| The best steam cleaners are those which are | | | | hose malfunction requires the user to ship |
| actually referred to as vapor steam cleaners, | | | | the entire steam cleaner back for service, |
| which emit a much higher and hotter vapor | | | | which can be distressing, especially if the |
| than traditional steam cleaners. Essentially, | | | | steam cleaner is used frequently as is the |
| vapor steam cleaners emit dry steam with only | | | | case for most commercial and industrial steam |
| about 5% water in the vapor while low-priced | | | | cleaning applications. You can merely replace |
| steam cleaners lack the power and heat to | | | | the steam hose if you buy steam cleaners with |
| generate similar dry steam. The steam from | | | | replaceable hoses. We suggest only |
| these steam cleaners tend to be on the wetter | | | | replaceable hoses. |
| side. | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | Continuous-refill steam cleaners, which lack |
| Cheap steam cleaner systems are typically | | | | pressure caps, are outstanding for |
| under-powered with pressure levels as low as | | | | applications requiring cleaning a large |
| 15 psi and much lower temperatures that the | | | | surface area whether for home and commercial |
| more rugged and commercial steam cleaners. | | | | cleaning applications. Those involved in |
| The low end steam cleaners typically are sold | | | | facilities maintenance, commercial cleaning, |
| in hand-held or relatively small versions | | | | hospitality, foodservice, health care and |
| versus higher-quality steam cleaners. | | | | other markets can benefit from |
| Inexpensive steam cleaners clearly lack the | | | | continuous-refill steam cleaners. Workers |
| features and performance necessary for most | | | | often need to clean for hours and steam |
| steam cleaning tasks within home, business, | | | | cleaners that allow them to clean without |
| and commercial environments. | | | | stopping are ideal to maximize their |
| | | | productivity. Steam cleaners with pressure |
| | | | caps take up to 20 minutes to depressurize, |
| | | | add water, and reheat. |
| Vapor steam cleaners are rated by a variety | | | | |
| of steam cleaner attributes, namely pressure, | | | | |
| temperature, boiler size, water refill | | | | |
| chamber size (if the steam cleaner allows for | | | | The construction of the steam cleaner case or |
| continuous-refill), among other features. The | | | | housing is another very important attribute |
| best steam cleaners offer pressure per square | | | | to consider when searching for the best steam |
| inch (psi) of 65 and more, and temperatures | | | | cleaners. High quality steam cleaners use |
| over 295°, which is well beyond sanitizing | | | | either a heavy-duty plastic casing, one made |
| and disinfecting levels. The benefit of vapor | | | | of stainless steel, or else a combination of |
| steam cleaners is they offer outstanding | | | | both. An easy rule to remember is if the |
| cleaning power for applications low-moisture | | | | steam cleaner vendor mentions the case or |
| cleaning applications. | | | | housing is metal and the color is anything |
| | | | but stainless steel, then the material is |
| | | | absolutely painted sheet metal. The problem |
| | | | with painted metal cases is they will rust |
| The heart of a steam cleaner is the boiler, | | | | over time due to heat generated from the |
| which is available in either aluminum or | | | | steam cleaner. |
| stainless steel, which is the best metal for | | | | |
| the ultimate in durability and longevity. | | | | |
| Always make sure to research the boiler | | | | |
| construction because saving money purchasing | | | | Do not confuse steam cleaners with carpet |
| an aluminum-based boiler with a shorter life | | | | steam cleaners as they are targeted towards |
| span will most probably results in greater | | | | distinctly difference applications. Although |
| costs later. The best commercial steam | | | | they can be used to spot clean carpet, |
| cleaners and industrial steam cleaners come | | | | upholstery, drapes, etc, vapor steam cleaners |
| with at least stainless steel boilers. | | | | are designed primarily for hard surfaces they |
| Sacrificing boiler quality can result in | | | | are absolutely not geared towards full carpet |
| steam cleaner downtime and boiler replacement | | | | cleaning applications. |
| at costs up to and over $700.00. | | | | |
| | | | Carpet steam cleaners are actually a type of |
| | | | carpet cleaner, which is dedicated to carpet |
| | | | cleaning tasks. The bottom line is if your |
| The best steam cleaners are bundled with | | | | application calls for carpet cleaning, then |
| replaceable steam hoses rather than steam | | | | buy a carpet steam cleaner if you desire |
| cleaner hoses that are permanently attached | | | | heat, but absolutely do not buy a vapor steam |
| to the vapor steam cleaner. The major | | | | cleaner. |
| problem with attached hoses is an unexpected | | | | |