A steam cleaner is one of the best product innovation of this century. It has made house cleaning easier and with much less effort needed.
This piece equipment produces hot vapor and blow grime up your sinks, floors, walls, almost anywhere. It turns your home into a spectacle of cleanliness.
The vaporized water comes out from the machine and when it touches the surface being targeted for cleaning, it weakens the bond between dirt/stains on various surfaces.
This vapor is very hot, usually at above 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The first component is heat, second is “dry steam”.
The dry steam makes cleaning easy, dirt can just be wiped off or scrubbed off and a moistened towel can be used to collect the dirt.
Steam Cleaning Process
Stem or vapor steam cleaners as others would call it uses “dry” vapor steam to sanitize or disinfect and remove buildup and stains on the floor.
It is good for hard surfaces and also regular cleaning of soft materials such as carpets and furniture with upholstery.
In industry sites, it is most often used in the kitchen to clean food equipment and degreasing of the area and equipment.
Due to the very high temperature it disinfects the area being cleaned. It kills bacteria, fungus, molds, and allergens found in the area. The machine generates a low pressure of 150 psi.
The process running inside the cleaner includes heating of water in the boiler and conversion of liquid into vapor that is let out through the nozzle.
The steam helps weaken dirt and stains on hard surfaces and also loosens the same in soft fabrics or fibers.
When this happens, the loose dirt and stains are wiped or vacuumed off the area.
Boiler: Boils the water to produce steam. These are made of stainless steel; it has a heating element which can be replaceable.
Water tank: Non-pressurized where water is stored so water can be added into the boiler as necessary, even when it is running.
Auto refill: Some industrial steam cleaners connect a direct water feed to a water outlet to aid automatic refilling of the boiler.
Detergent tanks: These hold the chemicals used for cleaning and dispense them as necessary.
Vacuum: Some types are equipped with vacuums the loosened dirt so cleaners no longer have to wipe them out with damp towels; towels are used for this purpose in machines without built-in vacuums.
Accessories: Brushes of various sizes and shapes, squeegees; microfiber towels; and plungers for drains.
Learn how to steam clean. Click here or read below for some tips.
- Surfaces that are made of pressed paper, painted with non-enamel paint, and cardboards should not be steamed clean.
- Waxed floor – take a clean towel and clip over a rectangular brush and steam the floor fast. This way the layer of dirty wax will melt resulting to a finished product that looks freshly waxed.
- Unwaxed vinyl – clean fast and do not build up heat as it can cause the vinyl to soften and will affect the texture
- Tile floors – using a brush, scrub briskly; do not use any towel in brushing. Be careful not to let a brushed area dry without wiping the dirt away. If you have a vacuum, clean and then vacuum dry after steaming.
- Grouts – use a brush while steaming and wipe clean after. Pre-spray with alkaline cleaner the dirt in tight grouts; let the cleaner stay for a few minutes and then clean off.
Stubborn Dirt and Stains
For stubborn dirt that needs more effort, pre-spray with cleaning solution and then let sit for a few minutes.
After a while, clean and wipe off loosened dirt or stains.
What Can Be Steam-Cleaned?
- Drains (unclogging)
- Removal of wall paper
- Kitchens – area and equipment
- Grouts and other stubborn dirt
- Car detailing
- Killing dust mites and mold
- Stains ad odors due to animal pets
- Pet cages
- Sliding doors, screens, mirrors, windows
- Also good in removing toxic cleaning solvents form clothes or any fabric materials
- It can also be used in cleaning and polishing jewelry and sporting equipment; dusting off plants; defrosting; for removal of unwanted vegetation and algae on porches and decks.
Handheld Type: These are small and portable equipment, among the most affordable types.
They are appropriate for smaller cleaning tasks, ideal for spots that are difficult to reach, can be stored easily and it does not consume too much storing space; it is light weight, hence, easy to use.
Steam Mops: These are designed for cleaning floors; easy to handle. These usually include a water tank.
These are much more efficient and sanitizing than the typical floor mops, very efficient in killing bacteria and germs that may be on the floor; easy to store.
These do not use detergents in cleaning the floor and take shorter cleaning time than the regular mops.
Cylinder Type: Also called as canister steamer, it is versatile and can be used in cleaning different areas in the house.
It comes with a large water tank so that it allows you to finish a job without having to refill water every now and then. It can be used to clean counter tops, floors, drapes, etc.
This comes at a higher price than the handheld set or the mop.
Vapor Steam Type: More or less looks like the cylinder type but is capable of dry clean.
This is one of the most expensive of these types of cleaner in the market and it comes with a lot of accessories with it.
Check out for more details, go to steamcleanermaster.com.
Remember to make the following considerations in planning your purchase:
- Area to be cleaned, how big or how small?
- Cleaning frequency
- What additional attachments do you need?
- Special features
- Disinfection capability
- Cost of maintenance
- Your budget