If you’ve ever been unfortunate to have bed bugs, you know what a nuisance they can be. Bed bugs are very small brown insects that are shaped like an oval. Bed bugs feed off of human or animal blood. While these bites typically don’t hurt, they can become very itchy and are rather unsightly.
If you have a bed bug infestation, it can be quite difficult to get rid of them. Female bed bugs are capable of laying hundreds of eggs at a time, so once you have even a few bed bugs, the number can quickly grow out of control.
One of the best ways to get rid of bed bugs is through a steam treatment at a very high temperature. Our steam cleaner reviews below highlight a few different products you should consider if you’re looking to get rid of bed bugs in your home or a property you own.
6 Best Steam Cleaners for Bed Bugs:
- McCulloch MC1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner
- Dupray Neat Multipurpose Steam Cleaner
- Steamfast SF-370 Canister Cleaner
- Pure Enrichment PureClean Steam Cleaner
- Vapamore MR-100 Primo Steam Cleaning System
- PurSteam Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner
1. McCulloch MC1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner with 18 Accessories
Features
- Heat Up Time – Less than 8 minutes
- Max Steam Time – 45 minutes
- Tank Size – 48 ounces
- Sanitize with Steam – Steam can reach over 200°F
This McCulloch Steamer for bed bugs review will share why we think the MC1275 is one of the best options for exterminating bed bugs. The steam from this steam is capable of reaching temperatures greater than 200°F, which is hot enough to kill bed bugs and their eggs. It also has a 48-ounce capacity that will allow it to produce steam for up to 45 minutes.
In addition to using this product to get rid of bed bugs, you’ll also be able to use it for many other tasks around the home. 18 different accessories, including a floor mops, brass brush scrub pad, and nylon brush, come with this item. It also has a 15.7-foot cord and a 9-foot steam hose that will make it easy to reach just about any space you want to clean.
What Customers Are Saying
Overall, consumers who purchased this product are impressed with its performance. They like how quickly the steamer heats up quickly and is able to produce powerful steam for a long time before the tank needs to be filled up. Many customers who bought this steamer specifically for bed bugs have shared that they were able to get rid of all the bed bugs in their home with the steam from this product.
Pros:
- This steamer kills 99.9% of germs and bacteria.
- The pressure can reach 43 psi.
- McCulloch offers a two-year warranty to protect your purchase.
Cons:
- You may accidentally over fill the tank when filling it since you can’t see inside of it.
2. Dupray Neat Multipurpose Steam Cleaner
Features
- Heat Up Time – 7 minutes
- Max Steam Time – 50 minutes
- Tank Size – 40 ounces
- Sanitize with Steam – Steam can reach 275°F
The Dupray Neat Multipurpose Steam Cleaner is another great option to consider. This bedbug carpet cleaner can be used to clean a variety of surfaces in your home. It comes with 18 different accessories, including a mop pad, crevice tool, corner tool, extension wands, and various brushes.
The steam from this product can get very hot; it can reach temperatures up to 275°F. This will not only help you get rid of any bed bugs, but it can also help you sanitize other surfaces in your home including counter tops, floors, and windows. The manufacturer offers a lifetime warranty on the boiler and a two-year warranty on the rest of the parts.
What Customers Are Saying
Individuals who have used this steamer rave about its cleaning capabilities. They were amazed at how well it got rid of messes and grease. People have also shared that it was able to create enough steam at a high enough temperature to solve their bed bug problem.
Pros:
- 18 attachments are included with this model
- The steam gets up to 275°F
- It takes just 7 minutes to heat up
Cons:
- There is no gauge to let you know how much water is left in the tank
3. Steamfast SF-370 Canister Cleaner with 15 Accessories
Features
- Heat Up Time – 8 minutes
- Max Steam Time – 45 minutes
- Tank Size – 48 ounces
- Sanitize with Steam – Steam can reach over 200°F
If you are looking for an easily portable option, consider the Steamfast SF-370. This product features a 15-foot power cord, and a 6.5-foot hose to help you reach anywhere you need to clean. It also includes a carrying handle, making it easy to bring this product up or down the stairs for cleaning or storage.
The thank-in carpet steam cleaner for bed bugs holds 48 ounces of water which is enough to produce steam for up to 45 minutes. It heats up quickly too and will be ready to use after only 8 minutes. Your purchase also comes with 15 different accessories that will make it possible to clean other surfaces such as countertops, hard floors, grills, ovens, toilets, and more.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who own this product have shared that they think it is a great value for the price. They say that the steam cleaner does a really good job cleaning up tough messes and like that is has a larger capacity than some other products. One person who purchased it said she was able to clear up a bed bug infestation that an exterminator said would cost between $1,500 and $3,000 to get rid of.
Pros:
- The unit has a handle to make it easy to carrying around the house.
