Steam cleaners for home: purpose, types, operating rules

For many people, general cleaning of an apartment or house becomes a real torment. After all, there is so much to do: clean the surfaces in the kitchen from grease, wash the bathroom, vacuum the upholstered furniture, wash the floor. All this takes a lot of effort, in addition, in most cases, simple water is not enough, you have to use chemical agents that tend to end in time. You can make your life easier and significantly reduce the time required for cleaning by purchasing a universal and effective device - a steam cleaner.

A steam cleaner is a thing that will come in handy in absolutely every home. It is a device with which you can redo many household chores:

• clean dishes and kitchen appliances;
• give a pristine look to glass surfaces in the kitchen or living room;
• wash windows without using special sprays;
• clean and disinfect upholstered furniture, bedding;
• remove wrinkled folds on clothes;
• smooth out curtains and curtains, even if they are made of moody fabric;
• tidy up linoleum or carpet;
• clean out hard-to-reach places that cannot be reached with a broom or vacuum cleaner.

Any household steam cleaner has three essential parts:

• the container in which the water is located;
• Heating element;
• a hose through which hot steam will pass.

This, of course, is not all. Steam generators for the home also contain fuses, a steam supply system, and various accessories for more comfortable use.

The principle of operation of the structure is as follows:

1. water is poured into the container;
2. the device begins to heat the water, and it boils;
3. hot liquid turns into steam;
4. steam is fed into the hose and exits in a powerful stream.

Thanks to this work, debris is effectively removed from the surfaces, and microbes also die.

Like any home appliance, steam generators have strengths and weaknesses. It is recommended to study them before you decide to choose a device.

Advantages:

• quick cleaning, the ability to get into hard-to-reach places;
• there is no need to use cleaning agents with a chemical composition;
• complete safety, since the steam coming out of this device does not burn;
• the ability of the structure not only to clean, but also to disinfect surfaces and furniture;
• a variety of types and options, which will allow you to choose a model for any wallet.

As for the cons, they are as follows:

• high humidity in the house, which is not always good;
• not everything can be treated with steam: for example, you cannot clean varnished surfaces, plastic products;
• after exposure to steam, stains will appear that must be wiped off by hand;
• if the dirt is too strong, and the surface is capricious (for example, this is upholstered furniture made of delicate fabrics), then it is better not to use a steam cleaner, but rather to dry-clean.

Steam cleaners for home use can be divided into several main categories.

Such a steam cleaner resembles an electric kettle with a flexible hose connected to it. This device is very compact, and it also heats up quite quickly, literally a quarter of a minute is enough for this. Manual models have little power, but it is quite enough to clean an apartment superficially.

The models here are different: some are convenient to clean furniture, others can remove simple dirt on technical devices. An additional advantage of mini-steam cleaners is their reasonable price.

Floor products are fundamentally different from hand-made ones. They are vacuum cleaner-like devices. Such structures move along the floor on wheels, and the human function is only to hold the hose. The steam is supplied under high pressure because the devices have good power.

With their help, you can quickly clean a spacious room, while spending a minimum of effort. The reservoir holds a lot of liquid, so it can work for at least an hour. In addition, the complete set of floor models has different attachments, which will allow you to clean different types of surfaces, as well as tidy up hard-to-reach places.

As for the disadvantages, there are only two of them: high price and large dimensions.

Such devices have another name - multifunctional. They are also floor-standing, but they differ from the previous version in extended functionality. Such a steam generator can be equipped with a large number of attachments, the most popular of which is the iron. This appliance can iron things with dry and wet steam.

Multifunctional structures are expensive.

Choosing a good steam cleaner is not easy, as many companies today offer products with completely different functions and operating methods. In order to navigate a little in the choice, it is better to look in advance which models are chosen by other buyers.

Let's start our review with handcrafted designs.

• "Grand Master GM VSC38"... The power of this device is low, but this does not affect the quality of cleaning at all, in addition, it is possible to save electricity. There are different attachments: for spraying steam, for clothes, for cleaning glass. Also included is a glass for a set of water and a funnel.

