| It's been over twenty years now since steam | | | | with permanently-attached hoses, you'll have to send |
| cleaning machines were invented in Italy. Since that | | | | the entire machine back to the manufacturer when |
| time, the popularity of steam cleaning has | | | | they need to be replaced. This can be both |
| sky-rocketed all over the world, mainly because no | | | | expensive and a nuisance if you have some big jobs |
| other type of cleaning or cleaning machines seem to | | | | coming up. You can avoid these problems by buying |
| work as deeply and as thoroughly as steam cleaners | | | | a steam cleaner with replaceable hoses in the first |
| do. | | | | place. Cheaper isn't always better! |
| One type of machine, called a vapor steam cleaner, | | | | If you're planning to clean large areas with your |
| gives out hotter vapor at a much higher pressure | | | | steam cleaner, you'll want one that has a continuous |
| which makes it the best on the market. While | | | | refill feature. These are great for use in facilities |
| lower-priced cleaners don't have the power and | | | | maintenance, hospitality jobs, commercial cleaning, |
| temperatures that can generate very dry steam, the | | | | health care, and other agencies which have a high |
| vapor cleaner is hot enough to dry the steam so | | | | demand for cleaning. Continuous fill will allow you to |
| that only about 5% of the water remains in it. Dryer | | | | work for hours without stopping periodically to refill |
| steam means that whatever you clean won't end up | | | | the tank, so you'll be able to maximize your |
| wet and need to be dried for an extended period. | | | | productivity and your profit. You don't want a cleaner |
| You can buy a home steam cleaner fairly | | | | with a pressure cap, either as it can take up to 20 |
| inexpensively in either a handheld version or a smaller | | | | minutes to depressurize the unit, refill, and reheat the |
| replica of expensive machines. These cleaners are | | | | water. |
| advertised so that they look like they perform just | | | | Another aspect to look for when buying a steam |
| as well as having a professional steam cleaner come | | | | cleaner is the quality and durability of the machine's |
| into your home, but that's a long way from the truth. | | | | housing. The best quality cleaners will have a |
| The pressure levels and temperatures these | | | | heavy-duty plastic housing, stainless steel, or both. |
| machines operate at are significantly lower. They also | | | | Don't let a salesman talk you into anything else. Even |
| lack the features and performance levels that will | | | | if he tells you that a machine has a solid metal casing, |
| make them very effective. | | | | if it doesn't look like stainless steel, it's nothing but |
| When looking at vapor steam cleaners, there are | | | | painted sheet metal. The problem with these cleaners |
| several things to look for: temperature, pressure, the | | | | is that after exposure to heat and water, a metal |
| size of the boiler, size of the water tank, and | | | | housing will begin to rust. |
| whether the machine allows for continuous fill. The | | | | There is a difference between general-purpose |
| best cleaners you'll find will have a pressure of at | | | | steam cleaners and carpet steam cleaners, and they |
| least 65 psi, and temperatures above 295°. By | | | | are designed to do two completely different |
| having these features, you know the machine will | | | | functions. Although you can use a steam cleaner to |
| both sanitize and disinfect well. | | | | spot clean carpets, drapes, and upholstery, it's made |
| The boiler is probably the most important part of a | | | | for use on hard surfaces and not cleaning entire |
| steam cleaner, and you can buy models with either | | | | carpets. If you're planning to work on carpets as well |
| aluminum or stainless steel. Of course, stainless steel | | | | as hard surfaced areas, you'll need a separate carpet |
| will guarantee a maximum of longevity and durability. | | | | steam cleaning unit. |
| Although stainless will cost more initially, in the long | | | | Whatever you're cleaning, you'll find that you can do |
| run it will prove to be the most cost-effective. If you | | | | it better with steam. Whether you're interested in |
| opt for a cheaper aluminum boiler, you may end up | | | | home applications or going into business for yourself, |
| replacing it somewhere down the road which will cost | | | | you'll be able to find a steam cleaner that will meet |
| of more than $700. | | | | your needs. Just keep the tips in this article in mind |
| Another feature you'll want your steam cleaner to | | | | when you go out to purchase your steam cleaner, |
| have is replaceable steam hoses. If you buy a cleaner | | | | and you'll end up with a great machine. |