Best Steam Cleaner for Bed Bugs [Our Top 7 Picks in 2024]
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Are you wondering what’s the Best Steam Cleaner for Bed Bugs?
Ah, bed bugs – the unwelcome nocturnal guests that can turn a peaceful night’s sleep into a nightmare. These tiny, blood-sucking pests have become a universal woe, invading homes, hotels, and dormitories with relentless determination. If you’ve ever dealt with the aggravation of a bed bug infestation, you know the struggle is real. Enter the unsung hero in the war against bed bugs: the trusty steam cleaner.
Bed bugs are found all over the US and are the hardest pests to deal with. These pests thrive in any climate and weather conditions. While they do not spread any disease to pets and humans, their bite causes discomfort. Since their main meal is human blood and they feed at night, you can expect to have sleepless nights if there is an infestation. But how do you deal with bed bugs infestation?
If you are suspecting bed bugs invasion or the inspection report shows bed bug infestation, it is time to buy a steamer for bed bugs. Experts recommend steam cleaning as the ideal way to kill bed bugs. This is because steam is free of chemicals and completely wipes bed bugs, eggs, and nymphs. It is also a green pest control method. In addition, it is affordable and safe for both pets and humans. But what is the right steamer for killing bed bugs?
Shopping for steamers for bed bugs can be a daunting task as the market is flooded with all manner of vacuum steamers. This is why we have prepared this article for you to make the selection process easy. If you are unsure where to start, McCulloch MC1275 is our best overall. This steam clear supports up to 250 °F and can steam for up to 45 minutes. It is also multi-purpose because it not only kills bed bugs but also eliminates pet odor.
Related post: Does Steam Cleaning Kill Bed Bugs?
Top Choices in Steam Cleaners for Bed Bugs
Top Pick – McCulloch MC1275
McCulloch MC1275 is our best overall and for good reasons. This machine comes with a nine-foot steam hose and produces 43 PSI steam pressure. It comes with 18 different accessories for easy steam cleaning, including a jet nozzle that makes focusing steam on those unreachable bed bug hiding areas easy. In addition, the tank capacity of this machine is 48 oz, which ensures you have 45 minutes of continuous steaming. This makes the steamer ideal for large spaces.
With this bed bug steamer, you can be sure to kill bed bugs in all stages. It heats the water to over 200 °F, and the measurements at the nozzle are about 250 °F. Since bed bugs cannot survive in temperatures above 119 °F, no bed bug will survive. The high steam pressure 43 PSI ensures that you can easily reach bed bugs hiding in cracks and crevices.
This machine heats very fast, meaning you get uniform steam, and you do not have to wait very long to get steam ready. Finally, you want to get this steaming machine because it comes with a steam lock. You do not have to keep your fingers on the trigger when steaming. It is a heavy-duty steamer and works perfectly. Be sure to read manufacturers’ information before use.
Best Multipurpose Steamer – Dupray Multipurpose Steamer
Dupray Multipurpose Steamer is a powerful and multipurpose steam cleaner. This steaming machine is ideal for getting rid of bed bugs because it is superheated and gives up to 275°F steam. This high temperature is perfect for killing bed bugs in all stages. Also, the high temperatures ensure the hot steam can reach bed bugs deep in their hiding places. This steamer also comes with a large tank 1.6 liter, which ensures you have uninterrupted 50 minutes of steaming. The huge tank and long steam hose make steaming convenient in that you need not keep refilling the tank or move the machine, which makes it a large scale steam machine.
Unlike other steamers that take ages to heat, Dupray heats up in seven minutes, saving you time. This steamer works on all surfaces when you may have bed bugs. It also comes with a steam lock, among many other features that ensure you do not keep holding the trigger when steaming. Whether you are steaming ceramic tiles, wooden floors, kitchen appliances, mattresses, bathrooms, car interior, furniture, etc., you can never go wrong with this steamer. It will kill bed bugs, and you can have a pest-free home again. Finally, this machine is also effective when it comes to killing germs and bacteria.
Best Budget Option – Conair Extreme Steam
Conair Extreme Steam is your best deal if you are looking for bed bug steamers on a budget. This machine is handheld and offers excellent features. It is a quick and small scale steamer for small items and fabrics. If you suspect you have bed bugs on your couch, this steamer will work magic. It produces 200 °F steam, which is sufficient to kill bed bugs. While it is small in size, it offers up to 15 minutes of steaming making it ideal for small steaming tasks. The affordability part makes this steaming machine even better. In addition, the steamer comes in different colors such as blue and white, purple and gray, and mint and white.
This bed bug steamer is multipurpose. You can use it for killing bed bugs, steaming clothes, getting rid of wrinkles, and killing germs and bacteria. To make steaming seamless, this steamer gets heated fast, and within 75 seconds, you will have the machine ready for use. Also, you have two temperature settings. You can set it to low temperatures when steaming clothes and high temperature when exterminating bed bugs and other pests.
