Have you ever fallen down a rabbit hole of watching those oh-so-satisfying cleaning videos? You know the ones—where you see an impossibly dirty oven, rug, or floor get transformed into the sparklingly clean version of itself at a sped-up-tempo.
If you want to experience that same level of squeaky-clean gratification in your real life, then you need what Jacqui Knapp, professional organizer and CEO of Knapp House, calls the “satisfaction of the steam” from a handheld steam cleaner.
When it comes to steam cleaners, Knapp owns (and recommends) the Bissell Steam Shot Handheld Steam Cleaner. Not only is this steam cleaner aesthetically adorable, but it also packs a serious punch when it comes to disinfecting. “Steam is the most natural way to clean and can kill up to 99.9 percent of germs without the use of chemicals,” Knapp says. Added bonus? This compact one comes with 10 detailing brushes and tools to make the cleaning process even easier (and that much more satisfying).
Bissell Steam Shot Handheld Steam Cleaner — $49.00
Set includes:
- Steam cleaner base
- 3 color-coded round scrubbing brushes
- Grout brush
- Flat scraper tool
- Angle concentrator tool
- Window squeegee
- Fabric steamer
- Extension brush
- Accessory nozzle
- Cleans and disinfects without using chemicals
- Variety of uses
- Comes with 10 easy-to-use attachments
- Compact and lightweight
- May have to refill water while cleaning
If you’ve never owned a steam cleaner, don’t worry—here’s the breakdown of how you use it. Since Knapp’s goal (and, TBH, everyone else’s) is always to eliminate as much bacteria as she can, she’ll add in a smidge of distilled white vinegar to the water chamber as an added disinfectant and she makes sure the water is filled to the maximum line for the best results.
Although the Bissell steam cleaner is small, Knapp notes that it holds a surprising amount of water, making for endless steam at a strong pressure (so you won’t have to refill it a million times while you clean). Since the water is sealed in a reservoir, you can maneuver the cleaner wherever you need it to go without worrying about leakage.
Once you’ve prepped your Bissell steam cleaner and are ready to start disinfecting, here’s where Knapp recommends using it: “High-temperature steam penetrates porous surfaces including grout in bathrooms, floors, and fabric where mold and bacteria can hide in plain sight,” Knapp says. “A steam cleaner is a great tool for breaking down caked-on grease in conventional ovens and stovetops, making it easier to wipe away.” Just imagine the satisfaction of wiping away that grease to send literal shivers down your spine.
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Knapp also uses her steam cleaner to loosen up the build-up of gunk in her kitchen and bathroom sinks and to clean her pet’s bed, doorknobs, yoga mats, and silverware. She’ll even use it to steam her clothes (hold for about 10 to 15 seconds for this hack) and get her shoes squeaky clean. Talk about an all-purpose tool that’ll give you some seriously satisfying results. (Documenting the process in your own cleaning videos optional, but encouraged.)
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