Cleanliness guru, or how to properly clean your home with a steam cleaner

A powerful steam cleaner, complete with various attachments, helps keep your home perfectly clean and effectively fight bacteria and germs.

You should not expect that the device will do everything for the owner; you will have to remove streaks of dissolved contaminants with your own hands. This fact often causes confusion and doubt whether an expensive unit is needed.

To understand how useful it is on the farm, it is enough to get acquainted with its capabilities. We'll talk about cleaning with a steam cleaner in the article.

In what cases is it used?

The device is suitable for processing almost all surfaces. It allows you to save on household chemicals and disinfectants. You can’t do without it if the housewife intends to keep the house squeaky clean and is ready for systematic, thorough cleaning.

Situations in which you cannot cope without a device:

• cleaning the kitchen, bathroom and toilet;
• disinfection of surfaces in the nursery and elimination of pathogenic microbes;
• ironing large laundry (for example, duvet covers, sheets) and items that are contraindicated in contact with the surface of the iron;
• cleaning the car interior or upholstered furniture.

The steam cleaner handles delicate tasks with ease. For example, processing capricious suede or a fragile crystal chandelier.

How to use the device?

The operating principle of the device is simple. Distilled, filtered or boiled water is poured into a special reservoir. When turned on, the thermostat heats it to a high temperature (115-155 °C). This allows the production of steam with low pressure and moisture content.

The liquid boils and the pressure increases. As soon as the valve opens, the stream instantly passes into the steam line and exits the nozzle.

To operate the device, you must read the manufacturer's instructions. Special techniques and attachments are used to clean various products and interior items.

For plumbing

To avoid inhaling the fumes of aggressive components of cleaning products for toilets, bathtubs and sinks, it is enough to arm yourself with a steam cleaner and two nozzles. Soap and limescale deposits will quickly dissolve under the action of hot steam. If the layer is thick, you can additionally scrub the surface with a brush.

To clean the toilet, it is recommended to use a narrow nozzle. It will penetrate into hard-to-reach places, for example, under the rim, effectively remove deposits and destroy microorganisms.

If the plaque does not budge the first time, you need to treat the surface with table vinegar or citric acid, let it work, rinse off and continue the procedure. The steam cleaner can be used to clean acrylic bathtubs and chrome components without the risk of damaging them.

Using a Karcher steam cleaner in a bathroom - in the video:

For cleaning windows

Steam treatment is best done in the warm season.You will need a handheld nozzle with a microfiber cover, a point nozzle and a rubber tie.

Algorithm of actions:

• wipe the glass with a hand nozzle;
• steam from top to bottom using a point nozzle;
• collect excess moisture with a screed.

If there is too much moisture, the rubber attachment of the coupler should be wiped dry so that there are no streaks left on the glass surface.

Karcher will tell you how to clean windows with a steam cleaner this article.

Cushioned furniture

Suitable not only for cleaning local contamination of sofas, mattresses and armchairs, the steam cleaner copes with preventive cleaning, disinfection and eliminates dust.

Algorithm of actions:

1. Prepare several microfiber cloths.
2. Pour distilled or boiled water into the tank.
3. Wait for it to warm up.
4. Treat an inconspicuous area of ​​the upholstery to ensure that the fabric will not be damaged by the steam.
5. Gradually clean the entire surface, each time wiping off softened dirt and dust with a napkin.

If it is necessary to locally get rid of a stain, the nozzle of the device is directed at an angle, as if trying to blow off the contamination.

Tile

The device is suitable for preventing the appearance and removal of lime and soap deposits. Using a point nozzle, the jet must be directed to the surface and carefully treat each area. Direction of movement – ​​from top to bottom.

Don’t rush and move the nozzle quickly; the plaque should dissolve completely.After steam treatment, the remaining dirt must be collected with a napkin and the surface wiped dry. If the plaque layer does not respond to steam, the problem areas should be brushed and the procedure repeated.

Tile seams are a breeding ground for germs and dirt, they require careful care. The algorithm for processing them is the same.

Toys

Household chemicals can cause an allergic reaction in a child. Teddy bears and textile dolls do not tolerate prolonged contact with water. Soft toys quickly become dirty.

In a hopeless situation, a steam cleaner will deal with the problem quickly and effectively. A jet of steam from a hand-held device will clean and disinfect the surface without the use of special means. All that remains is to thoroughly dry the product.

Curtains, fabrics

Steam treatment noticeably refreshes textiles and removes excess odors, lint and pet hair.

Rules for caring for fabrics using the device:

1. Place it parallel to the surface being treated.
2. Adjust the steam jet. For delicate fabric it should be minimal, for dense fabric it should be more powerful.
3. Clean clothes without removing them from hangers, and use a special attachment to collect small particles from the fabric. The clothes will be fresh and ironed.
4. Avoid over-wetting the surface; collect excess moisture with paper napkins.
5. Keep the nozzle at a distance when processing fur products so that the steam jet does not penetrate deep into the fur.

