The steam coming out of a steam cleaner is less than 300 degrees - it won't hurt your vinyl. You can shoot the steam into the bottom frame to get the crud out, but be careful so you don't splatter the crud around. I use the steamer in one hand and a cloth in another to wipe it away.

As for cleaning the glass on the windows, I found the steamer's squeegee attachment awkward. I use a microfiber cloth and plain water on my windows.

I doubt that a steam cleaner would work well for general cleaning of interior brick. Brick is porous and rough, so you would have difficulty trying to wipe away the dust and dirt that the steam loosens.

Thank you for the reply. I've been considering a unit for a little while, but there is so much information to distill.

It seems we have miles of windows going from nearly floor to ceiling, and well...let's just say a collection of boxer dogs (: who like to press their noses up against the glass! Needless to say that the windows need cleaning a lot. I do love the vinyl frames, they are a breeze to wipe out, however I was concerned about trying a steam too close to the vinyl without at least asking someone. I do understand what you are saying about not leaving a steamer on an area for long.

Thanks again! (:

I know about dog noses and windows - LOL! Go to Costco or Walmart's automobile section and get a supply of microfiber cloths. They are wonderful for cleaning windows. Actually, they are wonderful for cleaning just about everything. I use them as the cleaning pad with my steam cleaner.

There have been a couple threads on this forum about microfiber cloths.

That's another thing I've been meaning to try, thanks for the info on which ones to get! (: