Steam cleaner is a device that allows you to clean various surfaces with steam. When choosing a steam cleaner, it is worth understanding the features of the equipment and the desired front of the work. For cleaning small rooms or a car, a manual steam cleaner is perfect, for work on a large area or to remove complex contaminants it is worth choosing an outdoor option.
Peculiarities
Before you begin to disassemble the features of manual and outdoor steam cleaners, it is worth noting that it is not necessary to confuse a steam cleaner with a steam generator. Not every steam cleaner has the opportunity to disappear clothes. Having made a slight retreat, moving to the main part. Let's start with manual steam cleaners, because they are most often acquired because of a low price. These fixtures have the following advantages:
- The small mass of the device allows you to process the most inconvenient places and does not shine your movements;
- convenient in storage;
- Because of the small volume, the water is heated faster to the state of the steam;
- Small energy consumption.
The disadvantage will be all the same small volume of the tank. It is enough for 30-40 minutes, after which it will be necessary to re-pour water.
When filling out, turn off the steam cleaner from the network and wait until the water comes to a boil.
What is it needed for?
The initial purpose of steam cleaners was disinfection of the premises. Couple destroys most of the well-known microbes and allergy pathogens. Also, ferry processing eliminates ticks and other parasites. For this cleaners are very valued by people with allergies. Modern household steam cleaners are used in various everyday needs. With their help, you can remove in any room: kitchen, living room, bedroom, bathroom or toilet. Hot steam will be effective in the following cases:
- removal of frozen spots from tiled surfaces, hob, microwave furnace;
- elimination of lime plates from mixers and other chrome-plated things;
- cleaning carpets and furniture;
- getting rid of parasites;
- Washing windows, blinds and mirrors;
- If the steam cleaner has an appropriate function, then it can be used as an excavator for clothes.
The spectrum of functions performed by the steam cleaner is very wide and varied. This is a useful thing in domestic needs.
Rating of the best brands
When choosing a steam cleaner, it is not bad to have a list of reliable and proven manufacturers at hand. This list for popular brands will be shown below.Karcher.
Karcher is a famous German brand. In the ruler of steam cleaners, there are both compact models and very powerful functional devices. Products are characteristic: high-quality assembly, a rich set of accessories in the kit, warranty.
Clatronic
CLATRONIC manufacturer also comes from Germany. Models of this company are considered budget. But complete with cleaners are the necessary nozzles, and the design itself is highly manufacturable. There are both manual and outdoor models.
ARIETE.
The Italian brand ARIETE offers a choice of manual steam cleaners, canister steam cleaners, as well as steam mop. The goods apply to the manufacturer's guarantee. Complete to floor models there is a set with nozzles of various destinations.
Polti.
Another Italian brand. In the line of models, in addition to manual and outdoor options, there are 14 able to cope with the most different tasks . As an additional nozzle is offered steam disinfector, For professional use.
Philips.
Philips products have long been known in the market of domestic consumers. Steam generators of this manufacturer enjoy special love. The choice is offered hand and vertical models. The manufacturer's warranty can be up to 5 years.
How to choose?
When choosing a steam cleaner for the house, you should pay attention to the specifications and package. Standard modern set when buying a steam cleaner includes a minimum of three nozzles. It should be understood that the amount of nozzles becomes the increase in the unit. For budget models, it is planned to acquire the necessary components separately.
Optimal can be considered the following set:
- measuring glass and funnel;
- extended nozzle nozzle;
- rounded brush;
- Brush for cleaning smooth surfaces and fabric for fragile things.
Compared to manual, floor steam cleaners include a larger number of nozzles and functions, but for normal household cleaning, they are redundant. The next important point when choosing is the specifications. There are several parameters from which you want to repel when buying.
- Power - The main component of performance. For manual steam cleaners whose power ranges from 0.7 to 1.6 kW, the optimal choice are models more powerful 1 kW.
- Pressure inside the tank. It depends on this indicator how multitasking your device will be. It is recommended to choose models with a pressure of 3 bar.
- Heating time. For manual models, this value is around 10-30 seconds. About heating reports indicator. Outdoor models are warm at least 5 minutes.
- Paper generation. There are two variants of vaporization: in the reservoir itself or at the output of the nozzle. The first option is characteristic of manual steam cleaners, thus, steam does not have time to cool.
- Case material and reservoir . The housing must be made and heat-resistant material, the boiler is made of steel or aluminum. Aluminum is a winning option, because it reduces the total weight of the product.
- Reservoir capacity. It depends on this parameter how long you can use a steam cleaner without topping the water, and how quickly its heating will be carried out. In manual models, the volume of the reservoir ranges from 200 ml to 2 liters. Choose from your needs and physical abilities.
- Length of cord . In order not to limit the scope of the steam cleaner, it is recommended to choose models with a length of the cord from 4 to 6 meters.
How to use?
Do not think that the steam cleaner will turn cleaning in an easy and fast process. For the greatest efficiency, it is necessary to use nozzles for the cleaner. The steam supply should be carried out at a distance of 2-5 centimeters from the pollution site. When processing plant ferry, the cleaner must be 30-40 centimeters at a distance. If your model of the steam cleaner does not have the sweeping function, then you should not risk with the treatment of curtains and clothing. A large amount of pair of allocated can damage your things. The following security measures should also be observed:
- When working, try not to touch the reservoir and hold on to handle;
- Do not open the reservoir before cooling the water so as not to fall under the emission of steam;
- Avoid hitting the jet of steam to unprotected body surfaces.
Adhering to recommendations from this article, you can choose a steam cleaner who will satisfy your household needs.
In the next video you will find a brief overview of the Karcher SC manual steam cleaner.