8 things to never steam clean, and how to sanitize and freshen them instead

Steam cleaning for many has revolutionized a household chore, easily ridding items of bacteria and clearing high-traffic, dirty surfaces such as flooring of dirt.

But that being said, this versatile cleaning method has its limits, and cleaning with a steam cleaner is not the best option for everything in your home.

According to cleaning pros, there are certain items that should never be steam cleaned for a variety of reasons, from heat sensitivity to risking becoming ruined all together. Here, they explain what to avoid steam cleaning and how to sanitize them instead.

1. Unsealed or waxed wooden flooring

The top thing people forget when it comes to steam cleaning is that they are cleaning through the power of water, as well as heat. This means items made from wood, such as wooden flooring, won't be the most compatible with your steam cleaner's power, and your wooden flooring ideas will likely become ruined overtime or immediately.

Tamara Meyer, founder of Nashville Neat Freaks, says, 'Steam can cause unsealed or waxed wood to warp, swell, or crack because it introduces moisture that the wood can’t repel or absorb evenly. Steam can also strip the wax from your flooring, ruining its finish and resulting in discoloration.'

Instead, if you're seeking to clean your wooden floors, opt for making your own mild DIY wood floor cleaner or a more traditional method such as using a floor mop. Tamara recommends using a microfiber mop that's damp but not soaking wet, as too much water will be bad for your flooring.

'Avoid soaking the mop; just a light mist is enough to pick up dirt and keep the floors in good shape,' says Tamara.

The MR.SIGA professional microfiber mop from Amazon is the site's top rated mop, and it's currently on sale.

If your floors are in need of a really good clean, combine the use of a microfiber mop with a floor cleaner designed specifically for wooden flooring. The Quick Shine multi surface floor cleaner, also from Amazon, is highly praised by shoppers and can be purchased in a bundle with a hardwood floor cleaner.

2. Porous stone surfaces

Porous stones such as marble are stunning but often naturally softer than their non-porous counterparts, making them easier to damage. The mixture of heat and moisture coming from your steam cleaner can cause spalling to occur, where the stone's surface can warp or begin to shed in flakes, and the protective layer over your stone can come off.

Any cracks already present in your stone surface will fill with water, too, and may further crack, stain and discolor.

According to Karina Toner, professional cleaner and operations manager at Spekless, it's far safer to clean any porous stone surfaces in your home - including but not limited to marble, granite, and limestone – by hand, using special cleaning products designed for the job.

'I recommend using a pH-neutral cleaner formulated for stone surfaces and a soft cloth to wipe down marble, granite, or similar surfaces,' says Karina. 'Avoid acidic cleaners, like vinegar, which can also damage stone. For everyday maintenance, warm water and a microfiber cloth work well to maintain a natural sheen on porous stone surfaces.'

Make sure to dry your surfaces well after cleaning to avoid hard water stains marking your counters or floor.

This countertop and floor cleaner bundle by StonePH on Amazon is a great duo to have that will safely clean your stone countertops and flooring. They can also be purchased separately.

But if you're questioning if granite countertops are right for your kitchen, there are many other options to explore.

3. Silk or delicate fabrics

Your silks, satins and luxurious fabrics are better kept away from your steam cleaner for a combination of reasons. These fabrics are delicate and require specialist washing care, such as hand washing or dry cleaning.

'Delicate fabrics like silk are sensitive to high heat and moisture, which can cause them to shrink, lose shape, or become discolored,' says Tamara.

Dry cleaning is your best option when it comes to fine materials like washing silk sheets, but if dry cleaning isn't possible, you can carefully tackle stains and spots by hand using a damp cloth and gentle fabric cleaner such as the outback gold gentle cleaner from Walmart, suitable for cleaning delicate materials including sheepskin, silk, cashmere, and linen.

'Steam can leave water stains, dull the fabric’s sheen, and even break down fibers over time, ruining the texture and look of delicate materials,' says Tamara. 'Be careful not to soak your material too much if you're spot-cleaning it by hand too, as water marks can still occur.’

When drying these items you have washed by hand, avoid wringing them. Instead gentle squeeze the excess water out by laying the item on top of a dry towel and rolling the two up together. Then, remove and air dry.

4. Leather furniture and accessories

Leather is another material that won't fare well under the heat and moisture of a steam cleaner. You wouldn't shine your leather shoes with just any cleaner, and the same should go for cleaning leather furniture.

'Leather is naturally porous and susceptible to drying out,' says Karina. 'Exposure to steam can strip essential oils from leather, causing it to become brittle, cracked, or discolored over time.'

