
Here at Steam Clean Reviews, it’s no secret that we love steam cleaning! We use it for just about everything we do on the chore list. One thing we’ve realized in the years we’ve reviewed equipment is that despite our passion for this method, there are still tons of people out there who either don’t know about it at all or don’t know why they should completely change the way they clean up around the house.
We’ve put together this primer to explain why you should get on the steam train, so to speak! Without further ado, let’s run through the key benefits and advantages of cleaning this way.
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It’s non-toxic
Traditionally, cleaning involves lots of chemicals. Whether it’s the toilet bowl cleaner you squirt around the rim, or the bleach cleaner you use to sanitize the kitchen countertops, you’re putting all sorts of chemicals into your air and living space. Many of them are toxic, and very few of them are safe to touch or breathe without gloves or a mask.
Steam cleaning is the complete opposite. No ammonia, bleach, or other harmful chemicals are involved. No fumes, no residues. You certainly have to be careful not to get burned, but the only chemical you’ll be using is tap water!
Since it’s not a chemical treatment, it’s safe for homes with kids and pets. You don’t have to worry about having bottles of poison lying about the place, or about what will happen when Fido licks a surface you sprayed with something potent.
It’s inexpensive
Sure, it costs a chunk of change to buy a steam cleaner. That’s a perfectly valid point. However, this method of cleaning manages to be very cost-effective over the long term. You won’t need to buy chemical products, much less different cleaning solutions for each surface and area in your home. You won’t need to buy as many paper towels or tools, either. All you need is water, your machine, and a good set of attachments. Since these gadgets last for years if properly maintained, they’re very solid investments.
It’s a natural, universal disinfectant
Steam can kill 99.9% of germs and bacteria, just like the best disinfecting cleaners. It’s an easy way to kill germs and viruses to prevent illnesses at home. Steam completely kills mold, too, unlike most chemical solutions. And since it leaves very little residual moisture, you don’t have to worry about mildew.
It’s your best weapon against pests
You can use steam to kill dust mites and bed bugs. It’s more effective than most chemical treatments, and you can avoid insecticides and other toxic chemicals. Steam is penetrative, too, so it goes right to the core of pillows to kill dust mites. Fleas and eggs are no match for steam, either! It’s ideal for sanitizing and de-lousing pet furniture.
It deodorizes naturally
Since steam kills the bacteria that produce unpleasant odors, it can be used to deodorize all over the house. You can use it on dog beds, carpet messes, and bathroom areas.
It’s great for the environment
In addition to being dangerous to you, many common household cleaners are quite bad for the environment.
They often end up being flushed down the drain or washed down the sink, where they go on to cause detrimental effects to the water supply. In fact, the majority of streams and rivers in America have measurable concentrations of disinfectants and detergents. It should be fairly obvious that that’s bad news for wildlife!
Many chemical cleaners also produce harmful vapors. Even though they’ll eventually leave your home, they don’t disappear! Everything that goes out the window ends up in the ecosystem.
Steam is produced using just heat and water, so it’s absolutely harmless!
It works practically anywhere
One of the best things about steam is how universal it is. You can use it all over the house, and on all kinds of surfaces. Here are just a few common uses:
- Any sealed flooring
- Cabinetry
- Walls
- Pet beds and furniture
- Mattresses
- Stovetops/Ovens
- Grills
- Appliances
- Shower
- Tile
- Sinks
- Plumbing fixtures
- Pillows
- Drapery
- Car wheels
- Kids toys
- It’s very convenient
All you have to do to steam clean is fill a water tank, and wait a few moments for the machine to heat up. No bothering with dirty water, a mop bucket, or squeezing out a mop head continually. You don’t need gloves, and you don’t need to get yourself dirty as you clean. There are no streaks or residues left over, and the pads go right in the washer! Surfaces dry quickly, too.
Convinced? Curious, at least? Good! Head over to our home page to learn more, and to see our favorite steam cleaning machines!