Steam cleaners: characteristics, application and selection

To make the house shine with cleanliness, and cleaning does not turn into a long and tedious struggle with pollution, modern housewives use a special device called a steam cleaner. This device allows you to clean even the most stubborn dirt from hard-to-reach places without the use of chemical detergents. In addition, the steam cleaner will disinfect the surface to be treated and rid you of bacteria, viruses, fungal spores.

With the help of this household appliance, you can not only clean, but also take care of clothes, upholstered furniture, carpets, car interiors, bathrooms, kitchen utensils. Steam cleaner will help smooth out folds on the curtains, eliminate unpleasant odors, and refresh the brightness of fabrics.

A steam cleaner is a device that has a water container, a heating element and an outlet. When heated, the water in this device under the action of high pressure is supplied to the external environment in the form of rarefied steam that does not contain large drops of water. At the same time, the temperature of the steam does not burn the human skin, but its flow itself is very powerful. A similar device was previously used only in medical institutions for the disinfection of premises, but today the steam cleaner is widely used for household purposes as well.

Modern models of steam cleaners are equipped with various attachments and options. So, there are options with a suction function, with dry steam, with a steamer function. There is even a cordless type of steam cleaner that runs on a rechargeable battery.

There are two types of steam cleaner - floor-standing or manual. In addition, each such type is also subdivided according to the type of water heating in the device:

• straight-through - steam is generated by heating in the process of leaving the water from the tank and moving it along the nozzle of the spray, which is used for manual models of steam cleaners;
• with steam heating in a water tank - such a device is typical for floor-standing appliances, since they have a greater weight due to the increased volume of the tank.

Depending on the volume of the tank and the type of water heating, steam cleaner models are divided into 3 main groups.

This variety is also called outdoor steam stations, and they can easily be confused in appearance with an ordinary household vacuum cleaner. Stationary models are quite powerful and can be used both in everyday life and for professional cleaning. Their water tank volume is 1-1.5 liters, and the steam supply hose is the longest of all steam cleaners. The convenience of using the floor-standing device is that it can be used for a long period without holding the device itself in your hands. The appliance is equipped with several attachments that are used for cleaning and steaming.

The most common models in this group are: Karcher SC-2 (power 1500 W, volume 1 l), Kitfort KT-903 (power 1500 W and volume 1.5 l), Gorenje SC 1800R (1800W power and 1L volume), Clatronic DR З280 (power 1500 W and volume 1.5 l).

Such models have compact dimensions and low weight. During operation, they must be held in the hand by weight. Their water tank volume is small, from 175 to 500 ml, so the operating time of such a purifier is much shorter than that of a stationary analogue, and is about 20-25 minutes. The handheld steam cleaner has several replaceable nozzles, it is easy to operate and does not take up much space during storage.

Some popular models with buyers: Karcher SC 1 (volume 200 ml), Polaris PSC 1101C (volume 270 ml), MIE Forever Clean (volume 480 ml), Grand Master GM-VSC38 (volume 175 ml).

Such devices resemble a stationary version, they have a large volume of a water tank and a long operating time. The difference is that the range of options for the universal model is more extended. For example, the device may have 2 water tanks, which makes it possible to replenish the volume of liquid without stopping the operation of the steam generator. The complete set of universal models is equipped with a large number of attachments, some steam cleaners have the ability to connect a steam iron to them.

Notable models are: Ariete Multi Vapori MV 6.10 (equipped with a steam mop), Karcher SC 4 Premium + Iron Kit (model with iron), Grand Master GM-Q7 Multi Elite (the device cleans, steams and iron).

The choice of the design and model of a steam cleaner largely depends on the tasks that you have to solve with this device.... With large volumes of the treated area, it is advisable to purchase a stationary or universal cleaner, and for small volumes of work, it is enough to use manual options.

An electric steam cleaner works when there is water in its tank. VOde should be poured into a cold device until it is turned on. If desired, disinfectants or preparations are added to it to protect the heating device from the formation of lime deposits. After water is poured into the tank, you need to tightly close its container with a lid, and turn on the device to the power grid. At this moment, the heating element is heated - a tubular heating element.