- With the accessories, you’ll be able to sanitize many other surfaces in your home
- The tank has a large capacity
Cons:
- There is not a way to store the accessories on the unit
4. Pure Enrichment PureClean Steam Cleaner
Features
- Heat Up Time – 8 minutes
- Max Steam Time – 45 minutes
- Tank Size – 1. 5 liters
- Sanitize with Steam – Steam can reach 212°F
Pure Enrichment PureClean is another steam machine for bed bugs that can help solve your problems. This product has a large, 1.5-liter tank that allows it to create hot steam for up to 45 minutes. In addition to eliminating bed bugs, it can also be used to get rid of mold, grease, stains, and other messes. You can feel confident knowing you’re cleaning your home without the use of any harmful chemicals.
The steam cleaner has a long, 16-foot power cord allowing you to move freely around a room without having to move the plug constantly. An 18-piece accessory set is included with this product to help you tackle messes in the home, car, and even areas outside of your home.
What Customers Are Saying
Many customers have shared that the nozzle on this steamer is able to produce high-pressure steam, which is great for cleaning grout and other tough messes. Numerous customers also shared that they purchased this product when they needed to get rid of a bed bug infestation and that they were very pleased with its performance.
Pros:
- 18 accessories come with this model
- It has a 16-foot power cord
- The manufacturer offers a five-year warranty to protect your purchase
Cons:
- The housing for the product feels a bit more cheaply made than some of the other options we reviewed
5. Vapamore MR-100 Primo Steam Cleaning System
Features
- Heat Up Time – 11 minutes
- Max Steam Time – 60 minutes
- Tank Size – 1.6 liters
- Sanitize with Steam – Steam can reach 220°F
The Vapamore MR-100 is a high-pressure steam cleaner for bed bugs. This model is capable of producing steam between 210 and 220°F. In addition to helping you eliminate bed bugs, it can also be used to get rid of mold and other allergens without using any harmful chemicals.
The Vapamore MR-100 has a 60-minute operation time, which is longer than the other products we reviewed. It also has controls that will allow you to adjust the steam output. An accessory set comes with this product to help you clean carpets, grout, sinks, grills, appliance, toys, windows, and many other surfaces in your home.
What Customers Are Saying
Overwhelming, customers who purchased this product are very happy with it. They are happy with how easy it is to deep clean different surfaces with the steamer. One customer who purchased this steamer said that it was able to successful eliminate her bed bug problem after seven failed attempts by a professional company.
Pros:
- It has a 60-minute run time
- You can also use it to get rid of allergens and mold
- You can adjust the steam output with this model
Cons:
- This model takes longer to heat up than the other options we reviewed
6. PurSteam Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner with 9-Piece Accessory Set
Features
- Heat Up Time – 3 to 4 minutes
- Max Steam Time – Not stated
- Tank Size – About 8 ounces
- Sanitize with Steam – Steam can reach up to 289°F
This is a lift-away vacuum cleaner for wool carpet. Although it is a little heavier than handheld vacuums, it allows you to clean furniture, floors, and other surfaces off the floor.
Its anti-allergen complete seal technology ensures that dust and allergen do not get back to the air after cleaning. This system can trap up to 99.99 percent of the allergens. The HEPA filter captures all dust and allergens for a deep wool rug cleaning.
Besides lifting away the vacuum, you can attach the dusting brush when you need to remove stubborn pet hair from surfaces and from parts of your wool rug. You can further attach the wand by lifting away the pod when you need to clean surfaces overhead.
What Customers Are Saying
Individuals who have purchased this product are impressed with how powerful it is for such a small steamer. They have shared that it is easy to use and that they like the flexibility offered by the different attachments that come with it. Several customers who purchased it used it to treat a bed bug problem and were very happy with the results.
Pros:
- It will be hot enough to use in just four minutes
- There are nine different attachments that come with this product
- The steamer is lightweight and easy to carry around the house
Cons:
- Since the tank is smaller, you will need to stop to refill it more frequently
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs with a Steam Cleaner
If you plan on using a steamer to get rid of bed bugs, it is very important to follow the steps below.
Unless you use the steamer correctly, you won’t effectively kill all the bed bugs. Improper use could also result in a burn or damage to your belongings.
Here are the steps you should take to get rid of bed bugs:
Identify the Extent of Your problem
Before you begin trying to eliminate the bed bugs in your home, it is important to know how big of an infestation you have.
Inspect any areas where bed bugs may be found, such as mattresses, pillows, couches, carpeting, and other areas in your home.
Once you know where the bed bugs are located, you can make sure you treat all the affected areas.
If you only treat some areas, the bed bugs will continue to move around your home and can re-infest the areas that you had initially cleaned.
Conduct a Thorough House-Cleaning
The final step before taking out the steamer is to clean your house from top to bottom. Your goal is to eliminate any spaces where the bed bugs may be hiding, so be sure to clean and put away piles of laundry or other clutter that may be lying around. Vacuum all the carpets, furniture, and mattresses in your home.
