what is the best steam cleaner for auto detailing

Top 5 Best Steam Cleaners for Car Detailing – Tested and Reviewed

Full Answer

What is the best car cleaner?

What is the best product to clean the interior of the car?

• 303 Interior Cleaner – All Surface
• Mothers 18324 Speed Interior Detailer
• Turtle Wax 53482 Hybrid Solutions Car Interior Misting Detailer Spray
• Chemical Guys InnerClean Interior Quick Detailer and Protectant
• MiracleWipes for Automotive
• Meguiar’s G13616SP Quik Interior Detailer Cleaner
• CarGuys All Purpose Super Cleaner

More items...

What is the best canister steam cleaner?

#7 Steamfast SF-275 Canister Steam Cleaner

• 1500-watt cleaner uses pressurized steam for household ...
• Naturally deep cleans and sanitizes without the use of harsh ...
• Large 48-ounce water tank provides up to 45 minutes of ...
• 17 versatile accessories including a steam mop attachment ...
• Steam-on-demand trigger with continuous steam locking ...

Does steam cleaning a car engine damage it?

While harsh chemicals can be used, it’s often not recommended as sometimes, it can cause more damage. According to Rick Popely at Cars.com, steam cleaning a car’s engine can potentially damage mechanical parts due to the moisture.

How to clean a Bissell steam cleaner?

• Apply 1 to 2 tbsp.
• Turn the stem cleaner upside-down to access the steam holes.
• Fill the steam cleaner's water tank with one part water and one part vinegar.

What Should I Look For in a Good Steam Cleaner?

What IS a Steam Cleaner?

How does a steam cleaner work?

What to look for in a water model?

What is a portable spot cleaner?

When did steam cleaners start?

How long does it take for a steamer to heat up?

See 2 more

What steam cleaner do auto detailers use?

There is no single steam cleaner all auto detailers use. Most use a larger steam cleaner with a high-capacity tank and stiff brush attachments such as the Vapamore MR-100, Wagner Spraytech, or McCulloch MC1375.

Is a steam cleaner worth it for car?

Steam cleaners are a favorite cleaning tool among auto enthusiasts for a lot of reasons, including: They penetrate and loosen stubborn dirt so you don't have to scrub surfaces by hand, saving you time. They don't use chemicals or require added cleaning agents — all you need is water.

What do professionals use to clean the interior of a car?

6:3514:44A Detailer's Secrets On Interior Detailing For Your Car. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can also use a steam cleaner if you want to to clean the interior. I've used steam in the past.MoreYou can also use a steam cleaner if you want to to clean the interior. I've used steam in the past. And it does have a place. Especially if you run into melted crayon gum or hard candy.

Why do car detailers use steamers?

The Ultimate Cleaning Tool for Car Interior Detailing No need for abrasive brushes or harsh chemical that can remove the dye of leather seats. Steam is ideal to remove stubborn stains but also kill bacteria. Detailers know all too well how many bacteria can be found on steering wheels and seats.

Where does the dirt go when you steam clean?

Where does the dirt go when you steam clean? When steam cleaning, the dirt does not "go anywhere". Instead, the dirt is broken down by the heat from the water vapor, but remains in the area. To remove the loosened dirt from the area, you need to manually wipe it with a steam mop, cloth, or vacuum it.

Does steam cleaning damage car paint?

For cleaning car exterior with steam you need to understand simple things: Steam is not damaging car paint, but dirty microfiber does, so to avoid any damage we decide to describe all steps in one place.

What is better than Armor All?

But, unless you like that high-gloss, greasy looking finish, there are much better products out there. 303 Car Protectant and Meguiars both outperform Armor All in almost any regard. This is reflected in their growing fan bases and overall use.

What is the best cleaner to clean the interior of your car?

Rubbing Alcohol: This would be the best household cleaner for car interior, as it's a very versatile household item for car interior cleaning. It can be used for cleaning different areas in the interior of a car such as hard surfaces, leather or vinyl seats, and fabric.

What do auto detailers use to clean carpets?

3:0810:12How To Deep Clean Car Carpet: Auto Detailing Carpet Extraction - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOne I just want to recap it was treated with the super clean five to one then I sprayed a little bitMoreOne I just want to recap it was treated with the super clean five to one then I sprayed a little bit of rapid remover on some specifically tough spots. Then I got my VX 5000 i steamed.

How do you steam clean a car detail?

8:3915:19How To Steam Clean a Vehicle! | The Detail Geek - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI use the alternative method to steam which is just that all-purpose cleaner. And a detail brush toMoreI use the alternative method to steam which is just that all-purpose cleaner. And a detail brush to agitate. And get into the crevices. And then wipe it down with a dry microfiber.

