The invention discloses a method for clothes cleaning with steam. The method comprises the steps that water is supplied into an outer cylinder, water supply is stopped when a water inlet level reaches a preset water level, and the preset water level is determined by positions of an outer cylinder heating device and the position of bottom of an inner cylinder; the water in the outer cylinder is heated, and heating is stopped when the water is heated to preset time or a present temperature; and steam cleaning is conducted to clothes. According to the invention, before pre-cleaning or main cleaning of the clothes, the water is supplied into the outer cylinder and heated, and enough steam can be generated to clean the clothes, so that the clothes can be stretched sufficiently, and smell removal, deodorization and sterilization can be conducted; and through steam cleaning disclosed by the invention, water consumed by pre-cleaning or main cleaning of the clothes can be reduced, heating time during the main cleaning can be reduced, and energy-saving effects can be achieved.