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