6 Surfaces You Should Never Steam Clean

A handheld steam cleaner with a nozzle and hose placed on a windowsill — Credit:
Ivanna Lakatosh / Getty Images

Steam cleaners are incredibly handy and effective tools for sprucing up your home sans chemicals. These machines work by heating water above its boiling point, turning it into pressurized vapor. This vapor is powerful enough to dissolve grease, loosen dirt, and kill mold spores and bacteria, making it an eco-friendly and widely popular choice in cleaning.

But steam cleaning isn't safe for all cleaning tasks. All of that moisture can be extremely damaging to the wrong surfaces. We went to a cleaning professional to find out which places in your home should be strictly avoided when it comes to steam cleaning and how to tackle those areas instead.

Michael Bogoyavlenskiy, CEO of Cleaning Express, a commercial and domestic cleaning services company in London

Leather

You may have noticed unfortunate water spots on your leather bags or boots after extended contact with the rain or spills. Steam can exact the same kind of damage on your leather furniture, so don't reach for your steam cleaner when it comes to leather couches and chairs. “Water, and, by extension, steam, is leather’s biggest enemy,” says cleaning expert Michael Bogoyavlenskiy. While an accidental spill can be quickly wiped up without lasting damage, the combination of heat and water will dry out leather pieces, causing cracks in the material.

To clean leather safely and effectively, Bogoyavlenskiy suggests using saddle soap followed by a suitable leather conditioner. “The most important thing when cleaning leather is that you put moisture back into it once it's dry,” he says.

Wooden Surfaces

Wood naturally absorbs water—so if you expose your wood or laminate flooring to steam, it could become waterlogged. This will invite warping, swelling, cupping, discoloration, or even long-term structural damage.

Bogoyavlenskiy warns against steam cleaning on any wood surfaces (including flooring and countertops), whether sealed or unsealed, natural or composite. A safer option is using a damp cloth, wrung out as much as possible, and an appropriate surface cleaner. Dry it thoroughly after to risk any damage, adds Bogoyavlenskiy.

Water-Based Paint

Walls and baseboards can get awfully scuffed and stained. And while you may be tempted to run a steam cleaner over them, it pays to take pause. “The combination of heat, moisture, and pressure in a steam cleaner can penetrate water-based paint, leading to cracks and peeling,” cautions Bogoyavlenskiy. Ultimately, what began as a dirty wall might end up with having to repaint the whole thing.

While you are safe to use a steam cleaner on paints that are labeled bathroom or kitchen safe, there also may not be any need to, shares Bogoyavlenskiy: “A damp cloth and some dish soap will usually be enough,” he says. However, for more delicate paint, water should be avoided altogether. Consider using a polymer sponge (or a Magic Eraser) after performing a patch test on an inconspicuous spot first.

Delicate Fabrics

While steam cleaners are effective for sanitizing some of your more durable, sturdy upholstery fabrics, they should be kept clear of the delicate upholstery in your home.

“Delicate fabrics is obviously a very broad category,” says Bogoyavlenskiy, “but here we mean silk, wool, velour, velvet, and even synthetic fabrics like nylon.” Basically, any heat-resistant material should be well-guarded from steam. A safer method would be to spot clean your delicate fabric with a bit of dish soap and a well-wrung-out damp cloth.

If you’re unsure about any particular fabric, Bogoyavlenskiy suggests thinking about how you would wash it in your machine. “If you’d hand-wash or use cold water, don’t use a steam cleaner,” he says.

Natural Stone

Whether you have shower walls made of travertine, granite countertops in your kitchen, or marble flooring in your entryway, any porous stone should not be treated with a steam cleaner. Exposure to high heat can compromise sealants and penetrate the stone, posing permanent damage.

To keep your natural stone surfaces intact and looking pristine, consider their particular makeup and treat them accordingly, using safe commercial cleaners or mild DIY solutions.

Glass

Steam cleaners can provide a chemical-free way to dissolve stubborn soap scum on showers or grease from glass oven doors. However, it’s important to exercise caution.

“Introduce the heat gradually by making quick passes over the surface, rather than going straight in with deep, slow strokes,” says Bogoyavlenskiy. “This is to heat the glass up evenly and gradually to avoid shocking it.” For the safest route, go with the tried-and-true method of a lint-free cloth dipped in water and white vinegar for a thorough clean of your glass surfaces.