Clearing up some Confusion

There is a lot of confusion around the term 'steam cleaning'. There now two types of 'steam' cleaner for the home. Neither really uses real steam- not the kind that comes out of a kettle at any rate.

The two kinds of 'Steam' Cleaning Machines for the Home:

• Conventional steam cleaners: these have been around for decades and are used mainly for cleaning carpets. They don’t use any actual steam in the process instead they clean with water (and need chemical cleaners to work effectively).
• Steam Vapor Cleaners: These are a recent introduction to the market They use high temperature, low moisture vapor and need no chemicals or detergents to clean effectively. They are not easy to use for carpet cleaning but are very effective on hard surfaces like tiled or hardwood floors.

If you interested in a steam vapor cleaner you could try this page:

hubpages.com/hub/Steam-Vapor-Cleaners

Conventional 'Steam' Cleaners

How they Work

These are effective at cleaning carpets and can be used on most hard floor surfaces- though not hardwoods. Water is sprayed onto the surface, Brushes in the cleaning head loosen and lift dirt, the water is sucked up and the dirt is then caught in the cleaner’s filter or sent to a separate tank for disposal. Professional carpet cleaners use these kinds of machines.

Plus Points

• They will kill bacteria, molds and parasites like fleas or house mites.
• They help remove allergens from carpets.
• They are far more effective at removing pet hairs from carpets than vacuum cleaners.
• The best models can make an old, soiled carpet look pretty much like new.

Minus Points

• Some models use large quantities of water. This can mean a big heavy tank or frequent emptying and filling of tanks.
• They need chemical cleaners in the water to be effective
• For carpets there is a long drying time (a few hours at least).
• Some cheaper, older models can leave streaks or 'tide marks' in the carpet.

Is a Steam Vacuum Carpet Cleaner Really Worth Buying?

When it comes to cleaning carpets there are some serious issues with domestic steam cleaners. The most obvious question is- if they are really effective why do so many people prefer to hire equipment? Also if professional equipment costs tens of thousands of dollars (some machines are thirty thousand dollars a pop) is a $200 machine going to deliver?

Having read around all the forums, carpet cleaning results are patchy- literally- with the many kinds of steam carpet cleaners that you buy for the home. Problems include streaks and 'tide marks' left in the carpet. Large areas can mean a lot of emptying and refilling of tanks with some models. Sometimes, machines need a lot of cleaning/maintenance.

On the other hand, if you get the right model, steam vacuum cleaners offer a lot of advantages in home cleaning.The newer, top quality models won't leave streaks. They can work for around twenty or thirty minutes without water changes and this is enough for a medium size carpet.

Best Results

• High traffic areas like hallways will certainly benefit from regular cleaning. Carpets look better, longer.
• For animal lovers, they are a great way to remove pet hair from a carpet.
• They can really improve the lives of people who suffer from allergies by getting rid of the tiny dust particles that ordinary vacuum cleaners don't filter out.

After a lot of research (including bugging my neighbors and friends), the only machines I felt able to recommend were the range from Hoover and the Bissell Upright. These also got favorable reviews on major review sites. Most people, in fact, were delighted with the cleaning ability of these machines.

Both brands have separate tanks for clean and dirty water. The water sucking vacuums are powerful. The tanks are big enough to clean a sizable area. They are sturdy and will last for many years.

If you want to buy online, Amazon routinely offer the best prices on the net. Also the reviews, tips, warnings and recommendations are reliable guides to what you will get. You are pretty much guaranteed to save money on the same model from your local store (often a lot of money).

Hoover F7411-900 SteamVac Dual V Widepath Carpet Cleaner with Powered Handheld Tool, Plum

• Powerful 12 amp motor
• Separate tanks for clean and dirty water.
• Cleans carpets by applying, scrubbing, and removing hot tap water and cleaning solution.
• A wide cleaning path (25% wider than the model below)
• Hot air blown onto the carpet improves cleaning and speeds drying
• Equal suction across the whole cleaning head. Removes more water than any other brand
• 3 speeds for gentle to tough cleaning action
• On boards tools with 8 foot hose ideal for upholstery and stairs
• One year warranty.

Around $170 to buy online

Hoover F5914-900 SteamVac with Clean Surge

A similar specification to the Hoover above but less wide and a little less expensive. It has been the most popular choice on Amazon in recent months, with almost no negative feedback.

• Powerful 12-amp motor; deep cleans with hot tap water and carpet solution
• Five spinning/scrubbing brushes clean carpets, upholstery, bare floors
• Clean Surge feature gives extra burst of cleaning solution for spots or stains
• Two water tanks separate clean from dirty water
• Brush rotation indicator; 8-foot hose; 1-year warranty

Around $150 on Amazon

Bissell 9500 ProHeat 2X CleanShot Upright Deep Cleaner, Red Berends

• The unit's built-in heater heats hot tap water by 25 degrees for maximum results,
• No-heat option for delicate wool or oriental rugs.
• Choose 'light-clean', normal, 'heavy traffic' or rinse settings;
• CleanShot feature sprays a concentrated stream of cleaning solution, to tackle tough stains
• 'Dry Aire' system blows hot air to help dry carpets
• Floating suspension self-adjusts to all carpet heights
• Tools include a 3-inch tough-stain tool, a 4-inch upholstery tool, a spraying in crevices tool, a 6-inch stair cleaning tool, and a TurboBrush,
• one year warranty.

Around $150 online

Tips for Steam Cleaning Carpets

Keep kids out of the Way.

This is not meant to scare you to death but there is a kid's disease that some research has associated with carpet cleaning. The diseases is not especially well understood and its not even proven that carpet cleaning causes it. Given how serious it is though, it's worth mentioning. The disease is called Kawasaki Disease and it affects children under 5 years old. ‘Kawasaki’ might sound a little jokey but it is a genuine and extremely serious condition. Whilst it is rare, it is one of the leading causes of heart disease in very young children. Recommendations are that very young children stay off a steam cleaned carpet for between 72 hours to 4 days.

There is a discussion of the issue here

http://community.discovery.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/4151912904/m/6661971886

Practicalities

• Hoover thoroughly before steam cleaning. Dog hairs especially can cause pipes in your carpet cleaner to get blocked. Stopping to clean out dog hairs can really slow you down.
• Put white paper or plastic under the legs of furniture so that the legs don't rust (and maybe discolor your carpeting).
• Hoover after cleaning to remove any allergens brought to the surface.
• Open windows and doors. The chemical fumes from conventional steam cleaners can cause a reaction with some people. The carpets will dry a lot quicker too.