There is no housewife or owner who would not like to make cleaning easier and more efficient. So lately I’ve been thinking more and more often: should I buy a steam cleaner? In order not to regret the purchase, I decided to first turn to popular women's forums for opinions.
The first question that was useful to clarify is: what is the difference between a steam cleaner and a steamer? A steamer can only handle ironing clothes, while a steam cleaner can both iron (with a special attachment) and make cleaning easy (especially in the kitchen and bathroom) without the use of chemicals. detergents.
What to clean?
An important question is what tasks can a steam cleaner handle? I am sharing with you an approximate list of what can be cleaned with it:
- stove,
- oven,
- microwave and other kitchen appliances,
- hood,
- fridge,
- taps ( limescale needs to be pre-processed)
- bath,
- toilet,
- sink,
- window,
- mirrors,
- doors,
- batteries,
- walls (especially tiled ones),
- furniture,
- upholstered furniture, carpet and rugs (pre-treatment of stains, cleaning wool; for the rest you need a steam vacuum cleaner),
- greasy stains on clothes,
- blinds,
- vehicle interior,
- plant leaves.
Plus ironing clothes with a special attachment and getting rid of unpleasant odors. By the way, for mirrors and windows, as well as for washing the floor and cleaning wool from carpets and upholstered furniture There are also special attachments. Do not forget that dirt does not disappear, but simply dissolves - after cleaning you need to remove it with a cloth or napkin.
Steam cleaner - Housewives' opinions
There are many opinions about steam cleaners, I have collected the most complete reviews for you. Our author, Masha Shatalina, kindly shared with me the first:
I had this model: Karcher SC 1.020 Well, what can I say? He is good. Cleans everything: from tiles (and tile joints) to kitchen cabinets. Was tested on windows (glass and frames), a leather sofa, a greasy hood, kitchen set, linoleum (kitchen and hallway), tiles in the bathroom and plumbing (sink, stainless steel faucet). They are also great for blowing dust off large flowers, but you just need to bring the stream of steam not too close so as not to burn the leaves - this is both cleaning and moisturizing. I also cleaned it with it floor tiles in the house after construction - I cleaned it of white construction dust.
Why didn't it suit me personally? There is too much fuss: pour water, wait for steam to form, run the steam under high pressure over the surface to be cleaned, then wipe everything clean and dry. The water tank in this model is not very large, so I had to pour water several times, which is why cleaning takes a lot of time. Therefore, it’s easier and much faster for me to clean the same kitchen using chemicals. In fact, a steam generator is a great thing for allergy sufferers and families with small children. And I sold mine so that it wouldn’t take up space and waste my time.
Steam cleaner - reviews on forums
If you haven’t washed your stove for three years, it won’t be enough to wash it once and expect it to shine like the day you bought it. On difficult places (for example, heavily cracked ones) you need to direct a stream of steam and hold it, rub it with a brush attachment. For ordinary cleaning, yes, it’s simply a miracle. Cleaning is easy, pleasant and sterile: steam kills everything! There is no need to come into contact with chemicals or breathe it - the steam cleaner cleans without it. There is no need to smear, then wait, and then vigorously scrub for a long time, everything is much easier to clean, effortlessly. Cleaning takes place in a matter of minutes. It washes those places where it was impossible to reach or scrub. Also saving on cleaning products and more: I changed my mind about painting the walls and radiators again, the hood also came back to zero)))
Cool stuff! It looks like a small vacuum cleaner. I take it out about once a month and thoroughly clean everything: the bathroom, toilet, kitchen. Everything just shines. Then it is easier to maintain order. You can use your hands to scrub all sorts of cracks between tiles and plumbing fixtures - it’s very cool. I use a special nozzle to steam curtains - no need to take them to the dry cleaner!
I bought a small one a couple of days ago. Old stove I cleaned it quickly and wonderfully, I had to tinker with the microwave - it was very dirty. However, I immediately went through it with dish soap. Then the ferry several times.
