Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: MrsT on July 02, 2003, 08:54:15 pm
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Can someone tell me if 'dry' steam cleaners are the same thing as normal steam cleaners used for carpet cleaning
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The first point to make is that 'dry' steam cleaners are NOT the same as soil extraction carpet cleaners (also sometimes mistakenly referred to as steam cleaners) and, indeed, 'dry' steam cleaners dont actually produce dry steam! The reason they are referred to like this is because compared to a traditional steam cleaner (ie a hot water pressure washer you would wash your car with at a garage) they use far less water (typically up to 10 litres an hour as opposed to 600 litres an hour).
There is a great deal of confusion about dry steam cleaners and what they can and cant clean which has developed because certain manufacturers do claim they can clean carpets. So it is a good question - do they or dont they?
The first point to clarify is that virtually all dry steam cleaners work on the same principle at similar temperatures. What distinguishes them is the steam pressure, the capacity of water they hold, the power and quality of the heating element, the control of the output and the range and quality of the accessories.
Next, you need to understand how these machines work to appreciate the difference between cleaning hard non-porous surfaces (tiles, bathroom fittings, vinyl floors, kitchen equipment etc for which they ARE very good at) and typical carpet fibres. The fundamental difference is that on hard surfaces the dirt doesn't penetrate the surface. So, once the steam has loosened the dirt, it is easy to remove it with the terry towelling cloths as the steam condenses (reverts from steam to water). However, with carpets the dirt penetrates deep down between the fibres and, although the steam may well loosen the surface soiling, these machines don't have the facility to extract this embedded dirt from deep within the pile.
Proper carpet cleaning machines also use a much larger volume of water to flush the dirt out which is then extracted using a powerful vacuum. In effect what happens with a steam cleaner is that the dirt on the surface is removed and short-term the carpet does look cleaner. However the dirt left in the carpet soon 'wicks' back up the fibres and the carpet is dirty again. You may have heard people say that carpets seem to get dirtier quicker once you've cleaned them but this almost always indicates that they were never cleaned properly in the first place.
Before we get too negative about steam cleaners and carpets there are certain tasks that we should highlight. Because of the extreme heat dry steam cleaners are very good at killing dust mites within carpets and bedding and can reduce household allergens. They are also good at dealing with smaller stains and spills and are good for killing bacteria and combating odours. Curtains and clothing can also be steamed to remove creases and malodours. However, this doesnt qualify them as being good carpet cleaners because they simply cant 'deep clean' - you wont find a single professional carpet cleaner who uses a dry steam cleaner to clean carpets!
In summary.
Dry steam cleaners are intended primarily for hard non-porous surfaces.
They are good for 'freshening carpets' but not 'deep' cleaning.
They are good at killing dust mites and combating odours.
If you need to 'deep clean' carpets buy a dedicated carpet cleaning machine.
As with anything else in life - you get what you pay for!
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wow that moderator's got some wind - why not just say 'no they don't - get a carpet cleaning machine! ;)
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Hi
I agree with every thing the administrator has said, and I found it very informative thankyou.
However the dry steamers can be useful in removing chewing gum from carpet and excellerating spotting chemicals in stain removal on carpets or fabrics. As you say the steamers can also be used as a maintenance clean to take of surface soiling, (a little like bonnet cleaning).
If using steamers on carpet or fabric care needs to be taken on heat sensitive synthetic fibres as it is very easy to heat damage fibre irreversably.
The secret is to test first on an inconspicious area.
Regards
Robert
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The 'steam' cleaner (or dry steam unit) can also cause damage to twist pile carpets...the twist in the yarn is heat set and excessive heat from a dry steam machine can cause the pile to 'felt'
Derek
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Wouldnt they also do some serious damage to synthetic primary backings? like turn the carpet into a rug ;D
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I would like to add that a trained technician would be able to use either machine to clean carpet becuase he has the necessary knowledge and experience.
No use giving someone a Ferrari when he is only a novice driver, he could do more damage than good.
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jlyip,
I have not considered my self a novice at carpet cleaning for the past few decades and concur with the remarks made by Mike.
Steam is not an efficient transporter of soil, so regardless of the skills of the operator will not come near to properly cleaning a carpet - even with the machines that incorporate a degree of vacuum extraction.
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Ive got one of these - Robby 6000. Cost as grand and I have to say have never used it. Been told that they are useful with Red RX for lifting certain stains ??????????
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John who is Mike? Cant see the name on these treads!
Midas sorry to see you spent so much when you did not need too about £40 quid from the sheds (wall paper striper) plus terry towels.
Customer yesterday do you do steam cleaning? reply NO that’s a misnomer, it’s called HWE ???
By the way dry steamers very useful in a pub scenario Gum!
Len
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Len,
Careful what you write - Mike Boxall is the Forum Admin - He who dwells on high.
It is good to see Mike actively participating again as he will often approach an answer from a different direction.
John.
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Hi
Steam generators are an excellent tool if used with great care and providing you have previously experimented on samples at home...
One of the prime requirements are that it has a steam adjustment to control output....I don't think the wall paper stripper will have this facility.
Mr Midas...sounds like to have a good tool...pity not to use it... Five bob for it? ;)
Derek
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Ive spent the money on the machine and am in the process of moving all window cleaning on to wfp system, also am doing some spin off work with carpet cleaning, looking to develop this in the coming months and feel confident that I'll find an avenue for the machine like steam sterilisation of mattresses and kitchen steam cleans on the commercial side. If this doesnt pan out may take the five bob !!!!!!!!!! and a packet of chewing gum !!!!!
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As an addition if anyone uses one of these heed the instructions to not undo the cap whilst under heated pressure. Used it only once, thought it empty tried to undo, got half undone and nearly deafened. The earsplitting screech of escaping steam under high pressure very nearly ripped my eardrums out. Walked out of the house for 15 minutes till it had stopped. Ears ringing for about a week !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Midas,
You are fortunate that it was just your ears that suffered - super-heated steam can strip flesh from fingers.
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Big lesson learned. Ta for the advice John. If you need to use the machine and can get up to Alton Towers to pick it up you can borrow it - but I want it back