• Steam cleaners perform a similar function as mops, only without the hassle or mess.mop head image by green308 from Fotolia.com
  
  Steam cleaners are simple devices that use tap water to clean kitchens, bathrooms, clothes and more. Converting the water to steam, these cleaners use heat to kill germs and polish surfaces. Steam cleaners are ideal for households with an array of surface types, as they can be used to clean hard floor surfaces and carpets. These cleaners provide users with attachments, cloths, and even built-in vacuum cleaners to tackle tough cleaning projects.
  
  

Hoover SteamVac All Terrain

• The SteamVac All Terrain is a Hoover steam cleaner designed for carpeted and hard floor surfaces. The All Terrain can be used to clean linoleum, wood and stone kitchen and bathroom surfaces. An 8-foot hose attachment is included to facilitate the cleaning of walls and ceilings. The vacuum applies steam heat directly to floor surfaces, automatically adds detergent to water at the correct ratio, and comes equipped with hard floor squeegees and brushes for finishing off the job.
  
  

Jiffy J-2000

• The J-2000 is a steam cleaner for clothes designed and produced by the Jiffy Steamer company. The J-2000 comes equipped with a 1300-watt heating element powerful enough to have the machine ready to clean clothes in two minutes. Steamer specialists Jiffy designed the J-2000 ergonomically, and have included a number of attachments created specifically for different garments. The 360-degree swivel casters make the J-2000 easy to move while cleaning. In 2010, 10 percent of each J-2000 purchase will go to fighting breast cancer.
  
  

Shark Vac-Then-Steam

• The Vac-Then-Steam, produced by Shark, is a two-in-one vacuum and steam mop designed for hard floor surfaces. From hardwood kitchens to linoleum bathrooms, the Vac-then-Steam is an all-purpose cleaner that allows users to vacuum up surface crud before switching to a comprehensive steam mop for a deeper clean. The device comes equipped with both thick and thin mopping pads, which can be swapped out contingent upon the surface being cleaned. According to the Shark website, the Vac-Then-Steam eliminates 99.9% of germs, though the veracity of this claim is unclear.