| Copyright (c) 2007 The Janitorial Store | | | | kitchens. |
| Are you looking for a way to clean that involves less | | | | * Because vapor cleaning uses only water, there is |
| elbow grease? Are you looking for a healthier way to | | | | no chemical residue left behind after cleaning. |
| clean? Have you considered switching to vapor | | | | * Less physical effort is needed, meaning less |
| steam cleaning? Vapor steam cleaning is a unique | | | | burnout by your employees. |
| cleaning method that uses high temperature (240 to | | | | Advanced Vapor Technologies, which makes several |
| 280 degrees), water vapor, and pressure to clean, | | | | models of steam vapor cleaning systems, recently |
| sanitize and deodorize in one easy operation. | | | | worked with the cleaning staff at the University of |
| Although these systems have been around since the | | | | Washington. One of the daunting tasks that staff has |
| 1970s, the early models were expensive and | | | | is to clean a 123,312 square foot library, which is open |
| cumbersome. Models of steam vapor machines on | | | | 24 hours a day. Technical specialists from Advanced |
| the market today are lighter, easier to use, and | | | | Vapor Technologies trained custodial workers on the |
| affordable. | | | | use of their Mondo Vap 2400 steam vapor cleaning |
| How does the cleaning process work? Steam vapor | | | | system. They conducted a six-week test to |
| machines heat tap water to an extremely high | | | | determine the effectiveness of the equipment. |
| temperature so the water forms a fine, dry mist. | | | | The equipment was well received by the staff who |
| There is no need to use chemicals in the cleaning | | | | noted that the extension handle made cleaning |
| process - the heat actually does the cleaning for you. | | | | hard-to-reach areas - such as behind toilets and |
| The water is placed in a sealed boiler and heated until | | | | urinals - much easier. Using the equipment took no |
| it gets to the right temperature. This usually takes | | | | more time than the traditional methods of cleaning |
| about 25 minutes until the system is ready to use. | | | | and there was a higher degree of cleanliness and |
| It is the dry steam that dislodges soil and stains. The | | | | reduced drying time. The risk of cross contamination |
| high temperature softens grease and oils that make | | | | was also minimized since no dirty mop water or |
| soil stick to surfaces. The steam also gets into those | | | | mops were used throughout the restrooms. If |
| hard to clean areas - sliding door tracks, window sills, | | | | cleaning staff faced tough soils, they pretreated with |
| and the nooks and crannies that can be difficult to | | | | a non-VOC solution before using the steam vapor |
| clean. Once the pressure of the steam dislodges soil, | | | | system. This process proved to be more efficient |
| grease and debris, it is wiped or vacuumed away. | | | | than either steam or chemicals used alone. |
| The surface is left not only clean, but sanitized. The | | | | You can use the machines to clean floors, walls, |
| high temperatures used in the cleaning process not | | | | ceilings, windows, carpet, kitchens, bathrooms, blinds, |
| only cleans, but also kill germs and bacteria. | | | | glass, and upholstery. Because of the heat of the |
| Vapor steam systems use as little as 1 - 1 � | | | | steam, the systems are not practical for surfaces |
| quarts of water per hour. This is because the vapor | | | | that are heat sensitive - such as silks, some thin |
| is created at a high temperature with very low | | | | plastics, and some types of velour upholstery. |
| moisture content. The vapor contains only 5 or 6% | | | | Steam vapor systems are available for both |
| water, so there is less mess and surfaces dry quickly, | | | | residential and commercial use. Residential systems |
| usually in 15 minutes. Safety concerns of using steam | | | | start out with a price tag of around $400. |
| are slight, as the temperature of the steam drops | | | | Commercial systems run from $1600 to $3200. |
| dramatically as it leaves the machine and merges with | | | | Although steam vapor systems have been around |
| the surrounding air. | | | | for many years, the first models were cumbersome, |
| The overall benefits of using a vapor cleaning system | | | | expensive and ineffective. Models that have been |
| include: | | | | introduced in the last couple of years are efficient, |
| * Equipment is easy to use and has great | | | | compact, easy to use, and affordable. With the |
| accessibility. Steam vapor units can reach into those | | | | continued interest in green cleaning, the investment in |
| small spaces and corners that traditional cleaning | | | | a steam vapor system is one way to decrease the |
| methods have a hard time reaching. | | | | use of chemicals while still ensuring that you have a |
| *As no chemicals are used, there is a benefit to | | | | high degree of cleanliness. New technologies can be |
| indoor air quality. In addition, it reduces the risks and | | | | tough to incorporate into your existing cleaning |
| hazards that come with chemical use, and there is no | | | | protocol, but a steam vapor cleaning system can be |
| chemical residue left after the cleaning process. | | | | an easy and profitable adjustment for your cleaning |
| * Vapor systems are great for carpet spot removal. | | | | company. |
| * Vapor cleaning kills mold spores in bathrooms and | | | | |