Steam cleaning is a great way to get your home sparkling without using chemicals – meaning it is an absolutely brilliant way to clean, especially for houses with pets or children.
But you can’t just steam everything – there are some important things to take into consideration before deciding to hire a professional steam cleaner, or even invest in one of your own to have at home.
Here is everything you need to know from the experts at Crystal Cleaning Servicing.
How do steam cleaners work?
Whether it’s a handheld steam cleaner or a floor steam cleaner, steam cleaning works in the same way no matter what the size of the appliance. You simply add tap or distilled water into the chamber of the machine and turn it on.
The machine will then use an element to heat the water quickly past its boiling point. The evaporated water is then forced out through a nozzle or other attachment – depending on what it is you are cleaning. This steam is at a temperature that loosens dirt and grime, but also instantly kills dust mites, mould, harmful bacteria and allergens.
In a different way to shampooing, no post-clean suction is required as the residual moisture on the surface dries quickly due to the extreme temperatures.
Handheld steam cleaner uses
Handheld steam cleaners are fantastic for use around the home, the car or even in places like the garage and shed. Their small size gives them amazing portability, blasting grime anywhere you are willing to take them.
Here are some uses for a portable steam cleaner:
- Tiles and grout, as long as they are glazed/sealed
- Glass shower doors and tracks
- Patio door tracks
- Pet cages made from metal wire (remove your pet first)
- Exterior of appliances
- Garden furniture
- Countertops
- Sinks and plumbing fixtures
- Mattresses and bedding
- Combined with a dusting attachment, cleaning curtains and blinds
- Ceiling fans
- With the right attachments, car interiors
- Removing algae and mould from synthetic decking
- Garden tools
- Hobs and ovens
Where does the dirt go when you steam clean?
When you steam clean, the high temperatures and pressure of the steam lifts the dirt from whatever surface you are applying it too. If you are using a floor steam cleaner, it’s likely you will be using a microfibre cloth that will be in contact with the floor. The dirt will therefore be trapped within the microfibre cloth – make sure you wash this after every use, not using any detergent which will reduce the absorbency.
A handheld steam cleaner with a nozzle is slightly different. We’d recommend that you steam the surface first, and then wipe away any remaining dirt that has been lifted with a cloth before the moisture dries.
What not to steam clean
As fantastic as steam cleaners are, there are a number of things that you shouldn’t be using them on. These include (but aren’t limited to):
- Delicate fabrics like silk
- Instruments
- Unsealed surfaces, fresh paint, waxed surfaces
- Antiques
- Laminate flooring
How to save time steam cleaning
Steam cleaning is an efficient way to clean, as surfaces dry more quickly than they would using a traditional mop and bucket, but there are a number of things you can do to make the process even easier.
- Keep any attachments close to your steamer so you can grab them quickly
- Plan out your cleaning routine
- Change the cleaning covers frequently to avoid smearing dirt on the surfaces
- Vacuum floors first to remove loose debris
Are steam cleaners good?
A clean house is incredibly important – removing dust, mites and allergens allows easy breathing and a clean, fresh home. Steam cleaning is one of the best ways to keep your house clean without resorting to chemicals as the pressurised steam effectively loosens dirt and debris from surfaces without lots of scrubbing.
Not only is steam cleaning an eco-friendly option, it’s an easier option too.
Want to learn more about our London-based disinfecting cleaning services? Head over to our dedicated page and get in touch with us today!
