Would it be ok to use a small steam cleaner on the backs of alloy wheels? My wheels have small areas where I can't get a sponge or rag to clean the brake dust out. Thanks.

It's fine. If your backs are like most peoples even a good strong pressure washer is not going to be enough. Use a good degreaser, wheel cleaning soloution and of course elbow grease.

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I have to ask the question.........why bother?

Nobody sees the back side of the wheels and, after 5K miles, they will look identical to the wheels that you currently have........prior to the cleaning.

(Bragging switch on ) I have to tell you about my CLK alloys, Brian. I bought them as take offs and they were almost like new, I doubt that they saw 5000 miles. The backs were almost new, still shiny! I cleaned the back side and waxed them, OK I know its a bit anal, but I heard of someone doing that so I did it and you know, last time I rotated wheels the gunk washed off nicely. I also am using ceramic pads front and PBR Deluxe pads rear and the dust is not as bad as OE, Pagid, Textar, etc pads and that is a factor. Time will tell if the Carnauba wax will prevent the crud building up but its only me that sees the results so I won't tell anybody if it fails!
And I agree if a wheel has years of crud on the back it is not going to come off short of a miracle so why bother?

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The crud wouldn't be so bad........you can easily wash it off with some soap and water.........but those wheels accumulate brake dust in a big way..........and that stuff doesn't want to come off.........and it's a filthy mess when it does............