Steam cleaning is a fantastic method for making your home spotless and sanitised without the use of harsh chemicals. It's particularly valuable for those who may increasingly struggle to undertake more physically demanding cleaning tasks. With the convenience of steam mops and handheld steam cleaners, it's no wonder many seniors have embraced this method for keeping their homes spotless.



However, as important as it is to know how versatile steam cleaning can be, it's also crucial to know where it shouldn’t be used. Despite its many benefits, the high heat and moisture produced by steam cleaners can cause harm to certain materials in your home. To avoid accidental damage, be cautious of using steam cleaning in these specific areas.

Natural stone floors​

Natural stone materials, such as granite and marble, give your home an elegant touch with their beautiful, durable surfaces. However, using steam cleaning on these floors may result in more harm than good. Steam cleaning can strip protective sealers, causing cracks and pits in the stone due to the expansion and contraction caused by the heat.

Laminate floors​

Steam cleaning and laminate floors aren't friends. Laminate may have a water-resistant surface, but the inner material is made of fibreboard and is highly sensitive to heat and moisture. Steam cleaning can lead to swelling, warping, and even separation between the layers of your floor.

Wood and bamboo flooring​

Hardwood, engineered wood, and bamboo flooring may also be damaged by steam cleaning, as the high heat and moisture can cause the material to warp and buckle due to the swelling and shrinking of internal fibres. This can be costly to repair or replace, so stick to a vacuum cleaner or a dry dust mop to safely clean these surfaces.

Unsealed tile and grout​

Steam cleaning on unsealed tile and grout can lead to staining and damage, as well as mould and mildew growth beneath the surfaces. Make sure any tiles or grouting are properly sealed before attempting to clean them with steam.

Polished concrete flooring​

Popular in many modern homes, polished concrete flooring is a stylish and allergy-friendly choice. However, steam mopping can force grout out of the pores of polished concrete, causing allergens to settle in these spaces. Use a microfiber mop and plain hot water instead to care for this type of flooring.

Plastic items​

Using steam cleaning on plastic items can result in melting and even release harmful chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA), which is a known carcinogen. Avoid steam cleaning plastic or rubber items to prevent damage.

Delicate fabrics​

Steam cleaning should not be used on certain delicate fabrics, including velour, velvet, silk, damask, suede or faux leather, as these materials may shrink, melt, or develop water stains. Always check the fabric care instructions before attempting to clean them with steam.

Surfaces coated in water-based paint​

Steam cleaning may cause water-based paint to peel away or separate from surfaces due to heat and moisture exposure. This includes painted furniture pieces, so avoid these areas when using a steam cleaner.

Interior walls, paper and cardboard surfaces​

Avoid steam cleaning on any moisture-absorbing material like interior walls, wallpaper, and cardboard, as they may warp, stain, or become a breeding ground for mould and mildew. Use a damp cloth and mild detergent if necessary to gently clean these surfaces.

Electrical components and electronic devices​

It's a well-known fact that water and electronics are a bad mix. Steam cleaners can easily cause corrosion and damage to electronic devices and appliances by forcing steam into sensitive components like circuit boards. Avoid using steam cleaning on TVs, computers, gaming consoles, and even the interior of ovens or refrigerators.

Types of Steam Cleaners and Their Uses​

There are several types of steam cleaning devices available for use in the home. Handheld steamers are useful for tackling small, stubborn areas around the home, whereas steam mops are ideal for larger surfaces like floors. Steam cleaners with multiple attachments are suitable for more intensive jobs that require a deeper clean, while canister-style steamers, steam-only vacuums, and steamers with built-in cleaning solutions offer versatility and specialise in vacuuming and spot cleaning.

Steam mops allow efficient cleaning of most hard surfaces, such as tiles and vinyl floors. They are lightweight and user-friendly, and since the steam is pushed evenly across the surface, they provide an even clean without leaving any streaks. A portable handheld steamer, however, is perfect for hard-to-reach and awkward spaces, such as the grout in between kitchen and bathroom tiles. These handheld steamers provide pinpoint accuracy, and they are typically made to be more lightweight and mobile than their mop counterparts.

Finally, steamers with built-in cleaning solutions are great for those who want a hassle-free experience. The cleaning solution is typically held in a separate tank, and when released, it mixes with the hot steam and provides a deep clean. This type of steamer is ideal for tackling rough, stuck-on dirt and grime without the hassle of manually mixing the cleaning solution and the steam.

Key Takeaways

• Steam cleaning can be an effective cleaning method but is not suitable for certain materials and surfaces, such as natural stone floors, laminate floors, wood and bamboo flooring, and unsealed tile and grout.
• Other areas to avoid steam cleaning include polished concrete flooring, plastic items, delicate fabrics, surfaces coated in water-based paint, and interior walls, paper, and cardboard surfaces.
• Steam cleaning can potentially damage electronics and electrical components, so it's essential to keep steam away from such devices.
• Always check the recommended cleaning instructions for surfaces and materials before using steam cleaners to avoid potential damage or degradation.

In conclusion, steam cleaning is an incredibly useful and eco-friendly method for keeping your home clean and sanitised. However, being informed about the potential risks and danger zones can save you from costly damage. Armed with this knowledge, seniors can continue to enjoy the convenience and health benefits of steam cleaning while protecting their beloved homes and belongings. Members, do you have any cleaning tips you can share with us? Comment them down below!

