INTRODUCTION
This simple guide would like to explain the revolutionary concept of
steam and vacuum cleaning. The first steam and vacuum systems were
introduced in the market about 10 years ago. Steam only cleaners have
certainly helped to increase the level of hygiene in our homes, steam
has an incredible power to clean, disinfect and sanitize any kind of
surface. The difference of an house cleaned with steam and another
cleaned with the traditional cleaning methods is clearly noticeable
from its appearance, smell and touch. However the professionals in
steam cleaning have understood that there were still margins of
improvement and started to develop steam and vacuum systems.
THE
ADVANTAGE OF A STEAM AND VACUUM CLEANER?
For steam cleaning floors we generally use steam brush with cotton
towel, the function of the cotton towel is to collect the dirt melted
by the steam. This is correct but the inconvenience is that the cotton
towel gets wet and full of dirt very quickly, if we do not replace the
towel when is full of dirt we risk that part of the dirt will be
re-deposited on the surface. To exploit the disinfectant properties of
the steam we should secure that the melted dirt and the killed germs
are all collected and deposited in a recovery tank (bucket). We will
analyze the filtration system to capture the dirt and micro-particles
and avoid that they re-enter in circulation in a later stage.
The wet and dry vacuum function combined with the steam function was
the ideal solution to solve this gap and the next challenge for the
engineers. Actually it was a real "challenge" because steam and vacuum
machines are really high-tech machines if you consider that they
contain hydraulic, electronic, mechanic solutions that should work
together to give the best performance.
Steam and vacuum cleaner appliances can steam and melt the dirt on the
treated surfaces, vacuum the dirt water left thus leaving the floors
completely cleaned, sanitized and dried.
The brush head provided with steam and vacuum cleaners has removable
rubber blades. The function of the rubber blade is very important
because it allows to wipe the dirt water remained on the floor and the
suction collect it into the bucket.
In this way we can be assured that all dirt and killed germs can be
collected leaving the treated surface completely cleaned and sanitized.
THE
CORRECT USE OF A STEAM AND VACUUM CLEANER?
- For hard floors:
To clean hard floor efficiently it is recommended to treat small area
by small area starting first with steam only function, let the steam
treat the dirt and when it has melted it we can stop the steam and
start vacuuming to collect all the dirt water from the floor.
When you have finished a piece of area move to the next one till you
have finished. After a while this operation cleaning becomes very
simple and quick.
The steam coming out from the brush head holes impacts the surface
destroying the dirt, dust, mites and germs. The steam action together
with the brushing action can remove even the most sticky dirt, quite
instantly we can see black water forming up on the treated area and
this is the time to stop the steam function and activate the suction to
collect everything in the recovery bucket.
- For carpets:
To clean carpet it is recommended to use steam and vacuum function
simultaneously, it has to be noticed that sometimes not all the
machines can provide this function. We think that a serious steam and
vacuum cleaner must have it.
The reason why simultaneously steam and vacuum function should be used
is because with steam only the carpet gets too much humid and may take
time to dry out. We know that humidity is the ideal environment for
germs and mites to proliferate.
Hot dry steam is sprayed at 4-5 bar pressure into the carpet deep
inside the fiber where it can do its cleaning and disinfectant actions,
then it does not have the time to deposited in form of water because
the vacuum is collecting it together with dirt, germs and other small
particles.
In the most recent models of steam and vacuum cleaner it is provided
the detergent injection/extraction function, this is very useful when
there are high resistant stains that steam cannot get rid of them. In
this case it recommended to spray the detergent working with vacuum
simultaneously and brushing out the stains.
THE
FILTRATION
SYSTEM
One of the great advantage of steam and vacuum cleaners is that they
provide the water filtration system that is much more effective
compared to the traditional paper bags filter. With paper bag system
the collected dirts remain inside the bag of the machine for days till
the bag is full and user replace with new one, thus increasing the
proliferation of germs and bacteria that could possibly re-enter into
the invironment.
It is recommended to regularly watch the level of dirt deposited in the
backet during the cleaning operation, this will ensure that the machine
is working under the best condition. In the case there is the formation
of fluff or any big size debris that may obstacle the regular air flow
the water filtration and the vacuum capacity itself can be compromised.
In this case the backet should be emptied and filter separator cleaned
with water.
Normally all the system are provided with a float that block the air
passage when the bucket gets full over the level, this is preventing
that water may reach the motor and damage it. However sometimes there
are filter separator inside the bucket that keep the clean water
separate from the dirt water, these filter may get full of dust, airs,
fluff so it is recommended to clean it and drain the bucket when it is
necessary.
Steam cleaning