Steam cleaners are a technique designed to make cleaning your home easier. The path of their development began with rather bulky and expensive devices used mainly by clearing companies. Today, such a unit is available to anyone who wants to facilitate their work in maintaining cleanliness in the house. The article will discuss how to choose the right steam cleaner. A rating of the most popular models of 2018-2019 will also be presented.
The principle of the steam cleaner
This appliance is designed to clean surfaces with steam. Before considering how to choose the best steam cleaner for your home, you should understand how it works. Basically, it's a steam boiler. Water is poured into a sealed tank and heated to boiling point. As a result of the transformation of liquid into vapor in a closed space, a certainpressure.
The tank is equipped with a special valve that opens when the pressure reaches a threshold value of 3-4 bar. After it is triggered, hot steam breaks out of the container and, rushing through the tube, is ejected under pressure through the nozzle installed on the apparatus.
A cloud in the form of a rushing stream, falling on the surface to be cleaned, soaks the contaminants on it and, thanks to the powerful impact force, tears them off the surface. Steamed off dirt can be easily removed with a soft cloth during subsequent steps.
Because the device only uses water, this cleaning process is environmentally friendly and suitable for people who are allergic to household chemicals.
In addition, some models are equipped with an additional container for filling detergents. To choose a steam cleaner exactly the way you need, you should consider this nuance. After all, some housewives do not understand cleaning without the addition of chemicals.
An advantage of the considered devices should be considered their almost silent operation.
How to choose the best steam cleaner for your home?
This device has a certain set of characteristics that the buyer should pay attention to when choosing a home assistant:
- The volume of the water tank. On the one hand, the overall tank will allow cleaning for a longer time without additional filling of water. The other side of the coin is a lot of weight, which does not allow you to freelymaneuver the steam cleaner over elevated surfaces. It is also necessary to take into account the fact that it is much easier to steam away dirt in hard-to-reach places with a compact device. If we take into account that the boiling time of water in a small container is not so long, then a short break of 2-3 minutes, which is necessary for boiling newly poured water, will not have a significant effect on the duration of cleaning as a whole. There are designs of devices that allow you to add water during the operation of the steam cleaner.
- Heater power. Models taking into account this parameter are also important to choose correctly. On the one hand, more power allows you to enter the operating mode faster and create more pressure in the tank, on the other hand, the amount of electricity consumed from the network increases.
- Pressure indicator. If you're a professional cleaner and live a busy lifestyle, you should choose a household steam cleaner with features that will save you time. And the force of pressure plays an important role here. The higher this value, the more powerful the jet of steam escaping from the appliance. The multifunctional unit is capable of inflicting a colossal steam blow on pollution.
- Pressure regulator. The heating system switches off when the maximum pressure in the steam tank is reached and then restarts when it drops. Thus, such an adjustment maintains the desired performance during operation of the device at a constant level.
- It is very useful to have a humidity regulator. Considering the process of vaporization, we can say that when water boils in a closed space, pressure increases in it. At the same time, the boiling point will also rise. At a pressure of 4 bar, this indicator of water will not be 100 C⁰, but about 140 C⁰. The result is the so-called dry steam. It is most optimal when processing fabric surfaces that do not tolerate waterlogging.
- Material. Analysis and comparison of this criterion for different models will also help determine which steam cleaner is better to choose. For example, a tank made of aluminum heats up quickly, but is resistant to corrosion. Plastic components, although they are made of durable material, are less reliable to mechanical stress. In addition, it is worth paying attention to the price segment. Cheap Chinese products do not have high wear resistance, so their service life may be short.
The main assistants are nozzles (nozzles, brushes, irons)
Before you choose a steam cleaner, you should decide on the area and type of surfaces to be cleaned. This will allow you to choose the right set of nozzles. Basic accessories for almost all models include:
- Steam gun. Used for wet dusting.
- Point jet nozzle. It is used in hard-to-reach places, for example, when processing joints of surfaces. Good for cleaning faucets, sinks, toilets, radiators.
