Surely you have seen advertisements about steam cleaners and steamers, in which the happy owners of this equipment overcome any dirt in the house with one movement and put things in order. We decided to find out whether these devices are actually capable of such miracles or whether this is an exaggeration. What is a steam cleaner?
This is essentially a boiler that heats water and supplies it under pressure. The family of steamers is not very large; a limited number of companies are engaged in them; most of it consists of products from brands little known to Russians.
Text: Olga KUZMINA.
Received the task
The purpose of the device is determined by the set of its attachments. There are two options: a cleaning device, also known as a universal device, and a clothes steamer.
The station wagon is equipped with several cleaning attachments: a nozzle with a narrow spout, an angled nozzle for getting into difficult places, a nozzle with a brush at the end, a window cleaner with a rubber strip for collecting water, a nozzle for cleaning large surfaces, and sometimes a floor nozzle with the ability to attach a rag.
Models offered by TV stores use clever mop attachments of an unusual design. In addition, the universal steamer kit always includes a nozzle for textiles and, not very often, an iron.
Clothes steamers have a nozzle for working with clothes, often with a fleecy insert, and a brush attachment. Large models are equipped with a bar and hanger for placing clothes, a device for fixing trousers, and sometimes a form for steaming shirt collars.
Kettle or mobile home
Steamers differ significantly in volume. Mini models are equipped with a boiler that holds 100-220 ml of water. They are designed for quick and short work, often have a shape resembling a plastic kettle, or less often an iron. As you already understood, they are held in the hand while working. On average, an empty appliance weighs more than 2 kg plus water, so cleaning for a long time can be tiring.
Medium-sized steamers hold about 500 ml of water, larger ones 1-2 liters. Both of these types of steamers resemble vacuum cleaners with a long steam hose; they have wheels for easy movement around the house or a strap for carrying the device on your shoulder.
A number of models make it possible to simply refill water directly during operation. Universal steamers, as a rule, have a long power cord (3-5 m), including mini-models.
Let's steam!
The main difference between a steamer and a regular kettle is that it supplies its steam under pressure. The pressure creates not a diffuse, but a dense flow-jet, capable of serious achievements in the fight against dirt or wrinkles on clothes.
The steam pressure in the steamer is within 3-5 bar (about the same as in an ironing system) and the higher it is, the more efficient the device works. Serious models provide constant steam, and not a sequence of steam spits, even when the water in the boiler runs out.
Attack of pure love
In the advertisement we see how easily steam can deal with any kind of dirt. And yet, what can a powerful stream of steam do? Upon reflection, any housewife will realize that steam can only deal with those contaminants that hot water and mechanical action can handle well.
In addition, having a high temperature, steam can soften contaminants, reduce their adhesion to the surface and thereby simplify their separation. Therefore, he is able to soak away plaque on a stove or oven that has not been washed for a long time, “move” old dirt around the perimeter of the sink, and refresh the tiles.
The advantage of steam is that it can work with any surface - smooth and rough, paper and metal, hard and soft. Using nozzles, you can send a stream of steam to hard-to-reach places where it is simply impossible to clean dirt in the usual way.
The softening power of steam will also help in the fight against unusual “enemies”: for example, tightly stuck tape, a drop of wax on the floor, or algae on an aquarium filter.
So, steam softens, but at the same time it does not collect and, accordingly, in the full sense of the word does not remove contamination! Therefore, assurances such as “steam removes dust and allergens” are fundamentally false! You will have to do this while holding the steamer nozzle (or the device itself) in one hand and a soft, dry piece of cloth in the other. Soaked contaminants must be collected immediately so that, once dry, they do not “grab” the surface again.
That's why microfiber cloths and cloths are featured in advertising. This amazing material can absorb moisture very quickly due to special capillaries in the form of cones in its fibers.
Kinds
Among the many types of steam cleaners designed for caring for clothes, it is impossible to immediately navigate and determine which one you still need to purchase? Floor or manual? What power? With what volume of water tank?
Floor-standing models resemble a vacuum cleaner in appearance. Portable, that is, hand-held, are smaller in size and lighter in weight. In terms of technical parameters, they are also inferior to floor-standing ones - in power, in time. Manual ones are more convenient to use, and they cost less.
Steam cleaners-vacuum cleaners are designed for professional cleaning. They are more powerful (1600-2000 W), more productive and more expensive. The steam pressure in them reaches 5-6 bar. The power of manual models is 1200-1500 W, the steam pressure is on average 3 bar, and they are used in most cases at home.
The volume of the water tank for portable steam cleaners is 500 ml-1.5 l, for floor-standing steam cleaners it is from 2 to 4 l.
