How to disinfect with a steam cleaner: The Ultimate Guide

Do you know how to disinfect with a steam cleaner? What exactly does this mean? Cleaning surfaces using low-pressure steam to remove water-soluble contaminants is known as steam cleaning. Surface preparation is accomplished using this process before paints or coatings are applied. Steam cleaning eliminates pollutants, including dirt, oil, grease, and other soluble compounds. Do you want to know how to disinfect with a steam cleaner?

It destroys 99.99% of germs and bacteria in your home quickly and naturally. It’s the best technique to clean carpets, kill bedbugs, and remove dirt. Steam removes other microscopic particles from surface pores using heated vapor molecules, and these heated vapor molecules eliminate even the most formidable diseases. 

Choosing a steam cleaner for disinfection

Choosing a steam cleaner for disinfection
Source: https://steamaustralia.com

You might narrow your search for “the one” by familiarizing yourself with their various varieties. So, have gathered the most common steam cleaner kinds that each reader should be familiar with.

Types of steam cleaner

  • Handheld steam cleaner

The handheld steam cleaners are convenient in size and portability and ideal for light cleaning tasks. Among the many uses for these disinfecting wipes is sterilizing upholstered furniture, draperies, and other materials used for home decor.

With their compact size and low weight, they can be carried anywhere and used to clean any cloth. It doesn’t weigh you down, and it doesn’t move around too much on your wrist. Carpets, rugs, pillows, and furniture can all be cleaned with only one cup of tap water and a steam cleaner.

  • Steam mops

The reservoir inside the mop can heat water to around 250 degrees Fahrenheit. The mop pad, linked to the mop’s head, receives steam from the water reservoir. The pad will pick up dirt, grime off the floor, and help clean it. Make sure there is no caked-on muck or grit on the floor before steam mopping.

It would be best if you first vacuumed the floor. Since mop pads grow grimy over time, it’s a good idea to maintain a supply at home and swap them out as needed.

  • Vapor steam cleaner

These cleaning tools, often called steam vapor systems, use steam to clean dirty surfaces and swiftly dry them after washing. As a result of the fact that these home appliances provide the same range of applications and advantages as cylinder steam cleaners, they often need clarification with one another. Vapor steam cleaners can effectively clean various floorings, coverings, and items because they are equipped with diverse functions and accessories.

With these various kinds of steam cleaners, you know how to disinfect with steam cleaners. Let’s move on to the factors considered when choosing a steam cleaner for disinfection.

Factors to consider when choosing a steam cleaner for disinfection

  • Two distinct types of steam cleaners exist: To clean your home, you may choose between two different kinds of steam cleaners. Both the stick-style portable and the vapor-style steamers are available. You need to know what kind you’re after to avoid feeling overwhelmed throughout your search. 
  • To shop, consider your cleaning requirements: Don’t be fooled into thinking you need to upgrade because of all the bells and whistles someone claims it has. Keep in mind that despite reaching temperatures of up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, a portable steam cleaner is ineffective for cleaning grout. 
  • Be sure you’re within the warranty’s time frame: A year is a standard warranty length for vapor steamers, but you should check the specifics of the guarantee for the model you’re considering buying.

Preparation before disinfection – Safety precautions when using a steam cleaner

  • Discontinue usage if there is evidence of frayed wire or a damaged plug.
  • Avoid getting the cleaner on or near any exposed wiring or outlets.
  • It would help if you never altered the way your steam cleaner works.
  • For instance, if you want to steam clean your windows, you shouldn’t do it on a day when the temperature drop may cause the glass to shatter.

Disinfecting with a steam cleaner

You have to follow few protocols while disinfecting an area using a steam cleaner.

While cleaning and disinfecting your surfaces, use the brush attachment and detail nozzle with your steam cleaner. First, clear up any messes that may have occurred, and then, with the brush attachment, run the nozzle of your steam cleaner over the tabletop. Put on the detail nozzle to clean the grout lines, seams, and corners that are difficult to access. Then all you need to do is wipe the surfaces off with a fresh towel.

Maintenance of steam cleaner

These easy-to-follow guidelines will ensure that your steam cleaner or steam mop continues to function effectively and efficiently even after you’ve purchased it.

Restoring the Optimal Performance of Your Steam Mop and Steam Cleaner:

  • If you need to wash any cleaning clothes or towels that came into contact with our steam cleaner, please use hot water and no fabric softener. Tumble drying the steam cleaning cloths is an option if you don’t have any drying sheets, but air drying is preferable.
  • Cleaning with a steam cleaner is not recommended since the chemicals released by the sheets and absorbed by the fabrics during heating might be transferred to the water in the steam.
  • Always use a moist towel to wipe off your steam cleaner before and after each usage. Using this method will reduce the accumulation of dust and other particulate matter that may otherwise disperse throughout your house while in operation.
  • It’s important to descale your machine regularly since water naturally includes minerals that may accumulate (in the form of limescale) in the boiler tank of your steam cleaner and reduce its efficiency.
  • Use the limescale remover included with your steam cleaner for optimal performance, or create your own.

So, did you understand how to disinfect with a steam cleaner? Let’s know how long does it take steam to disinfect?

How long does it take steam to disinfect?

Regarding sterilizing porous loads and equipment, the usual temperature range is 132–135 degrees Celsius, and the standard exposure period is three to four minutes. In the steam cycle, as with other types of sterilizing systems, mechanical, chemical, and biological monitoring are all used, although to a lesser or greater extent. 

Conclusion

So, have you understood now how to disinfect with a steam cleaner? Without harmful chemicals, steam cleaners are the perfect multipurpose tool for keeping your house clean and sanitary. To steam clean, you must fill a tank with distilled water, turn on the machine, and wait a few minutes for it to heat up. You can then proceed to clean without needing a mop, bucket, gloves, or sponges.