 

[Jest]

Steam cleaning is a fantastic method for making your home spotless and sanitised without the use of harsh chemicals. It's particularly valuable for those who may increasingly struggle to undertake more physically demanding cleaning tasks. With the convenience of steam mops and handheld steam cleaners, it's no wonder many seniors have embraced this method for keeping their homes spotless.

View attachment 20033

However, as important as it is to know how versatile steam cleaning can be, it's also crucial to know where it shouldn’t be used. Despite its many benefits, the high heat and moisture produced by steam cleaners can cause harm to certain materials in your home. To avoid accidental damage, be cautious of using steam cleaning in these specific areas.

Natural stone floors​

Natural stone materials, such as granite and marble, give your home an elegant touch with their beautiful, durable surfaces. However, using steam cleaning on these floors may result in more harm than good. Steam cleaning can strip protective sealers, causing cracks and pits in the stone due to the expansion and contraction caused by the heat.

Laminate floors​

Steam cleaning and laminate floors aren't friends. Laminate may have a water-resistant surface, but the inner material is made of fibreboard and is highly sensitive to heat and moisture. Steam cleaning can lead to swelling, warping, and even separation between the layers of your floor.

Wood and bamboo flooring​

Hardwood, engineered wood, and bamboo flooring may also be damaged by steam cleaning, as the high heat and moisture can cause the material to warp and buckle due to the swelling and shrinking of internal fibres. This can be costly to repair or replace, so stick to a vacuum cleaner or a dry dust mop to safely clean these surfaces.

Unsealed tile and grout​

Steam cleaning on unsealed tile and grout can lead to staining and damage, as well as mould and mildew growth beneath the surfaces. Make sure any tiles or grouting are properly sealed before attempting to clean them with steam.

Polished concrete flooring​

Popular in many modern homes, polished concrete flooring is a stylish and allergy-friendly choice. However, steam mopping can force grout out of the pores of polished concrete, causing allergens to settle in these spaces. Use a microfiber mop and plain hot water instead to care for this type of flooring.

Plastic items​

Using steam cleaning on plastic items can result in melting and even release harmful chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA), which is a known carcinogen. Avoid steam cleaning plastic or rubber items to prevent damage.

Delicate fabrics​

Steam cleaning should not be used on certain delicate fabrics, including velour, velvet, silk, damask, suede or faux leather, as these materials may shrink, melt, or develop water stains. Always check the fabric care instructions before attempting to clean them with steam.

Surfaces coated in water-based paint​

Steam cleaning may cause water-based paint to peel away or separate from surfaces due to heat and moisture exposure. This includes painted furniture pieces, so avoid these areas when using a steam cleaner.

Interior walls, paper and cardboard surfaces​

Avoid steam cleaning on any moisture-absorbing material like interior walls, wallpaper, and cardboard, as they may warp, stain, or become a breeding ground for mould and mildew. Use a damp cloth and mild detergent if necessary to gently clean these surfaces.

Electrical components and electronic devices​

It's a well-known fact that water and electronics are a bad mix. Steam cleaners can easily cause corrosion and damage to electronic devices and appliances by forcing steam into sensitive components like circuit boards. Avoid using steam cleaning on TVs, computers, gaming consoles, and even the interior of ovens or refrigerators.

Types of Steam Cleaners and Their Uses​

There are several types of steam cleaning devices available for use in the home. Handheld steamers are useful for tackling small, stubborn areas around the home, whereas steam mops are ideal for larger surfaces like floors. Steam cleaners with multiple attachments are suitable for more intensive jobs that require a deeper clean, while canister-style steamers, steam-only vacuums, and steamers with built-in cleaning solutions offer versatility and specialise in vacuuming and spot cleaning.

Steam mops allow efficient cleaning of most hard surfaces, such as tiles and vinyl floors. They are lightweight and user-friendly, and since the steam is pushed evenly across the surface, they provide an even clean without leaving any streaks. A portable handheld steamer, however, is perfect for hard-to-reach and awkward spaces, such as the grout in between kitchen and bathroom tiles. These handheld steamers provide pinpoint accuracy, and they are typically made to be more lightweight and mobile than their mop counterparts.

Finally, steamers with built-in cleaning solutions are great for those who want a hassle-free experience. The cleaning solution is typically held in a separate tank, and when released, it mixes with the hot steam and provides a deep clean. This type of steamer is ideal for tackling rough, stuck-on dirt and grime without the hassle of manually mixing the cleaning solution and the steam.

Key Takeaways

• Steam cleaning can be an effective cleaning method but is not suitable for certain materials and surfaces, such as natural stone floors, laminate floors, wood and bamboo flooring, and unsealed tile and grout.
• Other areas to avoid steam cleaning include polished concrete flooring, plastic items, delicate fabrics, surfaces coated in water-based paint, and interior walls, paper, and cardboard surfaces.
• Steam cleaning can potentially damage electronics and electrical components, so it's essential to keep steam away from such devices.
• Always check the recommended cleaning instructions for surfaces and materials before using steam cleaners to avoid potential damage or degradation.

In conclusion, steam cleaning is an incredibly useful and eco-friendly method for keeping your home clean and sanitised. However, being informed about the potential risks and danger zones can save you from costly damage. Armed with this knowledge, seniors can continue to enjoy the convenience and health benefits of steam cleaning while protecting their beloved homes and belongings. Members, do you have any cleaning tips you can share with us? Comment them down below!

in other words throw out the steam cleaner.

 

[Jarred Santos]

in other words throw out the steam cleaner.

There's also that!