Should I Buy a Steam Cleaner: The Case for Adding a Tool to Your Cleaning Equipment Arsenal
Are you thinking twice before adding another tool to your cleaning closet? It’s a bit pricier than you’d like, you might be able to perform the same job with other cleaning tools, and it’ll just take up space. Right?
While these things might technically be true, what if you can get a deeper, professional-looking clean for significantly less effort, and without chemicals? A steam cleaner will eventually pay for itself and may even replace other supplies you’ve relied on until now.
Tidy Up Portland! explains how steam cleaners work and why buying one is such a good move, despite potential drawbacks. We’ll also discuss the variety of steam cleaners on the market.
How Does a Steam Cleaner Work?
The essential elements of a steam cleaner include:
A water reservoir
A heating element
A pressure system
A brush or nozzle to direct the steam
The heating element heats the water in the reservoir (it can be cold or room-temperature when added) until it’s boiling, then the pressure system forces the vapor out through the nozzle. This high-pressure, high-temperature steam dislodges dirt and kills bacteria, mold, and mites with minimal effort on your part. All you need to do is direct the steam where you want to clean and wipe the residue away with a cloth.
Tidy Up Portland! loves steam cleaning for its effectiveness and environmental friendliness. Call us today to schedule a cleaning with one of our professional house cleaners.
4 Reasons You Should Buy a Steam Cleaner
If you haven’t ever used a steam cleaner, you may not know what you’re missing. The following benefits demonstrate why a steam cleaner is an investment you won’t regret.
#1: Steam Cleaning Is Chemical-Free
While the power of cleaning products to rid your home of grime and make it shine is incontestable, many common household cleaners contain hazardous chemicals that, for all their cleaning power, are not worth the harm they can cause. These chemicals include:
Volatile organic compounds, which can be inhaled and/or form toxic secondary compounds by binding with other airborne elements
Some of the potential dangers of frequent exposure to these ingredients are:
Respiratory irritation and allergies
Skin irritation
Disrupted hormone function
Cancer
Steam cleaners, however, pose no riskof long-term health consequences from chemical exposure.
#2: Steam Cleaning Helps Eliminate Allergens
Dust mites and their digestive enzymes (called dust mite allergens) are one of the most common household sources of allergic sensitization. Their accumulation in mattresses, bedding, upholstery, and carpet requires regular cleaning.A study compared the effectiveness of low-hazard treatments for cleaning carpets. Of the four methods used, steam cleaning was the most effective at reducing the population of dust mites and inactivating dust mite allergens.
#3: Steam Cleaning Is Effective at Sanitization
Sanitization is a step beyond cleaning. Whereas cleaning removes visible dirt and grime, sanitization kills germs. Chemicals are one way to kill germs, but you can also do it with high temperature. Most disease-causing bacteria will perish when the temperature exceeds 149°F. Steam cleaners heat water to a much higher temperature. As long as the nozzle is held over each area for a few seconds, it will kill the bacteria. Steam cleaning is so desirable for its low cost, absence of chemicals, and ease that it is even being incorporated into standard cleaning protocol in hospitals.
#4: Steam Cleaners Are Versatile
While there are some surfaces that will sustain damage after application of a steam cleaner, the number of items you can clean with a steam cleaner makes buying one worthwhile. Use a steam cleaner to clean:
Mattresses
Upholstery
Curtains
Carpets and many types of floors
Tile, showers, sinks, and countertops
Grills
Trash bins
Metal fixtures
Glass and mirrors, as long as the surface is not cold
Vehicle interiors
Kitchen appliances
Pet cages
These are just a few places you could use a steam cleaner. Anything that is not susceptible to damage by heat and moisture may be safely steam cleaned.
3 Potential Drawbacks of Steam Cleaning
When deciding whether to invest in a steam cleaner, you should, of course, consider any possible downsides. These considerations are probably not dealbreakers, however, unless you are adamantly averse to a little extra maintenance for the sake of a deeper clean.
