Steam Cleaning for Hard Surfaces – What You Should and Should Not Do

Steam cleaners are one of the most versatile machines when it comes to cleaning small surfaces. They can remove spots from carpets, remove soap scum from sinks and tubs, and clean window frames and tiles. However, steam cleaners are not recommended for all surfaces and you should be able to identify which surface is likely to be damaged by the application of steam prior to starting the cleaning process.

Firstly, never use steam cleaners on porous hard surfaces like bricks, porous or “sandy” tiles, and unsealed wood. The high temperature of the steam may push the dirt even further into the surface, making it more difficult to remove.

Secondly, patch-test steam cleaners before using them on painted or varnished surfaces. Sometimes, very high temperatures can cause the paint to peel off from the surface. In addition, constant rubbing with detailing brushes may scratch the surface, already made fragile by the application of heat. For this reason, steam cleaning is not recommended for exteriors of cars and other vehicles. Similarly, using these machines on carpets and rugs that cannot withstand high temperatures is not recommended.

When cleaning tiles, grout, sinks, floors, stoves, ducts, and other surfaces, use proper detailing brushes. Wrong detailing brushes will either damage the surface or provide insufficient cleaning. You can select nylon, brass, or stainless steel detailing brushes. Other cleaning accessories include microfiber towels (for mopping up moisture), steel wool (for scraping off grease), and large squeegee brushes (for mirrors, floors, and other flat, large surfaces). Daimer® retails different types of steam cleaners for commercial use, along with detailing accessories. Visit www.daimer.com to find out more.

Why Steam Cleaners Should Not Be Used for Heavy Degreasing

Many people are aware of the cleaning power of steam cleaners. By using super-heated water, these units can melt away different kinds of dirt and debris. These cleaning machines are especially useful in commercial settings, where machines and equipment need to be cleaned as well as sanitized. Steam cleaning units with anti-bacterial technologies can even eliminate more than 99 percent of harmful germs and bacteria while cleaning. It may seem that these powerful machines can also do tough industrial tasks like heavy degreasing but the truth is that steam cleaners are simply not suited to those tasks.

Daimer®, a top-quality distributor of cleaning products, knows it is important for clients understand why steam cleaners are not good for heavy degreasing jobs. For one thing, steam cleaning units do not have the capacity for sustained cleaning that industrial cleaning jobs call for. Sustainable high pressure levels are essential in degreasing, a feature not available with steam cleaning machines. These machines are great for spot cleaning and comparatively smaller cleaning jobs, but they simply do not have the required pressure levels to effectively remove grease from something like a large conveyer belt.

Another thing to consider with steam cleaning machines is the water flow factor. Heavy degreasing jobs require ample water flow so the debris can be cleanly washed away from the surface. Steam cleaners often have low water content. For instance, vapor steam cleaning units only have 5 percent water content. Heavy degreasing jobs are best handled by pressure washing systems that use the combined power of hot water or steam with high pressure levels. You can learn more about the best pressure washing machines for degreasing tasks by visiting www.daimer.com.