When the water in the tank reaches the boiling point, you can press the trigger button - and the steam under the pressure will go out. Steam cleaning takes place through special nozzles that are attached to the nozzle of the device. The powerful jet of steam can soften any dirt and also serve as a steaming function for fabrics.

The manual model of the steam cleaner differs from the stationary one in that it has only one button, with which steam is supplied. The steam cleaner-mop works in the same way - steam is supplied to a special wide nozzle with a long handle, which allows steaming of stubborn stains and stubborn dirt on the floor.

Cleaning of surfaces is carried out with a steam cleaner practically no noise, and the steam that comes out of the nozzle of the steam cleaner, in some models can be supplied chilled and used even to clean the dust from the leaves of indoor plants. Such steam is also used as a steamer for fabrics of any density, which do not get wet after the procedure, but remain dry.

The complete set of the steam cleaner contains a measuring cup for water, a funnel, various types of nozzles.

Steam cleaners are purchased most often for cleaning the kitchen, bathroom and floor disinfection. Although the range of applications for this device can be much more diverse.

• The steam generator can be used for clothing... The device is able to smooth out creases, straighten caked fur, process the inner and outer surfaces of shoes. Here you can also use a brush attachment, which allows you to clean any corrugated sole from strong dirt and use disinfectants for dry cleaning.
• The cleaner is needed to clean the floor or wall carpet, to disinfect the mattress, and can also be designed for curtains when they need to be cleaned and steamed without removing from the eaves.
• The steam appliance can be used to wash laminate, linoleum, stretch ceiling, they also clean and wash vinyl wallpaper, clean carpet, wash parquet and use it for mirrors.
• The steam generator can be used to wash an acrylic bathtub, use it for the joints between the bathroom and the wall, and use it for tiles. When using the device for the bathroom, it is advisable to add a disinfectant to a container with water, which allows you to disinfect surfaces and prevent the growth of mold. The steam appliance is used when cleaning the shower cabin from soap and limescale.
• For the kitchen, the device is used if you want to wash the refrigerator, sink, gas stove. They are used for glass of kitchen cabinets, if they are heavily soiled, for a microwave oven, for a tile, as well as for cleaning the oven.
• The use of a steam generator has proven itself well for cleaning car interiors, rubber mats and glasses, rims.

The multifunctional steam cleaner has great capabilities that are used not only for home, but also for other household needs. But it is worth knowing that this device cannot be used in a number of cases:

• for cleaning plastic cladding panels - under the influence of steam, dents and deformations can form on them;
• for processing cold surfaces made of glass or plastic, since due to the temperature difference, the destruction of products made of these materials is possible;
• for surfaces coated with varnish or wax, - they become whitish, and the varnish coating begins to crack, and the wax spreads;
• for fine silk or velor fabrics - the working steam temperature is too high for these delicate fabrics.

To decide which steam cleaner is worth buying and make the right choice, we recommend that you take into account a number of points.

