Steam is among the most effective cleaners and sanitisers to keep your home clean and tidy. You must use steam cleaners because they can turn plain water into vapours that degrease surfaces and kill bacteria, viruses, mould and other illness-causing microbes. Usually, a temperature over 107℃ is necessary to eliminate most germs. Steam cleaners can heat water to 162℃, making them effective and efficient disinfectants.
Moreover, it is eco-friendly and reduces the need for commercial cleaners that pollute the earth and adversely impact your health. Therefore, it isn’t surprising that professional cleaners use steam for
detailed bond cleaning Brisbane and routine house cleaning.
While steam cleaners are great for sanitising various surfaces and fixtures, there are certain things you should not clean with them. Want to know what they are? Here is your complete guide outlining what not to clean with steam cleaners.
Don’t Steam Clean Laminated Surfaces
Whether your home has laminated cabinets, wardrobes, floors or other fixtures, never use a steam cleaner to sanitise them during
house cleaning. Manufacturers of laminates warn against using steam as the moisture can loosen the material’s layers and cause irrepressible damage. Laminates can lose their shine and structural integrity over time if you use a steam mop on them.
What can you do?
Instead of cleaning with steam mops or other attachments, opt for microfiber cleaning products. Dampen them with a natural cleaning solution of water and white vinegar with a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Wipe, then dry with a terry towel if necessary.
Avoid Steam Mopping Waxed or Unsealed Wooden Floors
It’s a no-brainer because heat will melt and burn the wood wax making the floors susceptible to
mould and damp, termites, premature decay and other issues. Steam cleaning unsealed wooden floors is also not recommended because wood is a porous material that traps moisture and swells and weakens.
Therefore, always ensure your wooden floors are sealed and non-waxed before using a steam cleaner.
What can you do?
It’s better to sweep and vacuum waxed and unsealed wooden floors. You can spot clean to remove stains, grime and spots with a pH-neutral cleaner. Use a specially formulated wooden floor cleaner to mop these fixtures if necessary.
Don’t Steam Clean Carpets, Rugs & Upholstery with Pet Stains
If you pets, then steam cleaning carpets, rugs and upholstery where your beloved pooch or cat made a mess is not advised. The heat from the steam can bind the enzymes from pet urine, vomit and other body fluid to the fibres of these fixtures and make stains permanent and extremely hard to treat.
You can steam-clean carpeting and upholstered furniture without pet stains and get excellent results. It can also
get bad smells out of your carpets, rugs and upholstery.
What can you do?
If you are moving out and have pets, hire professional bond cleaners in Brisbane to clean the carpets, rugs and upholstery. Use alternative methods like vacuuming, spot cleaning with vinegar, soap and baking soda, dry cleaning etc.
Never Use Steam Cleaners on Walls & Surfaces with Water-Based Paints
Water-based paints are delicate and need attention while cleaning. Using a steam cleaner on walls, furniture or other areas with this type of paint will cause splitting or premature drying. The paint can develop blisters, cracks and peels, damaging the complete finish of the paint. You will need to spend on repair and repainting, which is not ideal, especially when sanitising the painted surfaces for bond cleaning in Brisbane.
What can you do?
Wipe the painted areas with microfiber cloths or towels. If necessary, dampen them with a soap and water before wiping and always buff the surfaces with dry terry towels to prevent lingering moisture. If necessary, get a suitable store-bought cleaner to
clean the walls properly.
Steer Clear of Electronics while Steam Cleaning
Water and electricity should never mingle as it can result in a
fire hazard, electrocution and short circuits. Since steam is water vapour, using it to degrease and clean electronics is not a good idea. You can introduce moisture into the delicate wiring of electrical items.
Moreover, steam damages thin, fragile plastic components that are common electronics parts.
What can you do?
Mix rubbing alcohol in water in equal proportions in a spray bottle. You can use this solution to clean and sanitise almost all electronics. Rubbing alcohol is a pH-neutral cleaner that eliminates dirt, grease stains, streaks, spots and germs. Thus, it is perfect for cleaning electronics anytime.
Wrapping Up
Steam cleaners come in handy for removing grime, grease, oil stains and other messes from household surfaces. They are also perfect for killing germs instantly because steam reaches a temperature over 162℃.
However, there are certain surfaces and fixtures you shouldn’t clean with steam cleaners. Use this guide to know which ones they are and protect them from damage.
