Steam Cleaning MethodsIf you still don't use steam cleaning as your mat hod to clean your floors and carpets, you have probably heard about how great it is. Steam cleaning works so well because steam provides chemical-free cleaning power that cuts through dirt and grime that builds up on many floors.
And although the steam cleaning method is just one, there is more than one steam cleaning machine you can use. There is the steam mop and the steam cleaners. And it is important that you know the difference between both if you are planing to use one. So, the steam cleaner was especially designed to clean carpets. These type of machine sprays the floor with water and then suction it back up as brushes spin to scour the floor. And though the steam cleaner is specialized for cleaning carpets, it can also be used on hard floors. The water is removed quickly from the floors, but the steam cleaner presents too much moisture for some kinds of floors, like laminated ones so it is not recommendable to use for every kind of floor; the average drying time using a steam cleaner is from two to six hours. And the second kind of steam cleaning, the steam mop, is a little different. A steam mop consists of a plastic head, and this plastic head is covered with a terry cloth pad. Steam is produced and applied to the floor through the pad, and is typically triggered on the handle. After the steam is produced, it leaves a minimal amount of moisture but most of it is quickly absorbed by the pads. Then, the pad also picks up the dirt when it moves across the floor. And unlike the steam cleaner, the small amount of water makes the floor dry within minutes. |
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As you can see, there is an important difference between the two machines, so you have to pay close attention when you choose between the two of them and how much moisture the machine releases. If water gets under the edge of the laminate, the surface can come loose.
And after you choose one machine, both have different ways to be used. You won't follow the same steam cleaning steps using a steam mop as the ones you would follow if you had a steam cleaner. But lucky for you, on the following paragraphs, you will learn the two different ways in which you can steam clean your floor.
METHOD 1: STEAM MOP
This method is great for carpets and fabric upholstery. First, run the vacuum cleaner over the floor or any piece of furniture or drapery you are planing to steam clean. When you vacuum you will remove all lose dirt, lint, etc.
Then, mix a small portion of a cleaning solutions with some hot water. Rubs the solution into a small area of the carpet that is hidden. Wait for ten or fifteen minutes, if there is no discoloration, then you're ready to go, if there was discoloration, dilute the solution with more water.
After that, fill your steam mop with the cleaning solution. Finally, you can start cleaning your carpet. Start from one corner of the carpet and work your way across it. While you are at it, push the mop to release the steam, but then pull back to suck up both the solution and the dirt.
METHOD 2: STEAM CLEANER
This method is good not only for laminated floors, but hardwood and tiles as well. First, remove any loose debris with your dust mop or broom. If there is any loose and visible dirt it can leave scratches when you use the steam cleaner.
But it is recommendable not to use a steam cleaner on a floor that has worn spots because it could result in moisture and cause wrapping on the floor.
With this machine, you will not use any kind of cleaning solution. The best option is to fill the machine's water canister with hot water. But make sure that the filter is clean, if not, rinse it off with hot water.
Then, do the same as with the steam mop. Just start on one side of the room and work your way across it pushing and pulling back the machine.
As you can see, this two methods are very easy and similar to each other. Very little varies from each other, but those small variations can have a huge effect –good or bad– on how your floor will end up looking after you clean it.
Now, although both are very simple techniques that don't require a lot of accuracy or science, there are a lot of people that make mistakes while they are steam cleaning, especially with carpets, which are more delicate. Here are two of those mistakes:
•Oversaturate the carpet: this can become a big problem because the fabric will get very moist –even wet– and it won't dry fast. This will cause the carpet to start growing mold. And to make it even worse, it will smell really bad; you will end up wasting a lot of money on a new carpet or hiring professionals.
•Using it right after the steam cleaning: You have to let the carpets dry well before you start using them. The best way to dry them is leaving them out on the sun so they can dry naturally so it doesn't smell. Or if you don't have the time or patience, you can use a hair dryer.
This are two very simple mistakes that many people make, but you can avoid them very easily. So just avoid them and you can be sure that you will have steam cleaned your carpet successfully.
Steam cleaning truly is very simple and one of the best ways to leave your floors super clean and fresh, the key is to use the appropriate machine and use that machine in the appropriate way.
And after you choose one machine, both have different ways to be used. You won't follow the same steam cleaning steps using a steam mop as the ones you would follow if you had a steam cleaner. But lucky for you, on the following paragraphs, you will learn the two different ways in which you can steam clean your floor.
METHOD 1: STEAM MOP
This method is great for carpets and fabric upholstery. First, run the vacuum cleaner over the floor or any piece of furniture or drapery you are planing to steam clean. When you vacuum you will remove all lose dirt, lint, etc.
Then, mix a small portion of a cleaning solutions with some hot water. Rubs the solution into a small area of the carpet that is hidden. Wait for ten or fifteen minutes, if there is no discoloration, then you're ready to go, if there was discoloration, dilute the solution with more water.
After that, fill your steam mop with the cleaning solution. Finally, you can start cleaning your carpet. Start from one corner of the carpet and work your way across it. While you are at it, push the mop to release the steam, but then pull back to suck up both the solution and the dirt.
METHOD 2: STEAM CLEANER
This method is good not only for laminated floors, but hardwood and tiles as well. First, remove any loose debris with your dust mop or broom. If there is any loose and visible dirt it can leave scratches when you use the steam cleaner.
But it is recommendable not to use a steam cleaner on a floor that has worn spots because it could result in moisture and cause wrapping on the floor.
With this machine, you will not use any kind of cleaning solution. The best option is to fill the machine's water canister with hot water. But make sure that the filter is clean, if not, rinse it off with hot water.
Then, do the same as with the steam mop. Just start on one side of the room and work your way across it pushing and pulling back the machine.
As you can see, this two methods are very easy and similar to each other. Very little varies from each other, but those small variations can have a huge effect –good or bad– on how your floor will end up looking after you clean it.
Now, although both are very simple techniques that don't require a lot of accuracy or science, there are a lot of people that make mistakes while they are steam cleaning, especially with carpets, which are more delicate. Here are two of those mistakes:
•Oversaturate the carpet: this can become a big problem because the fabric will get very moist –even wet– and it won't dry fast. This will cause the carpet to start growing mold. And to make it even worse, it will smell really bad; you will end up wasting a lot of money on a new carpet or hiring professionals.
•Using it right after the steam cleaning: You have to let the carpets dry well before you start using them. The best way to dry them is leaving them out on the sun so they can dry naturally so it doesn't smell. Or if you don't have the time or patience, you can use a hair dryer.
This are two very simple mistakes that many people make, but you can avoid them very easily. So just avoid them and you can be sure that you will have steam cleaned your carpet successfully.
Steam cleaning truly is very simple and one of the best ways to leave your floors super clean and fresh, the key is to use the appropriate machine and use that machine in the appropriate way.