As people are becoming more concerned and aware of the effects harsh chemicals have in their indoor commercial environments, they're looking for a natural, chemical-free cleaning solution. Steam cleaners have risen in popularity lately, as they're great, environmentally-friendly appliances that can keep your office, warehouse, bakery, home or any other space clean without the use of chemicals that may compromise your indoor air quality and your health.
A commercial steam vacuum uses ordinary tap water and turns it into dry steam that's powerful enough to remove grime, dirt, bacteria, viruses, dust mites, biofilms, flea eggs, dander and much more in just a few minutes without the use of any chemicals. These appliances are equipped with water tanks or internal boilers that heat water to temperatures as high as 150 degrees Celsius, transforming the water into steam that can penetrate microscopic pores on a wide range of surfaces to destroy germs, allergens and dirt. Cleaning with steam also lets you sanitise and deodorise surfaces more effectively and quickly than liquid cleaning detergents.
Conventional deep cleaning systems combine water and chemical detergents to remove unwanted contaminants. Although these systems get rid of unwanted grime and dirt, they add wet spots and chemicals. One of the biggest advantages a commercial steam vacuum cleaner offers is the fact that it doesn't leave long-lasting wet residue after cleaning with it. Steam cleaning does this by using small amounts of water to create the steam. This efficient cleaning process provides a high-temperature mist that only has 5-6% moisture, so any mist that's left behind will dry in a few minutes, no matter what type of surface is cleaned.
Additionally, steam cleaners also reduce the chances of cross-contamination. When compared to cleaning with an ordinary sponge and a detergent, you don't risk transferring germs, bacteria and other contaminants to other areas of your home when cleaning, which makes your cleaning efforts much mroe effective. Many contaminants are also capable of surviving in wet environments, which makes sanitisation even more difficult. But since steam vacuum cleaners emulsify grime and dirt, and eliminate bacteria, odours, germs, viruses and more, there's no risk of transferring them to other surfaces, as they can't survive the hot steam.
But there are many different types of steam cleaners, and just like any other appliance, their cost, performance and features are something that needs to be considered. Steam cleaners are available in a wide range of prices, from under $100 to a few thousand dollars. In order to decide which steam cleaner is best suited for your budget and needs, here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- How big is the area you need to clean?
- How much continuous cleaning power do you need?
- Do you need add-ons for your cleaning applications, such as a jet nozzle, window or grout cleaner?
- What features do you need?
- Do you want a steam cleaner that can also disinfect?
- What's your budget?
- Do you need the cleaner to help reduce the multiple chemical sensitivity and allergy symptoms of people in the area?
- Is maintenance a concern for you?
The advantages of steam cleaning don't end with sparkling sanitise fixtures, countertops and floors. There are many more user-friendly features that can also be included. Many of the features add to the convenience of using them, such as indicator lights to let you know when you should add more water into the appliance, or fingertip controls that let you easily adjust the amount of steam you deliver to the surfaces. Some more robust cleaning systems also come with pressure gauges that are easy to read, allowing you to maintain optimal cleaning pressure at all times. Another helpful feature to look out for is a locking system for all the add-ons.
It's important to keep the steam cleaner in a proper working condition to lengthen its lifespan. While maintenance requirements will vary depending on the model you have, most of them are designed for use with tap water. This means that if you live in an area that has hard water, you should fill the cleaner with 50% water from the tap, and 50% distilled water. This will protect the cleaner from developing hard water mineral deposits that can reduce its effectiveness. Additionally, unless specified, most steam cleaners aren't designed to work with detergents, perfume and other additives.
Steam mops will need to have their tank emptied after each use so that it can dry completely. The soiled mop pads should be washed and dried, and the surface of the mop should be wiped clean to remove any debris and dirt. If the mop is equipped with a water filter, it should be changed as necessary. For larger steam cleaners that feature boilers, the water should be drained every few weeks so that the boiler can dry completely before adding new water. Some models come with a descaling solution that should be added to the boiler in order to prevent unwanted scale from accumulating in the boiler.
