Topic Sponsor
General F150 Discussion General Ford F150 truck discussions and questions
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Real Truck

Steam cleaners

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 11, 2025 | 09:52 AM
  #1  
Whistlin-Dixie's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 295
Likes: 322
From: Ontario
Default Steam cleaners

Just wondering what yall use for cleaning your seats and gettin stains out?
i have bunch of these bissell cleaners but theyre not for me... i think these things are terrible.
Anyone find a good steam blaster? That isnt 1000$

Reply
Old Aug 11, 2025 | 09:55 AM
  #2  
2008__XL's Avatar
Community Team
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 8,978
Likes: 7,513
From: Vermont
Default

The bissle little green works great. You need to pre treat, let it soak and then agitate suck it up. Never had an issue.

LA’s totally awesome and a rag works well on small spots.
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2025 | 09:55 AM
  #3  
djfllmn's Avatar
Administrator
Supporting Member

10 Year Member
Community Influencer
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 23,892
Likes: 5,969
From: Amish Country
Default

MC1275 Canister Steam Cleaner - McCulloch Steam

This is what I use, I love it
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2025 | 10:07 AM
  #4  
davido_'s Avatar
Senior Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 321
Likes: 244
From: Salt Lake City
Default

For an actual steamer: https://www.harborfreight.com/1200-w...ner-58653.html (Grants 1200 watt handheld steam cleaner).

Note, an actual steamer is not a vacuum. This steamer is for getting grime out. I've used it on the dash, on areas where I can see dirt that I can't reach with a rag, and for getting really stubborn dirt off. It's like a little handheld pressure cooker with a hose and nozzle for shooting 212 degree steam right at the problem areas.

For a pretty good quality home carpet/upholstery cleaner, I have this one: https://www.bissell.com/en-us/produc...dle-34249.html (Bissell Revolution Hydrosteam Upright Cleaner). This one does have a steam function that can be used to pre-treat areas with steam, and has pretty good uphostery and tight-area attachments. I've also used this one to clean the carpets in my truck. In this case you get a lot of value out of $39.

One problem with the little portable carpet/uphostery cleaners is that they don't have the sucking power of a more capable "upright" with attachments. When purchasing, look at the amperage. a 6A cleaner sucks less than a 12A cleaner. It really comes down to that level of simplicity. Unfortunately in carpet/uphostery cleaners you tend to get what you pay for.

Keep in mind these two products are distinct, different products. I have been quite happy with both, but they're different tools. In a way, you almost need both if you want to do really effective deep cleaning. When people think of steam cleaners they often are thinking of carpet/upholstery cleaners. When detailers think of steam cleaners, they are thinking of devices that just let them shoot steam at problems.

I've found the actual steamer also effective within the engine compartment. You do have to be careful; it shoots 212f steam out. But they're more useful than you would think. I used mine also to clean soot off our fireplace at home. Took forever, but it made a huge difference.
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2025 | 10:23 AM
  #5  
Whistlin-Dixie's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 295
Likes: 322
From: Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by 2008__XL
The bissle little green works great. You need to pre treat, let it soak and then agitate suck it up. Never had an issue.

LA’s totally awesome and a rag works well on small spots.
i work in the plants and just generally cant seem to keep grease and oil off me... so i get a lot of tough stains plus i got a king shepherd and corgi i take down the river almost every night so my trucks interior gets a beaten...
and i just dont like these bissel cleaners, require to much effort to get small stains out,
where with a good steam blaster takes seconds
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2025 | 10:32 AM
  #6  
Whistlin-Dixie's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 295
Likes: 322
From: Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by davido_
For an actual steamer: https://www.harborfreight.com/1200-w...ner-58653.html (Grants 1200 watt handheld steam cleaner).

Note, an actual steamer is not a vacuum. This steamer is for getting grime out. I've used it on the dash, on areas where I can see dirt that I can't reach with a rag, and for getting really stubborn dirt off. It's like a little handheld pressure cooker with a hose and nozzle for shooting 212 degree steam right at the problem areas.

For a pretty good quality home carpet/upholstery cleaner, I have this one: https://www.bissell.com/en-us/produc...dle-34249.html (Bissell Revolution Hydrosteam Upright Cleaner). This one does have a steam function that can be used to pre-treat areas with steam, and has pretty good uphostery and tight-area attachments. I've also used this one to clean the carpets in my truck. In this case you get a lot of value out of $39.