I tried the tiles in the kitchen - not bad. Now I gave it to friends to test, they cleaned the seats in the car. They are also happy and will buy for themselves. The disadvantage is that the hand, of course, gets tired. I'm thinking about buying a larger steam cleaner.
I wash everything and everywhere with it. In the kitchen there is a stove, facades, tiles, appliances (refrigerator, micro, oven, washing machine - all turned off first), freezer. In the bathroom, steam will not cope with limescale only if you first moisten it with vinegar for about 15 minutes. But all the corners and crevices are a blast. In the toilet there is a seat, a toilet bowl on top and under the rim: there is no need to unscrew the lid, and the chemicals are only applied to the toilet elbow. Both the floor and the mirrors. In general, this is a very necessary thing for me.
I use it every day to clean the floor (two small children), once every two days to iron clothes and remove dust from furniture, once every three days to clean the kitchen and bathroom, once every 7 days to wash windows and mirrors. In addition, I use a steam cleaner to steam toys, clean shoes, freshen strollers, clean suede items, and freshen clothes. Ironing clothes with it is a pleasure: children's clothes are on the front side (neither stickers nor other finishing is spoiled), linen clothes are effortless. I am very, very pleased with the purchase! Everything is done quickly and easily. We breathe chemicals only in the form of dishwashing detergent and Domestos for the bathroom (once a week). I recommend purchasing it if you have the opportunity! The price corresponds to the quality.
To keep your apartment always clean, you need to not only carefully put things in their proper places, but also regularly thoroughly clean accumulated dust and other contaminants. And of course, to maintain perfect cleanliness It takes a lot of time in the house. Well, to make cleaning faster and more efficient, housewives strive to clean floors, walls, plumbing fixtures, taps, glass, mirrors and stoves using a whole arsenal of all kinds of washing, polishing and cleaning products. But the use of household chemicals during cleaning often affects the health of apartment residents, causing not only allergies, but also inflammatory processes in the body. Modern steam cleaners can save your household from such problems. Overall, this review intends to address the pressing issue of how to choose a steam cleaner for your home. But first, we will tell you what kind of item this is, what its advantages are and why it is so good in general.
What is a steam cleaner?
A steam cleaner is a device that visually resembles a vacuum cleaner, which is used for cleaning with steam. different surfaces. The essence of such a device is to supply an extremely hot stream of steam, which is capable of cleaning the most inaccessible and terribly dirty places, for example, tile seams, areas around the base of the toilet, the toilet itself, rims around the taps, etc. It is noteworthy that at first the device was developed for washing and disinfecting walls and floors in medical institutions, but gradually they were improved, and they found their use in everyday life.
A traditional steam cleaner includes:
- a heating element;
- container for water;
- elastic hose with a trigger mechanism;
- Various types nozzles;
- napkins and measuring cup included with the device.
When plugged into the mains, the heating element will turn water into steam in a few minutes. All you have to do is press the button on the release device, and steam will begin to flow under pressure from the holes in the nozzle. Depending on the type of treatment, the steam jet can be modified using different nozzles. The emitted steam has a high temperature, so it can kill bedbugs, dust mites and other insects, but is safe for humans because it has a loose structure.
Household steam cleaners can be hand-held or floor-mounted. Hand-held devices are, in principle, convenient to use, they are easy to carry from place to place, they are not very expensive, but when using them you need to carry them in your hand. Floor-standing devices are similar in size to a vacuum cleaner, they are easier to work with, and in addition, floor-standing steam cleaners have a hot and cold cleaning function. 
Scope of application of steam cleaners in everyday life.
A home steam cleaner is very useful device for comprehensive cleaning, it is useful for both an apartment, a house or a cottage. Well, what is there, he actually appears an indispensable assistant, those who once use it will no longer want to part with it. In addition to destroying mold and mildew on the walls, bacteria and insects in the apartment, it is used to remove grease stains on clothes, especially on dirty cuffs and collars. Hot steam is used to steam curtains, linens and clothes, remove stubborn stains on upholstered furniture, and clean carpets. But most often a steam cleaner is used for cleaning in the kitchen or.
