Steam Mops 101: How They Work
Steam cleaning is a popular cleaning method among households today. It’s an efficient and powerful cleaning tool, which helps you avoid using toxic chemicals.
Steam mops are capable of tackling your flooring and carpets quicker than the good old mop and bucket combo. They can even kill as much as 99.99% of bacteria and germs lurking in your home when used properly. As a result, you’ll have a healthier and safer environment. It’s also an environmentally-friendly option for keeping your home clean.
Nevertheless, some homeowners are still skeptical about working with these household appliances. If you’re one of them, this article is for you. We’ll provide all the essential information about steam cleaners so that you can get the most out of it. Find out what they can do and the many benefits they present not only for your home but your health as well.
So How Does A Steam Mop Work?
The idea behind a steam mop is not as complex as one would think. It heats your ordinary tap water in its internal boiler and increases its temperature to about 500F to create steam. The steam vapor is low moisture and is released through the machine’s cleaning mop head as it cools down to about 230F.
The steam works by loosening grime on your floors or walls. You’ll then utilize the cleaning pad attached to its head to wipe the filth away. This home appliance can also eliminate hard stains, which means you don’t have to go down and get dirty scrubbing your flooring.
One of the best features of this cleaning equipment is that you will be able to disinfect your space and eradicate all sorts of nasty bacteria which can potentially put your health at risk. Also, you don’t need to use toxic chemicals to disinfect your home.
If you’re considering one for your home, use this link to find out about the top-rated, chemical-free steam mops available on the market today.
Where Can I Use A Steam Cleaner?
All types of floor cleaners that utilize the power of hot vapor are intended for cleaning of bare floors such as the following:
- Hardwood
- Laminate
- Marble
- Vinyl
- Stone
- Ceramic tile
Still, they are not ideal for handling floorings where some areas are unwaxed, and some are waxed. It may just diminish their shine. Additionally, these devices shouldn’t be applied to any unsealed wood floorings.
It’s a good idea to test a portion of your home’s floor surface first to be on the safe side. Also, make sure to run through the manual of your steam machine before starting your chore.
The Difference Between Traditional And Steam Mops
Traditional mops will take up a lot of your time. They also require a lot of physical effort on your part. Dirt simply moves around, and even if you’re mopping as hard as you can, it’ll still leave some residue behind. Using the innovative steam cleaner can eradicate all of these issues. Also, since it produces extremely hot temperatures, it kills bacteria, germs, and dust mites in your house.
What Can My Steam Mop Clean?
Aside from flooring and walls, you may also safely use your steam mop on plenty of other surfaces in your home, including:
- Sinks
- Grout
- Carpeting
- Showers
- Ovens
- Grills
- Mattress
- Countertops
- Upholstery
- Stovetops
- Glass
However, it is still dependent on the model of your steam cleaning device. You also need to purchase special attachments or accessories to do specific jobs.
How You Can Use Steam Cleaners
You don’t need to follow tedious instructions to manage a steam mop. You can prepare your floor surface or area for steaming by first sweeping or vacuum-cleaning it.
As you make passes on a surface, press the cleaner’s trigger to emit the vapor. Leave it at an area for at least 15 to 20 seconds but not longer, if you want to disinfect it fully. When it stops releasing steam vapor or mist, you need to refill the cleaner’s water tank. When it does, unplug it first, remove its water reservoir, refill with tap water and continue with the task.
Your sturdy steam mop will generate warm vapor for a few seconds after the initial application. It may take the water about 10 to 15 seconds to reach the heater from the filter.
How To Clean Your Floor
Step 1: Evaluate your flooring area
Keep in mind that too much moisture can ruin some types of surfaces, so ensure that you only use the steam cleaner on sealed flooring. Additionally, if you need to take care of something elsewhere, unplug the mop first, and never take your eyes away from it for too long when it is plugged in. Vapor can gather in the mop pad, which can potentially damage your floorings. It’s also recommended to ask your flooring manufacturer for any information and advice about steam cleaning your home and its surfaces.
Step 2: Prepare the floor
Before you steam clean the floor of your house, vacuum or sweep it. You want to avoid dirtying up the mop pad with dust, debris, and lint present on the surface. When you’re finished, you may begin steaming your space.
Step 3: Prepare the mop pads
Prepare your mop pads to evade any smears or trails of filth when steaming the walls or floors. They’ll also come in handy when the one you’re using requires changing. Don’t worry, these pads are affordable, machine-washable, and you can easily hang them up to dry.
Step 4: It’s time to steam clean
If the flooring of your house is safe for vapor cleaning, you can now proceed with the task at hand. Attach the mop pad to the bottom of your steam mop. Fill the water reservoir and then power it up accordingly. Make sure that your machine is continuously moving when you’re washing your surface. Don’t leave it idle on any area.
When the pad gets messy, replace it immediately to avoid spreading grime throughout your surface. To achieve efficient cleaning, make several mild passes over the whole floor area.
Step 5: Wash your mop pads afterwards
Carefully read the instructions of the manufacturer on how to wash the pads. But usually, you can wash these attachments together with your white clothes. Hang them up to air dry. Ensure you have enough stock of mop pads so that you’re always ready when it’s time to wash your flooring again.
And finally
Steam mops are an exceptional household tool that you can employ to maintain and cleanse your flooring. Its sanitizing power ensures that your whole house is safe for the entire family. But make sure to sweep and vacuum first to loosen and get rid of dirt before steam cleaning for optimal results.