How to choose a steam cleaner for home

A steam cleaner is a device for efficient house cleaning, disinfection of various surfaces and removal of complex contaminants.

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1. Characteristics to consider when purchasing
2. Types of steam cleaners for home
3. Which steam cleaner for the home is better to choose
4. Steam Cleaner Options
5. Steam cleaner cost
6. The best manufacturers of steam cleaners - which company to choose
7. Choice Video Cleaner for Home

How to choose a steam cleaner for your home: characteristics that need to be considered

When choosing a steam cleaner for home use, you should pay attention to the following device specifications:

1. Type of device;

2. Steam boiler volume;

3. Type of heating;

4. Vapor pressure;

5. Power;

6. Water heating time;

7. Steam temperature;

8. Protection system

9. Also important is the manufacturer of the device.

Types of steam cleaners for home

Steam cleaners designed for home use can be divided into three groups:

1. Manual;

2. Outdoor;

3. Steam cleaners, vacuum cleaners and other multifunctional devices.

Manual steam cleaners

Manual steam cleaners are compact devices that are intended for short use. They are suitable for easy care of clothes and short-term cleaning of the house (for example, processing of any one surface).

Structurally, such devices are similar to an electric kettle - water boils in a special container, and the finished steam is supplied through a flexible hose. The overwhelming majority of models are equipped with a self-flowing steam supply system, as a result of which the quality of cleaning can suffer - for example, it will be very difficult to knock out contamination from the fabric.

However, such steam cleaners are suitable for simple cleaning, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.

Outdoor steam cleaners

Outdoor steam cleaners are versatile devices that are suitable for carrying out a full cleaning throughout the apartment. Due to the high power and large volume of the water tank, they can be used to process numerous surfaces, pieces of furniture and clothing.

However, outdoor steam cleaners are an ideal solution for cleaning the entire apartment.

Steam cleaners, vacuum cleaners and other multifunction devices

Multifunctional cleaners can replace several household appliances. For example, they can be equipped with a nozzle-iron for smoothing clothes or a vacuum cleaner mode for "home-cleaning" carpets and similar floor coverings.

Which steam cleaner for the home is better to choose

Choose a steam cleaner for the house should be based on the planned usage scenarios. So:

1. If you plan to handle small surfaces or a small amount of clothing, then you should purchase a manual steam cleaner - it will be enough in most cases;

2. If you plan to handle a large number of surfaces, clothes, disinfect and clean a variety of products in the room, then a floor-mounted steam cleaner is a good solution;

3. If the budget allows and it is planned to carry out a comprehensive cleaning in the room - then you should buy a multifunction steam cleaner.

When choosing a steam cleaner for your home, you should be guided not only by the type and use cases, but also the technical characteristics of the device.

Steam Cleaner Options

The technical characteristics of the steam cleaner directly affect its operating parameters. Therefore, it is important to consider the following device specifications:

1. Capacity for liquid;

2. Type of steam supply;

3. Vapor pressure;

4. Power;

5. Water heating time;

6. Steam temperature;

7. Protection system;

8. Equipment.

Capacity for liquid

The capacity of the liquid tank directly determines the cleaning time (and the number of surfaces that can be treated using a steam cleaner).

The vast majority of portable steam cleaners are equipped with a container for liquids with a capacity of up to 0.5 liters, inclusive. This is enough for short processing - for example, it is enough to wash one or two windows or clean one seat. In the future, will have to add water and wait until it boils.

Outdoor steam cleaners are equipped with a 0.5-2 liter tank. This is enough for cleaning several carpets, upholstered furniture, etc. But, choosing a steam cleaner with a tank of more than 1.5 liters, you should make sure that it will be powerful enough to boil water quickly - that is, to have a capacity of more than 2 kW.

In most cases, multifunction steam cleaners are equipped with a tank of 1-1.5 liters, which is explained by the need to fit additional components into the case. But even this volume is sufficient for processing almost all the necessary surfaces in a small apartment.

Type of steam

There are two types of steam cleaners for the home - with a direct-flow steam supply and a built-in steam generator. They differ in intensity and temperature of hot air at the exit.

Direct-flow steam cleaners

In-line steam cleaners are simply a type of electric kettle. After boiling water in the boiler steam is independently supplied through a flexible tube into the nozzle.

In-line steam cleaners are suitable for treating various surfaces, removing uncomplicated dirt and refreshing loose fabrics. They simply cannot cope with serious tasks like “cleaning the carpet”.

Steam cleaners with integrated steam generator

Steam cleaners with an integrated steam generator provide a significantly higher vapor pressure and its density (between 3 bar and 70 grams per minute, respectively), therefore they are suitable for combating serious soiling and processing dense fabrics like carpets or upholstery.

Often, manufacturers do not indicate the presence (or absence) of a steam generator in the specifications of a steam cleaner. Therefore, it can be determined by the characteristics of the vapor pressure. If it is more than 3-5 bar - most likely, a steam generator is installed in the device. If it is smaller or simply absent in the specifications - we are talking about a direct-flow model.