Using various nozzles, you can not only wash the floor, tiles, sink or shower stall, but also the toilet rim. After this treatment, there is no residue left on the tiles or plumbing fixtures, so there is no need for cleaning household chemicals. And the steam perfectly cleanses even old dirt particles accumulated in the joints between tiles - this is fantastic!
Steam is used to treat the inside surface of a refrigerator, microwave or gas oven, ovens, cleanse them of old greasy stains, and also wash greasy pots and pans. It is used to clean glass, mirror and chrome surfaces that cannot be washed with abrasive detergents. Using terry nozzles you can wash windows. The device will clean children's toys from dirt, as well as hard-to-reach places - corners and crevices that cannot be reached with a rag, and will remove dirt from washable wallpaper. 
How to choose a good steam cleaner.
Using household steam cleaners can significantly reduce cleaning time, as well as save on the purchase of cleaning agents. So, we have already mentioned above that there are both hand-held and floor-standing ones; if you choose between these two devices, you need to understand that for long cleaning it will be more comfortable to use the floor-standing one, otherwise your hand will get tired of carrying a heavy barrel. In addition, the water reservoir in a manual steam cleaner is small, which means you will constantly need to add water. In general, the conclusion is that if cleaning is not planned for a long time, then you can easily get by with its manual modification.
Arriving at shopping mall You will see a fairly wide range of household cleaners; when purchasing, it is useful to pay attention to the characteristics that affect the quality of cleaning:
- The larger the capacity of the steam cleaner, the less often you will need to add water to it. Portable devices can work without interruption for 30-40 minutes, floor-standing ones have a larger tank and work longer.
- The pressure and intensity with which steam is supplied directly affect the quality and speed of cleaning. A good unit should have a steam pressure of more than 3 bar.
- Such devices come with direct heating and pre-generation of steam. The first option involves heating the water as it is supplied directly to the outlet, while the second option requires preheating the liquid, but in the end the power of the steam jet will be much higher.
- The kit should include nozzles for cleaning floors, a fabric nozzle for washing polished surfaces and glass, a set of straight and cleaning brushes, and a point nozzle.
- Optimal length The cord ranges from 2 to 4 meters.
- The shorter the hose length, the better the cleaning will be.
- The time it takes to convert water into steam directly depends on the capacity of the device and its power. To make the process go faster, hot distilled water is poured into the tank.
- An aluminum tank is better than a steel tank because it heats up faster and less scale forms on it.
- Anti-scale sticks are often sold for such devices, and often several pieces are supplied directly with the steam generator.
- Some models are equipped with a lock button to prevent children from turning on the device.
How a steam cleaner works, video:
Steam cleaner for home (video):
Today we told you how you can quickly clean your home using a steam generator, and of course we told you how to choose a steam cleaner for your home. By the way, you need to pay attention exclusively to proven brands, which are KARCHER, ARIETE, Clatronic, DELONGHI, THOMAS.
Agree, with the help of a steam cleaner you can significantly save time on cleaning, and in general make it a pleasant pastime. In addition, we think that such a purchase will be especially useful for those who have decided to give up household chemicals.
How to save your time and energy during spring cleaning? Sometimes it takes more than one or even two days to create perfect cleanliness. You have to scrub away ingrained dirt and long-hardened grease, which is difficult to remove with cleaning powders and brushes. A household steam cleaner will help every housewife turn cleaning into a pleasure and spend no more than 2 hours on it.
This is a mechanism that heats water to form steam. A jet of hot air destroys dirt and grease in a few minutes. Steam cleaners are considered one of the most economical and environmentally friendly cleaning devices. The main advantage is the absence of any chemical substances released from detergents. This is because the device operates by simply heating water and converting it into steam. Also heat kills germs and infections even in the most difficult to reach places. Therefore, such a device is ideal for bathrooms, toilets and kitchens - places where there is a large accumulation of dirt and bacteria.
Water vapor is absolutely harmless, so the surface to be treated can simply be wiped with a damp cloth to remove grease and continue working.
Performance characteristics
- The maximum heating temperature is from 100 to 150 degrees Celsius.