What products does the detail geek use?

3:495:49The NEW Detail Geek Chemicals Are Here! | Complete Product RundownYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOkay last but not least is the wheel and tire cleaner. This is a powerful non-acid cleaner that isMoreOkay last but not least is the wheel and tire cleaner. This is a powerful non-acid cleaner that is specifically formulated to break down tire blooming old tire dressings.

What is the best way to clean cloth upholstery in a car?

InstructionsVacuum the Seats. Start by vacuuming the fabric when you're ready to clean your cloth car seats. ... Pre-Treat Stains. ... Apply the Upholstery Cleaner Solution. ... Scrub Away the Dirt. ... Wipe Away Excess Moisture. ... Repeat All Steps if Needed. ... Allow the Seats to Dry. ... Add a Protective Coating.

Is it better to steam clean or shampoo car seats?

The best way to steam clean car upholstery is to apply steam using the triangular tool with a microfiber cloth. For hard surfaces, ou can use the bristle side directly without a cloth for heavy dirt – then vacuum. Steam cleaning is also the best method for removing dye transfer or stains from leather seats.

How much does it cost to steam clean car interior?

Steam cleaning of the interior or carpet shampoo could cost $75 or more and cleaning of leather upholstery averages around $50. You may also find services for dent removal, engine cleaning or wheel detailing at some car detailing shops.

Can you use a steam cleaner on car interior?

Steam is safe to use on every vehicle surface and is the perfect all-around tool for car detailing. Use it for a wide variety of auto detailing applications including: Cleaning car interiors, which includes leather or fabric seats, door jams, cup holders, dashboards, headliners, vents and central consoles.

What is the best way to clean cloth upholstery in a car?

InstructionsVacuum the Seats. Start by vacuuming the fabric when you're ready to clean your cloth car seats. ... Pre-Treat Stains. ... Apply the Upholstery Cleaner Solution. ... Scrub Away the Dirt. ... Wipe Away Excess Moisture. ... Repeat All Steps if Needed. ... Allow the Seats to Dry. ... Add a Protective Coating.

Are steam cleaners good for cars?

Yes. A steam cleaner is an excellent way to detail your car. It can destroy mold and allergens, as well as quickly remove caked-on gunk and grime....

Will steam hurt car paint?

Steam will not damage your car’s paint. However, a steam cleaner can damage rubber and plastic components if used improperly. Do not blast a single...

Can you steam clean a windshield?

We do not recommend using a steam cleaner on your vehicle’s windshield. Instead, use a glass cleaner or ammonia solution and wipe it down with a mi...

What steam cleaner do auto detailers use?

There is no single steam cleaner all auto detailers use. Most use a larger steam cleaner with a high-capacity tank and stiff brush attachments such...

1. McCulloch MC1385 Deluxe Car Steam Cleaner

The MC1385 is a gem at the top of most of our steam cleaning lists. It offers robust features at an affordable price point. With the 23 accessories included, you can tailor this steamer to fit your needs perfectly. Only the McCulloch customer service is somewhat lackluster, but that takes nothing away from this top notch device.

2. Dupray Hill Injection Commercial Steam Cleaner

This commercial steam cleaner from Dupray transforms cleaning from chore to art form. From the dual tank design to the high-quality stainless steel boiler, this unit exudes quality.

3. Dupray One Steam Cleaner for Car Detailing

Weighing in at only 10 pounds, this smaller Dupray unit is ideal for smaller areas and also great for commercial use. Variable steam control means that you can change the amount of steam for different surfaces. The boiler may be made from high-quality stainless steel, but the other components are plastic.

4. Dupray Neat Multipurpose Steam Cleaner

The Dupray Neat is the residential alternative to the other Dupray steamers listed above. It is perfectly fine for detailing your own car at home.

5. McCulloch MC1275 Car Steam Cleaner

The McCulloch MC1275 might be right for your cleaning jobs if you plan on steaming sprees of about 30 minutes each. While it may clean in shorter spurts than other steamers, the MC1275 holds its own when it comes to cleaning power. However, the affordable price point does come at the cost of some longevity.

6. Wagner Spraytech 915e On-Demand Steam Cleaner

Although the Wagner Spraytech 915e is not the most lightweight steam cleaner, it is the easiest to move from car to car. The Spraytech 915e is an affordable way to dip your toes in the water before committing to a more expensive option. Of course, you might like this one so much you never upgrade to that bigger unit.

Cons

While there is no single steam cleaner that works best for everyone, the McCulloch MC1385 is the best balance between size, price, and functionality. It is also our top general steam cleaner, not just when it comes to car detailing.

Why use a steam cleaner for auto detailing?

