What Is Vapor Steam Cleaning?
July 24th, 2009True Steam Cleans Without Chemicals
Vapor steam cleaners use true stream, at high temperatures and low moisture levels, to sanitize, deep clean and deodorize in one operation without using household cleaning chemicals.
There are many products on the market that claim to be “steam cleaners” which in fact just use hot water. Vapor steam cleaners, which were developed in Italy by the makers of expresso coffee machines, produce real steam in their internal boilers at 240 to 260 degrees.
The steam produced by vapor steam cleaners dry steam — of very low moisture content — usually less than six percent water, which is actually less water content than the air we breathe. Unlike “steam cleaners” that use hot water to clean and can leave carpets wet, carpets cleaned with vapor steam cleaners typically dry within 15 minutes.
What this means for allergy sufferers is the steam penetrates the pores of the material being cleaned to kill dust mites, viruses, molds and fungi.
Because it does not leave the material soaking wet, it prevents the material from becoming a breeding ground for mold, mildew and dust mites.
The additional benefit to those who have chemical sensitivities, this dry steam cleaning is accomplished without the use of any household cleaning chemicals.
It’s Not a Vacuum
Many vapor steam cleaners look like vacuum cleaners, but they do not vacuum at all. What they do is loosen the dirt and debris from the material. Most cleaners come with brushes and clothes to clean up the debris after it is loosened, for example, from a hard surface like a countertop.
Cleaning carpet with a vapor steam cleaner does not remove the debris, but it loosens it so that it comes to the surface. After vapor steam cleaning the carpet, a vacuum cleaner can then be used to remove the dirt. The vacuum will work more efficiently after the carpet fibers have been loosened by the steam.
Vapor steam cleaners are probably best used for maintaining new carpets or for small soiled areas on carpet, rather than for cleaning entire carpets. Vapor cleaning is a much slower process than the usual hot-water “steam cleaners” which can clean large areas more quickly.
Not For Every Cleaning Job
There are many cleaning tasks that vapor steam cleaners can tackle better than any other method, but they are not intended for every cleaning project. In fact, there are some materials that vapor steamers can damage.
Any heat-sensitive material, such as silk and velour, should not be cleaned with high-temperature steam. Vapor steamers can damage the exterior paint on vehicles and take the shine off some vinyl floors, but on the other hand, they are perfect for cleaning the interior of vehicles.
Cleaning Projects
Here are some of the things that can be cleaned successfully with a vapor steam cleaner:
- Upholstery, carpets, clothing.
- Damp areas in the bath, basement, or kitchen where mold spores can grow.
- Vehicle interiors — upholstery, carpet, and infant seats.
- Tile and grout.
- Air conditioning vents, returns and ducts.
- Stove tops, oven hoods, and inside the microwave.
- Barbecue grills.
- Sinks and faucets.
- Wood paneling, decks, and outdoor furniture.
- Stuffed animals.
- Mirrors and windows.
Residential and Commercial
There are a wide range of vapor steam cleaners on the market, from smaller models that are strictly for home use to larger commercial-rated machines that can hold up to constant, long-term use.
Most come with a standard set of attachments for various cleaning projects, and many have extra accessories for specialized uses and purposes.
http://allergies.about.com/od/springcleaning/a/vapor_steam.htm



