Steam cleaners are an easy and efficient option for cleaning. However, there is a lot of confusion when it comes to buying one. Information here will help you with their different types.
Steam is produced at temperatures of 100°C and above. Steam cleaning is extremely effective at getting rid of pests, bed bugs, and mites as they perish at 50°C.
Steam cleaners are one of the most effective cleaning solutions. They have been in use since a long time with commercial carpet and upholstery. However, with time, more appliances have adopted this technology, which has made steam cleaners reach every household.
They not only clean the surface thoroughly, but also rank well in terms of hygiene and safety. They use clean, potable water to create vapor, which is used to deep clean dirt and debris from the surface, as compared to regular surface cleaners.
Steam has amazing sterilizing properties, so you no longer have to use chemical substances to get a thoroughly clean surface. They are a good choice for people with allergies, as they disinfect and deodorize the surface.
There are many types of steam cleaners available in the market today. So, choosing the right one that suits your needs can be confusing. Here are the different types, along with the purpose of each.
Types of Steam Cleaners
Handheld Steam Cleaners
Handheld steam cleaners are usually thought of being difficult to use and not giving the desired result. However, products that are now available in the market are convenient and efficient too, for cleaning. They are easy to move and come in varied sizes, which make them good for cleaning almost any surface.
Steam Mops
Steam mops, also known as hard floor steam cleaners, make a great choice for convenient traditional cleaning. They are hassle-free with minimal attachments. They will give more powerful steam, and can be best used on hard surfaces, like flooring.
They clean only the flooring, and not the grout. They are an inexpensive option and easy to handle too. They are mostly chosen by people who are new to the art of steam cleaning.
Commercial Steam Cleaners
Many commercial steam cleaners are available in the market. Carpet steam cleaners are one of the most popular types.
Along with steam mechanism, they also have a scrub feature to clean dirt from the carpet. They have a greater and powerful cleaning capacity than a regular steam cleaner. However, they are on the expensive side too.
Steam Vacuum Cleaner
Just like the name, this type of machine is a combination of a vacuum cleaner and a steam cleaner. So, you get effective cleaning of vacuum technology, and the steam gives a clean wash to the floor.
Also, note that with vacuum steam cleaners, the carpets remain damp for a while, so you will have to wait for some time for the floors and carpet to dry completely.
Garment Steam Cleaners
Like the name suggests, these are small, portable ones used for cleaning garments. Along with cleaning clothes, like getting rid of dust, mites, and eliminating odors, they also flatten out any wrinkles on the garments.
Home Steam Cleaners
This is an all-purpose cleaner, best suited for all your home cleaning needs. They can be used on both hard and soft surfaces.
Along with effective cleaning, they also help get rid of molds, bed bugs, and bacteria. They come in varied sizes and with attachments too, for cleaning specific areas.
Vapor Steam Cleaner
In this type of cleaner, instead of steam, water vapor is used for cleaning. Vapor steam cleaners are suitable for cleaning tiles and grout. They are also a good choice for sanitizing carpets. However, they may not be as effective as steam cleaners are in cleaning carpets.
Canister and Upright Steam Cleaners
These are similar to a steam vacuum cleaner. The design and make too resemble the vacuum cleaner. It uses a vacuum technology to get rid of debris and dirt. This type of cleaner is usually used for cleaning carpets.
Always look for the option that suits your needs. Check the storage, portability, and mobility, when looking for a steam cleaner. Ask for the time it takes to produce steam. Look for faster heating cleaners.
Next, you must look for the steaming time, which refers to the time it will work effectively without a refill. Check for the steam output which is denoted with grams of steam per minute. The higher the number, the more powerful is the steam. All in all, look for a convenient but effective one.