Best Steam Cleaner for Cars: Leave Your Car Spotless
Say goodbye to spills because these steam cleaners will keep your car’s interior sparkling clean.

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If you clock in a lot of mileage in your car, spead out across all seasons, its interior can get dirty rather quickly. It's not uncommon for stains to appear on the seats over time, mud to soak into the upholstery, or for pet fur to cling to all surfaces. Don't even get us started on spilled coffee drinks. It becomes quite tough to thoroughly clean your car on a regular basis.
The good news is that a steam cleaner makes the job rather easy and with minimal effort. It's designed to provide a deep cleaning in a very short amount of time. There are many steam cleaner options available out there, and from many, many retailers. online and in stores, which is why we're here: Reading through this buying guide will help you find the best option available for any budget.

McCulloch Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner
- Tank holds up to 48 ounces
- High-quality set of large wheels
- Very mobile
- Quite loud
- May have to use more elbow grease to scrub some areas
McCulloch Canister Steam Cleaner
- Compact
- Weighs five pounds
- Comes with nine accessories
- Takes a while to heat up
- Doesn’t stay hot for long enough
Wagner Spraytech On-Demand Steam Cleaner
- 11-piece accessory set
- Tank holds 48 ounces
- 45 minutes of cleaning power
- Small wheels
- Lacks mobility
- Can take a while to heat up
Summary List
- Best Overall: McCulloch Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner
- Best Value: McCulloch Canister Steam Cleaner
Also consider
Our Methodology
To come up with this list of car steam cleaners, we took a close look at the many options available. We considered every kind of steam cleaner, from big and bulky with car-friendly attachments to compact and perfectly portable. Those that were the most effective at tackling dirt and stains, including long-ago formed stains, were prioritized. We also compared these steam cleaners to one another based on details such as ease of use, size and weight, power source, tank capacity, cleaning accessory options, and the ability to use within the confines of a car.
Best Steam Cleaner for Cars: Reviews & Recommendations
Specs
- Weight: 12 pounds
- Tank capacity: 48 ounces
- Power cord length: 15 feet
Pros
1,500-watt power
Up to 45 minutes of continuous cleaning
Heats up in eight minutes
Includes 18 accessories
Cons
Loud in enclosed spaces
Plastic body can come apart over time
Specs
- Weight: 10.78 pounds
- Tank capacity: 48 ounces
- Power cord length: 18 feet
Pros
Variable steam control
90 minutes of continuous cleaning
20 accessories
Versatile use options
Cons
Accessories aren’t securely fitted
Can squirt or spill water
Specs
- Weight: 13.37 pounds
- Tank capacity: 40 ounces
- Power cord length: Not specified
Pros
Up to 40 minutes of continuous cleaning
Includes multiple extension wands
Includes 11 accessories
Sits on wheels
Cons
Not very mobile
Takes a while to heat up
Specs
- Weight: 9.3 pounds
- Tank capacity: 1.5 liters
- Power cord length: 16 feet
Pros
Lengthy hose and wands
Up to 45 minutes of continuous cleaning
Backed by a five-year warranty
Includes 18 accessories
Cons
No on-machine storage for accessories
Handle can get hot while in use
Specs
- Weight: 8.42 pounds
- Tank capacity: 48 ounces
- Power cord length: 15 feet
Pros
Locking on button
Up to 45 minutes of cleaning
Consistent temperature and pressure
15 accessories
Cons
Attachments somewhat weak
Extension wands bend easily
Specs
- Weight: 10.8 pounds
- Tank capacity: 51 ounces
- Power cord length: 16 feet
Pros
High-powered, high-pressured
Up to 40 minutes of cleaning
Easy to move
Includes 18 accessories
Cons
No temperature or steam control
Handle gets hot while in use
Specs
- Weight: 3.28 pounds
- Tank capacity: 350 milliliters
- Power cord length: Not specified
Pros
Compact and handheld
Fits easily into tight spaces
Safety lock and cap
Includes nine accessories
Cons
Steam produced for short time
Small water tank
Our Verdict on the Best Steam Cleaners for Cars
Sturdy and powerful in the face of even super-stubborn stains, the McCulloch Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner is my pick for the best overall steam cleaner for cars. However, if you’re looking for something that offers a combination of great value and easy mobility, McCulloch's Canister Steam Cleaner is another option we highly recommend.
