Vapor Steam Cleaners
Encyclopedia
Vapor steam cleaners or steam vapor systems are cleaning appliances or devices that use steam
to quickly dry, clean, and sanitize inanimate surfaces. Often the process is effective enough to disinfect or even sterilize the surfaces. The steam is produced in a boiler
that heats tap water to high temperatures (240-310F/115-155C) to produce low-pressure (several atmospheres
), low moisture (4 to 6% water) water vapor
(steam).
The steam's ability to clean is based primarily on its heat. The steam is applied to cleanable surfaces via a variety of insulated tools and accessories, thereby safely providing the energy needed to break soil bonds and release contaminants into water suspension, after which they can be removed by wiping or vacuuming.
This process uses very little water (usage is measured in quarts per hour) compared to carpet cleaners or other cleaning devices (whose usage is measured in gallons per minute), which use hot water instead of steam and are incorrectly called "steam cleaners".
The inherent low-moisture characteristics of vapor steam cleaners make them suitable for use inside buildings and residences.
There are several manufacturers of vapor steam cleaners, with products ranging from higher-end industrial products to inexpensive consumer models.
Vapor steam cleaners are cited as examples of green cleaning since they do not require the use of chemical cleaning solutions. They are growing in popularity because of steam vapor's ability to kill germs and in some cases disinfect without the use of chemical disinfectants. Steam vapor has also been cited as effective in killing dust mites in carpet, bedding, and upholstery.
In 2005, the University of Washington tested a steam vapor system in restrooms and reported labor savings and hygienic improvements over previous methods.
Vapor steam cleaners are frequently used in hypoallergenic
environments because they do not require the use of additional cleaning chemicals, which results in better indoor air quality
and eliminates the need to handle or store cleaning agents. Steam has been shown effective in combating mold
, bacteria
, viruses, and other forms of biocontamination.
Steam
Steam is the technical term for water vapor, the gaseous phase of water, which is formed when water boils. In common language it is often used to refer to the visible mist of water droplets formed as this water vapor condenses in the presence of cooler air...
to quickly dry, clean, and sanitize inanimate surfaces. Often the process is effective enough to disinfect or even sterilize the surfaces. The steam is produced in a boiler
Boiler
A boiler is a closed vessel in which water or other fluid is heated. The heated or vaporized fluid exits the boiler for use in various processes or heating applications.-Materials:...
that heats tap water to high temperatures (240-310F/115-155C) to produce low-pressure (several atmospheres
Atmosphères
Atmosphères is a piece for full orchestra, composed by György Ligeti in 1961. It is noted for eschewing conventional melody and metre in favor of dense sound textures...
), low moisture (4 to 6% water) water vapor
Vapor
A vapor or vapour is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical point....
(steam).
The steam's ability to clean is based primarily on its heat. The steam is applied to cleanable surfaces via a variety of insulated tools and accessories, thereby safely providing the energy needed to break soil bonds and release contaminants into water suspension, after which they can be removed by wiping or vacuuming.
This process uses very little water (usage is measured in quarts per hour) compared to carpet cleaners or other cleaning devices (whose usage is measured in gallons per minute), which use hot water instead of steam and are incorrectly called "steam cleaners".
The inherent low-moisture characteristics of vapor steam cleaners make them suitable for use inside buildings and residences.
There are several manufacturers of vapor steam cleaners, with products ranging from higher-end industrial products to inexpensive consumer models.
Vapor steam cleaners are cited as examples of green cleaning since they do not require the use of chemical cleaning solutions. They are growing in popularity because of steam vapor's ability to kill germs and in some cases disinfect without the use of chemical disinfectants. Steam vapor has also been cited as effective in killing dust mites in carpet, bedding, and upholstery.
In 2005, the University of Washington tested a steam vapor system in restrooms and reported labor savings and hygienic improvements over previous methods.
Vapor steam cleaners are frequently used in hypoallergenic
Hypoallergenic
Hypoallergenic, meaning "below normal" or "slightly" allergenic, was a term first used in a cosmetics campaign in 1953. It is used to describe items that cause or are claimed to cause fewer allergic reactions...
environments because they do not require the use of additional cleaning chemicals, which results in better indoor air quality
Indoor air quality
Indoor air quality is a term referring to the air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants....
and eliminates the need to handle or store cleaning agents. Steam has been shown effective in combating mold
Mold
Molds are fungi that grow in the form of multicellular filaments called hyphae. Molds are not considered to be microbes but microscopic fungi that grow as single cells called yeasts...
, bacteria
Bacteria
Bacteria are a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals...
, viruses, and other forms of biocontamination.