The 9 feet power cord gives you room to cover more ground. In addition, the three removable attachments creaser, soft cushion brush, and fabric brush make the steamer more adaptable. However, note that this machine is not ideal for large scale bed bug extermination. It is for mini-projects.
Best Lightweight Steamer – Steamfast SF-370
Steamfast SF-370 is ideal when it comes to steaming large areas, for example, your house. This is because the machine is portable – it is easy to move around. It comes with a 15-foot power cord, which enhances easy movement. Also, the 6.5-foot steam hose ensures you can cover more ground before moving the steamer. Among other features that make SF-370 ideal for bed bug extermination is that it comes with a large water tank 48-ounce enough to support 45 minutes of continuous steaming. In addition, the high steam temperature of up to 200 °F ensures that no bed bug or eggs survive the extermination.
Unlike other heavy steamers, this steamer is lightweight and weighs only 8 pounds. Also, this machine comes with many accessories such as a jet nozzle, a scrub tool, a corner tool, two nylon brushes, a mop head with two microfiber pads, a squeegee, extension wands, and a measuring cup, making it the ideal steamer for any project. While the heating time is not the fastest, 8 minutes is not too long considering the price and other benefits of this steamer. Lastly, the machine is multipurpose as it also comes in handy when dealing with viruses and bacteria – it is 99.9% effective. Most importantly, it is built from quality materials, and you can be sure it will stand the test of time.
Best High Capacity Steamer – Pure Enrichment Steam Cleaner
Pure Enrichment Steam Cleaner is a top choice among the many powerful and high capacity bed bug steamers. The tank holds 1.5 liters of water, and this can take you 45 minutes of continuous steaming. This makes this machine a heavy duty steamer ideal for both small and large spaces. With the high steam temperature of up to 212 °F, it is easy to exterminate bugs on surfaces and also in cracks and crevices. The sufficient pressure also ensures effortless extermination of bed bugs in those hard to reach areas. In addition, the 16-foot power supply cord makes steaming easy without moving the machine now and then.
With high 1500 wattage, heating is fast enough considering the water capacity. You will have the hot steam ready after 8 minutes. The 18 accessories make this machine ideal for heavy duty steaming. For instance, it is equipped with a jet nozzle, nylon brushes, a scrub pad, extension ends, and a brass utility brush, among other features that make this steamer easy to use and a perfect solution for bed bug extermination. In addition, this steamer comes with a five years warranty as a guarantee of quality and functionality. With this steaming machine, you need not hire experts the next time you have a pest invasion in your home.
Best Powerful Handheld Steamer – PurSteam Handheld Steam Cleaner
PurSteam Handheld Steam Cleaner is a powerful handheld steamer cleaner ideal for small scale bed bugs extermination. While it is small in size, it comes with great features making it one of the best handheld steaming cleaners. This small machine heats very fast in a span of 3 to 4 minutes. The water tank is sufficient considering the size and supports 15 minutes of uninterrupted steaming. While some people may use this machine as a heavy duty steamer, it is ideal for budget shoppers to handle small bed bug infestations.
This handheld steamer produces extremely hot steam at 289.4°F. This is enough temperature to exterminate all bed bugs, nymphs, and eggs. Since the steamer is small and lightweight, streaming those hard to reach areas is easy. Also, the fact that it comes with many accessories means that you can use it on various surfaces and applications. The steam pressure 65 psi is right for the size and easily gets into cracks and crevices and gets any bed bug out of hiding. While this steamer is not ideal for steaming carpets, it is a bargain considering the cost and what it can accomplish. It is also among the most efficient steamers.
Best Dry Steam Cleaner – Vapamore MR-100 Primo
Vapamore MR-100 Primo is the real deal if you are looking for a heavy-duty bed bug extermination solution. This steamer is not only powerful but also comes with a high capacity water tank of 1.6 liters. The 1500 Watt power capacity makes steam production seamless as heating takes only 8 minutes. What makes this steamer ideal for heavy-duty bed bug extermination is that you can steam for up to 60 minutes before you can refill again.
The MR-100 comes with 22 accessories to suit different areas when killing bed bugs, for instance, in the washroom, sink, floor, window glass, storeroom, etc. It comes as a complete package. The floor cleaning head is also big enough, unlike other steamers. In addition, this steamer comes with an extended power cord and hose, making it easy to steam hard to reach areas. For improved convenience, this machine comes with durable plastic wheels and a handle. The handle ensures easy gripping with the addition of an insulating layer.
What to Consider When Buying Steam Cleaners for Bed Bugs
If you are looking for a steam cleaner for bed bug extermination, you will realize that there are thousands of steamers listed on Amazon and at your local store. Therefore, if you do not have a specific steam machine in mind, you will have difficulty deciding among the many bed bug steamers available. Whether you are buying a handheld or heavy-duty steamer, the following tips will make the selection process easy.
