Steam cleaners vs carpet cleaners – which is best for your floors?

Both are trusty appliances to own and do a lovely job of keeping our homes as clean as they should be. But which is better, steam cleaners or carpet cleaners? And why?

We've already compared carpet cleaners vs vacuum cleaners and found that there's value in owning both. The best vacuum cleaners are essential for any home, but a carpet cleaner can clean in a way that vacuums can't.

To an extent, the same goes for steam cleaners and carpet cleaners. Both have their advantages, but they also do things a little differently, so certain households might prefer one over the other. Read on to find out which cleaner is best for your home.

Steam cleaners vs carpet cleaners

To find out which is better suited to your home, we spoke with cleaning experts, covering everything there is to know about steam cleaners and carpet cleaners.

Steam cleaners vs carpet cleaners: What's the difference?

'Steam cleaners use hot steam to clean and sanitize surfaces, and they are suitable for a variety of surfaces – tiles, grout, upholstery, sealed hardwood floors, kitchen appliances, and bathrooms,' explains Aleksandar Kolarov from Fantastic Services. An important feature, Alexsandar adds, is that steam cleaners don't necessarily require any detergent or cleaning solution.

Instead, 'steam cleaners heat water until it becomes vapor, and this steam is then applied to surfaces, loosening dirt and killing germs without chemicals,' explains Michaelle Barbor, cleaning expert from Elfin View. 'The heat does most of the cleaning work.'

The way these works is by utilizing the 'high-temperature vapor steam that breaks the bond between the surface and the dirt while also easily killing mold and bacteria,' says Matthew Baratta, VP of operations at Daimer Industries.

When it comes to steam cleaning carpets, the high pressure of steam cleaners forces dirt and dust out of the fibers while clearing away stains. This makes it easier to then vacuum the mess away.

Carpet cleaners do things differently by actively utilizing some kind of cleaning agent. 'Carpet cleaners, or extractors, use detergents and water to deep clean carpets. They're very effective at removing embedded dirt and stains,' notes Austin Jones, CEO of Millennium Facility Services.

'Carpet cleaners are specifically designed for cleaning carpets and rugs, so use a combination of water, detergent, and suction to remove dirt and stains from carpet fibers. They may also include brushes or rollers to agitate and lift dirt,' adds Aleksandar.

The suction aspect is why they're also referred to as extractors. 'Brushes work the solution into the fibers, loosening dirt. Then they suck up the dirty water, leaving the carpet much cleaner,' as Michaelle puts it. Unlike steam cleaners, carpet cleaners remove everything themselves – so essentially they do the whole job.

The benefits of steam cleaners

Steam cleaners have two clear advantages over carpet cleaners: versatility and chemical-free cleaning.

Aleksandar puts it simply: 'Steam cleaners can be used on multiple surfaces beyond just carpets and are effective at killing bacteria, germs, and dust mites without chemicals.' As mentioned above, you can safely use steam cleaners on hard floors, carpets, rugs, furniture, upholstery, and even countertops. Carpet cleaners (like the name suggests) are only suited to carpets and rugs.

The benefits of chemical-free cleaning shouldn't be ignored, either. It helps you to tackle your home with a safer, less harsh, and more environmentally friendly approach. Plus, you'll be avoiding running costs down the line.

Jiri Smetana, owner of the restoration business PuroClean, illustrates this with his own experience: 'I've found the community appreciates a natural, green service and the light, fresh feeling a steam clean provides.'

'For light to medium dirt, steam cleaners can do a great job and the lack of detergents is appealing to many,' according to Austin, adding that more-soiled floors might instead benefit from a carpet cleaner.

Steam cleaners are notably lighter too, and are typically easier to assemble and use, making them even better suited to those quick, light cleans.

The benefits of carpet cleaners

While steam cleaners are the more versatile and environmentally friendly option, they're only ideal for light to medium dirt. Carpet cleaners are more intense, and therefore offer a more comprehensive clean.

'For heavily soiled or stained carpets, carpet cleaners are really the only option. The detergents and agitation from carpet extractors are much more effective at tackling tough stains and odors,' explains Austin.

Tim Conn, CEO of Image One USA, agrees: 'If you have a large or heavy carpet caked with years of dirt and stains, there is no better solution than a carpet cleaner. Upholstered sofas and mattresses are also ideal targets.'

Carpet cleaners also demand less effort as the machine does everything for you. Steam cleaning can often require wiping or vacuuming afterward, whereas a carpet cleaner will leave your floor clean and (mostly) dry to the touch.

For pet owners, a carpet cleaner is easily the best option. Many recent models have dedicated tools to clean pet messes, can remove stains from carpets & furniture, and even feature anti-odor technology.

Shark CarpetXpert | $199.95 at Shark

Our personal recommendation is the Shark CarpetXpert. It's one of the only appliances we've ever awarded 5 stars, and this is thanks to its excellent cleaning performance, thoughtful features, usability, and pet mess solution.

Read our full Shark CarpetXpert review.

Should I buy a steam cleaner or a carpet cleaner?

It depends on your household's needs, and it's also not a given that you should only own one or the other.

Steam cleaners are the ideal choice for light cleaning on different floor types, furniture, and surfaces. You'll avoid frequently using chemicals around the house, instead use high-temperature and high-pressure steam to break down dirt and sanitize it. They're easier to use, easier to assemble, and lighter.

As Aleksandar puts it: 'Steam cleaners are ideal solutions for those who need a versatile cleaning tool for various surfaces. They are suitable for households with hard floors, tile, and various types of upholstery and are also great for those looking to reduce chemical use and prioritize sanitization.'

But carpet cleaners are much more rigorous, pushing cleaning solutions deep into the carpet fibers and then extracting the dirty water. It leaves the job completely done and your floors as clean as they'll be, but they're only really suited to carpets and rugs (and occasionally furniture). Plus, they're a lot bulkier and will take up more space in the house.

Aleksandar clarifies: 'Carpet cleaners are best for homes with extensive carpeting or area rugs and are essential for households with pets, children, or high foot traffic that leads to frequent carpet soiling. They are ideal for those needing deep cleaning and stain removal capabilities specific to carpets.'

As mentioned above, the Shark CarpetXpert is easily the best carpet cleaner we could recommend. You'd be surprised by just how much it can change the look and feel of your carpets.

On the topic of cleaning, take a look through our tested guides to the best vacuums for pet hair and the best robot vacuums, to see if your home could do with an upgrade.