Stove Tops, Ovens Low-Med Nozzle with nozzle brush - nylon, brass, large nozzle brush, stainless steel pad, ext. tube, towel Use large nozzle brush with stainless steel pad for oven surfaces, oven racks, glass in door. Use small nylon or brass nozzle brush for tight areas, corners, burner bibs.
Small Appliances Low-Med med nozzle brush, triangle brush with towel For large areas use triangle brush with towel, or large nozzle brush directly. Use nozzle without brush for nooks & crannies, wipe with towel.
Sinks, Faucets, Drains Med Nozzle with nozzle brush - nylon or brass Use nozzle to reach into tight areas, use with nozzle brush where needed, rinse or wipe surface.
Counter tops, Cabinet facing Low-Med triangle brush with towel, nozzle with nozzle brush Use triangle brush direct and wipe with towel, use nozzle with brush on moldings, wipe with towel. CABINET FACING: pre - steam with nozzle from a distance of 6", let stand a moment, wipe with towel, repeat if necessary.
Bathrooms Steam cleaner volume Tools or accessories to be used with steam cleaner Hints & Techniques
Tile & Grout Med Nozzle & med nozzle brush, triangle brush, extension tube Use nozzle brushes, triangle brush with no towel to clean grout, rinse or wipe clean. Use triangle brush with towel to maintain.
Porcelain, Chrome Fixtures Med Nozzle, nozzle brush - nylon, triangle brush with towel, extension tube Use triangle brush with towel to treat larger areas, nozzle brush with towel or nozzle with nylon nozzle brush for corners, hinges, ledges and bars, wipe or rinse away dirt.
Shower Stalls & Doors Med Nozzle, nozzle brush - nylon, triangle brush with towel, extension tube, large nozzle brush with stainless steel pad Use triangle brush without towel or large nozzle brush with stainless steel pad to remove heavy soap scum from glass panels. Pre - treat area with mild detergent if necessary. Rinse tools often. Wipe or rinse away loosened dirt.
Fiberglass Med Large round nozzle brush, triangle brush, extension tube, towel Use triangle brush direct without towel, or large round nozzle brush for stubborn areas, rinse or wipe away soil. Use extension tube for easy reach
Cars-RVs-Boats Steam cleaner volume Tools or accessories to be used with steam cleaner Hints & Techniques
Interior Surfaces Med triangle brush with towel, nozzle with nozzle brush Triangle brush with towel for fabric & vinyl surfaces, nozzle to clean seams, and spots - SEE Carpet Spotting. Do not overheat plastics or vinyls.
Detailing Interior, Exterior Med Nozzle, nozzle brush - nylon, triangle brush with towel, extension tube For nooks & crannies use nozzle, wipe with towel. Use nozzle brush on chrome & gaskets. Wipe with clean towel to polish.
Other steam cleaner applications
Dust plants, polish jewelry, clean tools, yard equipment, sports equipment, outdoor furniture, unclog drains, defrost freezers, remove stickers & decals. Remove and kill algae on deck or other exterior wood surfaces. Deodorize fabrics & carpets. Kill unwanted vegetation.
See our complete selection of vapor steam cleaners.
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Gruene 2-in-1 Steam Mop and Cleaner
Gruene Handheld Steam Cleaner and Mop


$189.95
$159.95
 

Able to convert from a steam mop for floors to a handheld steamer, which can be used with a variety of attachments for countertops, sinks, ovens, windows, etc. On board storage caddy. Provides 212°F steam.

HAAN FS-20 Lemon Floor Steam Cleaners
HAAN FS-20 Steam Mops

$89.95
 

Our HAAN floor steam mops incorporates cutting-edge technology, easy maneuverability and powerful 212°F steam for quick, chemical-free cleaning in your home. Lemon color. Accessory packages available.

Ladybug XL2300 Commercial Grade Vapor Steam Cleaners
Ladybug XL2300 Steam Cleaner with TANCS

$1699.00 and up
 

We think the results you get from steam cleaning are already impressive. Now with TANCS, steam cleaning reaches a whole new level of cleanliness that nears...

Ladybug XL2300 TANCS Commercial Grade Vapor Steam Cleaner
Ladybug XL2300 Steam Cleaner with TANCS - Deluxe package

$1799.00
 

We think the results you get from steam cleaning are already impressive. Now with TANCS, steam cleaning reaches a whole new level of cleanliness that nears...

Ladybug XL2300 TANCS Commercial Grade Vapor Steam Cleaner
Ladybug XL2300 Steam Cleaner with TANCS - Supreme package

$1899.00
 

We think the results you get from steam cleaning are already impressive. Now with TANCS, steam cleaning reaches a whole new level of cleanliness that nears...

Ladybug 2200S Steam Cleaner with TANCS - Standard package
Ladybug 2200S Steam Cleaner with TANCS

$1499.00
 

Top-of-the-line continuous fill steam cleaner with TANCS patented technology for faster cleaning and near sterilization. 290 degree boiler temp. for deep cleaning.

Ladybug 2200S Steam Cleaner with TANCS - Standard package
Ladybug 2200S Steam Cleaner with TANCS - Deluxe package

$1599.00
 

Portable steam cleaners use dry vapor and are great for floors, household cleaning, residential, commercial use, tile, mold, mildew, bacteria, asthma, allergies. Now available with the TANCS for advanced steam cleaning and disinfecting.

Ladybug 2200S Steam Cleaner with TANCS - Standard package
Ladybug 2200S Steam Cleaner with TANCS - Supreme package

$1699.00
 

Portable steam cleaners use dry vapor and are great for floors, household cleaning, residential, commercial use, tile, mold, mildew, bacteria, asthma, allergies. Now available with the TANCS for advanced steam cleaning and disinfecting.

WhiteWing Steamer Vapor Steam Cleaner
WhiteWing Steamer Vapor Steam Cleaner

$699.95 and up
$599.95 and up
 

Best value, mid-range single tank steam cleaner. Quality construction. Includes extensive tool package. 285° boiler temp.

Ladybug 2150S Steam Cleaner - Standard package
Ladybug 2150S Steam Cleaner

$1049.00
 

Superb continuous fill steam cleaner. Excellent construction and cleaning accessories. 290 degree boiler temp. for deep cleaning.

Ladybug 2200S Steam Cleaner with TANCS - Standard package
Ladybug 2200S & 2150S Steam Cleaner - Deluxe packages

$1149.00 and up
 

Ladybug vapor steam cleaners review and comparison. Vapor steam cleaner reports by consumer experts. These portable steam cleaners use dry vapor and are great for floors, household cleaning, residential, commercial use, tile, mold, mildew, bacteria, asthma, allergies.

Ladybug 2150S Steam Cleaner - Standard package
Ladybug 2200S & 2150S Steam Cleaner - Supreme packages

$1249.00 and up
 

Ladybug vapor steam cleaners review and comparison. Vapor steam cleaner reports by consumer experts. These portable steam cleaners use dry vapor and are great for floors, household cleaning, residential, commercial use, tile, mold, mildew, bacteria, asthma, allergies.

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