- Lightweight design - up to 1.5 kg total weight. Depends on the volume of water poured and the use of a steam cleaner. Minimum weight - from 300 to 400 g.
- Steam cleaners, depending on the scope of application, are either manual or floor-mounted. The first type is light in weight and easily fits in one hand. Used to remove dirt in hard-to-reach places: microwave oven, household stove, sinks, tile joints. Hand-held devices have thin, long attachments that make work easier. The only negative is the small water capacity. The second type, on the contrary, has a large tank, so the device is suitable for cleaning larger objects: carpets, curtains, bedspreads. A floor-standing steam cleaner can resemble appearance ordinary vacuum cleaner.
- A steam purifier disinfects the air. Dirty, dry and dusty air is driven through the mechanism, and the output is fresh and clean. Due to this, the device is recommended for use in homes where there are small children and animals.
- Moisture content - from 4% to 6%.
Where is a household steam cleaner used?
For kitchens and dining rooms. Hot drops of oil eventually harden on cabinets, tiles and stoves, which can only be cleaned 4-5 times. When using the device, there is no need to fill it with dirt hot water with cleaning agents, or you can just treat the surface with steam.
- Kitchen stove.
- Radiators.
- Oven and microwave oven.
- Tile and seams.
- Sink.
- Cabinets and shelves.
Under hot air, dirt begins to “melt” before your eyes, but in order for the surface to be perfectly clean after using a steam cleaner, it must be immediately wiped with a damp cloth.
Bedrooms and living rooms. Since it is not always possible to dry-clean upholstered furniture, carpets and curtains, you have to clean their surfaces manually. It’s especially difficult with furniture, because if you wipe the surface with a too-wet cloth, sofas and armchairs will begin to become damp and yellow stains And bad smell. The steam cleaner can be used on any upholstered furniture, as it does not leave any moisture behind.
- Sofas and armchairs.
- Beds, mattresses, pillows and blankets.
- Textiles: bed linen, clothes, curtains of any thickness.
- Carpets (any pile).
Kids' things. Thanks to the function G hypoallergenic air purification, the device can be safely used for children's things.
- Stuffed Toys.
- Furniture.
- Things and carpets.
Toilet, bath and shower. Hot air destroys bacteria by 99.9%. Suitable for thorough cleaning of toilets, sinks, bathtubs, walls and floors.
As you can see, a steam cleaner has a wide range of applications, so purchasing one will greatly facilitate your household chores.
Steam cleaning is the safest and most effective method purge, representing a worthy opponent traditional methods cleaning using household chemicals. Possibilities Karcher steam cleaners(Kärcher) are not limited to just cleaning heat-resistant surfaces; they can even be used for ironing and care of textiles.
Cleaning with detergents does not always give the result you would like to see - chemicals can only remove the surface layer of dirt. Steam penetrates into the gaps between dirt particles, softening it, after which the dirt can be easily removed using a nozzle - no need to bother yourself with tedious wiping or polishing.
What can be cleaned with a steam cleaner?
This device is suitable for cleaning any surfaces that are resistant to thermal influences. Unlike manual sponges and brushes, the Karcher steam cleaner accessories do not leave any streaks or scratches. In addition, using this device will allow you to stop using cleaning products - and this is not only a matter of savings, but also the health of your family. Modern household chemicals can cause allergies, and in a house where it grows Small child its use is generally undesirable.
Note! The steam cleaner removes only water-soluble contaminants!!! For example, greasy or lime deposits, ketchup stains on the upholstery, and dried street dirt can be easily cleaned using a steamer. This is the most environmentally friendly and safe method cleaning!
The Karcher steam cleaner is simply irreplaceable for cleaning the bathroom - tile and tile joints, mirrors, shower stalls, and plumbing no longer need to be cleaned with cleaning products. There are tasks for the Karcher steamer in the kitchen too - the hood, sink, stove, oven, refrigerator will shine as clean as new. The Karcher steam cleaner will clean the entire house and floor coverings made of ceramics, stone, linoleum, PVC.
