Steam cleaning is an effective way to clean floors and leave them looking brand new. Here is an in-depth look at how steam cleaning works and why it’s a great option for cleaning floors.
How Steam Cleaning Works
Steam cleaners work by generating super heated steam that is released through a handheld wand or attachment. The extremely hot steam helps loosen and lift dirt, grease, and grime from the floors.
There are a few ways steam is able to clean so effectively:
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The heat – The steam is usually between 250-330°F. This high heat helps melt and dissolve grease and sticky messes.
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Moisture – The steam provides the right amount of moisture to loosen dirt and stains without oversaturating the floors.
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Agitation – Steam cleaners have accessories like brushes and scrub pads that provide the agitation needed to lift embedded dirt and stains.
Benefits of Steam Cleaning Floors
There are many reasons why steam cleaning is an excellent choice for cleaning floors such as tile, stone, laminate, vinyl, and more:
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Deeper clean – Steam cleaning allows you to clean deeper into the floors and grout lines than just using a mop. The pressurized steam can reach deep into crevices to sanitize and remove built-up grime.
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Chemical-free – Steam cleaners use only water, so there is no need for adding chemical cleaners. This makes steam cleaning a great option for families with young kids or pets.
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versatile – Steam cleaners can clean a wide variety of hard surface floors and other areas like countertops, appliances, windows, and more. One steam cleaner can replace many cleaning products.
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Cost-effective – Although the initial investment in a steam cleaner is more than a mop, over time it pays for itself since you don’t need to purchase chemical cleaners and replaces mop heads.
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Sanitizing – The super heated steam kills 99.9% of germs and bacteria as it cleans. This makes it perfect for cleaning floors in kitchens and bathrooms.
Step-By-Step Guide to Steam Cleaning Floors
Follow these steps to use a steam cleaner effectively to clean floors:
1. Vacuum or Sweep
It’s best to start by vacuuming or sweeping the floor first to remove loose dirt and debris. This prevents pushing the dirt around while steam cleaning. Pay special attention to corners and along baseboards.
2. Pre-treat Stains
Use a steam cleaner’s attachments to pre-treat any tough stains. Let the super heated steam work on the stain for 30-60 seconds before scrubbing with a pad. This helps loosen set-in stains.
3. Fill Water Reservoir
Make sure to fill the steam cleaner’s water reservoir per the manufacturer’s instructions. Using distilled water can help prevent mineral deposits from building up in the steam cleaner over time.
4. Steam Clean Floor
Work in sections using smooth, overlapping strokes. Cover an area of about 2×2 ft at a time. Use a scrub pad attachment if necessary. Don’t let the steam linger too long in one spot to prevent excess moisture.
5. Mop Up Excess Moisture
Use a clean, dry microfiber mop to mop up any excess moisture left behind after steam cleaning. This prevents standing water or streaks.
6. Allow Floor to Dry
It’s important to keep people and pets off the floors while drying. The floors may look dry but can still have moisture deeper down. Allow at least 30-60 minutes dry time.
Conclusion
Steam cleaning is an effective way to deep clean hard surface floors and leave them looking their best. The super heated steam can reach deep into crevices, killing germs and removing set-in dirt. Just be sure to vacuum first, work in sections, mop up moisture, and allow time to dry. Follow these tips and steam cleaning will leave floors gleaming.
