Types of Steam Cleaners

As stated before, there are many considerations when buying a steam cleaner. The type of steam cleaner that will fit your needs is probably the most important decision to make. There are big differences between vapor steam cleans and the traditional steam cleaner.

• Vapor Cleaners – Vapor cleaners have been used in Europe for many years but are relatively new to the United States. The vapor steam cleaner uses steam at a high temperature and a low level of moisture. Vapor cleaners normally use less than six percent water unlike the traditional steam cleaner that uses hot water and detergent to clean. As a result, you will not get as wet a carpet with the vapor cleaner as with the steam cleaner. Carpet cleaned with a vapor cleaner typically takes about 15 minutes to dry. Most vapor steam cleaners look like a vacuum cleaner but they do not actually vacuum. At high temperatures and pressures, steam reaches the organic materials deep down in the surface. They bring dirt and debris to the top of the carpet but do not actually remove it. You will want to vacuum after using the vapor cleaner to remove the dirt. The vapor cleaner sanitizes and deodorizes without the use of chemicals. Vapor cleaners work great on brand new carpeting or for cleaning small areas.

• Steam Cleaners – The traditional steam cleaner while called a steam cleaner actually does not use steam at all. Steam cleaners are really carpet cleaners. The steam cleaner sprays a mixture of very hot water and detergent onto the carpet. The water reaches the surface to be cleaned at a temperature near boiling. The carpet fibers are then agitated with powered brushes. Suction is used to extract the water and dirt. Steam cleaners can clean a much larger area quicker than a vapor cleaner. On consumer opinion sites there were a couple of complaints that showed up quite often. As stated earlier, people tend to expect their carpets to look brand new which is normally not the case. One of the most common complaints found was that steam cleaners tend to leak. Steam cleaners come in upright models and portable or hand-held models.

o Upright – Upright models look more like the traditional vacuum cleaner. They are easier to store than portable models and typically come with more attachments. Uprights normally hold one gallon, which is enough to clean one room. Most models turn off automatically when the dirty-water tank needs to be emptied.

o Portable – Portable models are typically used on upholstery, stairs, and the inside of your car. Bissell has a model that is said to be hands free. You can place this model on top of the stain and it works to remove the spot. Most portable models do not get as good a review as the upright models. There are complaints of portable models breaking and the noise level.

• Hard Surface Floor Steam Cleaners - These appliances can be used on any hard surface. They can clean a 25” radius. The hard floor steam cleaners use no chemicals. By using plain tap water they sanitize and clean hardwood floors with 220 degrees of steam.