It's best to wipe leather down with a damp microfiber cloth when it's time to clean your couch or other leather goods. Make sure to use another cloth to dry the leather's surface afterwards to prevent moisture marks from developing on the material.

Investing in a high-quality leather conditioner like the chemical guys vintage series leather conditioner from Amazon which is suitable for all sorts of leather products from sofa to shoes and car interiors is also a good idea.

'Applying a high-quality leather conditioner once a month will keep the leather of your furniture supple and restore moisture into the fabric,' says Karina.

5. Wallpaper or paper-based wall coverings

Any paper surface in your home, including wallpaper, should not be steam cleaned, but likely for more reasons than you may first think.

'Wallpaper, especially non-vinyl types, are sensitive to moisture, which can weaken adhesives and cause bubbling, peeling, or wrinkling,' says Karina. This makes using a steam cleaner a no-go as moisture will be injected into the space, and the steam's heat will irritate the adhesive.

Instead, stick to a traditional fluffy duster for clearing your wallpaper of dust and cobwebs, such as the Swiffer heavy duty extendable duster from Target, or use a vacuum attachment.

'For fingerprints or small smudges, you can lightly dab a damp sponge with mild soap onto the affected area, then blot dry immediately,' says Karina. 'Avoid rubbing, which can cause tearing or remove printed designs on your paper.'

An easy, mild cleaning solution to do this is water mixed with a few drops of your kitchen's washing up liquid.

If your wallpaper keeps gathering dirt and stains, it may be worth learning about the places you should never wallpaper if you want a low-maintenance home.

6. Electronics and appliances with electric components

In the whirlwind of your deep clean it might be tempting to give everything, including dusty electronics, a once over with your steam cleaner. But we highly encourage you to avoid doing this at all cost as not only will it harm your items, but it poses major health risks.

'Electronics are highly sensitive to moisture, and even a small amount can cause electrical shorts, corrosion, and irreparable damage,' says Tamara. It can also lead to electrocution.

Going forward, using antibacterial surface wipes such as the clorox free and clear wipes from Target or a damp microfiber cloth are good choices to keep your screens unscratched and shining. If your screens are covered in fingerprints and tough to remove marks, using a little dab of isopropyl alcohol should help those to lift easily. Isopropyl alcohol is available at Target.

'Make sure to steer clear of any openings in the device while cleaning it with liquids and wipes,' says Tamara.

If dust and debris have gotten into your device, consider taking it to a professional to be taken apart or blowing air into the console to encourage dust to dislodge.

You can purchase cans of pressurized air from Amazon especially for cleaning electronics.

7. Painted furniture

Furniture that has been painted, whether modern or antique, needs particular care, especially if its designs haven't been sealed by any form of varnish. These delicate pieces are often irreplaceable and, therefore, would benefit from being cleaned by hand instead of through steam.

'Steam can soften paint or varnish, causing peeling or lifting,' says Karina. 'Wood and antique finishes are especially susceptible to changes in humidity and temperature, which can result in warping or cracking.'

Dust your painted pieces with a soft cloth, like the MR.SIGA microfiber cleaning cloths available at Walmart, and use a mild solution of washing up liquid and water.

'For stubborn spots, use a mild wood cleaner applied to the cloth (not directly onto the surface) to clean gently,' says Karina. 'Buff the painted furniture with a dry cloth afterwards to maintain a polished look.'

The method daily wood cleaner from Walmart is a good choice to clean your surfaces and keep them protected from damage.

8. Mattresses with memory foam

Even the best memory foam mattresses can be quickly and irreparably ruined with steam cleaning and doing so can even promote the development of mold.

'The open-cell structure of memory foam allows for superior comfort but can also trap steam, potentially leading to mold growth or weakening the foam’s structure,' says Karina.

Stick to vacuuming dirt and debris off of the surface of your memory foam mattress and using baking soda to help remove odors. Baking soda sprinkled onto the surface of your mattress can be vacuumed up a couple of hours later to make a notable difference to the smell of your bed.

'You can also use a fabric-safe odor eliminator spray as needed, ensuring it is suitable for memory foam,' says Karina.

This portable bed vacuum cleaner from Amazon combined with the envii bed fresh spray, also from Amazon, should do the trick.

Now you know what to avoid when steam cleaning, why not put its capabilities to the test? Here we asked pros to rate steam cleaners vs carpet cleaners to see which is the best at leaving floors spick-and-span.