1. First of all you need to choose which model will be most convenient for you in work - manual or stationary.
2. The efficiency of a steam appliance depends largely on its power and steam pressure. For the manual model, the power range is 700-1600 W, with a pressure level of up to 4 bar. Floor standing models have a power of 1300-2300 W, with a pressure level of up to 5.5 bar.
3. It is believed that steam cleaner models with a steam generator are more efficient in comparison with direct-flow analogs.
4. Choose appliances which have a light sensor-indicator - it indicates that the device is ready for use. This is a very handy detail to understand when the process of heating the water in the device is complete. For example, in hand-held models, water heats up in 20-30 seconds, while in floor-standing models you have to wait up to 5 minutes.
5. The duration of the working cycle of a steam cleaner depends on the volume of its water tank. - the larger it is, the longer this cycle. In manual models, this figure is 0.2-0.5 liters, and in floor-standing models - 1-5 liters. When choosing a handheld device, it is important to understand that a device with the largest possible tank volume will be difficult to hold in one hand, so it is more advisable to buy a model with a small tank volume, adding water to it if necessary. The flow rate of 1 liter of water is on average 30 minutes of continuous operation of the device.
6. Convenient when your appliance is equipped with an option to adjust the power of the supplied steam, which significantly expands the scope of its application.
7. Floor standing steam generators are quite heavy and for ease of movement, it is important that they are equipped with portable wheels securely attached to the body of the instrument.
8. When choosing a manual model, pay attention to the fact that how it will fit in your hand - is it convenient for you to reach the trigger with your finger, is the design too bulky for you in terms of dimensions and its weight?
9. Pay attention to the equipment of the device with nozzles - the larger their assortment, the wider the range of application of the device. Budget models are equipped with a minimum of attachments, among which there is a floor brush, a narrow nozzle, a small brush for cleaning seams, a frame for attaching a fabric when washing glasses. In more expensive models, additional attachments are provided: a cold steam gun for caring for plant leaves, a rubber squeegee for glass, a steam iron, a vacuum cleaner attachment and others.
10. An important point is the diameter of the nozzle at the device. It is convenient when it is wide, and in the set of nozzles there is an option to put on a narrow elongated nozzle to perform work in hard-to-reach places.

The use of the device greatly facilitates household work, but do not forget that the steam cleaner itself needs regular cleaning and maintenance. After completing work with the device, the remaining water in it must be drained each time, wipe off all wet parts and only then put it into storage. Also, brushes and attachments must be kept clean. Besides, it is important to ensure that the power cord and the steam supply hose (if any) are stored without kinks or sharp bends, which will significantly extend their service life.

The water from the tap, poured into the tank, contains impurities of mineral salts, which, in contact with the heating element, form a layer of scale, which can lead to breakdown of the heating element. It is rather difficult to replace this device with your own hands; this manipulation is performed in the conditions of a service center. It is possible to determine the malfunction of the heating element by the fact that the device has stopped heating the water, or check the contracts of the heating device with a multimeter.

To prevent the breakdown of the heating element, the operating instructions for any such device contain a mention that it is advisable to use distilled water instead of tap water. If this is not possible, then the device must be regularly cleaned by pouring special preparations into the tank that clean the heating element from scale. After the agent is poured into the water container, it is turned on, the water is allowed to warm up, and then you need to turn off the device, let it cool completely, open the container lid and drain the cleaning solution from it. Further, water is again poured into the container and drained, rinsing it from the remains of the solution. If the lid does not open, it means that the device has not cooled down enough, and it needs to be given additional time.

For information on how to descale your steam cleaner, see the following video.

By studying real customer reviews, marketers have come to the conclusion that household steam cleaners are currently in high demand. Both budget models and expensive options designed for professional cleaning are used. When considering the entire group of steam cleaners as a whole, the buyers of these electrical appliances highlight the pros and cons of these household appliances.

The positive aspects of the steam cleaner:

• the device allows you to quickly and effectively clean on heavily soiled surfaces;
• the ability to perform work without the use of any additional household chemicals;
• the device is safe during operation, since the steam has a rarefied structure and does not cause skin burns;
• due to the effect of steam, you can easily eliminate unpleasant odors and disinfect the treated surfaces;
• the device can easily move around the apartment, does not take up much storage space.

Negative properties of a steam cleaner:

• during operation, the device emits a large amount of moisture in the form of steam, which is not always desirable;
• additional attachments cannot be purchased commercially;
• in any model, you cannot completely fill the tank for heating water;
• brushes are made of plastic of unsatisfactory quality and are too hard;
• when exposed to a jet of steam, the stripped dirt is sprayed in all directions.

Taking into account customer reviews, we can conclude that, despite the existing drawbacks, steam cleaners have their undeniable advantages and can greatly facilitate not only the cleaning process, but also the care of many everyday things without resorting to expensive services of dry cleaning salons or the use of household chemicals.

For information on how to choose a steam cleaner, see the next video.