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The Best Steam Cleaner For Cars 2021

Best Steam Cleaner For Cars

Using a steam cleaner for cars is the best method of removing bad odors and heavy stains from the interior. Most come with a range of accessories that allows you to clean all the areas as well as the car seats regardless if they are cloth or leather.

The best steam cleaner for cars is the Dupray ONE, which has a powerful steam of up to 303 degrees Fahrenheit and a 3 year warranty.

Most people will have a designated vacuum for car detailing but adding a car steam cleaner will provide a far deeper clean. It allows you to use the power of hot steam to tackle tough stains and odors that a vacuum will not remove.

Table of Contents

Car Steam Cleaner Comparison

Car Steam CleanerTypeSteam Pressure
Dupray ONEFull Size50.8 PSI
Vapamore MR-100 PrimoFull Size58.0 PSI
McCulloch MC1385 DeluxeFull Size58.0 PSI
Wagner 915Full Size41.0 PSI
Steamfast SF 370WHFull Size40.0 PSI
McCulloch MC1275Handheld43.0 PSI
PurSteam CleanerHandheld43.5 PSI
Comforday HandheldHandheld35.2 PSI

Using an auto steam cleaner helps the upholstery rehydrate, condition and restore without causing any damage. Even if you have fabrics such as alcantara or suede, any dirt or bad odors can be safely removed without leaving stains or residue.

You are not just limited to the interior of the car because most car steam cleaners are versatile. From cleaning the engine bay to the ventilation system, you can easily clean a range of components with ease.

Depending upon how portable you require the steamer to be, there is a choice of a full size or handheld cleaner. Below is a list of the best steam cleaner for cars that are safe to use on the upholstery, seats, carpets and other components.

The Best Steam Cleaner For Cars


1. Dupray ONE Car Steam Cleaner


Dupray are one of the best steam cleaner brands with a variety of models suited for both domestic and commercial use. The Drupray ONE is a mid range steamer by the brand that offers a simple and efficient solution for chemical free cleaning.

In terms of car detailing only, this steam cleaner is everything you need and more. That being said, it is fairly expensive to purchase but its an excellent investment.

Features of the Dupray ONE Steam Cleaner include:

  • Powerful 303 degrees Fahrenheit steam
  • 50.8 PSI of steam pressure
  • Heats up in less than 8 minutes
  • 1.88 meters reach and 5 meter power cord
  • Heavy duty 16 pieces accessory kit
  • High capacity tank with up to 50 minutes cleaning time

The advanced technology used with this steam cleaner is astonishing. From the adjustable flow to various indicators, you will be able to disinfect any surfaces with ease. Overall, it is the best car steam cleaner for car detailing that comes with a range of accessories and won’t disappoint.

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2. Vapamore MR-100 Primo Steam Cleaner


The Vapamore MR-100 is the latest model by the manufacturer that combines great performance and value for money into a single package. It comes with a lifetime warranty for peace of mind and removes the toughest of stains and odors from cars.

Features of the Vapamore MR-100 Primo include:

  • 220 degrees Fahrenheit steam
  • 60 minutes of operation
  • 22 piece accessories kit
  • 1500 watt water heater
  • 58.0 PSI of steam pressure

The unit itself is fairly small and easily portable whilst you are detailing the car. It is a mid ranged steam cleaner that packs a large amount of features and good performance. The lifetime warranty is a big bonus that makes the Vapamore MR-100 a great option.

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3. McCulloch MC1385 Automotive Steam Cleaner


The McCulloch MC1385 is a cheaper alternative that offers excellent value for money. It offers a whole range of features similar to the Drupray model above and 23 accessories that bolt straight on.

Other features of the McCulloch MC1385 include:

  • 200 degree Fahrenheit steam
  • 58 PSI steam pressure
  • 12 minutes warm up time
  • 120 minutes usage before needing a refill

The MC1385 will provide a deep clean without using harsh chemicals and is great for car interior cleaning on a budget but wanting high power.

