The Best Steam Cleaner For Rugs In 2023

best steam cleaner for rugs

best steam cleaner for rugs pinterest graphic

Cleaning your rug is normally as simple as turning on your washing machine, filling it up with washing powder and pressing the start button.

However, what if your rug is too big to fit in the washing machine? Or the stains are not coming out? That’s where a top of the range steam cleaner can help you! 

What Makes A Good Steam Cleaner For Your Rug

When deciding which steam cleaner to buy, it is important that you choose the right one that can do the job correctly.

While most steam cleaners are all designed to clean rugs, there are a few things that can make a big difference in the quality of the clean.

Choosing The Right Heat

Here is what’s the most important thing to understand when choosing a steam cleaner.

The more heat that your steam cleaner can produce, the more dirt, grease, and stains it will be able to remove.

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That’s why it is important that you choose one that is powerful enough so that you’re not disappointed when your rug is still looking like it has been through a war, even after being cleaned.

Cleaning Solution

a woman holding cleaning solution

As most of us have either pets, children, or suffer from allergies, it is important to ensure that the cleaning solution that you buy doesn’t have any chemicals that could interfere with any of these things.

Most steam cleaners only use water, however, we are cleaning rugs which is a carpet-like material, therefore we will need to use a cleaning solution.

Don’t worry though, a majority of cleaning solutions are already chemical-free!

Dry Time

When looking for a high-quality steam cleaner for your rug, it is important to note how long it will take for it to dry after it has been cleaned.

Most steam cleaners come with a number of different settings that each have a different dry time.

While waiting for the rug to dry, it is recommended to not walk on it as it may become dirtier than it was before being cleaned!

That being said, with most modern steam cleaners your carpet will be dry and ready to use in as little as 30 minutes!

Different Modes

three different modes

Most, if not all, the options on the list below come with a minimum of three different settings that can be used on your rug.

The modes included are normally a quick clean option, deep clean and a max clean. The option you use on your rug will depend entirely on how dirty it is and how quickly you need it to dry as the deeper the clean, the longer it takes to dry.

Heat Up Time

Most steam cleaners take anywhere from 5-10 minutes to fully heat up before they can be used.

So put the kettle on, grab a biscuit and you should be ready to go!

On the other hand, some steam cleaners can take as little as 15 seconds to heat up. That being said, the heat up time shouldn’t matter too much unless you have an issue waiting around for 5-10 minutes.

If you do then that’s fine, go for a steam cleaner that heats up instantly. I will be sure to include some on the list!

Here Are Our Best 5 Steam Cleaners For Rugs

Below are the best steam cleaners for rugs in 2022. Let’s dive into the pros and cons of each product to give you a better understanding of which one is right for you and your rug.

Swipe the table!

1. Bissell HydroWave


The Bissell HydroWave is a true no brainer if you’re looking to give your rugs and deep clean that will leave them looking brand new for a long time!

This steam cleaner cleans deep into the carpet fibres. It has a ‘pre-shot’ feature which will squirt cleaning solution out of the front of the steam cleaner for those stains that may require a little extra work to clean off.

You can choose between ‘express clean’ and a ‘deep clean’ mode. Express clean is the quicker option which will have your carpets and rugs dry in 30 minutes whereas a deep clean will take longer to dry.

That being said, a deep clean will destroy even the dirtiest of rugs! To top it all off, this steam cleaner is very compact and easy to store in small spaces and cupboards, because who wants a steam cleaner taking away from the beauty of your home?

2. Vax ECR2V1P Carpet Cleaner

Number two on the list is the Vax ECR2V1P. This steam cleaner is a great affordable option for people who have pets and want to get the ‘animal scent’ out of there carpets and rugs!

It features dual rotating brush bars that will remove those difficult to clean stains that you thought would never come out!

The design features two different tanks, one for dirty water and one for clean water. This makes it easy for you to refill and change the water when needed.

You can also use the pre-treatment wand to sprinkle some cleaning solution on the dirtiest areas of your rug which will give it an even stronger clean.

Finally, don’t forget your cleaning solution when buying this steam cleaner! We recommend the Vax Ultra Plus Carpet Cleaning Solution.

3. Vax Dual Power Carpet Cleaner


Coming in at number three on this list the Vax Dual Power Carpet Cleaner. This Steam cleaner is very affordable without sacrificing any cleaning quality!

It is designed with a narrow floor head so that it can get into those hard to reach areas. While this may not be an issue when cleaning your rug, if you decide to clean your carpets then this little feature could come in handy!

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Weighing in at only 5.8kg, this steam cleaner will not put much strain on your joints if you have to keep moving it around.

Similar to our first pick on this list, the Vax Dual features two rotating brush bars that will get deep into your rug giving you the clean it deserves!

4. Vax W86DPE Dual Power Carpet Cleaner


If you are looking for a steam cleaner that also comes with a free carpet cleaning solution, then the Vax W86DPE is the one for you!

Like many other options on this list, the Vax W86DPE comes with two rotating power brushes to give your rug a thorough clean!

This steam cleaner comes with two tanks. One is for dirty water and one is for clean water.

To top it all of, the base of this steam cleaner is 12”, which means you will be able to clean wide areas which will save you a lot of time.

5. Vytronix Tub1600 Steam Cleaner


If you guys are looking for the most budget-friendly option on this list, then the Vytronix Tub1600 is for you!

This steam cleaner is extremely compact and portable meaning it can easily be transported if that’s something that you are looking for.

Great if you’re living in an RV.

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The multifunction design offers you the option to use both the wet and dry mode. The dry mode is similar to a standard hoover, while the wet mode is like a steam cleaner.

So whether you want to hoover up some crumbs or clean up a spillage, the Vytronix has got you covered! This steam cleaner also comes with a shampoo specifically designed for rugs and carpets.

Conclusion & Summary

The steam cleaners on this list are all great for cleaning rugs. That being said, they are great for cleaning everything! So once you have cleaned your rug, then why not move onto the carpet? Or maybe the couch? Whatever the job, these steam cleaners can get it done!

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