Steam cleaners are an excellent way to deep-clean many surfaces without harsh chemicals. Hard surfaces easily cleanable with a steam cleaner include countertops, kitchen and bathroom fixtures, flooring, and other impervious surfaces. Some surfaces, however, aren’t ideal for this cleaning method. It is always prudent to check with the manufacturer of the item or surface you want to clean to determine if it can be safely cleaned using a steam cleaner.
How Do Steam Cleaners Work?
Steam cleaners have an internal boiler that heats ordinary tap water past the boiling point to about 225 degrees F and then forces it out under pressure as steam. High-pressure steam can penetrate microscopic pores on various surfaces to eliminate visible grime and microbes, mold, mildew, and other allergens.
High heat is necessary to kill germs, and powerful models, like Vapor Clean Steam Cleaners, can heat water as high as 325 degrees F. Because vapor steam is so hot, it dries quickly. Steam can be applied to heavily soiled areas, such as ovens or grills, and then the surface is wiped clean while still wet to remove all the dirt.
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What You Shouldn’t Steam Clean
Chemical-free cleaning is great for the environment and indoor air quality, but some surfaces just can’t take all that heat. Anything that can be damaged by heat exposure shouldn’t be cleaned with steam vapor. To find out what surfaces are safe for cleaning using a steam cleaner, check out this blog post: What You Can Clean with a Steam Cleaner.
- Walls or furniture finished in a water-based paint
- Unsealed surfaces such as hardwood floors, marble, limestone, concrete, tile, or natural stone
- Porous surfaces like cord, bamboo, paper, and cardboard
- Flooring with cracks or gaps, like parquet, can be damaged from the high-pressure and heat
- Deep-cleaning large areas of carpet
- Delicate items, such as silks, thin plastics, and velour upholstery
You may have tried steam cleaning these surfaces, which has been somewhat successful. However, it is always best to refer to the manufacturer’s label, especially for clothing, flooring, upholstery, and curtains.
- Clothing is best cleaned with a steam cleaner designed for that specific purpose since high heat can destroy silk, rayon, and other synthetic fabrics.
- While many large machines include a carpet glide, this is designed for freshening up the surface of carpets but not for deep-cleaning soiled areas. Without suction capability, carpets that become saturated can take a long time to dry and develop mildew deep inside the pile.
- Steam cleaners can conceivably be used to clean outside walkways and cracks, but they aren’t large enough and don’t have enough power to do so, as can other products (like a pressure washer).
Check out our Steam Cleaner FAQs for a rundown on some things you can clean with steam cleaners, how to eliminate allergies, and more!
Natural Cleaning Solutions
Luckily, there are ways to clean such surfaces without resorting to chemicals. Here are a few natural cleaning alternatives to try:
- Damp cloth: Use a warm, wet cloth to wipe down latex-painted walls and many other surfaces sensitive to the extreme heat of steam cleaners.
- Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate): Sprinkle baking soda on carpet or upholstery, sit for 10 to 15 minutes, and vacuum.
- Washing soda: A close cousin to baking soda, washing soda (sodium carbonate) can be used to clean oil spots from cement garage floors. Sprinkle it on the spot with some water to make a paste, and let it sit overnight. Then scrub with a brush, rinse off, and wipe down.
- Vinegar: Vinegar is a beautiful natural cleaner. Mix 1/4 cup with 2 cups water, spray on windows, and wipe clean. You can also add a splash of vinegar to a bucket of warm water and use it to mop most floors. For moldy walls, spray vinegar on them and let them sit for several minutes before wiping them off.
- Castile soap: This natural olive oil-based soap can be used for various cleaning projects. Mix 1/4 cup with 2 gallons of warm water for a floor-cleaning solution, and combine one tablespoon of the soap with 1/3 cup baking soda for a natural cleaning scrub for showers, tubs, tiles, and sinks.
- Olive oil and Lemon Juice: For a natural furniture polish, mix olive oil with lemon juice in a 2 to 1 ratio and rub on with a soft cloth.
Check out our Steam Cleaner Buying Guide for detailed information about steam cleaners, their various types, and how to choose and maintain them.
Summary
Steam cleaners can be very effective for cleaning a wide variety of surfaces. However, there are green-cleaning alternatives for items that should not be steam-cleaned: surfaces finished in water-based paint, silks, unsealed hardwood floors, any unsealed tile, natural stone, marble, or concrete surfaces, or large areas of carpeting. For green-cleaning tips and techniques, check out this blog post: Clean Green: General Supplies, Tools, and Tips for Your Entire Home.
Questions?
Did we miss anything on this list? If you’re curious about the effect of steam on a surface not covered here, or you have other natural cleaning alternatives, tell us in the comments section below. Connect with us on the Sylvane Facebook or Twitter pages, or call us today at 1-800-934-9194.