Using a steam cleaner for professional auto detailing is a fantastic idea to detail faster and more efficiently. Steam cleaners also help to sanitize which is a great selling point. A steam cleaner makes interior seats and floors a breeze, engine bays a cinch and crooks and crevices quicker to clean. Steam cleaners use water, heat and pressure ...

Where are steam cleaners made?

Most of the higher quality and commercial steam cleaners are made in Italy , they have perfected the steam cleaning machine and produce very high quality products.

How long does it take to steam a Dupray Tosca?

It also has a stainless steal boiler that will hold 1.05 gallons of water, given the higher PSI, the steam time will be about 90 minutes. The Dupray Tosca also allows variable steam and will automatically shut off when the water is out. The Tosca also comes with a lot ...

What is the temperature of Chief Steamer 125?

The steam temperature in the boiler is 350 degrees and at the wand is around 320 degrees. The Chief Steamer 125 also has continuous refill and also has the ability to add detergent. As discussed with the Tosca this is a great feature for those who are looking to save some time applying product.

How long does it take to heat up a McCulloch steam cleaner?

It can heat up to 200 degrees and comes with multiple attachments useful for auto detailing. With the McCulloch you will get about 45 minutes of continuous steam and it will take around 8 minutes to heat up. For some cars 45 minutes will work but for heavily soiled interiors it ...

Where is the Chief Steamer 125 made?

The Chief Steamer 125 is the next higher-end commercial grade unit, it is another solid steamer made in Italy with stainless steal parts. The Chief Steamer 125 pushes out 135 PSI after a recent update to get the extra 10 PSI. The steam temperature in the boiler is 350 degrees and at the wand is around 320 degrees.

Does Chief Steamer 125 break down?

The Chief Steamer 125 is truly an incredible machine and very well made, it will not break down. The customer service from Kevin at Chief Steamers is top-notch, he is always willing to help answer questions or advice.

What is a steam cleaner?

This steam cleaner is advertised as an efficient, ultra-reliable do-it-all cleaning and sanitation solution. Its sellers describe it as being designed for performance and ease of use to deliver the cleaning power of much larger professional units. It is designed to easily remove dirt, grease, and stains while killing 99.9 percent of bacteria.

What temperature does a steam machine clean?

The SteamMachine (a great marketing flourish) uses pressurized, 290 F high-temperature steam to loosen and dissolve dirt, cut grease and grime, and disinfect your vehicle. The seller asserts that this steamer is versatile and can be used for a wide variety of car cleaning projects.

What is motorized brushing head?

Motorized brushing heads does the scrubbing for you, negating the need to build yourself up like Popeye before cleaning the car. Pros / A true steam cleaner, scrubs deep to lift and extract stains. Cons / Heavy, expensive. Shop Now.

How long does it take for a steam trigger to work?

A lockable steam trigger allow you to continuously blast through the task at hand, while its 6 oz. water tank heats up in three minutes and provides up to 10 minutes of continuous steam, according to the seller.

Can Bissell car seats be cleaned?

Also, the seller notes it works best on hard surfaces, though it does specifically list car seats as a cleanable item. Don’t expect it to perform the deep clean provided by more robust units like the Bissell listed above, however. Classified as a handheld pressurized steam cleaner, it’ll probably even de-wrinkle your slacks.

Is Bissell vacuum cleaner safe?

Sticking with a well-known name brand doesn’ t always work (witness the near-useless belt sander lounging in your author’s tool box) but it is generally a safe bet. Bissell has been in the vacuum and steam-cleaning business approximately forever, or at least long enough that most of us can remember Rod Roddy describing the things as part of a showcase showdown.

What is the best steam cleaner for grease?

For the toughest stains, grease and grime, you need a powerful steam cleaner. The Vapamore Primo steam cleaner does it all with commercial-grade quality.

What is the benefit of steam cleaning a car?

They offer chemical-free deep cleaning, and the heat of the steam kills 99.9 percent of bacteria. Using a car steam cleaner is an efficient way to remove tricky marks and dirt.

How much water does a steamer hold?

Volume: The amount of water a steam cleaner can hold depends on the size of the steamer. Hand-held units typically hold seven to eight ounces, larger units from 40 to 64 ounces.

How long does it take for a steamer to heat up?

Time: It takes between five and 12 minutes for most steam cleaners to heat up and be ready to use. The amount of water the unit can hold will determine how long you can use it before refilling. Most steamers can operate for 40 minutes to more than an hour.

Can a steam cleaner be used on a car?

