Copyright (c) 2007 The Janitorial Store

Are you looking for a way to clean that involves less elbow grease? Are you looking for a healthier way to clean? Have you considered switching to vapor steam cleaning? Vapor steam cleaning is a unique cleaning method that uses high temperature (240 to 280 degrees), water vapor, and pressure to clean, sanitize and deodorize in one easy operation. Although these systems have been around since the 1970s, the early models were expensive and cumbersome. Models of steam vapor machines on the market today are lighter, easier to use, and affordable.

How does the cleaning process work? Steam vapor machines heat tap water to an extremely high temperature so the water forms a fine, dry mist. There is no need to use chemicals in the cleaning process – the heat actually does the cleaning for you. The water is placed in a sealed boiler and heated until it gets to the right temperature. This usually takes about 25 minutes until the system is ready to use.

It is the dry steam that dislodges soil and stains. The high temperature softens grease and oils that make soil stick to surfaces. The steam also gets into those hard to clean areas – sliding door tracks, window sills, and the nooks and crannies that can be difficult to clean. Once the pressure of the steam dislodges soil, grease and debris, it is wiped or vacuumed away. The surface is left not only clean, but sanitized. The high temperatures used in the cleaning process not only cleans, but also kill germs and bacteria.

Vapor steam systems use as little as 1 – 1 ½ quarts of water per hour. This is because the vapor is created at a high temperature with very low moisture content. The vapor contains only 5 or 6% water, so there is less mess and surfaces dry quickly, usually in 15 minutes. Safety concerns of using steam are slight, as the temperature of the steam drops dramatically as it leaves the machine and merges with the surrounding air.

The overall benefits of using a vapor cleaning system include:

* Equipment is easy to use and has great accessibility. Steam vapor units can reach into those small spaces and corners that traditional cleaning methods have a hard time reaching.

*As no chemicals are used, there is a benefit to indoor air quality. In addition, it reduces the risks and hazards that come with chemical use, and there is no chemical residue left after the cleaning process.

* Vapor systems are great for carpet spot removal.

* Vapor cleaning kills mold spores in bathrooms and kitchens.

* Because vapor cleaning uses only water, there is no chemical residue left behind after cleaning.

* Less physical effort is needed, meaning less burnout by your employees.

Advanced Vapor Technologies, which makes several models of steam vapor cleaning systems, recently worked with the cleaning staff at the University of Washington. One of the daunting tasks that staff has is to clean a 123,312 square foot library, which is open 24 hours a day. Technical specialists from Advanced Vapor Technologies trained custodial workers on the use of their Mondo Vap 2400 steam vapor cleaning system. They conducted a six-week test to determine the effectiveness of the equipment.

The equipment was well received by the staff who noted that the extension handle made cleaning hard-to-reach areas – such as behind toilets and urinals – much easier. Using the equipment took no more time than the traditional methods of cleaning and there was a higher degree of cleanliness and reduced drying time. The risk of cross contamination was also minimized since no dirty mop water or mops were used throughout the restrooms. If cleaning staff faced tough soils, they pretreated with a non-VOC solution before using the steam vapor system. This process proved to be more efficient than either steam or chemicals used alone.

You can use the machines to clean floors, walls, ceilings, windows, carpet, kitchens, bathrooms, blinds, glass, and upholstery. Because of the heat of the steam, the systems are not practical for surfaces that are heat sensitive – such as silks, some thin plastics, and some types of velour upholstery.

Steam vapor systems are available for both residential and commercial use. Residential systems start out with a price tag of around $400. Commercial systems run from $1600 to $3200.

Although steam vapor systems have been around for many years, the first models were cumbersome, expensive and ineffective. Models that have been introduced in the last couple of years are efficient, compact, easy to use, and affordable. With the continued interest in green cleaning, the investment in a steam vapor system is one way to decrease the use of chemicals while still ensuring that you have a high degree of cleanliness. New technologies can be tough to incorporate into your existing cleaning protocol, but a steam vapor cleaning system can be an easy and profitable adjustment for your cleaning company.

Many companies in the pressure washer industry will clean heavy equipment, but they don’t often specialize in it, as it is quite hard work. But if you start a business, which purely specializes in tractor and equipment steam cleaning you might be surprised as to how much work there really is. And because the work is hard work and you get very greasy while doing it many pressure washer contractors will not choose to do this type of work. That means there’s less competition for everyone else.