Vapor pressure

The vapor pressure directly determines the cleaning intensity and the penetration depth of the hot air. It is measured in bars and specified in the device specifications:

1. Not specified - this is most likely a direct-flow steam cleaner, which is intended for disinfecting smooth surfaces and processing fine fabrics;

2. Up to 3 bar - suitable for disinfecting and cleaning smooth surfaces, removing uncomplicated dirt, processing children's toys, upholstered furniture with loose upholstery, fabric drapes, clothes made of breathable materials;

3. From 3 to 5 bar - suitable for removing most contaminants, processing upholstered furniture and bed linen, has an effective antiseptic effect;

4. More than 5 bar - suitable for removing complex contaminants (including fat marks on kitchen utensils and equipment), penetrates deep into the structure of the material, cleans and disinfects carpets, upholstered furniture, bedding. But it can damage heat-sensitive materials - plastic, polyethylene, delicate fabrics - and also lead to detachment of poor-quality dyes or varnishes.

For complex cleaning, purchase a steam cleaner with the ability to adjust steam pressure.

It is also worth remembering that some manufacturers specify in the specifications not the actual vapor pressure at the outlet, but its value in the steam boiler (tanks for boiling water). As the hot air passes through the tube, its pressure may drop by 1-2 bar. This should be considered when choosing a device.

Power

The power of the steam cleaner directly affects the boiling time of the water. It should correspond to the tank capacity:

1. Up to 0.5 L - 500-1200 W will be quite enough for a quick start;

2. From 0.5 to 2 liters - 1000-2500 W;

3. More than 2 liters - from 2200 watts.

If the power is less, the boiling time can be several minutes - and there will be a large loss of the effective amount of water (up to 10-15% of the tank capacity).

For straight-through steam cleaners, it is worth choosing models of increased power - this will provide greater vapor pressure at the nozzle outlet.

Water heating time

The time of heating water directly depends on the power of the steam cleaner and the capacity for the liquid. So, for most models, the standard value of this indicator is:

1. 15 seconds - for manual;

2. 45 seconds - for floor capacity of about 2 liters;

3. 30 seconds - for multifunctional capacity of about 1.5 liters.

This parameter determines the user experience rather than the actual practical qualities of the device.

Steam temperature

The standard temperature of steam is 100 (or even slightly more - about 101-102) degrees on the Celsius scale. With a decrease in condensation is observed - there are drops of water. However, in supersaturated air, steam can retain its gaseous form even at much lower temperatures, up to 60 degrees; and in direct-flow steam cleaners, near the end of the cycle of operation, its temperature can rise up to 120-130 degrees.

In addition, it is worth considering that in the process of passing the flexible tube from the boiler the temperature of the steam decreases - to 80-90 degrees at the beginning of the boiling water cycle and to 90-100 degrees at the end.

However, the vast majority of manufacturers do not indicate the temperature of the steam in the specifications of the device, and steam cleaners with the ability to adjust this parameter are very rare.

Protection system

Protection systems that are used in steam cleaners can be very diverse. Firstly, it is the lock of the boiler lid. It prevents the opening of the water tank when boiling occurs or when a high temperature is set in the tank.

Secondly, it is an automatic shutdown. It can be implemented to achieve the maximum pressure in the boiler (if the steam is not released) or to empty the tank when water runs out in it.

And finally, the third protection system - protection from children. In this case, steam is released only after pressing a special button on the handle of the device.

It is recommended to choose models equipped with all possible methods of protection to prevent burns or to ensure maximum fire safety.

Equipment

The practicality of a steam cleaner for a home is determined by the number of nozzles included in the kit.

1. Iron and non-stick pad for it allow you to iron clothes.

2. Brushes of various types (for example, round) are suitable for removing dirt from various surfaces, but are best suited for cleaning upholstered furniture and toys.

3. Brushes with brass bristles (or other increased hardness) are designed for cleaning heavily soiled surfaces that can be scratched without loss of performance of the product - for example, for pans without a non-stick coating.

4. Microfiber attachments and wipes are designed for cleaning smooth surfaces - flooring, plumbing, cabinet furniture, windows, etc.

5. Window scrapers are designed for cleaning smooth transparent or mirror surfaces.

6. Steam turbo brushes effectively remove stubborn dirt from textile surfaces - flooring, upholstery, etc.

7. Point nozzle and slotted nozzles are suitable for removing dirt from the joints of floor coverings and complex structures, as well as the destruction of heavily stubborn, dried or stuck dirt.

8. The nozzle for the care of textiles is designed for steaming clothes.

Choose a complete set is based on their needs.

Steam cleaner cost

The cost of steam cleaners directly depends on the type and power. Manual models cost from 1.5-2 thousand rubles, and most models are in the price range of 4-6 thousand rubles. Floor cost from 5 thousand rubles, most models - in the range of 8-10 thousand rubles. Multifunction cost from 12 thousand rubles, most models - in the range of 20-30 thousand rubles.

The best manufacturers of steam cleaners - which company to choose

Among the manufacturers of steam cleaners can be identified:

1. Karcher, MIE - premium steam cleaner manufacturers with broad functionality, high power and excellent durability. The disadvantage is a very high price even for its segment;

2. Kitfort - good steam cleaners of the middle and budget price segment.

3. You can also highlight the company DeFort and Smile, but the steam cleaners of their production found on sale is very difficult.

Choice Video Cleaner for Home

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.