If you have questions about steam cleaning or the best way to use H2O Steam Mops, we’ve put together helpful information to answer any queries.
Q. What is a steam cleaner and how does it work?
A. A steam cleaner uses water vapour to thoroughly clean and help sanitise surfaces around your home, without the use of chemicals.
Clean water is poured into an internal boiler or electric valve in the steam cleaner and heated to over 90°C. Steam is released in measured amounts through a nozzle, brush, or other attachment and blasts away dirt.
The water vapour loosens, lifts and locks-in the grime and harmful bacteria. No suction is required, as the moisture dries quickly.
Q.What’s the difference between steam and traditional mopping?
A. The main difference is that steam cleaners are powered by steam and blast boiling water vapour. Unlike a traditional mop, a steam cleaner will absorb dirt and the heat of the steam will kill bacteria and dust mites. This makes steam cleaning a more effective method than using a traditional mop.
Steam cleaning doesn’t require any harsh chemicals or supplement products, meaning there are no additional costs that you need to worry about. Whereas a mop will be soaked into other cleaning solutions and applied to the surface.
Steam cleaning is less time-consuming and takes the hassle out of your routine. When using a mop, you need to fill a bucket of water with a cleaning solution, soak the mop, ring it out, apply to the surface – and repeat!
Q. What are the benefits of steam cleaning?
A. There are many household cleaners that help to keep your surfaces spotless, but time and time again, steam cleaning proves to be a favourite amongst homeowners. Here are some of the reasons why:
- Steam cleaning is environmentally friendly – cleans without the use of chemicals, such as ammonia or bleach, and has a low water consumption.
- Benefits to your health – not only do steam cleaners not require the use of hazardous chemicals, steam cleaning can get rid of dust mites, bed bugs and fleas. Steam cleaning can also help to reduce the triggers of seasonal allergies.
- Steam saves time and money – steam cleaning is faster than most traditional cleaning methods and doesn’t need additional cleaning agents. Steam cleaning can be used on multiple surfaces, so you don’t need to buy other products.
- Steam cleaners are versatile products – they can be used on many surfaces around the home, including kitchen flooring, bathroom flooring, carpets, rugs, upholstery and windows.
- Steam can clean and helps to sanitise those hard to reach places where your average cleaning products can’t reach.
- Easy to use and weigh less than 2.5 kg, so you can easily transport them around your home.
- Fast Drying – steam evaporates quickly, so your surfaces dry a lot faster.
- Excellent results– steam cleaners don’t use harsh chemicals, which means it won’t leave a cloudy residue on surfaces.
- H2O Steam Mops can kill 99% of bacteria.
Disclaimer: Always check the manufacturers recommendations before steam cleaning your floor surfaces.
Q. Can steam cleaning get rid of fleas, bed bugs and dust mites?
A. Yes, steam cleaning is a natural way to kill many pests in your home.
The reason steam cleaners are highly effective at eliminating pests inhabiting your carpets and rugs is due to the boiling water vapour. Fleas, bed bugs, carpet beetles, moths and dust mites can’t withstand the high temperatures of the steam.
Q. What are the different types of steam cleaners on the market?
A. If you’re looking for a steam cleaner, you’ll have 3 main styles to choose from – all varying in shape, size and strength. Your choice will depend on what you want to achieve and the surfaces you’ll be cleaning:
- Steam mops
- Handheld steamers
- Canister steamers
View the full H2O Steam Mops range available from Thane.
Q. Can steam cleaning remove mould?
A. Yes, the high temperatures of the steam will kill mould, while the attachments can remove mould from hard to reach places – like the grouting in your bathroom.
Most homeowners use bleach to remove mould, but it doesn’t kill the bacteria – it only blends it into the surface. Steam penetrates the pores of the surface and cleans deep to kill and remove mould. If you’re also wondering if steam cleaners can cause mould, the latest H2O Steam Mops range has a low moisture content so any surfaces will dry quickly, preventing the build-up of mildew or mould.
Q. Can steam cleaning damage grout?
A. No, grout is made from water, cement and sand – it’s a hard-wearing texture that can withstand high temperatures and contact with water.
Q. Can steam cleaning remove stains?
A. This depends on the type of stain and surface you’re cleaning. Most steam cleaners can remove touch stains from hard flooring, even stove tops, yet if you’re looking to get rid of a tough stain on a carpet or rug, you may find it more challenging.
This is because the hot steam forces the grime into the carpet before trying to lift the stain from the surface, which makes your job even harder. For large stains that have been there for a while, you may want to get a professional steam clean.
Disclaimer: Always check the manufacturers recommendations before steam cleaning your floor surfaces.
