To the uninitiated non-professional user, the steam cleaner is not always a straightforward machine to operate. The fact is that steam cleaners, by their nature, are not an everyday item but rather an occasional tool for heavy-duty cleaning and sanitisation of interiors. Therefore, few people have much experience of using a steam cleaner. Here are five rules of thumb to guide you in selecting the right cleaner for the job and then operating the machine safely and effectively.
1. What is a steam cleaner?
Most people are familiar with the use of steam as a cleaning medium from their experience taking garments to the dry cleaner – such establishments are ‘dry’ only in the sense that they do not use liquid water. They do however use water vapour, i.e. steam, which is the perfect method for quickly lifting dirt from fabric and killing micro-organisms/ germs thereby leaving the material completely sanitary. The same principle applies with steam cleaning machines, which are a great method of cleaning interior surfaces.
2. When to use a steam cleaner?
Many users of steam cleaning machines hire a cleaner perhaps once or twice a year to give a thorough clean to carpets, curtains, beds and other textile sources where bacteria accumulate in the home over time. The steam cleaning equipment instantly kills microbes, bugs and bacteria, as well as lifting dirt and grime.
3. What is a vacuum steam cleaner?
Many modern steamers come with a combined vacuum mechanism to instantly suck up the residue left from the steam cleaning process. Not all models are vacuum-enabled, so pay close attention to the specifications of the cleaners you are considering hiring. The vacuum models are convenient and labour-saving.
4. When to hire an industrial steam cleaner?
The biggest cleaning jobs require the biggest and best machines, so if you have big job in hand consider renting an industrial-grade steam cleaning machine. These produce super-heated steam at high volumes and can handle large-scale work such as cleaning commercial kitchens, food processing plants, hospitals and other large commercial and industrial environments.
5. Safe operation
Always take proper precautions when operating a steamer, particularly the industrial cleaners which produce more steam at higher temperatures and under higher pressure. Steam is scalding hot so ensure you wear adequate overalls, protective gloves and keep all children and animals well outside the area. In commercial settings, abide by health and safety law and put up warning signs.