February 26, 2021, 9:41 am | Read time: 7 minutes

Steam cleaners are no longer new to the market but are becoming increasingly popular. They help save a few steps in household chores. For around 60 euros, you can find the Vileda Steam in stores, including at Lidl—but how does it perform in the myHOMEBOOK test?

How We Tested

The editorial team examined the Vileda Steam steam cleaner using a standardized test scheme. The following criteria were relevant and weighted accordingly:

• Performance and Quality (25% of the total score)
• Workmanship, Design, and Handling (20% of the total score)
• Accessories (10% of the total score)
• Sustainability (20% of the total score)
• Price-Performance Ratio (25% of the total score)

Vileda Steam in the Test – Unboxing

The steam cleaner comes in three parts, along with several accessories. The package includes:

• Steam cleaner
• Pads
• Carpet glider attachment
• Measuring cup
• Instruction manual

Note: Our package included an additional “Power Pad,” which is supposed to tackle particularly stubborn stains compared to the other two microfiber cloths. However, no significant difference was noted in practical tests.

What Stood Out in the Test?

Assembling the Vileda Steam went smoothly in the test. It quickly becomes apparent that it’s a plastic construction, which can feel a bit wobbly at times. However, the parts snap together securely. The cable is a generous six meters long, which is especially useful for large apartments. Once assembled, you only need to fill it with water. The included measuring cup with markings helps with this. The cleaner’s tank holds up to 400 milliliters. No chemicals are needed, just plain tap water.

After about 15 seconds, the steam cleaner audibly starts operating, and steam begins to flow. According to the manufacturer, it should kill 99.9% of all bacteria, although we couldn’t verify this in the test. On smooth surfaces like tiles, parquet, laminate, or PVC, the steam also removes stains. Sometimes, more stubborn spots need to be steamed a bit longer to loosen the dirt. Important: The steam cleaner does not replace a vacuum cleaner!

Conveniently, the triangular shape allows you to reach into the farthest corners. There is also an XXL version of the steam cleaner with a wider mop. The Vileda Steam can also be used on carpets. However, for heavy soiling, additional scrubbing or special stain removers or home remedies are needed.

Also interesting: What can a multi-sander for under 30 euros do?

Note: Some wooden floors could be damaged by using a steam cleaner. Therefore, they should only be used on fully glued and lacquer-sealed parquet. Other wooden floors are porous, and the steam can penetrate the material, causing damage.

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Vileda Steam Steam Cleaner in the Test –
Pros and Cons

The Vileda Steam steam cleaner proved to be a handy household helper in the test, doing what it’s supposed to do. The cost of around 60 euros—sometimes even cheaper—is absolutely reasonable. The device comes with a two-year warranty.

Pros

• Easy to handle
• Lightweight
• Cleans almost all floors
• No chemical cleaning agents needed
• Steam intensity is continuously adjustable
• Long cable (6 m)
• Good price-performance ratio (around 60 euros)

Cons

• Slightly wobbly stand
• Doesn’t handle stubborn carpet stains
• Tank empties after about 15 minutes

Related: Clean grout and remove dirt and mold

More on the topic

Einhell TH-OS 1016 Reviewed What Can a Multi-Sander Under 30 Euros Do?

Alternative to the Iron Discount Steamer Put to the Test–Is It Really Worth It?

Test Criteria Overview

Performance and Quality:

In the test, the Vileda Steam impressed with its performance and quality: The floor was free of dirt afterward, and even the lime stains on the natural stone tiles were gone. For larger areas, you might need to refill the tank occasionally, but this is manageable. (4 out of 5 points)

Also interesting: What can the cordless jigsaw from the discount store do?

Workmanship, Design, and Handling:

The steam cleaner is mostly made of plastic—and you can feel it in the handling. It has a locking function to stand it up, but this is a bit wobbly. The cable winder is well thought out. The handle is comfortable to hold, and the head is relatively maneuverable. With thinner pads, the carpet glider sometimes doesn’t fit well. However, due to the weight, it is pressed onto the floor and stays in place. (3.5 out of 5 points)

Also interesting: Affordable steam mop from Aldi in the TECHBOOK test

Accessories:

There are no interchangeable attachments included like with other manufacturers. Several pads are included, which can also be purchased separately, although not cheaply (two pieces for around 13 euros). The carpet glider is practical and suitable for high-pile carpets, where the fibers are straightened again. The included measuring cup with a capacity of 200 milliliters is also practical. The steam cleaner’s tank holds twice that amount. (3.5 out of 5 points)

Sustainability:

The Vileda Steam steam cleaner is manufactured in the Far East. Therefore, no reliable statement can be made about the production conditions and materials used. However, no chemical additives are needed for steam cleaning, just water. The pads can be washed in the washing machine at 60 degrees and are not disposable products. (2.5 out of 5 points)

Price-Performance Ratio:

The Vileda Steam is positioned in the lower price segment—and it delivers on its promises. More expensive devices from other manufacturers offer additional functions, which are rarely missed. The Vileda steam cleaner impresses with its simple handling and good results. (4 out of 5 points)

Overall Rating: 3.55 out of 5 points

Conclusion

All in all, the Vileda Steam proved to be a solid device with a good price-performance ratio in the test. It’s important to note that the device is mainly made of plastic, but more can’t be expected at this price point. A positive aspect is that it can be stored quite compactly, as it will likely spend most of its time in the storage room.

According to the manufacturer, it should clean up to 130 square meters with one tank fill. This means large areas can also be cleaned. However, it’s important to know that the Vileda steam cleaner does not have a built-in lime filter. So, if the tap water is particularly lime-rich, the nozzles may eventually clog. In that case, you should either descale the device or use distilled water.

There are several alternatives to the Vileda steam cleaner on the market. The steam mop from Tchibo is in the same price range but scores with accessories with various attachments. With Kärcher, you have to dig a little deeper into your pocket, with the KST 2 available for around 80 euros. The Clean Tenso steam cleaner from Leifheit is available for around 70 euros but takes longer to heat up. The steam mop from Aldi Nord’s house brand Quigg is particularly affordable (around 35 euros), tested by TECHBOOK.

Even though the manufacturer claims that 99.9% of all bacteria are killed, one should have doubts. We couldn’t verify this in the test. According to a test by Stiftung Warentest from 2007, it’s unnecessary to eliminate all bacteria and sterilize the home. And if you still want to try, you would have to hold the steam cleaner on the same spot for several minutes, which is not recommended. It’s better to ventilate regularly, which you should do after steaming anyway to let the moisture escape.