#1: Steam Cleaners Can’t Be Used on All Surfaces
Unfortunately, steam cleaners shouldn’t be used indiscriminately because high heat and moisture can damage some surfaces, including:
Painted walls
Unsealed or unfinished wood surfaces
Natural stone (due to its porosity)
Delicate fabrics
Cold glass
Real or faux leather
Vinyl, linoleum, laminate, or waxed floors
Synthetic carpets
If you have any doubts, test the steam cleaner in an inconspicuous area before cleaning the whole surface.
#2: Steam Cleaners Require Regular Maintenance
To keep your steam cleaner in good working condition for the duration of its expected lifespan, don’t neglect to perform these tasks:
Empty, clean, and dry the water reservoir to prevent the buildup of scale.
Replace filters at the manufacturer-recommended times.
Use distilled water instead of tap if you live in an area with hard water.
Replace worn attachments and hoses.
Do a preliminary clean of the area (with a vacuum or broom) before using the steam cleaner.
These tasks require some attention, but they are not time-consuming. When you attend to these five things, you’ll appreciate that your steam cleaner is outlasting your other cleaning products.
#3: Steam Cleaning Requires Caution
While steam cleaning injuries are not extremely common, they have been known to occur. To prevent burns, be sure to:
Operate the cleaner only with closed-toe shoes and heat-resistant gloves.
Keep the machine away from children and pets.
Point the nozzle only at the surface you will be cleaning.
Avoid steam cleaning near electrical outlets or appliances.
Avoid cleaned areas until they’ve had time to dry.
Which Kind of Steam Cleaner Should You Buy?
There are several kinds of steam cleaners on the market, so it’s important to choose the one that’s best for your intended use:
Handheld steam cleaners are portable and can fit into smaller spaces, such as car interiors. If you’re wondering whether to buy a handheld steam cleaner, keep in mind that these models may have less pressurized power or heating capabilities than more robust models.
Steam mops are made for cleaning floors and include microfiber pads for wiping up residue.
Canister steam cleaners are larger with more attachments for cleaning a broader array of surfaces. They also release steam at higher pressure.
Industrial steam cleaners can handle commercial-scale cleaning jobs because they are larger, heavier, and capable of heating water hotter and using higher pressure. They also have a vacuum function, which household steam cleaners don’t generally have.
When you’re researching steam cleaning options, you might want to choose one that has the following features for convenient and effective cleaning:
Larger tank: This allows you to clean longer before refilling with water.
Fast heating: Some models take several minutes to heat up, but a fast-heating steam cleaner can produce steam in as little as 30 seconds.
Multiple attachments: These allow you to clean a variety of surfaces/spaces.
Steam control: This lets you adjust the amount of steam emitted. There is also a function that lets you emit steam continuously (without holding down a button/trigger).
Depending on the surfaces you plan to clean regularly, you may want to buy a steam cleaner for your tile. Investing in a heavier-duty steam cleaner that works only on one type of flooring may be worth it. You should buy a carpet steam cleaner if you have a significant amount of carpet and wish to clean it regularly.
Can Steam Cleaning Help With Allergies?
Yes, steam cleaning is effective at reducing populations of dust mites that trigger allergic symptoms. It also obviates the need to use cleaning products like Dawn, Lysol, Clorox, and Mr. Clean, which can bring on the symptoms of allergic asthma.
Tired of Cleaning? Let Tidy Up Portland! Take Over Your Steam Cleaning Jobs
Avoid the hassle altogether by relying on professional house cleaning in Portland. You can choose the cleaning package that best fits your needs. Visit our website today to learn more about our services and take advantage of our online scheduling portal.
After we take a virtual walkthrough of your space, we can better prepare for our visit to rejuvenate your home with the professional cleaning services of your choice. You’ll be more prepared, too, as we’ll provide an instant quote so you can make the most informed decision before recruiting our help.