Pros of steam
The most obvious advantage of steam is disinfection: high temperature helps to remove not only bacteria and fungi, but also other invisible creatures that live in carpets and soft toys, on kitchen shelves and in wardrobes. A steam cleaner allows you to treat a specific item or place: for example, a puppy's sleeping mat, bread box, mattress and pillows. With the device, you can disinfect your home to the maximum. At the same time, in addition to the struggle for bio-purity, we at the same time cope with odors: for example, we return the pristine freshness to a corner favored by a kitten, or an old chair that has spent more than one wet season in a cold closet.
Let's help the couple
The second widely publicized advantage is the ability to reduce the use of household chemicals. This is true, but only partly: some stains, for example, traces of touch on wallpaper or dust, come off well without it, and fresh stains are quickly removed from smooth surfaces: glass, enamel, ceramics, plastic.
However, heavily dried and old stains, especially on highly porous surfaces, can be an insoluble problem for steam. Our homemade household chemicals can help him. Let's warm up the contamination with a jet of steam, apply the product, leave it for a while, and now use the steam again. As you understand, the effectiveness of a gel or paste with the assistance of steam will increase significantly, which means it will be easier for you to reach the heights of cleanliness, just try not to breathe chemical fumes: such “inhalations,” to put it mildly, are unhealthy.
Steam and home appliances
A steamer may be useful in caring for other household appliances, and the advertising is right in this regard. It can be used to clean oven surfaces, cast iron or enamel burner grates, hobs, microwave ovens, steamers, roasters, bread makers, and air fryers. It is wiser to treat the walls with a soap solution or a special product - things will go faster. Steam will help restore the full appearance of complex parts of the combine and juicer (for example, a strainer).
When servicing the hood, steam jets will quickly remove grease from the filters. Steam will also be useful in the process of washing the refrigerator: it will clean the walls, shelves, boxes and remove odors, and will help to melt the ice in the freezer very quickly.
In the washing machine, steam will remove the musty smell (if the machine has been closed for a long time), clean the rubber bands from mold, and tidy up the detergent drawers.
There is only one rule for using a steamer in household appliances: turn off the power to the device before washing and let it dry thoroughly before turning it on.
How to descale a steamer
The ability to remove lime deposits at home depends on the model of the device. You can remove scale yourself from a regular steamer. For this purpose, purchased or self-made compositions are used.
We recommend reading: How to store a mink coat in summer: rules and features
How to descale a steamer with citric acid
The product is considered a good alternative to household chemicals. Using citric acid, you can quickly remove scale from your steamer. Compliance with the required proportions is essential.
To clean the device, you need to dissolve a spoonful of citric acid in a glass of warm water. The liquid is poured into the water compartment and the steam function is activated.
Attention! It is better to carry out the procedure in the bathroom, over the sink. This will prevent dirt from getting onto the floor.
After cleaning the electrical appliance with citric acid, you need to thoroughly rinse the tank with warm water.
Vinegar
The essence allows you to safely descale your steamer at home. The effectiveness of the composition is significantly enhanced by heating the device.
Before cleaning the device with citric acid, you should open the window, as the product has a strong odor.
The descaling procedure is characterized by simplicity. A tablespoon of essence is dissolved in a glass of warm water and then poured into the reservoir. Pressing a button releases steam. Cleaning is carried out until the solution has completely evaporated, and then the liquid compartment is thoroughly rinsed with water.
Soda
Sodium bicarbonate effectively removes scale and eliminates unpleasant odors. Soda solution is used to remove dirt from various surfaces. The product is safe and easy to use.
Soda can be included in compositions that remove lime deposits. Water is poured into a special container with the addition of a teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate. After heating the electrical appliance, you need to provide steam. Cleaning is completed after the solution has completely evaporated.
The advantage of removing limescale with soda is the absence of a pronounced odor
Mineral water
The method is used for cleaning electrical appliances with plastic casings. You need to pour mineral water into the tank and heat the steamer to high temperatures. Then you should activate the function that releases steam.
When cleaning the steamer with mineral water, it should be held over a bathtub or sink.
The procedure is completed when the liquid has completely evaporated. To remove carbonated drink residue, you need to rinse the tank with water.
Steam and textiles
The next advertising assurance: steam irons things out with a bang, depriving the iron of the opportunity to realize its talents. Let's figure it out. When steam hits the fibers, they soften and their volume is restored. A regular iron acts differently: it crushes the fiber and fabric, resulting in the desired smoothness effect.
The steam straightens and removes wrinkles, but the surface of the item does not become as smooth as if an iron had been passed over it. Therefore, for things for which ironing is so important, for example, starched tablecloths, office shirts and blouses, trousers with creases, skirts with strict folds, a steamer is not suitable.
