The GoVacuum Blog

By Michele Kadison
I am a newcomer to the idea of steam cleaning, and now that I’ve done some research, it seems like this is the best way to go…. not just in terms of cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing the house , but also in terms of helping maintain the health of our families and the environment.

Steam cleaning involves vaporized water that is heated to over 200 degrees F and applied to surfaces via appropriate attachments.  The steam heat weakens the bonds between the surfaces and the dirt or stains that linger there.  Because all hard surfaces are in reality porous, the steam is able to dislodge embedded elements, killing microorganisms and sanitizing the area naturally.  With the heat creating an almost moisture-free cleaning agent, any type of surface can be wiped, rubbed, or scrubbed as needed, depending on the attachment tool you use.

Looking a lot like a conventional vacuum cleaner, a home steam cleaner is lightweight and easy to maneuver.  Units come in canister, upright, or hand-held models and include a wide range of attachment tools that make cleaning almost any surface a breeze.  You can use a steam cleaner on large surface areas such as tile floors and countertops, as well as on carpeting, upholstery, window screens, mirrors, car interiors, baked-on grills, toys, and everything in between, including removing dry cleaning solvent from clothing.  Steam cleaners are also highly effective in getting rid of animal smells, with no toxic substances that could potentially harm your pets.

Because the only ingredient used in a steam cleaner is water, you are able to do a complete cleaning without a single chemical.  Allergy free, this natural sanitizer banishes toxic residue, with nothing else but water washing down your drain into the communal water supply.

With better results than any other form of cleansing, steam cleaning your home eliminates bacteria, mildew, mold, viruses, toxins, and any other element that can cause infections, irritations, or allergies.  Allergens such as mites, pollen, and other microscopic pests are immediately killed once the surfaces on which they lodge are hit with steam heat.  This is the same for pathogens like E. Coli and salmonella, making a steam heat unit especially effective on kitchen surfaces.

I’ve looked at two steam heat cleaners, which are excellent choices once you decide to change your cleaning habits.

The Environmate Steam Cleaner T730A comes with a refillable built-in water tank with a light indicator to alert you when the water level is low.  This unit is great for tough chores and is made with a 1450 W heating system inside a stainless steel tank.  Included is an eleven-piece accessory kit, which means you have enough tools to clean the whole house.  The unit comes with a power switch on the handle, a pressure gauge for regulating power, and an automatic shut-off system for when the water level is too low for efficient cleaning.

The Lady Bug T2200S has a continuous water refill system and professional-grade cleaning tools.  This unit is made with an EPA-certified TANCS system, (Thermal Accelerated Nano Crystal Sanitation) that helps improve air quality as it removes chemical residues from the environment.  The system functions by heating nano-crystals in tap water, whereby they are activated to blast the cell membranes of microorganisms when initiated by heat.  This fast-acting disinfection is, according to Nelson Labs of Utah, ” thousands of times better than any directly applied water disinfecting system using chemicals.”

Though the initial investment when buying a home steam cleaning unit may be high, it evens out in the long run, and then some.  You won’t ever have to spend money on cleaning supplies again, which includes buckets, rubber gloves, disinfectants, polishers, glass cleaners, oven sprays, and the like.