Set up the Steamer
Next, you’re ready to get the steamer set up. Look through the attachments that came with your steamer and choose the triangular nozzle. With this attachment, you’ll be able to get the steam the closest to the surface of your mattress and other items, which means it will bring them to a higher temperature to kill the bed bugs. The triangular attachment will also allow you to work over a wide area at one time to cut down on how long you’ll be steaming.
Plug the steamer in and wait for it to be hot and ready to use.
Begin Steaming
After your steamer has come up to the right temperature, you are ready to get started. Adjust the pressure to a low or medium setting so the steam is able to kill the bed bugs and doesn’t just blow them away.
You will want to work slowly enough to allow the surface to get hot enough and make sure the hot steam is able to go deeper down into the fabric or into tight crevices. Since bed bugs and their eggs won’t be killed is the temperature on the surface doesn’t reach at least 160°F, you may want to use an infrared thermometer. This can help you make sure you’re actually killing the bugs and not just wasting your time.
You’ll want to continue moving the triangular attachment over different sections of the item you’re working on. Moving it about 12 inches over each 30 second interval should be sufficient to kill the bed bugs.
Let Everything Dry
After you have finished steaming the entire surface of the area you are treating, it will need to dry out. You can let it dry on its own, or you may want to use a fan to help it dry more quickly.
If you can get a very thick plastic wrap, you may want to wrap up your mattress, box spring, furniture, and other items in it after they are dry. If there are still any remaining bed bugs, this can help kill them.
Assess the Effectiveness of the Treatment
If you still see bed bugs (or signs of them) after treating your mattress or furniture pieces, you will want to follow the steps above to treat the area again. If you are still unsuccessful, you may want to consider calling in a professional exterminator.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Vacuum
As we mentioned above, all steam cleaners are not created equally, and some aren’t cut out for the job of exterminating bed bugs. There are a number of factors and criteria that a steamer must meet if you want to be sure it will eliminate a bed bug problem.
Heat Output
Unless you are able to get the surface temperature on the mattress or other infested areas up to between 160 and 180 degrees, you won’t be able to kill bed bugs. To be able to bring the mattress up to this temperature, you’ll need your steam cleaner temperature to be at least 200 degrees.
Heat-Up Time
In addition to paying attention to how hot the steam from a steamer will be, you will also want to look for information about how long it will take the steamer to get hot enough to use. Many steamers may take up to 15 minutes to be hot enough to produce steam at the temperatures you’ll need to kill bed bugs. Looking for models that heat up more quickly could shorten the already unpleasant task of getting rid of bed bugs.
While units offer double-action cleaning, others offer triple-action. The latter can agitate the dirt, collect, and remove it. A triple-action brushroll comes in handy when you need to clean wool rugs with a lot of dirt.
Pressure
When selecting a steamer, it will also be important to look for one that operates at a higher pressure. Choosing a product that offers a high steam pressure will help make sure the steam is able to penetrate deeper into cracks and crevices, effectively reaching and killing any bed bugs that may be hiding out. When they aren’t eating, bed bugs typically won’t be on the surface of the mattress, so it will be important to find a steamer that will deliver sufficient pressure to penetrate deep enough.
Steam Adjustment Settings
While it is great to have a steamer that is powerful enough to provide the pressure you need to get inside tighter crevices, there will also be times when you may want less pressure. Some steamers have a knob that allows you to control the pressure. This may be a feature you want to look for when choosing a product.
Tank Capacity
When possible, look for a steam cleaner that has a large water tank. This will mean that you won’t need to keep stopping to refill it as you are working.
Maximum Steam Time
Related to the tank capacity is the maximum steam time. This is how long the steamer will be able to produce steam before the tank will need to be refilled. Choosing a product that is able to produce steam for a longer amount of time will help ensure you are able to get rid of all the bed bugs without stopping to refill the tank.
Included Attachments
Finally, if you’re purchasing a steam cleaner to get rid of bed bugs, it will be nice to get the most out of your purchase and use the steam cleaner in other areas of your home. Choosing a product that comes with different attachments, such as mop pads, squeegees, brushes, or crevice tools, will allow you to clean numerous other surfaces in your home.
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Conclusion
If you are dealing with bed bugs, that is definitely a problem that you want to solve as quickly as possible. A steam cleaner can help you kill bed bugs and their eggs with hot steam.
We think all six of the products we shared above could be a good solution for a bed bug problem. However, in our opinion, the McCulloch MC1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner is one of the best steam cleaners for bed bugs. This product has a large tank capacity, heats up quickly, and emits steam at over 200°F.
This product also comes with 18 accessories to help you clean and sanitize other surfaces in your home. We think you’ll be satisfied with the performance of the McCulloch MC1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner; add it to your cart today!
