As people become more aware of and concerned about the effects of harsh chemicals on their indoor environment, they are searching for natural, chemical-free cleaning solutions. Steam cleaners are great, eco-friendly appliances for keeping your home, office, warehouse, or any other space sparkling clean - without the use of chemicals that may harm your indoor air quality and your overall health.
For easy accessibility to the topics in this article, use the list below:
- What are Steam Cleaners?
- How Do Steam Cleaners Work?
- Where Can Steam Cleaners Be Used?
- Size and Efficiency
- How Much Water Do Steam Cleaners Use?
- Additional Steam Cleaner Features
- Steam Cleaner Maintenance
- Steam Cleaner Safety Features
What are Steam Cleaners?
Steam cleaners are appliances which use ordinary tap water that is super-heated to create steam powerful enough to eliminate grime and microbes, without using chemicals.
Unlike an ordinary sponge and liquid cleaner which can transfer contaminants from one area to another, they actually reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Since steam cleaners emulsify dirt and grime, killing bacteria, viruses, and other microbes, there is no risk of transferring these contaminants to other surfaces.
Our article Vaporize Allergies by Cleaning with Dry Steam can give you more detailed information on how using a steam cleaner can also help alleviate allergy symptoms.
How Do Steam Cleaners Work?
Steam cleaners are equipped with internal boilers to create steam that penetrates microscopic pores on a variety of surfaces, allowing you to sanitize surfaces quickly and effectively. To create steam, water must be heated to at least its boiling point at 212° F. This is hot enough to kill many microbes and break down all dirt and grime.
Some heavy-duty steam cleaners heat water to more than 375° F, which is hot enough to kill dust mites, fleas and their eggs, bed bugs, and other house pests. This is also hot enough to be classified as dry steam vapor which dries within seconds. This is important when using steam to decontaminate bedding, pet beds, and upholstered furniture.
In addition to being super-heated, the steam is pressurized as it leaves the nozzle or tool being used to clean the surface. When dirt and grime is emulsified by the steam cleaner, it is simply wiped away with a cloth. When floors are cleaned, a cloth pad is used with the steam cleaner so that dirt is absorbed by the pad.
Traditional deep cleaning systems combine chemical detergents with water to clean, and while they may remove dirt, unwanted chemicals are added and can leave wet surfaces.
Where Can Steam Cleaners Be Used?
Versatile steam cleaning systems can be used on a wide variety of surfaces, including the following:
- Living Rooms: Sealed hardwood floors, cotton upholstery, leather upholstery, carpeting and area rugs, smooth concrete floors, pet areas
- Kitchens: Vinyl tile or linoleum floors, sealed tile and natural stone floors and countertops, stovetops and ovens, kitchen appliances, sinks, faucets, and drains, sealed countertops and cabinets finished in oil-based paint
- Bathrooms: Porcelain and chrome bathroom fixtures, shower stalls and doors, fiberglass, sealed quarry slate, ceramic tile, natural stone and tile grout
- Windows & Window Treatments: Blinds, windows, window screens, window frames finished in oil-based paint
- Other Surfaces: Ceiling and walls, HVAC vents, sealed paneling and wallpapered drywall, acoustical tile walls and ceilings,
- Vehicles: Exterior detailing and interior surface cleaning of buses, boats, cars, and RVs
In addition to tackling these cleaning jobs, you can use your steam cleaner for smaller tasks such as polishing jewelry, dusting plants, removing wax from hard floors, and cleaning sports equipment. They are also useful tools for clearing unwanted vegetation and eliminating algae on decks and other exterior surfaces.
Take a look at these blog posts for more details on what you can clean and what you can’t clean with a steam cleaner.
Size and Efficiency
For apartments, small homes, and homes with pets, a steam mop or hand-held steam cleaner can be a great solution. Most steam mops are lightweight, produce steam within seconds, and feature easily maneuverable cleaning heads; some can even be converted for hand-held use. Check out these models:
- Reliable Steamboy 300CU Steam Floor Mop: Weighs just 7-pounds, produces hot steam vapor up to 245° F in under a minute, and provides up to 25 minutes of continuous steam cleaning power.
- Steam & Go 8-in-1 All Purpose Steam Cleaner: Versatile model effectively cleans floors, and also converts to a hand-held unit with an included power nozzle plus tools for a variety of surfaces, and is even equipped with a garment steamer tool.
- Bissell PowerFresh Pet Lift-Off Steam Mop: Creates steam in under a minute, features high/low steam & scrubber mode, comes with 13 tools for every surface, including a carpet glide for freshening rugs & carpeting. Converts to hand-held and includes aroma discs.