There is no need to remove curtains to process them. Using a special nozzle, it is necessary to direct the steam jet parallel to the surface. Movements should be smooth and directed from top to bottom. There is no need to dry the products; they will dry naturally.

Carpets

Rugs and carpets are cleaned with steam, adhering to the following sequence:

• remove debris from the product, you can use a regular vacuum cleaner;
• process the carpet, moving from the far wall to the entrance doors, several times;
• remove softened dirt with a brush or napkins;
• dry the surface with a vacuum cleaner or paper towels.

The result of the work is a clean and fresh carpet with fluffy pile and rich color. A floor-standing model of the device can cope with the task.

Hard to reach places

Hoods, radiators, seams, baseboards, furniture grooves and narrow distances between sofa cushions - all this cannot be cleaned efficiently with bare hands. The narrow nozzle of the device will easily penetrate into any hole, and hot steam will dissolve even old dirt. One wipe with a rag and any structure will shine clean without much effort.

Kitchen

The steam cleaner is ideal for treating the smooth, polished surfaces of modern kitchens.

The main problem in this area is grease, soot and soot., which give an untidy appearance to household appliances, furniture and wall coverings.

A specially fitted nozzle will help restore radiant cleanliness; dried stains can be removed with a brush. The steam will dissolve old grease stains, but you will have to remove their remains with a soft cloth.

To avoid streaks, the surface must be rubbed with a dry cloth.. The result will be ideal on any material - metal, glass ceramics, chrome components.

The device can cope with a more complex task. It is indispensable for cleaning metal grates of ovens, stoves, barbecues, skewers and barbecues.

Pros and cons of using

The popularity of steam cleaners is explained by their capabilities.

Device:

1. Perfectly disinfects. Effectively destroys staphylococci, streptococci, fungus, moth larvae, helminth eggs of bedbugs and dust mites.
2. Eliminates the use of household chemicals that pose a danger to human health due to aggressive components.
3. Does not require personal protective equipment when working: rubber gloves, respirator.
4. Universal for all surfaces. Equally effective on hard and textile materials.
5. Improves indoor air quality. Eliminates allergens: unpleasant and pungent odors, dust, tobacco smoke.
6. It has a simple design. Rarely breaks, easy to repair.

Like any household appliance, a steam cleaner has a number of disadvantages:

1. Unable to clean the surface on its own. Softened dirt and dust do not dissolve; they must be removed with a cloth.
2. Not effective for removing limescale. The surface must first be treated with vinegar, then rubbed and steamed for a long time. This problem can be dealt with more quickly by industrial means.
3. Hard water can form scale in the tank, so it is better to use boiled water.
4. Does not reduce cleaning time. Fill in a new portion of water, reheat the device and get rid of condensation - steps that delay the process.
5. Poses potential danger. Hot steam and careless handling of the device can cause serious burns.
6. Expensive. Purchasing a cheaper model will lead to additional problems: unstable operation of the heating element, uneven jet pressure and short operating time of the device.

What cannot be treated with hot steam?

A steam cleaner is not a panacea for absolutely all surfaces and stains, there are exceptions:

• varnished and polished surfaces - a mark may appear on them, like from the hot surface of a frying pan or pan;
• stains with a protein base - the action of the device changes the structure of the stain, and it becomes impossible to remove;
• waxed parquet – hot steam damages the coating;
• some types of synthetics and soft plastic - they are deformed under the influence of high temperatures;
• electrical appliances - the situation is especially dangerous when they are not disconnected from the power source;
• jewelry - precious metals and stones are deformed and destroyed after steam treatment.

Tips for caring for the unit

A steam cleaner is a faithful assistant to housewives in maintaining cleanliness and fighting germs. Proper operation and care of the device will help extend its service life.

Need to remember:

1. Do not add detergents or cleaning agents to the steam cleaner tank. Heating the active components to a temperature of 95-100 ° C will create a real threat to the upper respiratory tract of the owner;
2. Do not store the device at sub-zero temperatures, especially if there is liquid left in the reservoir. Before use, the cooled appliance must warm up to room temperature.
3. Unscrew the boiler cap after each cleaning procedure, otherwise it will become welded. Such a serious problem can only be solved at a service center, which will entail additional costs.
4. Keep a spare anti-scale cartridge ready. You may need it during cleaning.
5. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the care and use of the steam cleaner.

Removing scale from the unit, video instructions:

Conclusion

When it comes to thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting your living space, a steam cleaner with a set of attachments is an indispensable assistant.

It is able to dissolve old stains without acidic, chlorine-containing and alkaline household chemicals. The housewife will only have to remove the residue with a rag, dry the surface and enjoy the freshness and impeccable cleanliness.