What to Look for in a Steam Cleaner

While steam cleaners are constructed to basically produce the same results, there are many differences between each unit that should be considered before making the initial investment. Being aware of the different parts of a steam cleaner will enable you to purchase the unit that will best fit your particular needs. Listed below are some features that any interested consumer should pay close attention to. 

The steam in a steam cleaner is constantly under pressure. This pressure is a factor that should be considered when purchasing a new steam cleaner. The pressure is normally measure by pounds per square inch or PSI. Most steam cleaners that are available in stores today are designed for consumers to use in the home and normally contain a PSI from 58 to 65. Commercial grade steam cleaners will contain a higher PSI and are generally more expensive. 

Temperature and pressure work hand in hand and are the main components of an effective steam cleaner. Most steam cleaners reach a temperature anywhere between 240 and 300 degrees. While a steam cleaner that reaches a higher temperature is ideal, it will typically be more expensive. 

The boiler is the element of the steam cleaner that actually heats up the water to make steam. They are typically constructed from aluminum or steel and are available in different sizes. Tap water is placed in the boiler and after a period of time, (the exact time depends on the particular model) the water is converted to steam through a heating process. It is important to consider the boiler and its size when looking for a new steam cleaner. A larger boiler is able to hold more water which, in turn, produces more steam. This allows the user to clean for a longer period of time without refilling the unit.    On the other hand, smaller boilers are able to heat up the water much quicker and are normally more portable. No matter the size of the boiler, water does have to be added at different times throughout the cleaning process. In fact, often times you are required to turn off the machine and allow it to cool before adding more water. This can be frustrating to some individuals that do a great deal of steam cleaning. There are some steam cleaners that are designed to help with this particular problem. These special types of cleaning systems are known as “continuous fill” steam cleaners. This type of steam cleaner is constructed with a reservoir that is not used for heating the water. Tap water is placed in the reservoir rather than directly in the boiler. The user is able to refill the reservoir at any time while cleaning.   The reservoir is the holding place for cool water and the cool water is automatically moved to the boiler when needed. A continuous fill steam cleaner is great for those individuals that expect to do a vast amount of cleaning at one given time. 

The price of an item is always an important feature to consider, no matter what the investment may be. The price of a steam cleaner will vary from brand to brand and will fluctuate depending on size, style, and available features. The average price of a steam cleaner will normally range anywhere from $50 to $250 and even greater. It is a good idea to first determine your intentions and then decide which features of a steam cleaner are necessary for your particular needs and desires.