Q. Can I steam clean hardwood flooring?
A. Yes, if you follow the right technique, most steam cleaners achieve great results on hard flooring, including the latest H2O Steam Cleaners range. Unlike traditional methods that can be challenging and time-consuming, steam cleaners are an efficient and effective way to help sanitise hardwood flooring.
However, it’s always best to use steam cleaners with caution on hard flooring. Steam cleaners are powered by water and because hardwood flooring is highly absorbent, exposure to water can cause the surface to plump, warp and twist.
Disclaimer: Always check the manufacturers recommendations before steam cleaning your floor surfaces.
Q. Will steam cleaning a mattress remove stains?
A. Experts say steam cleaning is one of the most effective methods for cleaning a mattress. Not only will the steam kill dust mites and germs hiding deep inside the mattress – where a traditional vacuum can’t reach – steam also works wonders in eliminating odours and loosening stains.
Q. How should I steam clean a mattress?
A. Vacuum the mattress first and then run the steam cleaner across the whole surface. You should allow the mattress to dry before using it again. Yet, one of the benefits of steam cleaning is that the mattress will dry much quicker than using soap and water.
Q. Will steam cleaning remove urine smell?
A. You should avoid using steam cleaners to get rid of urine odours from carpet or upholstery. The steam could permanently set the stain and the odour, due to the bonding of proteins into man-made fibres.
Q. Can I steam clean my car?
A. Steam cleaning is safe way to clean car interiors, including door jams, cup holders, dashboards, floor mats, headliner vents. The steam will blast away dirt and deodorise fabrics. Steam cleaners will also give your car windows a streak-free, sparkling finish.
Q. Can I steam clean car seats?
A. Yes, steam cleaners are a highly effective cleaning method for both cloth and leather car seats. The steam cleaner will loosen, lift and lock-in any grime or dirt on the seats–whilst deodorising and refreshing the fabric.
Q. How should I steam clean a car seat?
A. The best way to steam clean car upholstery is to apply steam using the mop. For hard surfaces, you can use the bristle side directly without a cloth for heavy dirt – then vacuum. Steam cleaning is also the best method for removing dye transfer or stains from leather seats.
Q. Can I steam clean clothes?
A. Yes, garment steamers – attached to H2O Steam Mops – can kill most germs, remove odours and allow wrinkles and creases to fall out from your clothing. Steam cleaning is a great alternative for garments that can’t be machine-washed or dry cleaned.
Q. What can I steam clean?
A. One of the main benefits of a steam cleaner is that it can be used on multiple surfaces. Most household surfaces can benefit from steam cleaning, including:
- Floors, Tiles and Ceramic and Metal Fixtures
- Glass and Mirrors
- Upholstery, Mattresses, Curtains and Carpets
Always remember to test a small area of the surface first to see how it will react to the process.
Disclaimer: Always check the manufacturers recommendations before steam cleaning your floor surfaces.
Q. What furniture can I steam clean?
A. As well as flooring, steam cleaners can remove stains, embedded dirt and odours from upholstered furniture. In fact, steam cleaning is often a more effective cleaning method as it doesn’t use any chemicals that could potentially damage your furniture.
Make sure you check the care instructions and type of material before you steam clean. For example, leather is sensitive to water and can be easily damaged by steam cleaning.
Q. Can I steam clean windows?
A. Yes, steam cleaning is one of the quickest ways to clean windows. The hot water vapour will remove any grime, grease, oil or fingerprints from dirty windows.
Steam cleaning doesn’t use harsh chemicals or detergents, which means you’ll get streak-free results every time.
Q. Can I steam clean an oven?
A. Yes, many hand-held steam cleaners can reach the nooks and crannies of household appliances, including your oven. Hand-held steam cleaners often have brushes attached that can clean tough areas, like stove tops.
Q. How do I steam clean a carpet?
A. The latest H2O Steam Mops can help to thoroughly sanitise, deodorise, and refresh rugs and carpets.
Before you begin:
- Move your furniture out of the way, so you can quickly and easily access the carpet with your steam cleaner – and don’t have to keep stopping and starting.
- Use a traditional vacuum to remove any top layer of dust, dirt, and crumbs so that the steam cleaners can focus on deeper stains and grime.
- Make sure you read the instructions on the steam cleaner and follow the directions.
- Fill the steam cleaner with clean water and so it’s ready to boil. Plan your route
- Start in the corner furthest away from the doorway. This will make it easy to move your carpet steam cleaner into the next room if you wish.
- Start steam cleaning
- The lightweight and agile steam cleaners of the H2O Steam Mops range make it easy to produce clean, straight lines while steam cleaning your carpet, so you don’t miss any spots
- Leave the carpet to dry
- Let the room air out before you move the furniture back or walk on the carpet–you may want to open windows and doors.
- The latest H2O Steam Mops have a low moisture content, so any surfaces will dry quickly.
Learn more about H2O Steam Mops and get yours today!
