What is a steam cycle on a washer, and is it worth the extra spend?

If you’re looking to bolster your laundry process, or upgrade your appliance, you might wonder: 'What is a steam cycle on a washer?' And crucially, is it worth it?

As its name suggests, a steam cycle adds heat and moisture at certain points during the wash without the need for strong chemicals or any elbow grease from you. This can be a blessing in disguise for those with pets, kids, or allergy-prone households.

Learning how to do laundry properly can help you keep your clothes looking and smelling their best. But to discover how to use a steam wash, when to use it, when to avoid it, and whether or not it’s worth forking out for, we spoke to laundry experts and washer pros to discover the full ins and outs.

Pros share what a steam cycle on a washer is

From steam-cleaning windows to deep cleaning your whole kitchen using a steam cleaner – using steam to clean certain areas of your home is nothing new.

However, what is relatively new and innovative is that many of the best washing machine brands are incorporating a steam cleaning function to offer even more thorough, deeper cleaning benefits, like wrinkle reduction and sanitation.

So, how does a steam cycle work? 'A steam cycle adds heat and moisture at certain points during the wash,' Sofia Martinez, founder and CEO of Sparkly Maid Austin says.

According to Martinez, doing so helps soften buildup, lift odors, and give things like towels or bedding a much fresher feel. 'I like that it gets items cleaner without needing really strong chemicals,' the cleaning expert notes. 'It’s great for households with kids, pets, or allergies where you want an extra level of cleanliness.'

How to use a steam cycle

We know washing machine settings can be confusing, and this can be the case even if you've been machine washing your clothes for years! But thankfully, using a steam cycle is pretty straightforward.

Sofia explains, 'You just select a cycle like "Sanitize" or "Allergen" and the steam is built in to the proess. I always tell customers not to overfill the drum, though. If there’s no space, the steam can’t move around and do what it needs to do.'

Of course, every washer will be different. Therefore, it's worth reading the instruction manual of your washer to find out if your clothes cleaning gadget comes with any additional steps or quirks.

When to use a steam cycle

In the cleaning world, there are many things you can clean with a steamer. But what clothing and household items are best reserved for a steam cleaning cycle on your washer?

'I personally use steam when I wash towels, sheets, gym clothes, and anything that needs more than a standard cycle,' Sofia says. 'This cycle is great for cutting through odor and leaving laundry feeling really fresh.'

'It also works well when you don’t want to wash something twice but still want it to feel deep-cleaned,' the laundry expert flags.

It's also a brilliant feature if you're working to make your home less toxic, and ditch harch laundry detergents. Steam is a magic weapon for sanitation and this applies in your washer, too.

Star sanitation buys

When to avoid using a steam cycle

There are some things that you should never put in your washing machine, along with other things that you should never steam clean in your home. For example, leather furniture and accessories, silk and unsealed or waxed wooden flooring are the top three things to avoid. And when it comes to using the steam cleaning cycle on your washer, pretty similar rules apply.

'I wouldn’t use it on delicate fabrics or anything labeled hand-wash only,' Sofia highlights. 'The extra heat and moisture can damage some fibers or cause shrinking.'

Therefore, you should avoid using the steam cycle on:

• Delicate fabrics like silk
• Wool
• Rayon
• Leather
• Faux leather
• Feathers
• PVC
• Pearls
• Sequins

'If I have any doubt, I skip the steam and use a gentler cycle,' Sofia adds. Noted!

What to do if you haven't got a steam cycle

Of course, not all washers have a steam cleaning function. Generally speaking, higher value front-loading and the best washing machines tend to come with this cycle.

But if your current washer doesn't have this function and you're not looking to upgrade your appliance just yet, there is one way to nearly recreate the steam cycle effect.

'If your washer doesn’t have steam, you can get close by running a hot water wash and pausing it for 20 minutes to let things soak,' Sofia highlights. 'That soak helps break up odors and soften stains. It’s not exactly the same, but it makes a noticeable difference, especially if you add a little detergent booster.'

Washing machines with a steam clean cycle

Meet our experts

Sofia Martinez

Sofia has more than 15 years of cleaning experience in both residential and commercial settings. Sofia considers herself to be a laundry and cleaning expert and prides herself on her use of non-toxic home essentials and environmentally responsible practices.

Danny Leung

Danny is the natural home routine advocate behind the sustainable brand, Detoorp, which ships to the US and creates eco-friendly household and self-care products for home cleaning, kitchen and laundry.

Now that you've learned what is a steam cycle feature on a washer and how to use it, you might be interested in other ways you can use steam to clean around your home.

If that's of interest, discover how to steam clean a couch with these five easy tips from experts and how to steam clean carpet with some care tips from professionals.