Heat Output
When buying a steam cleaner, the most crucial consideration is heat output. Steamers kill bed bugs by exposing them to extreme temperatures. Therefore, you have to make sure the steamer you are buying can produce high-temperature steam. Look for a steamer with at least 200° F output. This way, it will be easier to achieve the surface temperature of at least 160° F, which is sufficient to kill bugs: the hotter the steam, the more effective the extermination process.
Steam Pressure
Bed bugs know how to hide. This is why it is hard to spot them even at night. Since they can hide deep in the mattresses and cracks, you need to have a high-pressure steamer. With high-pressure steam, it is easy to reach every bed bug, eggs, and nymphs in their hiding places. You need all the pressure you can get because otherwise, you will have done zero work. The pressure greatly affects how dry and hot the steam gets. Be sure to buy a steamer with at least 40 PSI; if you can get 60 PSI steamer, the better.
Water Tank Size
Steaming bed bugs is a daunting task, whether large scale or small scale. You do not want to keep on refilling the tank every ten minutes. A steamer with a large capacity will give you up to 60 minutes, ideal for big projects. Most steamers have a tank capacity that will last between 15 to 60 minutes. Select one that suits your project. This way, you will have continuous steam and make the extermination process easy.
Steam Adjustment
When using bed bug steamers, you need pressure variations depending on where you are spraying. For instance, you need a higher pressure when steaming cracks than when steaming a carpet. Therefore, ensure that your steamer has a pressure control knob. Besides this, it is also essential to get a steamer that comes with a trigger locker. With a lock, you do not need to hold the trigger when steaming. It is a convenient feature.
Heating Time
When shopping for steam cleaners, it is vital to consider the heating time. If you are steaming a huge area, you do not want to wait for 20 minutes before getting the steam ready – it is a waste of time. Look for a steamer that heats fast. Most steamers will heat within 8 to 15 minutes. The shorter the heating time, the faster you will get the work done. However, as you consider this factor, check the steamer’s rating to avoid overspending on power.
Accessories
The right steam cleaner to kill bed bugs is one that comes with many accessories. For instance, you will have bed bugs and eggs stack in different hiding areas. You can have bugs on your couch, carpet, in cracks, electronics, etc. On all these surfaces, you will require different accessories for the steamer to be effective. Buy a steamer that offers accessories that helps maximize the steamer’s capabilities.
Weight
While some steamers come with a long hose and power cord, you still need to move the machine from one point to another. Therefore, it is essential to look for lightweight steamers. If not possible, ensure that the machine has wheels and a handle to make movement easy. In addition, some steamers require that you hold them when steaming those hard to reach areas. Therefore, ensure the steamer is lightweight with no compromises on functionality and quality.
Size of Power Cord and Steam Hose
When shopping for a steam cleaner, many people do not consider this factor. The length of the power cord is critical as it increases your work area – you do not need to move with your extension. On the other hand, the steam hose ensures you keep a safe distance while at the same time increasing your work area.
Ease of Use
Using a steam cleaner is not always straight forward. Some steamers have multiple steps that are hard to understand. While every steamer will come with a user manual, some are complicated. Look for a steamer that is easy to use. You can read reviews or talk to friends to know which steamers are not complex. Ease of use will keep you safe and ensure better results.
Budget
Like any other purchase, it is vital to have a budget in mind. Steam cleaners are available for various budgets. There are premium machines that are pricey and other budget options. The bottom line is that you should have a budget in mind. With a good budget, you can head to amazon.com and shortlist those steamers within your budget range, not forgetting any important feature you may be looking for. The most expensive steamer is not always the best and Vise versa.
Warranty
Finally, it is vital to check whether the manufacturer is offering a warranty before you commit your money. Some steamers for bed bugs are very expensive, and you want to be sure you will get value for your money. Therefore, before you place an order, check the warranty period as well as the terms. Go for those steamers that come with five years plus warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best steamer to kill bed bugs?
The right steaming machine for bed bugs should produce 200° F steam, has fast heating, has high steam pressure, and is easy to operate. Also, make sure the steamer has a long power cord and steam hose.
Can you get rid of bed bugs with a steam cleaner?
Steam cleaning is the ideal way to kill bed bugs. It is chemical-free and friendly to both humans and pets. All you need is to ensure the surface temperature is 160° F and that your steam cleaner is producing at least 200° F steam. Also, ensure that you spray all bed bug hiding places and that you are slow while at it – 1 inch per second.
Can steam from an iron kill bed bugs?
Yes and No. Steam from an iron can kill bugs on clothes and fabric surfaces. However, steam from an iron cannot penetrate carpets and other hiding areas such as cracks. Also, the steam from an iron lacks enough pressure.
