9 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Clean With a Clothes Steamer

A clothes steamer can be a total game changer for your home. On top of handling wrinkled clothes and DIY dry cleaning, believe it or not, this trusty tool can tackle everything from carpet stains to dirty tile grout in just a matter of minutes.

Still not convinced? We’ve rounded up some of the most remarkable—and totally unexpected—things you can clean with a garment steamer to prove our point. Read ahead for nine household chores you probably didn’t know you could take care of with a clothes steamer.

If you’re looking for a way to loosen up all of the caked-on grease in your oven, your garment steamer has you covered. Just focus the steam coming out of your steamer directly on the buildup, and watch the sticky gunk melt (and wipe clean) from the pressure.

Turns out your clothes steamer is also an eco-friendly way to deep clean your kitchen and bathroom. Said to kill 99.9% of bacteria and germs, steam can be used to sanitize your countertop surfaces—completely chemical-free.

Want a foolproof way to freshen up your upholstery without a trip to the dry cleaners? Steam cleaning your curtains, bedding, and furniture upholstery won’t just sanitize your textiles, it’ll make them look brand new.

Who knew a garment steamer could solve all of your dirty grout problems, too? Despite being notoriously tough to clean, the grime that builds up between your bathroom and kitchen tiles is no match for a steady rush of steam. Just direct your steamer along the grout lines and watch the dirt and grime loosen up and wipe clean.

If you need a way to speed up your yearly freezer defrosting, look no further than the nearest clothes steamer. Just remember to proceed with caution (since your steamer is an electrical appliance) and avoid direct contact with water while defrosting.

It’s no secret that the humidity in your bathroom, particularly your shower, causes lots of pesky mold and mildew buildup. What might come as a surprise, however, is that the grime from your shower curtains and glass shower doors can quickly be removed with the steam from a clothes steamer—and you’ll be sanitizing them while you’re at it, too.

Believe it or not, a garment steamer works just like any other full-sized carpet steamer; making it the ideal size for spot cleaning. Treat light carpet and rug stains by pointing the nozzle of your steamer towards the stain to loosen up the blotch.

Looking for a splotch-free method for wiping down your mirrors and windows? Grab the closest garment steamer and watch the dust and dirt disappear (sans the unsightly smears and streaks).

Keeping your car tidy can be difficult, especially when you spill something in a tough to reach place. Luckily, it’s nothing a handheld clothes steamer can’t tackle—just direct the steam towards the tricky spot and voila: no more in-between car seat stains!