One problem with the little portable carpet/uphostery cleaners is that they don't have the sucking power of a more capable "upright" with attachments. When purchasing, look at the amperage. a 6A cleaner sucks less than a 12A cleaner. It really comes down to that level of simplicity. Unfortunately in carpet/uphostery cleaners you tend to get what you pay for.

Keep in mind these two products are distinct, different products. I have been quite happy with both, but they're different tools. In a way, you almost need both if you want to do really effective deep cleaning. When people think of steam cleaners they often are thinking of carpet/upholstery cleaners. When detailers think of steam cleaners, they are thinking of devices that just let them shoot steam at problems.

I've found the actual steamer also effective within the engine compartment. You do have to be careful; it shoots 212f steam out. But they're more useful than you would think. I used mine also to clean soot off our fireplace at home. Took forever, but it made a huge difference.
i have a very similar one to that unit, your right super handy i use all around the house, on my tools toys ect, learned at work nothing beats steam for cleaning,

i think im gonna steer clear of the bissell name for a bit im just not happy with their products...besides no vacuum the little portalable steamer does wonders compared to all 3 of bissell cleaners, and in record timing i just gotta use my shop vac to suck up the moisture, and gotta refill the water every 20 minutes
I see like detailers using fancy steam vacs in videos but can never find the unit their using.. all the ones i find are 1500$ or have terrible reviews, and dont feel like gambling 600$ away, im already not happy with what i bought lol
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2025 | 11:50 AM
  #7  
2008__XL's Avatar
Community Team
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 8,978
Likes: 7,513
From: Vermont
Default

Originally Posted by Whistlin-Dixie
i work in the plants and just generally cant seem to keep grease and oil off me... so i get a lot of tough stains plus i got a king shepherd and corgi i take down the river almost every night so my trucks interior gets a beaten...
and i just dont like these bissel cleaners, require to much effort to get small stains out,
where with a good steam blaster takes seconds
Ah, that makes sense. Any interest in seat covers? I really like the Rough Country ones I have.

Her parents have a pembroke welsh corgi. Favorite dog I’ve ever known. She stays with us when they’re away and her and I are close. She launches herself on my lap like a cannon ball every time I see her.
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2025 | 01:22 PM
  #8  
Whistlin-Dixie's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 295
Likes: 322
From: Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by 2008__XL
Ah, that makes sense. Any interest in seat covers? I really like the Rough Country ones I have.

Her parents have a pembroke welsh corgi. Favorite dog I’ve ever known. She stays with us when they’re away and her and I are close. She launches herself on my lap like a cannon ball every time I see her.
haha thats awesome i love corgis buddy, my favorite breed, i had 2, but i had to put teddy down last winter, and our current one wally he sleeps on my pillow, comes on trips with us, just spoiled

I have thought about getting cart heart seat covers... but honestly i detail my truck hard once a month and just wouldnt mind finding the perfect steam vac or blaster.
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2025 | 02:22 PM
  #9  
eyecandynsx's Avatar
5 Year Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 1,869
From: Central PA
Default

I've been detailing for years. I can count how many times I have actually used my steamer. To get stains out, you need a good interior cleaner, a soft drill brush and an extractor to suck out the dirty water. Can a steamer be useful? Yes. Is it required? No. You can also permanently set a stain using a steamer.
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2025 | 05:21 PM
  #10  
Whistlin-Dixie's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 295
Likes: 322
From: Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by eyecandynsx
I've been detailing for years. I can count how many times I have actually used my steamer. To get stains out, you need a good interior cleaner, a soft drill brush and an extractor to suck out the dirty water. Can a steamer be useful? Yes. Is it required? No. You can also permanently set a stain using a steamer.
I havent used my steam since march...
Doesnt mean i cant want a better nicer one... whats with you people... i work in a refinery... i get pyrophorics, oils grease, and god knows what else f suncor shell IOL NoVA all keep in their pipes and tanks all over my door pockets, matts and carpets some times seats...you wanna scrub your guts out on that **** crap be my guest.
If i had a bigger better steam cleaner id be cleaning just about my whole house with it to...

Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:06 AM.