Most steam cleaning and high-pressure hot water cleaning companies would much rather clean concrete, truck fleets and other things such as buildings and parking structures. The work is less tedious, less wear and tear on the equipment and the employees do not get as dirty and complain.

There are many types of tractors to clean for instance a farmer might have agricultural equipment and they definitely need to be cleaned and coated or treated with special solutions so they do not rust in the off-season. Then there is construction type equipment, which must also be cleaned. This makes it easier for welders to weld on new blades on scrapers or hydraulic technicians to work on all the hydraulics that run the mechanisms and PTO attachments. Also tractors much the cleaned for the mobile lube companies so they can lube tractors or put on new tires.

There is lots of business to be had in cleaning tractors and in the steam cleaning business and it is a very lucrative business with high billing hours. Perhaps you might consider this is part of your next business. Think of us in 2006.

A steam carpet cleaner is a great way to remove the dirt from carpet surfaces. Hoover is such a brand of carpet cleaner, which is easy to use and is packed with many useful features. Here are 10 powerful reasons to go for a Hoover steam carpet cleaner.

1) It is lightweight and can be maneuvered around the room easily. Because of lightweight it can be reached in remote places easily.

2) It has a low floor height. Because of this feature areas below furniture pieces can also be cleaned without the hassles of lifting the furniture units and placing them again after the job is done.

3) Comes with 5 in-built brushes for powerful cleaning operations.

4) Water tanks can be operated from sides and are operated by a button. the clean water and dirty water is stored separately.

5) Cleaning is done by “forced” air, which is a great feature for removing pet stains and stains in areas where human movement is much more such as living room and lobbies. Forced air assists in drying the carpet surface very quickly.

6) The Hoover steam cleaner has a flooding handle for conveniently adjusting its height for easy maneuvering. For using the carpet cleaner all you have to do is ad the detergent and water and start using.

7) This Hoover carpet cleaner does not make noise while working. Just a low hum of the steam is what you will hear. The entire operation gives you a very comfortable cleaning experience.

Consumes less water to remove more dirt. With a single operation you will find the clean water tank about half empty even if you use the carpet cleaner on a surface, which has not been cleaned for a year or more.

9) The water carrying tanks are moderate is size which can easily fit in a kitchen sink or basin so that they you can fill them with clean water easily. Also the tanks fit in easily. This is very necessary feature. If the water carrying tanks are too small the, you will have to frequently add to the tank. It is necessary for the tanks to carry so much water that will enable the user to carry out cleaning jobs without any frequent need to fill the tanks.

10) The Hoover steam carpet cleaner can remove all sorts of stains from carpets including pet stains (urine stains), baby urine, sauce, milk stains, tea stains, and much more

Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya

Floor steam cleaners are an effective device for cleaning hard surfaces. They are much more efficient than a mop and pail or a broom. The hard surfaces they work best on are sealed hardwood, linoleum and ceramic tiles. A very important benefit of them is that you do not need any chemicals. These machines are very effective at removing dirt, stain and scuff marks off most hard surfaces.

A floor steam cleaner is very simple to use. Some styles have a washable cotton cleaning cloth or mat that is easily removed from the steamer. The fact that this machine does not use chemicals makes it an environmentally friendly cleaning machine, and millions of people are looking for ways to help the environment.

For people with young children, using chemicals on their floors is something that concerns them. This is why a floor steam cleaner is such a good alternative to harsh chemicals. The steam reaches such a high temperature that it kills germs and bacteria as well.

Some of the popular features of the basic floor steam cleaner units are as follows:

• No buckets or mops
• Easy to use
• Dries fast
• Durable cloth pads
• Good for many different types of hard surfaces
• No chemicals
• Cleans and sanitizes

If you are curious as to where you can find a good floor steam cleaner then use your favorite search engine and look up some consumer reviews of these products to help you get an idea of what is available. If you are comfortable with shopping online then you can always purchase what you want directly from a manufacturer’s website.

Alternatively, you can visit your local home supply centers, do it yourself centers, department stores or specialty stores to find the right floor steam cleaner for your needs. In speaking of your needs, it is also important to determine what exactly your needs in regards to a steam cleaner are.