10 Best Steam Cleaner For Cars 2026 in the United States

The BISSELL Little Green Mini is a lightweight (7 pounds), portable carpet and upholstery cleaner designed for small stains and general deep cleaning, including car interiors. It excels in spot cleaning with its 4-inch Tough Stain Tool and HydroRinse self-cleaning feature, making it handy for removing dirt, pet stains, and allergens in tight spaces. Its 16-ounce water tank and corded electric power source allow for continuous use without needing battery swaps.

This model does not use steam for cleaning, so it lacks steam pressure, heating time, and on-demand steam control that are typical in steam cleaners for cars. If you’re specifically looking for steam cleaning to sanitize and loosen grime with heat, this product won’t meet that need. However, if you want a straightforward, convenient cleaner that can handle upholstery and carpet stains inside your car or home, it’s a solid choice.

Its compact size is great for easy storage and portability, though it may require some effort to clean larger areas due to the smaller water capacity. The BISSELL Little Green Mini is best suited for users needing a compact, effective stain remover rather than a steam cleaner for deep sanitizing.

The BISSELL Little Green Max Pet Portable Cleaner is a powerful, easy-to-use option for cleaning car interiors, especially if you deal with pet messes. It offers strong suction that’s 30% more powerful than many similar portable cleaners, which helps remove stains, dirt, and pet hair effectively. The cleaner includes useful attachments like a self-cleaning tough stain tool and a pet hair removal tool, making it versatile for tackling different types of messes inside your car. It uses a two-tank system to keep clean and dirty water separate, which simplifies refilling and emptying.

Weighing just over 8 pounds, it’s reasonably portable but may feel a little heavy for some users during extended cleaning sessions. The product excels in suction and stain removal; however, it is not a traditional steam cleaner and does not produce steam or have a heating element, so it won't sanitize surfaces through heat. This model is best suited for those who want a deep cleaner for upholstery and carpets in cars, especially pet owners, and is less appropriate if you specifically want steam cleaning for sanitizing or chemical-free cleaning.

This makes the BISSELL Little Green Max Pet a solid choice for effective deep cleaning and stain removal inside cars, while lacking steam cleaning features.

The McCulloch MC1275 is a powerful steam cleaner well-suited for car detailing thanks to its strong 43 psi steam pressure, which helps break down grease and tough grime without chemicals. Its large 48-ounce water tank provides up to 45 minutes of continuous steam, allowing you to clean most of your car in one session without frequent refills. The heating time is fairly quick at under 8 minutes, so you can start cleaning promptly. It comes with 18 accessories including various brushes and a mop head, making it versatile enough for different car surfaces like upholstery, carpets, and hard-to-reach areas. One consideration for car use is its weight—12 pounds—which might be a bit bulky for some users to carry around the vehicle easily.

However, the long 15.7-foot power cord and over 9-foot steam hose enhance maneuverability, letting you reach interior and exterior parts without needing to unplug frequently. The option for lockable continuous steam means you won’t have to keep pressing a trigger, which is convenient during longer cleaning sessions. Although primarily designed for home use, its features align well with the needs of car owners looking for a chemical-free, thorough cleaning tool. If portability and a very compact size are top priorities, there may be lighter models better suited, but the MC1275 delivers excellent cleaning power and versatility for detailed car care.