For larger homes, a more robust steam cleaning system will help keep your environment sparkling clean and chemical-free. Featuring high-capacity boilers that can hold 2-liters or more of water, these cleaning systems produce germ-killing steam up to 318° F and provide users with uninterrupted steam cleaning power for longer periods of time.
- US Steam White Tail Steam Cleaner: Heats to 300° F with continuous steam capability, includes 16 tools, and features stainless-steel housing with dial control, and pressure gauge.
- Vapor Clean Pro7 Home Plus Steam Cleaner: Features vacuum functionality, heats water to 312° F, has multiple cleaning modes, and air-clean function, includes 20 tools for every surface.
- McCullouch Portable Steam Power Cleaner: Heavy-duty & portable with 16 tools plus strap & storage bag for convenience. Versatile cleaning inside and outside the home, as well as vehicles.â
For industrial and commercial applications, such as restaurants, hotels, and hospitals, more powerful steam cleaning is required.
- Nacecare JS1600 Commercial Power Steamer: Designed for commercial settings where disinfecting is paramount, offers 374° F of steam in a continuous flow system. 4-quart reservoir, 1.25-quart stainless steel boiler, and 14 heavy-duty tools plus cleaning rags are included.
- US Steam Falcon Plus Vapor Steam Cleaner: High- temperature, high-pressure steam. Stainless-steel housing, steel cabled hose w/ industrial cover & surgically welded boiler (no gaskets), copper tubing, brass-threaded fittings. Includes 13 additional tools, plus an optional cart.
- Reliable Tandem Pro 2000CV Commercial Steam Cleaning System: Multi-purpose unit-steam cleaner, extractor, & wet/dry vacuum. Up to 320°F with 87 psi operating pressure, 25 cleaning tools, variable power levels, and stainless-steel housing.
How Much Water Do Steam Cleaners Use?
Again, this depends on the capacity of the steam cleaner’s boiler. This can range from less than a quart to a few gallons. What can be a more important question is, does the steam cleaner require a cooling period before it can be refilled. Steam cleaners that have “continuous fill” capability do not require a cool-down time and be refilled during use for continuous cleaning use.
Additional Steam Cleaner Features
A wide variety of user-friendly special features such as fingertip controls and convenience lights like low water and steam ready indicators. With more robust steam cleaning systems, easy-to-read pressure gauges are often included to help users maintain an optimal cleaning pressure.
Depending on the type of surfaces being cleaned, check for specialized tools such as brass or nylon brushes, floor scrubbers, carpet glides, and squeegees.
Steam Cleaner Maintenance
The majority of steam cleaners are designed for use with regular tap water, and unless specified by the manufacturer, are not typically designed to work with any additives. In other words, don't try to give the steam an extra boost - just let the heat work naturally to clean your environment.
Keeping your steam cleaner in top-performing condition is relatively simple and will lengthen the life of the machine.
- Most steam mops require users to empty any remaining water from the water tank after each use and allow the tank to completely dry. Soiled mop pads should be gently washed and dried, and the surface of the steam mop wiped clean. If your steam mop has a water filter, change it as needed.
- Larger steam cleaning systems that contain boilers should usually be drained every 2 to 4 weeks and allowed to dry completely before adding fresh water. When indicated, a descaling solution can be periodically added to the boiler to prevent unwanted scale from accumulating.
To ensure correct procedures, always consult the owner's manual before performing any maintenance.
Steam Cleaner Safety Features
It is important to compare safety features in steam cleaner models to ensure that you get the right protection. Look for the following safety features:
- Automatic Overheat Shut-Off: This safety enhancement will automatically turn your steam cleaner off if temperatures are too high for safe operation.
- Child Safety Locks: These locks, usually found on the steam cleaner handles, prevent children from accidentally turning the appliance on and releasing steam.
- Low Water Indicators: Indicator lights or audible alerts are great precautions to protect your steam cleaner from damage caused by operation without water.
Read and follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully when operating your steam cleaning system to ensure that you remain safe from accidental steam burns or damage the product while cleaning.
If you have additional questions about steam cleaners, see our Steam Cleaner Frequently Asked Questions article.
In Summary
For effective cleaning without the use of chemicals, steam cleaners get top ratings. Heating tap water to high temperatures and using a variety of tools, you can clean almost any surface in your home, office, and vehicles. Available in many types and sizes from steam mops to large canister and commercial machines, there is a model that will be exactly right for the space and surfaces you need to clean.
Still Have Questions?
For more information on a specific steam cleaner or any of our other products that can improve your indoor air, review our extensive product listings and visit our Knowledge Center. Not sure what's best for you? We can take the guesswork out of decision-making. Contact one of our air treatment specialists toll-free at 1-800-934-9194. We want to help make your indoor environment healthy and comfortable.
