One of the most important aspects of getting rid of bed bugs is using a steam cleaner every once in a while. Steamers or steam cleaners release steam at high pressure and temperatures which the bed bugs cannot survive. They also get rid of bed bug eggs and larvae leaving you with a super clean home. An additional advantage of investing in a good quality steam cleaner is that they can also help you get rid of mold, germs and dust without the use of harsh chemicals. Today, I have reviewed 5 fantastic bed bug steamers and dry vapor steamer systems to help you make an informed choice. You can also go for renting these units but if your neighbors have bed bugs, or if you happen to travel and stay in infested motels a lot, I suggest you make this worthwhile investment.
Features to look for in steam cleaners for bed bugs
- Easy to use: Cleaning your house when you have bed bugs is a lengthy, miserable process that takes days, even weeks, to show results. So the last thing you’d want is to spend hours figuring out how a steam cleaner works. Steam has tremendous cleaning and disinfecting power which can get rid of bed bugs in all their life stages. So, ease of use is an important aspect to look for when selecting a steamer for bed bugs. A good steam cleaner must not make the user crawl, struggle with dirty water or mops or climb ladders.
- Flexible and versatile– A good steam cleaner should be able to go anywhere and everywhere and clean everything. The steam should clean deep inside the cracks and crevices to get rid of all of those pesky bed bugs.
- Cost– If you are planning to buy bed bug steamer from Amazon, Walmart or other online retailers, you would naturally want the price to be within your budget. You can always go in for bed bug steamer rental but it is better to have your own if you wish to prevent recurrent infestation.
5 Top dry vapor steamer and steam cleaners for bed bugs
The consumer digest magazine has awarded the Vapamore® MR-100 primo steam cleaning system as the number one seller in steamer category. It clean and sanitizes the surfaces and also kills mites, allergens, bed bugs and other pests. The steamer comes with lifetime warranty and produces adjustable steam output at 210-250 F. Its chemical free operation is suitable for deep cleaning all surfaces and textiles in bedrooms, kitchens, garage, yards and even inside the car. Use it for disinfecting toys, books, frames, mirrors, bed bug infested mattresses, and even pet kennels or crates. On the downside, the steamer takes longer to heat and some units have been known to spout water.
The Jet Steamer is a 15-in-1 system with an extra large water tank and several attachments to clean under furniture. Apart from cleaning and disinfecting your home and eliminating bed bugs, this cleaner also eliminates garment wrinkles. The 100% chemical free operation is suited to clean households with pets, elderly people or young children. A few negative reviews mention that the product takes long to heat up. Compared to the McCulloch Heavy Duty Steamer which I have reviewed below, the Jet Steamer is much easier to maneuver.
Compared to many other commercial steamer units for bed bugs reviewed above, the McCulloch is slightly expensive. Its plus points include the fact that its 48 oz tank heats up in less than 10 minutes and provides continuous chemical free sanitizing and deep cleaning operation for up to 45 minutes. The steam temperature is also about 200 F which is ideal for killing all bed bug adults, eggs and larvae. One of its 18 different attachments is the scrub pad that can be used for getting rid of stains and fecal debris left behind by bed bugs, dust mites etc. More than 2000 happy customers have rated this as a top steamer for bed bugs.
This is a compact steamer that emits continuous steam for up to 15 minutes. It can be used for cleaning and disinfecting indoors and outdoors. The steamer is easy to use, light weight and has a 10 ft power cord that makes it easy to access hard to reach areas. The warm up time for heating 8 oz of water is just 3-5 minutes. Apart from bed bugs, you can disinfect and iron out garments, clean mirrors and wash windows as well. Many people have effectively steam cleaned their jewelry safely with this baby. On the downside, the outlet gets hot enough that you’d need gloves to handle it.
The best part about the Sargent Steam Cleaner is that apart from bed bugs, it can also kill staphylococcus germs that are known to cause serious diseases. The price may be a deterrent, but do not let that stop you. This is a one-time investment that is well worth it. The lifespan of this system is close to 20 years and you will be free from the use of backbreaking mops, climbing ladders etc to get your home clean and devoid of germs. The Sargent steamer is ideal for disinfecting pillows, encasements, box springs, headboards, jewelry, photo frames etc.
Comment below if you use a steamer for bed bugs and share your experiences.
