11 Clever Ways To Use a Steam Cleaner For a Fresher Feeling Home

There are a few items in our home that really pull their weight by making things easier every time they’re used, For me, the steam cleaner is right at the top of that list.

I started using one over 20 years ago to clean our tiled floors in the Kitchen and Bathroom, and I knew as soon as I tried it that I wouldn’t go back to a mop and bucket.

It just felt better. Everything looked clean, yes, but it felt cleaner too. There were no lingering chemical smells (steam does the work on it’s own), and no damp and slightly musty smelling mop hanging around afterwards…

Over the years I’ve expanded my cleaning repertoire with my steamer, for deep Spring cleaning tasks, weekly resets, and those little refreshes that crop up with family life spills and messes.

And eventually? I decided that my floor steamer wasn’t enough. I upgraded to a model with a handheld option too, because I wanted to use it for so many more jobs.

It’s now one of the most flexible, useful things I own – and in a home where everything needs to earn its place or it very quickly gets decluttered(!), this earns it over and over again.

So I thought it was about time to share with you how it’s changed my cleaning routine for the better. If you’ve never tried using one, then this may just be the inspiration you’ve been waiting for, and if you’ve already got one in your home – it could inspire you to use in in a new way this week!

Thanks to Very.co.uk for sponsoring this post. It’s a great place to check out when looking for any organisation and cleaning essentials for your home.

11 Things To Clean With a Steam Cleaner

1. Hard Floors (including sealed hardwood)

This is the most obvious one – but also the most satisfying.

Every week (usually on a Sunday to take me into the following week feeling ahead) I use it across all of our hard floors: from the more obvious Bathroom tiles, to the less obvious tiles on our balcony, and the even less obvious (to a lot of people, including me until I asked our floor fitter) hard wood floors throughout most of our downstairs.

Note: Usually, as long as the hard wood floor is sealed, it’s perfectly safe and far more effective than a mop as it leaves less moisture on the surface. However, test an area first if you’re unsure.

Quick Tip: Move slowly over the higher-traffic areas or when there is obvious dirt on the floor. The longer you hold the heat in place (without soaking it), the more effective it is at lifting invisible grime.

2. Rugs and Carpets

Steam cleaning won’t replace a full professional carpet clean, but it’s brilliant for freshening up carpets and rugs.

It softens and lifts dust and odours in the fibres, and for high-traffic zones (like the landing or hallway), it gives that “just cleaned” feel without soaking the carpet.

Quick Tip: Always vacuum first to remove debris and pet hair, then use the carpet glider attachment if your steamer has one.

3. Mattresses

This one was a game-changer for me. Steam cleaning your mattress is a simple way to sanitise and freshen it up without using sprays or having to wait ages for it to dry. It’s especially helpful during seasonal bedding changes or when someone’s been poorly.

Quick Tip: Strip the bed fully and lightly steam the mattress surface. Open the windows, leave it to dry, and you’ll be amazed at how much fresher it feels. You can even do the pillows too if they’re synthetic-filled.

4. Kitchen Sink & Taps

Always lovely to have a pristine sink – something that gets dirty all too easily, and harbours germs. I like to steam my sink and taps regularly – just to really freshen things up!

5. Bathroom Tiles and Grout

Bathrooms are one of those places where dirt builds up slowly – and suddenly you realise the grout lines are grey, not white. I use the handheld steam cleaner with a brush attachment to get into the grouting, for freshening up the tiles themselves, around the taps, and even along the edges of the shower screen.

Quick Tip: Let the steam sit for a second or two before rubbing gently with a clean cloth. The steam works to softens the build-up so you’re not fighting it as much, and it feels much more effortless. It’s made keeping on top of the bathrooms far easier.

6. Toilet Bases and Behind the Loo

Not the most glamorous task, but definitely one of the most appreciated. Steam is brilliant here because it lets you clean thoroughly (steam sanitises everything really well) without touching it – ideal for those awkward corners behind the toilet or around the base where dust and splashes gather.

Mini tip: Use the angled nozzle for precision and a microfibre cloth to quickly wipe afterwards. It’s faster, feels much cleaner, and genuinely less gross.

7. Kitchen Cupboards and Worktops

Cupboard fronts, especially near the bin or cooker, seem to attract splatters, fingerprints and who-knows-what else. I use the handheld steamer to lift grease and sticky marks quickly, without needing to use a degreaser or spray.

Quick Tip: Hold the nozzle a little distance from any painted or laminated surfaces to avoid adding any excess moisture, then wipe with a dry cloth. It’s particularly good for handles and around the bin drawer where you always seem to grab with messy hands when cooking.

8. Oven and Microwave

Steam breaks down baked-on grease and food residue so you don’t have to use harsh chemicals or scrub for ages.

Simply steam the inside walls and glass door, then wipe down with a cloth. For the microwave, do a once-over of the turntable and inner walls. It really does make everything feel and smell better fast.

9. Windows and Mirrors

Not everyone realises you can steam clean windows and mirrors – but it works really well, especially if you follow with a dry microfibre cloth.

Mini tip: Wipe down the glass straight away to avoid streaks and you’ll get a satisfying, sparkling finish with minimal effort.

10. Window and Door Tracks

I also use the detail nozzle to loosen dirt out of window and patio door tracks, which are otherwise really hard to clean well.

11. Outdoor Furniture

Plastic garden chairs, tables, and even the kids’ outdoor toys come up brilliantly with steam. It cuts through built-up dirt from being left outside and avoids having to scrub with soapy water.

Mini tip: Do this on a dry day so everything can air-dry outdoors straight after.

Extra Tips: Kids Stuff

Although we are past this stage in our house – when my daughter was little I used to steam all her plastic toys, the high chair, and anything else plastic that could be sanitised for her. If you’re in the midst of young family life right now – then I HIGHLY recommend this!

& also… the Fridge, Freezer and Dishwasher

All the areas you don’t want chemicals near as they’re around food – but you definitely want to feel clean. i use my cleaner to freshen up the inside of the fridge, the seals around the fridge and freezer, and even the edges and seals of the dishwasher where grime can build up quickly.

What about Storage?

Tools are only effective if they’re easy to use. This means not only when actually doing what they should do – but also how they’re stored – because if you find it a struggle to get it out or put it away, you’re bound to use it less than you’d like over time.

We humans are all about ease!

So – one of the biggest things that’s helped me actually keep up with using the steam cleaner regularly is to really give some though to how I store it.

And as always, I like to keep things simple.

I just keep all of the attachments in a basket on a storage unit in the room next to our Utility area. It keeps everything together in one place, so I’m not digging around or trying to remember where I left a specific part. It also means I’m more likely to use it, and more likely to tidy it away properly afterwards.

Plus – compared to leaving a damp mop and bucket to sit in the utility room? It’s cleaner, neater, and far more practical.

(FYI – I think we’ll get my daughter the same shelves for her room as it makes a great kids storage unit that fits our aesthetic as well!).