Steam Cleaner vs. Carpet Cleaner: Which One Should You Choose?

Steam cleaners and carpet cleaners are both powerful cleaning tools that make it easy to remove dirt and stains from your floors. They can also help to reduce allergens in your home, and maintain the quality of your floors—extending their lifespan.

However, steam cleaners and carpet cleaners function differently. Below, we’ll explain those differences, including the pros and cons and the best use cases for both tools. Here's everything you need to know to decide between a steam cleaner vs. carpet cleaner to clean your floors.

Key differences

According to Chase Hines, specialist in upright deep cleaning at Bissell, “Steam is an incredibly effective tool for sanitization without the use of harsh chemicals. The steam process uses water and heat to clean and sanitize sealed hard floors and many other types of hard surfaces through the home.”

On the other hand, Hines says, “Carpet cleaners are great for cleaning wall-to-wall carpets and larger area rugs; they can remove tough, stuck-on stains deep in carpet fibers to help keep your carpets looking and smelling fresh.”

Pros and Cons of Steam Cleaners

These are some of the factors to consider when deciding if a steam cleaner is best for your needs.

Pros

In addition to hard floors, Hines says steam cleaners can also be used in other applications. “They come in handy for thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing hard surfaces in kitchens, bathrooms, and all around the home, like tile grout, counters, sinks, windows and more,” he explains.

Alessandro Gazzo at Emily’s Maids agrees, adding, “I think a steam cleaner is more helpful in case you want a tool to clean multiple surfaces, since it’s definitely more versatile.”

And if you have both hard floors and carpet, Gazzo says a steam cleaner can be very useful.  “It’s one tool to do both tasks, and also cover other surfaces, like water fixtures, and countertops.”

Brett Labeka, a virtual handyperson expert at Frontdoor, also likes the versatility of steam cleaners, noting that they can be used on everything from tile and grout to upholstery, curtains, and even clothing.

The ability to provide chemical-free cleaning is another pro. “Steam cleaners use only water, making them an eco-friendly option for anyone who wants to avoid harsh chemicals,” Labeka says.

A steam cleaner can also provide sanitation. “The high-temperature steam kills bacteria, germs, and dust mites, providing a deeper cleanliness,” Labeka notes.

And if you don’t want to wait on your floors to dry, a steam cleaner provides a faster drying time. Labeka points to the fact that steam cleaners tend to use less water than traditional carpet cleaners, so the surface dries quicker.

Cons 

However, there are some negatives to using steam cleaners, and one of them can be downright dangerous. Hines warns that steam is hot and can cause serious injury if you don’t take the proper precautions. “Always be sure to read through the user manual before using your product,” he advises.

Also, if you have deep-set stains, a steam cleaner may not be as effective as a dedicated carpet cleaner.    

If you want a high-quality steam cleaner, Labeka says it can be expensive.

A limited water tank size is another feature that you may consider to be a negative. “Frequent refilling might be necessary for larger cleaning tasks,” Labeka says.

Finally, you can use steam cleaners for all types of floors. In addition, Labeka says you can’t use them on painted floors. “The heat from the steam can create bubbles under the paint, leading to peeling,” he explains.

Pros and cons of carpet cleaners

These are some of the factors to consider when deciding if a carpet cleaner is best for your needs.

Pros

There are a variety of different types and models of carpet cleaners to choose from. “You can choose between both portable and upright deep cleaners that are multifaceted for cleaning carpets, refreshing area rugs, spot cleaning, and cleaning upholstery, along with other areas in the home,” Hines says.

In addition, Gazzo notes that a carpet cleaner can remove a buildup of gunk and provide a deeper cleaning. “A carpet cleaner, in general, has attachments that are more specific to different types of fibers and to actually run through these stiff surfaces,” Gazzo adds.

Labeka agrees, adding, “When purchasing a carpet cleaner, you’ll notice across models that many boast various features, like built-in heaters, multiple brushes, and powerful suction for thorough cleaning.”

If you have carpets, keep in mind that carpet cleaners are specifically designed to clean this type of surface. Labeka says they’re often more effective at removing deep-seeded dirt, stains, and odors. “Carpet cleaners penetrate deeper into carpet fibers compared to steam cleaners, providing a more thorough cleaning,” he says.

Cons: 

While spot cleaning carpet cleaners tend to be pretty lightweight, they’re not designed to clean wall-to-wall. The carpet cleaners that are designed with this purpose tend to be big and bulky, making them hard to maneuver. And if you don’t have a lot of space, they can be hard to store as well.

Gazzo recommends using a standard vacuum cleaner for regular cleaning and then only pulling out the carpet cleaner once a month or every few months.

It may sound like a contradiction; however, he says he would only recommend buying a carpet cleaner if you have a reason to use it quite frequently. “A good example would be having pets constantly staining your couch,” Gazzo explains.

Carpet cleaners also use chemicals. “They often require cleaning solutions, which can add to the cost and may contain chemicals that some users prefer to avoid,” Labeka says.

And the drying time is longer, since carpet cleaners use more water than steam cleaners.

What steam cleaners can’t be used for

While steam cleaners can be used on a variety of surfaces, there are also surfaces that they’re not designed for. “Steam is not recommended for use on non-sealed and porous hard surfaces, or glued surfaces,” Hines says.  He recommends always testing a small area where you’re planning to clean before getting started. “This is done to make sure the steam does not damage or change the color of the surface,” Hines explains.

According to Labeka, you should not use steam cleaners on any type of unsealed floors. “Steam can damage unsealed hardwood, as well as other natural stones, such as marble and limestone," he explains. He also warns against using steam cleaners on engineered hardwood floors, noting that the steam can damage the adhesives holding the floors together.

“Also avoid use on laminate floors, since steam can cause warping and swelling of the material—and avoid using steam cleaners on porous surfaces, like bamboo,” he continues. Finally, Labeka says vinyl tile and vinyl plank flooring are not designed to withstand the high temperatures needed for steam cleaning. 

What carpet cleaners can’t be used for

Hines says that carpet cleaners can be used on areas with full carpet or large area rugs. “I would advise against using a carpet cleaner on tile, lamination, or hardwood floors—unless you have a machine that specifically can be used on multiple surfaces,” he explains.

Other factors to consider

While both steam cleaners and carpet cleaners are effective for cleaning, these are some other factors to keep in mind.  “It’s important to know what surface you’re cleaning, and the messes you’re going to tackle,” Hines advises. He says a key detail that’s often overlooked is understanding the type and size of cleaning appliance that’s needed. “The size of the appliance and its capabilities matter so that users can achieve the level of clean they’re looking for.”

In conclusion, Labeka recommends a steam cleaner if you need a versatile cleaning tool for various surfaces, prefer chemical-free cleaning, and want quicker drying times.

“Choose a carpet cleaner if your primary concern is deep cleaning carpets, especially if you frequently encounter heavy traffic, spills, or stains,” Labeka says.