There are many cheap automotive steam cleaners available but none come close in terms of steam pressure. The McCulloch MC1385 is the best portable steam cleaner for cars you can buy before spending a large amount of money.

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4. Wagner 915 On-Demand Steam Cleaner


The Wagner “On-Demand” steam cleaner is designed for chemical-free cleaning and it can be used for multiple application. With regards to car detailing, it effortlessly lifts dirt and grime away from virtually any surface in the car.

In terms of the water input, the 915 model is able to hold up to 48 oz of water and heat it up in under 10 minutes.

Other features of the Wagner 915 “On-Demand” Cleaner include:

  • Heats to 212 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Provides 45 minutes of steaming
  • Easily portable with a wheel design
  • Desirable locking trigger
  • LED status lights
  • Multiple attachments included

The Wagner 915 is an excellent all-round steam cleaner for cars that will provide a deep clean whilst on a budget. Compared to the alternatives, it more cost effective and includes a range of attachments for reaching difficult areas of the car.

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5. Steamfast SF-370WH Car Steam Cleaner


Another affordable steam cleaner for cars is the Steamfast SF-370WH. It uses a 1,500 watt motor that delivers pressurized steam for deep cleaning of interiors, carpets and other areas of the car.

Considering that it’s a compact unit, it has a 45 ounce tank that provides up to 45 minutes of continuous steam.

Other features of the Steamfast SF-370WH include:

  • 15 versatile accessories included
  • Continuous locking switch
  • Deep cleaning without harsh chemicals
  • 15.4 feet power cord
  • Heats up the water tank in 8 minutes
  • Weighs 8.4 LBS

The brand also offer a more expensive deluxe model, which has a large water capacity and is able to run for up to 90 minutes. However, in terms of value for money, the SF-370WH is the best model to choose for steam cleaning cars.

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6. McCulloch MC1275 Portable Steam Cleaner

Many people will not want or require a large unit but would rather use a handheld steam cleaner for cleaning the cars upholstery. McCulloch have a heavy duty steam cleaner that provides a powerful steam at 43 PSI, which is great for handheld cleaner.

Other features of the McCulloch MC1275 include:

  • 45 minutes of operation with 48 oz capacity
  • 8 minutes heating time
  • Power cord length of 15.7 feet
  • 18 accessories included
  • 43 PSI steam pressure

Considering the small size, the McCulloch MC1275 has plenty of power for tackling dirt. In terms of the handheld competitors, it is fairly expensive but it is the best handheld steam cleaner for car detailing.

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7. PurSteam Handheld Steam Cleaner


One of the most popular handheld steam cleaners that is ideal for cars is by the PurSteam brand. It comes with a 9 piece accessory kit that allows you to tackle specific deep cleaning tasks with ease.

To ensure that you have the freedom to move, it has a 9.8 foot long power cord, which is longer than most handheld alternatives.

Other features of the PurSteam Cleaner include:

  • Heats up in 3 to 4 minutes
  • Compact and lightweight design
  • 9 attachments are included
  • Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
  • 43.5 PSI of steam pressure

The PurSteam is lightweight and highly portable, which makes it a great option as a steam cleaner for cars. According to the brand, it produces up to 30% more steam than similar sized handheld units.

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8. Comforday Pressurized Handheld Steam Cleaner


The Comforday is another handheld device that comes with a 9 piece accessories kit and targeted towards those on a budget. For quickly going around the car without carrying a large steam cleaner, this is the best buy.

Features of the Comforday Automotive Steam Cleaner include:

  • 1050 watts of power
  • Up to 270 degrees Fahrenheit of steam
  • 20 minutes of operating time
  • 9 piece accessory kit
  • 35.2 PSI of steam pressure

It is an all in one steamer that will work with all surfaces to cut through dirt effortlessly. It is the cheapest steam cleaner for cars that wont fall apart the moment you use it and will easily tackle tough stains and odors.