Pricing
You’ll find a wide variety of car steam cleaners priced between $35 and $100. They are lighter and more compact with smaller water tanks. For $100 or more, you’ll find heavy-duty steam cleaners that also may come with various sizes of extension hoses and head sizes.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
Q: How do you steam clean the inside of your car?
A. You can use a steam cleaner on the carpets, fabric, leather, plastic, and vinyl. If the machine has a crevice tool or a steam-jet nozzle, you can also use it to clean hard-to-reach places, such as the vents, center console, deep door pockets, and cup holders. You can use the machine to clean the headliner if it gets dusty or dirty. Finally, a steam cleaner is excellent for removing sap, bugs, and tar from the windows.
Q: Is it safe to steam clean an engine?
A. Yes. However, it's a lot quicker to use a pressure washer and some degreaser to clean an engine. A steam cleaner may be good at reaching tight areas, but it's not very efficient for cleaning an entire engine.
Q: What are the different types of steam cleaners for cars?
A. Handheld: These are built and designed to reach those difficult to clean areas like tight spaces and underneath pedals. They are lightweight and convenient to use, making them ideal to bring on long car trips. However, they don’t come with a lot of power, so you’ll have to charge them after each use. Their smaller form makes them quicker to heat up, so you can use them quickly when absolutely necessary.
Heavy duty: These are thicker and heavier modules built to fight the toughest of stains. Their water tanks are larger as well, giving you more power and extending the amount of time you devote to deep cleaning the car interior. This saves you time and energy by not having to constantly refill the water. However, while they are larger, they do tend to be quite heavy, especially when loaded fully with water. To help alleviate the stress of moving something so cumbersome, many come with wheels for mobility.
Q: What are some key features of steam cleaners for cars?
A. Water tank size: The size of the water tank is a major component of what makes up a car steam cleaner. Having a smaller one means you don’t get as long of a clean and will have to refill the tank many times before you’re finished. Getting a larger one means you get an extended cleaning time. If you have multiple cars to clean or a larger vehicle, opting for a bigger tank is the way to go.
Portability: Some steam cleaners are more portable than others. Smaller options tend to be lighter weight, so they’re easier to maneuver around your vehicle. Larger options may be more heavy-duty and provide a more thorough cleaning depending on their wattage. Also, the size affects how easier they are to store when not in use.
Accessories: Finding a car steam cleaner with multiple accessories will help you reach those difficult-to-clean places. The more extender hoses, nozzles, and cleaning heads you have, the better prepared you are to tackle any stains.
Chemical free: One of the best parts about steam cleaners is they don’t come with any harsh chemicals. That means it is good for the environment and has no lingering smell or taste. However, you can get accessories that add chemicals like bleach and cleaners.
Q: How much does it cost to steam clean a car?
A. Getting your vehicle professionally detailed can be costly. Depending on the size of your vehicle, steam cleaning the interior or shampooing the carpet could cost around $75 or more. Leather upholstery cleaning can cost around $50.
Q: Do I need a special kind of water to run a steam cleaner?
A. No, you can use normal tap water or water directly from the sink. Read the guidebook before using it to determine if the steam cleaner requires vinegar mixed with the water.
Q: Why is there still some dirt left over after having used the steam cleaner?
A. While steam cleaners do a great job at cleaning stains and dirt from upholstery and carpet, they might leave some behind. This is normal and might require you to use a rag, cloth, or additional attachments to easily clean up.
Q: Can I use a high-pressure steam cleaner to do more than just auto detailing?
A. Of course, you can. Steam cleaners are great for cleaning kitchen tiles, grout, carpet, and those tough-to-reach places in your home.

Why Trust Us
Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
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