by Alicia Slansky

Created on: February 17, 2009

Steam cleaning can be used with or without chemicals and on many types of surfaces. These factors make it quite possibly the most versatile cleaning method available to the mass market today.

The Process

The process of steam cleaning involves water, pressure and sometimes a chemical agent. There are many different types of steam cleaning machines, depending on what exactly you are cleaning.

Every steam cleaning machine will use pressure to force the water onto the product. Some units will have a heating element inside to heat the water prior to applying pressure, therefore making the water much hotter and keeping the area being cleaned much drier than others. Other units require you to add the water as hot as you can get it and that is sufficient. Others still, may have a compartment to place a cleaning agent. These will mix the cleaner with the hot water as it's being pushed from the machine.

When water is sprayed out under high pressure, it breaks apart into many small molecules. The process of splitting the water molecules so quickly will create heat. These small particles then slam into the dirt and knock it loose as well. The pressure is the key factor to why steam cleaning is able to get some of the sticky messes that other cleaning methods leave behind. Because the pressure breaks apart the dirt along with splitting the water, the water is able to dissolve and hold onto the particles. The mess is then washed away by the suction that accompanies many steaming machines. Those units without the vacuum suction heat the surfaces to such a high degree that the particles evaporate into the air and the surface is sanitized.

Cleaning agents

Steam is an effective cleaner all on its own because the heat does dissolve many messes. When dealing with certain stains, a chemical agent acts as an added bonus. Certain chemicals are developed for use specifically in steam cleaners. They help to dissolve the stains so that the water can carry away the mess easier. A lot of times, units that offer a chemical reservoir do not heat the water used or do not get the water hot enough to be effective on it's own. You often find that fact in home carpet cleaners.

When using a chemical in your steam cleaner, be sure to follow the manufacturer's guidelines in choosing the chemical. Many can be used interchangeably, but some do require specific formulas to bring out the best in that particular machine.

Types of Steam Cleaners

Steam cleaning is used in dry cleaning because the water coming

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