How to choose a steam cleaner
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1. Types of steam cleaners
There are several types of steam cleaners, which are designed for different tasks, but the principle of operation is the same for all: water in the boiler is heated to a boil and is supplied outward in the form of steam under pressure. Hot steam penetrates hard-to-reach places, disinfects surfaces, softens stains and dried grease stains, so it does not require pre-treatment of contaminants or the use of chemical detergents. As a result, cleaning is faster, and there are no unpleasant “chemical” odors left in the room, which is especially important for allergy sufferers, elderly people, families with small children and pets. By the way, irons with a steam generator and steamers work in a similar way, but they should not be confused with steam cleaners, since they are designed for steaming and removing wrinkles on clothes, but not for cleaning. Although in some areas their capabilities overlap.
So, before buying, first of all, you need to decide what you need a steam cleaner for, and depending on this, choose a specific type:
Handheld steam cleaners
inexpensive, compact and lightweight devices that do not require much storage space and are designed for cleaning small areas and local contamination. They weigh a little (several kilograms), so they are comfortable to hold in your hand. These models often come with a pin nozzle, a long, narrow nozzle that helps clean stains and remove dirt in crevices, corners, along furniture edges, and other hard-to-reach areas. And although other attachments may be included, handheld steam cleaners are not designed for large-scale cleaning. Along with their compact size, they have rather limited characteristics: low power and steam pressure, as well as small water tanks with a volume of about 300 - 500 ml. Accordingly, this amount is enough for only 5 – 15 minutes of continuous operation. This makes portable steamers a good option for quick cleaning or perhaps as a complementary tool to your main appliances.
Household steam cleaners
Models that resemble conventional vacuum cleaners in appearance and size, but, as you already understand, they work on a different principle. They are not so convenient for removing dirt in hard-to-reach places, but they are indispensable for everyday use and large areas: household steam cleaners can clean floors, walls, glass, mirrors, upholstery, curtains and other surfaces. They are more powerful and equipped with large water tanks (1 - 1.5 liters or more), thanks to which they operate for a long time without the need to fill the tank.
Steam mops
As the name suggests, this is a device designed for cleaning floors. But this is a more thorough and, one might say, professional wash, since the device uses hot steam instead of water. In addition to cleaning dirt, it also disinfects floor coverings, eliminating viruses and bacteria, including those carried on the soles of shoes or the paws of pets. Following the example of upright vacuum cleaners, many steam mops include a portable unit that can be detached from the body and used as a compact handheld steam cleaner. The result is a more versatile assistant with expanded capabilities, which is capable of washing not only floors, but also other surfaces.
Steam vacuum cleaners
Some hybrids of a traditional steam cleaner and a washing vacuum cleaner, combining the functions of these two types. Simply put, such devices not only treat surfaces with steam, but also suck softened dirt into the dust collector. This greatly simplifies cleaning and eliminates the need for the user to manually wipe away dirt. Steam vacuum cleaners are produced in the form of classic household or vertical vacuum cleaners, but usually have a fairly high price. Apparently, this is why the choice of devices is not very large.
Professional steam cleaners
Advanced, powerful and high-flow Rate models with long battery life, designed for thorough cleaning of large rooms and the most difficult tasks. In addition, these are bulky and rather expensive devices designed for a narrow audience. The main player in this market is the German company Karcher, which has established itself as a reliable manufacturer of various professional and household cleaning devices, including steam cleaners.
2. Attachments
Fortunately, when it comes to equipment, most manufacturers are quite generous and add all sorts of attachments to their steam cleaners for different tasks. The more attachments, the more functional the equipment, so if you are looking for an assistant for complex cleaning, it is better not to limit yourself to one or two attachments. Yes, they take up space and often get lost somewhere, but their benefits are much greater.
Steam cleaners may include the following attachments:
- for the floor;
- for carpets;
- for textiles;
- point nozzle;
- corner;
- flat (scraper);
- brush (including round brush and for tile joints);
- for windows;
- flexible hose;
- iron.
Each nozzle has its own purpose. For example, a bristle brush is effective on uneven surfaces like patterned tiles, while a small round brush is effective on stove switches, faucets, and grout lines between tiles. The textile attachment can freshen clothes on a hanger, smooth out small wrinkles and eliminate unpleasant odors. A flexible extension hose helps you reach hard-to-reach places. The microfiber attachment gently wipes delicate surfaces and at the same time collects dirt. There are even steam cleaners that come with an iron and ironing board, completely replacing an iron with a steam generator. Thus, the expanded configuration turns the steam cleaner into a multifunctional device and can even save you from the need to buy some other equipment. True, the number of attachments also affects the price of the device.