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Car Steam Cleaner Buying Guide

Steam cleaning fabrics and leather is one of the safest methods of cleaning automotive components. It is 100% chemical free and will not damage expensive upholstery such as alcantara or suede. Commercially used steam cleaners can be very expensive but for most auto detailing applications, all that is needed are basic units such as the recommendations above.

Even if you are using the best car interior cleaner, you may find yourself struggling to removing tough stains. However, the high temperature and pressure from a car steam cleaner will easily eliminate any stains or odors.

The majority of steam cleaners come with various accessories that allow you to completely detail your vehicle. The more, the better as you will be able to get into places that you wouldn’t normally be able to get to. To help you make a more informed buying decision, we have produced the below guide regarding steam cleaners for cars.

steam cleaner for cars

Using Steam Cleaning For Vehicles

Using one of the recommended car steam cleaners above can be used for a whole range of cleaning. The majority of people will use it on car interior upholstery to clean, rehydrate, condition and remove bad smells. However, there are many other areas to clean that make use of the steam.

Cleaning your car windows with steam and a squeegee is much easier than using chemicals as there is no leftover residue. Cup holders that have had sticky soft drinks spilled inside can be very hard to clean as the plastic can stain with harsh chemicals. Steam cleaning the cup holders is fairly simple and you just need to wipe away the humidity.

Dashboards, ventilation systems and center consoles collect a lot of dust, grime and dirt on a daily basis. The steam can latch onto the dust and dirt, which can then simply be wiped away. Basically, anywhere in the car can be steam cleaned without causing damage.

Some car owners may go a step further and steam clean their engine bay, however you will need a powerful steamer for this. It is recommended to apply an engine degreaser and then finish up with steam cleaning to clear any dirt leftover.

Full Size vs Handheld

A full size car steam cleaner will have more power, more water capacity and more functionality. A handheld steam cleaner will have less but has the added benefit of being very portable and easy to use around the car.

The majority of car owners will opt for the full size models due to the steam power. Carpets that are covered in salt are can be difficult to remove even whilst using car carpet cleaning products. A powerful steam cleaner will completely remove all dirt with ease. However, they do come at a cost that many will not be willing to pay, which makes the cheaper handheld option more desirable.

Water Capacity and Operational Minutes

The last thing that you want to happen is to be halfway steam cleaning a section of your vehicle for the water to run out. This can be highly irritating but can avoided with a larger capacity water container and efficient usage of the steamer.

This is a drawback of handheld devices due to the lack of water capacity available. This means they will run out more quickly, which can become fairly annoying.

Steam Pressure and Temperature

To ensure that the automotive upholstery gets a deep clean and any tough dirt is removed, you need high pressure. Along with the pressure, high temperatures are required as it helps tackle stains and odors. The best steam cleaners for cars will cost more but they are a worthwhile investment.

Detergent Tanks

Many of the larger steam cleaners that are used for automotive detailing feature a detergent tank. Using appropriate cleaning agents within this tank further increases the cleaning power for tackling tough stains.

Conclusion

For those that want to take their car interior cleaning to the next level, a quality steam cleaner is the best option. From cleaning leather interior with steam and then applying a leather conditioner can make a huge difference.

There are models available to suit every budget but it is a specialist bit of kit that will last many years and worth spending that little extra. The Dupray is the best car steamer for interiors and will work around the house too.

Using a steam cleaner is fairly easy and can be used upon many surfaces. Unlike a vacuum, steam can reach areas that a vacuum will never reach and does a far better job of removing stains and odors.

procarreviews author

Written By Dan

About the Author

Dan is an automotive journalist and owner of over 10 cars ranging from supercars, tuned cars, classics and your good old beater cars. He always likes to get his hands dirty with nut and bolt restorations or detailing sessions using the best products on the market.

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