In addition, this unit is suitable for caring for textile coverings and clothes. The Karcher steam cleaner will refresh carpets, upholstery, and remove odors that have been absorbed by outerwear. Few people know that a steam generator can even be used to remove dust from indoor plants(the device must be placed at a distance of at least 30 cm from the surface of the leaves).
How to remove very stubborn stains?
The principle of operation of any steam cleaner is as follows: a powerful jet of hot water steam (steam concentration depends on the model and the selected operating mode) is sprayed onto the surface, and then the softened dirt should be wiped off using a nozzle.
Note! A steam cleaner does not suck up debris like a vacuum cleaner. Grease, plaque, and dirt are absorbed by a terry cloth or microfiber cloth, which is placed on the nozzles of the steamer.
Very stubborn stains we recommend pre-processing acetic acid(this is the safest option for health) and leave for a while. Then you need to intensively treat the contaminated area, combining both mechanical and thermal effects (to increase the effect of steam, we recommend using a Karcher point steam nozzle, and for effective mechanical impact, try cleaning dried-on dirt using a brush with hard brass bristles).
What kind of water should I use?
You can fill the tank with any clean water: tap, distilled or demineralized. The latter significantly reduces the formation of scale in the boiler.
Owners of devices with water topping should remember that since the filling level is determined by a sensor, the water in the tank must be conductive to a certain extent. Mix distilled water with tap water in a ratio of maximum 50%.
Does it destroy germs and viruses?
Research from an independent scientific laboratory has shown that the Karcher steam cleaner destroys 99.99% of bacteria common in everyday life. Even top-class models do not achieve 100% results, so such devices are not intended for sterilization.
Which Karcher steam cleaner is right for you?
Household steam engines are represented by devices primary class(the index starts with one or three), mid-level (the index starts with two or four) and extra-class (the index starts with five or six). The letter “B” in the model name indicates the presence of an iron in the delivery set. “C” after the digital index indicates that the Karcher steam cleaner has an additional tank that allows you to add water without turning off the device.
If you plan to use the device “to the fullest”: for cleaning floors, cleaning tiles, washing windows, ironing clothes - pay attention to medium and top-class devices. If the Karcher steam cleaner will be used for maintenance cleaning, then an entry-level device will suit you.
IN modern world You won’t surprise anyone with space flights, robots, innovative technologies and fancy gadgets. All this changes our lives, penetrating more and more into everyday life. The idea of a good housewife is also changing - the constant watch with a rag and a bucket is a thing of the past, and they have been replaced by various devices that make cleaning not only effective, but also quick. A striking representative of such home appliances is a steam cleaner, which is increasingly found in the arsenal modern housewives. Today we will talk about how to choose it and what kind of pollution it copes with.
A steam cleaner is a great helper in everyday life. It frees the housewife's hands from a washing vacuum cleaner, brush, rag, mop, cleaning products and even glass cleaner. At the same time, it is great for families with children and people suffering from allergies, because when using it you can forget about household chemicals.
How does a steam cleaner work?
The operation of the device is based on the properties of steam, which is generated in a special compartment. After the release valve is activated, a stream of steam rushes onto the surface to be cleaned through a special nozzle. As a result, the device not only cleans, but also disinfects. These smart home appliances destroy 99% of bacteria.
Cleaning occurs by moistening the dirt with tiny drops of water contained in the steam, as well as due to the direct mechanical action of the steam jet, which “knocks down” particles of debris. To enhance the effect, special attachments and brushes are used.
The steam cleaner allows you to:
- Remove dirt from all kinds of surfaces (the main thing is that they are resistant to high temperature and wet processing). This could be: plumbing fixtures, ceramic tiles, mirrors, window glass, batteries, Appliances (hobs, hoods, ovens, etc.).
- Clean narrow holes, grooves, crevices and tile joints
- Kill dust mites and allergens in mattresses and bedding.
- Take care of furniture, carpets, drapes and clothing.
- Renew soft toys and disinfect them.
- Clean the car interior.
- Remove dirt from the frame and wheels of a motorcycle or bicycle.