• Polaris PSC 1101C... One of the best inexpensive steam cleaners that can handle many household chores: cleaning the kitchen, ironing clothes and curtains, cleaning mirrors. In addition to cleaning, it disinfects surfaces well. There are three attachments in the kit, and the cleaner itself is light in weight and small in size. The reservoir has a capacity of 270 ml, which, as in the previous model, is its disadvantage.

• MIE Forever Clean... Italian, very high quality steam generator, suitable for those who value their time. It looks pretty interesting, and the power of such a device is much higher than that of the above models. The set comes with four attachments, which allows you to clean a wide variety of types of surfaces. The reservoir volume is 480 ml, which means that the device lasts longer than most other models.

Among the floor standing steam generators, we note the following models.

• Bort BDR-2500-RR... This is a rather interesting steam generator with a high power (2200 W) and a container volume of 1.5 liters. It can work continuously for half an hour, but you do not need to stop it to add water. The wheels have rubber pads to help prevent scratching the floor when the unit is moving. There are 7 pads here, and there is also a system for winding the cord, and this allows it not to stretch throughout the apartment. The disadvantage of this steam cleaner is its large dimensions.

• Kitfort KT-933... This device has an average power, and the tank capacity here is 1.8 liters. The set includes a huge number of attachments, and there is also a net for storing them. The cords are long, unwind automatically, steam can be supplied continuously. The device is able to work even in different positions, and it is convenient to carry it thanks to the reliable handles.

• Euroflex Monster SC 60S... This device is made by Italian manufacturers. It is very reliable and has good wear resistance. It releases both wet and dry steam, and there is also a compartment where you can pour detergent if necessary. The tank has a capacity of 1.2 liters, which is enough for an hour of continuous operation. It copes well with washing and disinfecting various surfaces. Minus - loose attachment of the attachments.

Finally, let's take a look at the best all-round models.

• MIE Bello... One of the best steam generators, as it can perform three functions at once. If the "steam cleaner" mode is applied, the unit will assist in cleaning. For this mode, there are nozzles in the form of a mop, as well as brushes for windows. In the "steaming" mode, the iron will be used, which will cope with the leveling of fabrics. And the third mode, "professional", also uses an iron, but here it is used not only for steaming, but also for professional ironing. The tank has a capacity of 1.7 liters, so the device will work for a long time.

• Bissell 1897-N... A steam generator from an American manufacturer capable of cleaning many dirty surfaces and fabrics thanks to a large number of different nozzles. It has a touch control panel, and steam can be supplied in two modes: one is for delicate fabrics, and the other is for washing the floor. Heats up very quickly, has disks with fragrances. The disadvantages will be a small reservoir, as well as fluid leakage if the power is set to low.

• Karcher SC 4 Premium + Iron Kit... One of the best steam cleaners with an iron. Heats up in four minutes, has a very high power. There are two reservoirs, there are also many nozzles. This model is made of first-class materials, it will last for many years, in addition, it is equipped with a childproof lock. The downside is that Karcher SC 4 Premium + Iron Kit will not always be able to cope with old stains, in addition, this model is quite expensive.

When going to the store for a home steam generator, it is important to take into account many nuances. Let's dwell on them in more detail.

This parameter is one of the main ones. He is responsible for the rapidity of the formation of steam, as well as the ability to work on very dirty surfaces.

Many handheld steam generators are also less powerful. With such models, you can save energy, but they are slow to operate. As for floor-standing devices, they are more powerful - up to 2300 watts. Here it is best to choose a power of 1700 watts.

Pressure directly affects how fast steam is supplied and how hard it is released. Indicators can range from 1.5 to 5 bar.

If there is more difficult work ahead, the pressure should be higher.

As for the temperature, it ranges from 100 to 140 degrees. The smallest indicators will allow you to cope with only the lightest stains, and can help in smoothing clothes. However, they are unable to remove fungus, mold and old stains.