Kids and pets can wreak havoc on a car’s interior, but a hardworking car steam cleaner can help. If you’re on a budget, the Costway multipurpose steam cleaner offers heavy-duty cleaning power without the high price tag of comparable models. It handles stubborn stains with a high steam temperature and features a built-in child lock for your peace of mind. Convenient accessory storage is another plus.

What is the best product to clean a car?

A car steam cleaner is the best product to remove stains and disinfect the interior of a vehicle. These machines are far more effective than cleaning just by wiping down surfaces. This guide will explain how to choose a great car steam cleaner for your individual purposes. You can read reviews and recommendations for the best auto steam cleaners ...

How powerful is a 1500W steam cleaner?

This 1500W steam cleaner is quite powerful. It delivers a pressurized steam at 120V. You can easily use this machine to deep clean the seats, upholstery, and the carpeting of the car. The steamer is designed to sanitize many different types of surfaces. It comes with attachments to clean surfaces like glass and leather too. The Steamfast heats water to over 200 Fahrenheit degrees. It has a large water tank that can hold about 45 ouches of water. You can expect a continuous steam to last 45 minutes.

How many tanks does a steamer have?

The steam cleaner has two tanks. The dual tanks system separated clean water from dirty, so there will be no dirty water seeping out from under the machine. The steam cleaner comes with a self-cleaning hose as well that will flushes out dirt and grime after each session. This steamer sprays and scrubs off dirt in a manner highly suited for cleaning deep stains on seats and floor mats.

What is a McCulloch steam cleaner?

Why we like it: Great high-performance steam cleaner for auto detailing. This McCulloch steam cleaner is designed for heavy-duty use. It’s a large machine, but is very versatile in application. You can easily use this steam cleaner for auto detailing and car cleaning jobs.

How long does a 1500W steamer last?

The 1500W machine is powerful and has a larger boiler tank that can contain 40 ounces of water. The steam can continuously last between 35 to 45 minutes. This steamer is really great for cleaning car carpets. The machine is capable of clearing away stains created by many types of things like salt, mud, and food.

What is a steam cleaner attachment?

Attachment includes nozzles and scrub pads suited to use on large surfaces. There are brushes for removing grease and grime too. The steam cleaner is well suited for use on various car surfaces like leather, fabric, rubber, and glass.

How much water does a steam cleaner hold?

The steam cleaner has a rather powerful jet nozzle to dislodge dirt and dust. The machine has a large water tank that can hold up to 48 ounces of water. This steam cleaner is powerful and is perfect for chemical-free cleaning. The downsides are quite minor. Don’t expect this steam cleaner to work quietly.

What Should I Look For in a Good Steam Cleaner?

More power, measured in watts, gets the steam hotter, and therefore dissolves sticky gunk better, getting surfaces cleaner. And for some purposes, having good pressure can help blast dirt away. But high heat and pressure can damage delicate surfaces and is less safe to use.

What IS a Steam Cleaner?

Steam cleaners do one thing only: Heat water to produce steam, which is then forced out a nozzle with the pressure generated by boiling the water. They don’t use detergents, they don’t have moving brushes and most of all, they don’t vacuum. You might want to do some of those processes as part of your cleaning routine (see our Tips below), but you can accomplish a surprising amount with just hot water vapor.

How does a steam cleaner work?

A steam cleaner simply uses plain tap water (or perferably distilled water), which it heats to to over the boiling point of 212°F/100°C, and forces out under pressure through a nozzle. Just creating steam, which increases the volume over liquid water over 1,700 times, creates all the pressure needed and no additional pump is required. Because of this, steam cleaners are often very simple machines—the trigger or button to activate it might be the only moving part.

What to look for in a water model?

Look for models with decent capacity for water and good efficiency to give you longer run time, allowing you to finish projects without having to fill up partway through. Also check out what kind of attachments come with the model you choose, as certain attachments will make easy work of seats and large areas, while you’ll need others to get into small spaces and little nooks and crannies.

What is a portable spot cleaner?

Included with the cleaner is a handheld dual action pet tool, featuring rubberized bristles that helps remove pet hair and more.

When did steam cleaners start?

Steam cleaning was originally an industrial process in the mid-1800s, but because of the energy needed to boil water in a pressure chamber, steam cleaners for household use didn’t appear in North America until the late 1980s, long after they had been available in Europe. They took a while to catch on but by the early 2000s, they had started to evolve into the large variety of affordable and convenient models available today. We sift through the bulky industrial and heavy-duty models to highlight the best steam cleaners that can perform a wide variety of tasks within your vehicle, and inside your home.

How long does it take for a steamer to heat up?

However, the steam has a low moisture ratio, so it doesn’t leave things wet. It heats up in less than 10 minutes and has enough capacity in its water tank for up to 50 minutes of run time before you need to fill up again.