Types of Steam Cleaners
Depending on the design, steam cleaners can be divided into two types:
- manual (they are often called portable);
- floor
IN in this case the main difference lies in the sizes. A handheld steam cleaner is a compact device that is great for spot cleaning or cleaning small spaces.
Features of manual models:
- low cost;
- power from 600 to 1600 W;
- small capacity of the water tank (maximum 0.5 liters), which is enough for twenty minutes of continuous operation;
- weight about a kilogram.
It is worth paying attention to the temperature of the steam - it should be at least 110-140 degrees. Remember that at the outlet of the nozzle it is lower than in the boiler itself. If the temperature is less than 110 degrees, then getting rid of mold, grease and other strong contaminants will be problematic.
Pay attention to the time the steam cleaner is ready for use. It is better if this parameter is up to 400 seconds - then the waiting time will not be a burden. At the same time, more powerful models require more endurance. In this case, the waiting time varies from 400 to 900 seconds.
Tank volume
The capacity of the water tank not only affects the heating time, but also affects the continuous operation time of the steam cleaner. A 1.5 liter tank is sufficient for effective cleaning within half an hour.
When buying a manual steam cleaner, you don’t need to buy a large tank. The fact is that when filled, it will weigh quite a lot and holding such a steam cleaner in your hands for a long time is simply inconvenient. The best option is the volume of 0.3-0.5 liters. Some models have a shut-off function when there is no water, which turns out to be very convenient in practice.
The reservoir can be made of:
- become;
- aluminum
Cord and hose length
The short hose length of a floor-standing steam cleaner will greatly limit your cleaning. For example, it is already difficult for them to clean surfaces at height, because lifting the base itself is difficult and inconvenient. It is better to choose devices with a hose length from 1.5 to 3 meters. But remember that as the steam passes through the hose, it cools. Thus, in low-power devices, the hoses should be short.The maneuverability of the device directly depends on the length of the cord. It is better if it is 4-6 meters. It’s convenient and if there is an automatic rewinding option, you’ll forget about tangles of tangled wires.
Additional accessories
Depending on the model, steam cleaners can be equipped with various attachments and accessories to simplify cleaning:
- different brush attachments for ceramic tiles, stone, carpets and furniture;
- terry napkins;
- scraper for removing stubborn dirt from surfaces that are resistant to mechanical damage;
- nozzle for cleaning narrow holes and grooves;
- window cleaning nozzle;
- the narrowest nozzle for processing drain holes, taps and chrome elements;
- iron and hanger for steaming clothes;
- turbo brush for removing stubborn dirt;
- vertical stand for hose installation.
Additional functions
More expensive models of steam cleaners have a number of additional functions that make working with the device much easier:
- removable tank, into which it is much more convenient to pour water;
- a regulator that allows you to set the temperature, the intensity of the steam supply, as well as its moisture saturation;
- a valve that prevents the tank from opening if excess pressure is created in it;
- control on the handle of the device;
- child protection (special button that blocks steam release);
- continuous steam function - very convenient if large surfaces are being processed.
Price issue
When purchasing a steam cleaner, it is important to strike a balance between the options you actually need and the price. So, having spent:
- from 1000 to 3000 rubles you will become the owner of reliable and practical hand-held steam cleaners. They have a basic set of additional attachments and are great for one-time cleaning and cleaning of small spaces.
- from 3,000 to 7,000 rubles, you can get fairly powerful hand-held steam cleaners with a spacious tank, as well as simple floor-standing models with a basic set of nozzles. This optimal choice for the home - such devices combine excellent performance characteristics and small sizes.
- from 7,000 to 15,000 rubles you can buy floor-standing steam cleaners from well-known brands. They have a steam pressure of 3 to 4 bar, a spacious water tank of 1 to 1.5 liters and various attachments that make the cleaning process easier.
- from 15,000 rubles you will receive a multifunctional steam cleaner with a large steam boost (more than 4 bar). Such devices have various brushes and attachments, an extension hose and a steam iron for caring for clothes.