3. Power
The heating speed and intensity of steam supply, and therefore the efficiency of cleaning contaminants, depend on the power. It is also worth considering that a portable hand-held steam cleaner in a compact case cannot boast high flow Rate, so the power depends on the type of device.
| Handheld steam cleaners | up to 1000 – 1500 W |
| Household steam cleaners | from 1500 – 2000 W |
| Steam mops | 1500 – 2000 W |
| Steam vacuum cleaners | from 1500 – 2000 W |
| Professional steam cleaners | 3000 W or more |
However , for normal everyday use, too high values are not needed - the optimal power would be approximately 1500 - 2000 W. We also advise you to pay attention to models with the ability to adjust power so that you can select the optimal steam intensity depending on the degree of contamination and type of coating.
4. Steam pressure and flow Rate
Another important characteristics of the equipment are steam pressure and productivity. They directly depend on power, so the higher the power, the more intense the purifier supplies steam. Manufacturers do not always indicate the steam supply rate, but they almost always indicate the steam pressure. A reading of less than 2 bar indicates that the steam cleaner is unlikely to be able to remove old, stubborn dirt. The optimal value for a manual model is 3 bar, for a household model - 3 - 4 bar.
5. Water tank volume
The amount of water the tank holds determines the continuous operation time of the device, so if you do not want to constantly interrupt for refilling, it is better to choose a model with a spacious tank. But the larger the tank, the larger and heavier the device itself. Therefore, as we mentioned earlier, compact hand-held steam cleaners are equipped with small tanks with a capacity of up to 500 ml, which is enough for 10 to 20 minutes of steam supply. For periodic general cleaning, it is better to take floor stations with a tank of 1 - 2 liters, and for large houses with several floors - even more. We also recommend paying attention to models with a removable tank. This greatly simplifies refilling and makes it possible to fill the tank directly under the tap, without having to carry the entire device. Moreover, some devices allow you to fill the tank directly during operation, without stopping the process or releasing pressure in the boiler.
6. Protection
Since the steam cleaner uses hot steam to operate, you must remember to be safe during cleaning so that you do not get burned by negligence. And although it depends on the user, the manufacturers themselves also add features for safer operation:
- safety valve - triggered at a critically high value of steam pressure in the working tank;
- overheat protection - a system that turns off the steam cleaner in case of overheating, thereby preventing negative consequences for the user and the equipment itself. In particular, the protective system may be triggered due to a lack of water in the tank;
- child protection - may include locking the hot steam tank or control buttons to prevent accidental pressing.
7. What else to pay attention to
When choosing a steam cleaner, it is important to consider its ergonomics:
Dimensions and weight. Large and heavy models take up a lot of storage space and are inconvenient to carry and transport, unlike manual devices. But the smaller the device, the smaller its power and tank volume. Therefore, start from your needs. For example, if you need a portable model for cleaning the house, inside the car and in the countryside, there is no point in taking a bulky steam vacuum cleaner. If you need a highly productive assistant for cleaning and large volumes of work, you cannot do without a large professional machine.
Cord length. Sometimes manufacturers can save money and equip the device with a power cord of insufficient length. Or the cord is of standard length, but does not provide the required range for a large room. Therefore, as in the case of ergonomics, we advise you to take into account the size of the apartment or house and the number of available outlets. To avoid using extension cords and running around the house looking for the nearest outlet, it is still better to choose models with a long cord.
In addition, the following functions will be useful:
- scale protection ;
- a carrying handle (if we are talking about a heavy floor-mounted steam cleaner);
- slot for attachments(special compartments in the case for placing attachments - this facilitates storage and prevents the loss of accessories);
- automatic rewinding of the power cord ;
- heating and readiness indicators.
increase the ease of use of technology.
8. What not to clean with a steam cleaner
In general, a steam cleaner (depending on the model and available attachments) is suitable for cleaning various surfaces:
- hard floor coverings (ceramic tiles, stone, linoleum, etc.);
- surfaces painted with waterproof paint;
- carpets;
- plumbing (faucets, sinks, shower);
- furniture and appliances in the kitchen (stove, oven, hood, countertop)
- windows, mirrors, glass;
- upholstery of upholstered furniture;
- Stuffed Toys;
- bed;
- cloth.
However, there are also “contraindications” - steam should not be used to clean paper and cardboard surfaces, as well as anything that can become unusable from water or high temperature. These are waxed parquet, paper wallpaper, painted surfaces, polymer coatings (soft, thin plastic) and surfaces with glued edges. In addition, treat laminate, varnished wood or parquet floors, small electrical appliances, and natural wool and linen (may shrink when exposed to high temperatures) with care and using special attachments. For delicate floor coverings, a washing vacuum cleaner is better, and for fabrics - a clothes steamer. We also recommend that before treating large surfaces, test the effect of steam in a small hidden place to ensure the durability of the coating.
9. Conclusion
To summarize, when choosing a steam cleaner, the main thing is to understand what tasks it is needed for. If you need a convenient assistant for quickly cleaning small stains, a manual model is suitable. If you only need to treat floor coverings, a steam mop is a good option. But for general cleaning of the entire house, it is better to choose a household steam cleaner with an extended set. And don’t forget: although a steam cleaner can be called a universal cleaner, it, alas, cannot replace all cleaning equipment, so in most cases you cannot do without a classic vacuum cleaner and mop.
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