| Steam cleaners were invented over twenty years | | | | steam hoses rather than steam cleaner hoses that |
| ago in Italy. Since then, this steam cleaning equipment | | | | are permanently attached to the vapor steam |
| has become increasingly more popular throughout the | | | | cleaner. The major problem with attached hoses is an |
| world. Steam cleaners represent a unique cleaning | | | | unexpected hose malfunction requires the user to |
| equipment technology that cannot be matched by | | | | ship the entire steam cleaner back for service, which |
| any other type of cleaning machines. | | | | can be distressing, especially if the steam cleaner is |
| The best steam cleaners are those which are actually | | | | used frequently as is the case for most commercial |
| referred to as vapor steam cleaners, which emit a | | | | and industrial steam cleaning applications. You can |
| much higher and hotter vapor than traditional steam | | | | merely replace the steam hose if you buy steam |
| cleaners. Essentially, vapor steam cleaners emit dry | | | | cleaners with replaceable hoses. We suggest only |
| steam with only about 5% water in the vapor while | | | | replaceable hoses. |
| low-priced steam cleaners lack the power and heat | | | | Continuous-refill steam cleaners, which lack pressure |
| to generate similar dry steam. The steam from these | | | | caps, are outstanding for applications requiring |
| steam cleaners tend to be on the wetter side. | | | | cleaning a large surface area whether for home and |
| Cheap steam cleaner systems are typically | | | | commercial cleaning applications. Those involved in |
| under-powered with pressure levels as low as 15 psi | | | | facilities maintenance, commercial cleaning, hospitality, |
| and much lower temperatures that the more rugged | | | | foodservice, health care and other markets can |
| and commercial steam cleaners. The low end steam | | | | benefit from continuous-refill steam cleaners. Workers |
| cleaners typically are sold in hand-held or relatively | | | | often need to clean for hours and steam cleaners |
| small versions versus higher-quality steam cleaners. | | | | that allow them to clean without stopping are ideal to |
| Inexpensive steam cleaners clearly lack the features | | | | maximize their productivity. Steam cleaners with |
| and performance necessary for most steam cleaning | | | | pressure caps take up to 20 minutes to depressurize, |
| tasks within home, business, and commercial | | | | add water, and reheat. |
| environments. | | | | The construction of the steam cleaner case or |
| Vapor steam cleaners are rated by a variety of | | | | housing is another very important attribute to |
| steam cleaner attributes, namely pressure, | | | | consider when searching for the best steam cleaners. |
| temperature, boiler size, water refill chamber size (if | | | | High quality steam cleaners use either a heavy-duty |
| the steam cleaner allows for continuous-refill), among | | | | plastic casing, one made of stainless steel, or else a |
| other features. The best steam cleaners offer | | | | combination of both. An easy rule to remember is if |
| pressure per square inch (psi) of 65 and more, and | | | | the steam cleaner vendor mentions the case or |
| temperatures over 295°, which is well beyond | | | | housing is metal and the color is anything but stainless |
| sanitizing and disinfecting levels. The benefit of vapor | | | | steel, then the material is absolutely painted sheet |
| steam cleaners is they offer outstanding cleaning | | | | metal. The problem with painted metal cases is they |
| power for applications low-moisture cleaning | | | | will rust over time due to heat generated from the |
| applications. | | | | steam cleaner. |
| The heart of a steam cleaner is the boiler, which is | | | | Do not confuse steam cleaners with carpet steam |
| available in either aluminum or stainless steel, which is | | | | cleaners as they are targeted towards distinctly |
| the best metal for the ultimate in durability and | | | | difference applications. Although they can be used to |
| longevity. Always make sure to research the boiler | | | | spot clean carpet, upholstery, drapes, etc, vapor |
| construction because saving money purchasing an | | | | steam cleaners are designed primarily for hard |
| aluminum-based boiler with a shorter life span will | | | | surfaces they are absolutely not geared towards full |
| most probably results in greater costs later. The best | | | | carpet cleaning applications. |
| commercial steam cleaners and industrial steam | | | | Carpet steam cleaners are actually a type of carpet |
| cleaners come with at least stainless steel boilers. | | | | cleaner, which is dedicated to carpet cleaning tasks. |
| Sacrificing boiler quality can result in steam cleaner | | | | The bottom line is if your application calls for carpet |
| downtime and boiler replacement at costs up to and | | | | cleaning, then buy a carpet steam cleaner if you |
| over $700.00. | | | | desire heat, but absolutely do not buy a vapor steam |
| The best steam cleaners are bundled with replaceable | | | | cleaner. |