Steam cleaning is one of the most versatile ways of making sure your home and possessions are left squeaky clean.
It is eco-friendly as it only requires electricity in the water heating process, and no chemicals are involved. This makes it a safer alternative for the environment and your health (not to mention your budget). It can also be used on the go, allowing you to spend more time enjoying your home and loved ones.
It’s a common assumption that steam cleaning can only be used to iron clothing, eliminating wrinkles and leaving the fabric feeling fresh and clean. But it can actually do so much more than that!
It disinfects and sanitises, killing germs, fungus, mould, dust mites, etc., preventing disease from spreading amongst your family, friends and pets. It gets to hard to reach places and removes tricky substances without much effort on your part too.
Most importantly, you will only ever need a single device for all your cleaning tasks!
So what types of things can you clean with a steam cleaner?
Most fabrics, unless stated otherwise, can benefit from steaming: clothes, curtains, drapes, carpets, upholstery, mattresses and bedding, rugs, car interiors, stuffed animals and changing areas, patio furniture and umbrellas. Pet beds, toys, crates, and litter boxes can also be decontaminated effortlessly to give you peace of mind.
Most surfaces such as furniture, floors, tiles, grout, ceramic and metal fixtures, glass and mirrors are perfectly safe to steam clean as well.
Some lesser known uses for a steam cleaner are, for instance, concentrated in the bathroom and kitchen areas: appliances, counter tops, bins, cutting boards, grills, oven doors, toilets, sinks, glass showers and plumbing fixtures can be made pristine again with a steam cleaner. You can even defrost your freezer and remove hard water and limescale!
Get even more creative by steaming your garden tools and machines, dusting ceiling fans, baseboards and faux plants, and disinfecting door knobs, light switches, sports supplies and gym equipment.
Steam cleaners can remove wallpaper easily too. And if you own a boat, you will be pleased to know they can clean hulls and even remove persistent algae and mould.
What shouldn’t you clean with a steam cleaner?
It’s always a good idea to test a small area of any surface before using a steam cleaner on it. Some materials are not meant to come in contact with heat or humidity and will get damaged. So be very careful and always check cleaning instructions, when available.
As a rule of thumb, porous, unsealed, polished, waxed and painted surfaces are unsuitable for steaming. These include laminated floors, stucco, brick, marble, cork, concrete, paving stones, etc. Be especially careful with wood, however, as only polyurethane-based finishes can withstand this sort of treatment.
You should also avoid steaming paper and cardboard products, painted or wallpapered walls, musical instruments, antiques and nylon mesh.
Certain delicate fabrics like silk, chiffon, sheer or velvet have to be handled with extreme care if steamed, and others like suede, waxed fabrics, prints and embellishments, and colours that can turn are an absolute no-no.