Lightweight steam cleaners work the same way commercial steam cleaner do, spraying water and solution onto carpet or hard surface flooring and then capturing the moisture and dirt for an effective deep clean. Portable steam cleaners come in upright, canister, and even hand-held models. What they lack in power, they make up for in price and versatility. Many also come with onboard tools for upholstery and hard-to-reach areas. Unlike commercial or industrial steam cleaning machines, lightweight steam cleaners are easy to set up, easy to use and easy to store and allow you the opportunity to clean carpets, rugs and tile frequently, thus saving time and money.