This is another important selection criterion on which the speed of cleaning the room depends. If you do not want to constantly add water, choose floor-standing models with a tank of 1.2 liters and above. There are devices on the market with a tank of 5 liters, but such units heat water for a very long time.

If the steam cleaner is manual, you should not take a tank with a volume of more than half a liter, because you will have to carry the device in your hands all the time you are cleaning.

The question of which attachments to buy is sometimes the most difficult. After all, I want to try absolutely all models, although not every one is useful to you. When choosing, it is better to observe the measure and think in advance what is needed most.

Let's consider the most common attachments.

• Brushes... Such attachments will definitely be needed, so you can buy them without a twinge of conscience. Brushes clean surfaces and furniture, giving them their original appearance. There are also nozzle brushes with a scraper, they must be used carefully so as not to damage the materials.

• Covers... Terry covers are a real find for those who need to clean delicate fabrics as well as windows. After use, they can be removed and washed by hand or in a machine.

• Nozzle... This is a narrow spout, thanks to which you will have the opportunity to penetrate into the most hidden corners of the apartment, removing dust and mold from there. Also, using a nozzle, you can clean, for example, a faucet or drain.

• Iron... This thing must be used in conjunction with steaming. Wet steam will help remove wrinkles on the curtain, clean out a dirty coat, and straighten a shirt.

In addition to the parameters already mentioned, it is important to pay attention to other criteria:

• the length of the flexible hose: if it is too small, the device will have to be lifted;
• heating rate;
• the presence of a steam power regulator, which will allow you to regulate the pressure and flow;
• the quality of the wheels: they should not scratch the floor when moving;
• body material: it is better if it is aluminum, less scale forms in it;
• Rates: Don't buy the cheapest models as they are not designed for constant cleaning and tough dirt removal.

Before starting to work with a household steam cleaner, you need to carefully study the instructions, especially if you have not dealt with such devices before. This will help to study the features of using a particular unit and not spoil things and surfaces when processing.

Let's see how to use steam cleaners correctly:

1. remove the tank lid and fill it with the required amount of water;
2. close the lid tightly;
3. select the attachment and put it on;
4. connect the device to electricity and wait until it heats up (the extinguished indicator button will indicate the end of heating);
5. start working on the surface.

However, turning on the device and starting to use it is not all. It is also important to consider the type of surface to be treated:

• when processing fabric, the device should be parallel to the surface;
• if it is a floor, a 30 cm distance is maintained;
• fur, silk and other delicate fabrics can only be cleaned "absentmindedly", that is, steam should not be supplied closely, but only slightly touch the fabric;
• keep a distance of 10 centimeters when cleaning kitchen surfaces.

When using a steam cleaner at home, you need to remember a few more useful tips.

• It is undesirable to use tap water... It is too harsh and can cause limescale to build up quickly. It is best to take filtered or distilled. In extreme cases, you can dilute tap water by half with such water.
• Do not add antiseptics, fragrances and detergents to the water tank, they can render the device unusable. There is a specific cell for all these liquids.
• When the steam has ceased to flow, this means only one thing - the water has run out... Before pouring it again, unplug the appliance and wait until it cools down.
• After the cleaning has come to an end, all the remaining water must be drained and the tank wiped well.... The attachments must be washed and dried in natural conditions.

Those who have already tried a household steam generator cannot imagine their life without this device. They all talk about its necessity, mentioning that the device made cleaning the house much easier: the windows became cleaner, kitchen surfaces and appliances sparkled, upholstered furniture and carpets got their original appearance, children's toys were always disinfected.

The steam does not cause allergies and is not harmful to health. Most owners choose handheld steam generators, considering them more comfortable to use and compact. Firms such as Polaris, Kitfort, Karcher are especially recommended.

Shortcomings in the reviews are also mentioned. This is the insufficient length of the flexible hose, the absence of an automatic wire rewinding system in some models, small reservoirs in manual ones and large dimensions in floor-standing devices. In addition, not all steam cleaners have proven to cope with tough stains.

In the next video, you will learn how to choose the right steam cleaner.