steam cleaner: How good are they?

steam cleaner: How good are they?
A new type of device and its special features

Without effort and chemicals, steam cleaners should ensure cleanliness in the household. However, the so-called all-rounders are not always useful and rarely safe.

Iron, Wipe, Window cleaning is one of the least popular household chores. This should be over now. A new type of electrical device should make this work much easier and make cleaning agents superfluous: steam cleaner. Household dirt can only be tackled with tap water and without cleaning substances. At least that's what the manufacturers claim.

In fact, a lot can be done very thoroughly with hot steam, clean hygienically and effortlessly. However, one should pay particular attention to a few critical points when purchasing such a device.

In terms of security in particular, not all of the devices on offer are mature. Splash water protection on the nozzle or steam outlet opening is important, so that moisture cannot get into the housing and there on live parts. You should also pay attention to that, that the power switch on the handpiece is waterproof. Otherwise there is a risk of a short circuit or an electric shock.

Anyone who wants to use the steam cleaner to clean windows, should pay attention, that the hose is long enough. The device would otherwise have to be on a shelf next to the window. There should also be switches and steam controls on the handpiece for this need, so you don't have to climb down the ladder, to regulate the steam output.

Before buying a device, you should also be aware of this, what the steam cleaner is to be used for. The number of attachments and nozzles is different for all models. There is also an iron for some devices, which can use the large steam supply. However, left-handers should pay attention to manageability: Not all irons are suitable for them.

Where hot steam does a lot

Steam cleaners are ideal for cleaning tiled surfaces and polished stone floors, because you can work with them quickly and effortlessly. They also prove themselves, when profiled or corrugated surfaces are to be cleaned, because the steam penetrates every crack. Even owners of conservatories and greenhouses can make their life easier with steam cleaners, because large panes are easy to clean with it – provided the hose is long enough, to reach the whole area.

It becomes critical, if waxed or sealed stone- and parquet floors to be cleaned, because the hot steam can dissolve or destroy the protective layer. Untreated wood swells under steam, and PVC floors, which are not fully bonded, can make waves.

Because the steam is under very high pressure and about 100 degrees hot exits the nozzle, loose paintwork or foam seals on window frames can also come loose. As a rule, the steam cleaner is used with a cleaning cloth in front of the nozzle, which absorbs and prevents dirt, that dirty spray water leaves stains. It is important e.g. B. while cleaning the windows, where wallpaper and curtains should not be soiled by splashing water. When cleaning the window folds you have to work with the nozzle. Newspaper placed underneath can protect the carpet against stains. When ironing, an interruption in the steam supply can leave stains on the textiles.

You should generally be careful when treating porous materials such as wood, textiles and leather. Here it makes sense, Test the material for heat resistance and color fastness in a hidden area before steaming. Particular attention is recommended when cleaning live parts, for example from ovens, microwave ovens or extractor hoods, here the steam can penetrate into the joints and cause serious short circuits.

wallpaper under steam

The steam cleaner can also be useful when renovating: Old wallpaper can be softened very quickly and then easily removed. To create large areas, wide nozzles are used for this purpose and the wall is treated evenly in strips.