But with its help you can quickly bring knitwear, especially complex shapes, democratic shirts, skirts, dresses and coats to life: they are hung on hangers and treated with steam. The steam acts almost instantly, it takes seconds to finish one item, but after treatment the fabric becomes damp, and putting on a blouse or jeans right away is not particularly pleasant.
The steamer is also suitable for caring for curtains and covers. In the process of processing things, steam returns them to the required shape, refreshes them, removing odors of perfume and smoke. Steam is very effective when working with woolen products, because all their beauty lies in the naturalness of the fiber, and steam, unlike an iron, helps it straighten out and “play” with renewed vigor.
Anti-scale agents and their use
There are two ways to clean the device from deposited scale at home: clean it with detergents purchased in the store, or use ordinary household products that are available at home. The choice of cleaning technique depends on the steamer model.
Chemicals
You can buy a chemical solution in specialized stores. It is worth considering that you need to purchase a product specifically for steam equipment. Preference should be given to products containing components for careful care of equipment.
For cleaning to be successful, you need to follow the instructions:
- Pour the chemical solution into the water compartment.
- Warm up the device to the highest temperature. It is important that the process is performed over a bathtub or sink.
- Activate the steam release function.
- Repeat the steps until the product has completely evaporated.
Be sure to rinse the steamer to remove chemicals. To do this, the same procedure is performed using filtered warm water.
Chemical solutions are used in cases where there is no confidence in the effectiveness of homemade products.
Household products
The use of household products is quite common when cleaning kitchen appliances. Sometimes such solutions help no worse than expensive store-bought products. You can achieve a positive result in several ways:
Cleaning with mineral water
Settled scale can be easily removed with mineral water. Most often, this method is used for devices with a plastic body. The procedure is easy:
- Pour sparkling water into the reservoir.
- Heat the steamer to maximum temperature.
- Activate the steam release function. Also keep the device over the sink.
- Continue until the mineral water evaporates.
- Clean again with warm water to remove carbonated drink residue.
Cleaning with citric acid
Citric acid is a worthy alternative to expensive chemical products. You can quickly and easily remove scale with it. The main thing is to correctly distribute the proportions. The procedure is quite simple:
- Add a tablespoon of citric acid to a glass of warm boiled water. Stir and let it dissolve.
- Pour the resulting liquid into the compartment.
- Activate the steam release function. Keep the appliance over a sink to avoid dirty liquid spilling onto the floor.
- Repeat the action until the solution evaporates.
- Be sure to repeat the process using warm boiled water to wash away any acidic residue.
Cleaning with vinegar
Vinegar can also descale your device. The effectiveness of the product increases when heated. Vinegar may give off a strong odor, so it is better to open the window before the procedure. The steps are the same:
- Add a spoonful of vinegar to a glass of warm water.
- Pour the resulting solution into the liquid compartment.
- Release steam at the touch of a button.
- Repeat until the liquid evaporates.
- Rinse with warm water.
Home dry cleaning
This ends the competition between the steamer and the iron and opens up an area inaccessible to this respected device. Using a steamer, you can care for fur, restoring the shape and direction of the coat, shine and freshness; for things made of leather - natural and artificial, smooth, suede, nubuck.
This means that bags, jackets and shoes will receive a completely different level of care from you, which will extend their active life and maintain their appearance. Steam will help straighten out chafing, remove dirt, and soften. You will be able to perfectly clean your shoes, including the soles outside and inside, and disinfect their insoles without any chemicals.
A steamer will help improve your home dry cleaning: steam removes some fresh stains, for others we achieve success by combining steam and special products (ammonium, peroxide, soda, gasoline).
The steamer is useful in caring for carpets and upholstered furniture. Due to its effect on fibers, steam allows you to refresh paints, straighten piles, remove shiny areas, and quickly and efficiently clean the upholstery of sofas and armchairs, carpets from dirt and stains.
Cleaning upholstered furniture
It is recommended to clean the sofa and other furniture even if there are no signs of obvious contamination. In this case, the surface is treated, microorganisms are destroyed, for example, dust mites, moth larvae.
Cleaning technology:
- Prepare microfiber cloths. You will need several of them.
- Fill the tank with water, preferably distilled.
- Check the interaction between the material and the steam cleaner. Treat a small piece of the sofa to prevent damage to the upholstery.
- Clean the surface of the furniture in small areas. As soon as you have steamed one area, immediately collect the softened dirt with a dry cloth. Microfiber perfectly absorbs moisture and dirt.
To clean a specific stain, you need to point the nozzle at an angle to the surface, trying to blow away the dirt.