- Large and small round brushes. Designed to remove stubborn stainshowever, they may scratch sensitive surfaces. Best suited for cleaning rounded surfaces such as washbasins, showers, bathtubs, kitchen sinks.
- Powerful nozzle. Used to remove stubborn dirt, blow through corners, joints, etc.
- Hand nozzle. Designed for cleaning small washable surfaces, showers and mirrors.
- Floor nozzle. Used for cleaning washable wall and floor coverings.
Additionally, you can purchase nozzles for washing windows, a nozzle-iron, brushes of various shapes and diameters. Specific options for accessories should be considered individually for each steam cleaner model.
Leaders in development and production
The most famous manufacturers of the devices in question in 2018-2019 are Karcher, Clatronic, Ariete.
The German company Karcher was one of the first to produce steam cleaners for home use. In the ranking of popular models, devices of this brand deservedly occupy a leading position. In view of such a wide range of household appliances, consumers often wonder which Karcher steam cleaner to choose. To answer it, it is worth considering the characteristic features of each of the models on the market and choosing the best option in terms of functionality and cost.
Karcher SC 1
The main advantage is compactness. Ideal for quick cleaning and easy to usestorage. Weighs only 1.58 kg. With a power of 1.2 kW, it heats up in 3 minutes. Allows you to clean the area up to 20 m 2. Focused on cleaning the bathroom and kitchen. Well removes dirt from taps, washbasins, windows, mirrors, stoves, hoods, tiles.
Karcher SC 2
The steam cleaner has good performance for high-quality cleaning. It has a steam level regulator. A 1.5 kW heater, more powerful than the SC 1, heats up a liter tank in 6.5 minutes. The kit includes a nozzle with a hinge that allows you to effectively clean people of different heights. The system for fixing the floor cloths makes it easy to fix and replace them, without contact with the collected dirt.
Karcher SC 3
Ready to go in 30 seconds. Implemented the possibility of topping up water during operation. It has two levels of steam power. Equipped with a cartridge that cleans the poured water from calcium s alts. The device has space for storing accessories. Equipped with a 2m steam hose with gun.
Karcher SC 4
Equipped with two water tanks for uninterrupted operation. The case is equipped with a built-in cable storage compartment, an accessory compartment, a parking position for a floor nozzle. Suitable for cleaning various surfaces.
Karcher SC 5
Judging by the reviews, this is one of the best steam cleaners, which is recommended for those whowho are looking for a powerful device with excellent ergonomics. The VapoHydro function adds hot water to the steam jet, which makes it easy to wash away the dirt separated by the stream. Includes carpet cleaning pad and steam iron.
The rating of the best models also includes devices from Ariete and Clatronic. They are recommended to pay attention to those who are still deciding for themselves the question of how to choose a good steam cleaner for the home.
Ariete Vapori Jet 4103
A handy, compact steam cleaner that effectively cleans, degreases and disinfects surfaces. It has a fast warm-up time of only 2-3 minutes with 900W of power and 250ml tank capacity. These characteristics make the device convenient and easy to use, as evidenced by numerous user reviews. How to choose a steam cleaner for those who plan to use special detergents in the cleaning process? For these purposes, the following 4 models are suitable.
Ariete Vapori Jet 4109
Similar to previous model. This and all subsequent devices, thanks to a special tank with a capacity of 950 ml, make it possible to use detergent, which allows you to effectively remove dirt. Includes fabric attachment.
Ariete Multi Vapori 4203
Designed for daily cleaning, 1.4 kW of power and 3.5 bar of pressure provide a constant jet of steam that penetrates deep into the surface to be cleaned. In combination with detergent, it achieves excellent results.
Ariete MultiVapori 4204
Equipped with a 1.3 liter tank. The heating element is endowed with a power of 1.6 kW. Strong steam pressure guarantees maximum cleaning and removal of all kinds of contaminants.
Ariete Multi Vapori 4207
The 1.5 liter aluminum boiler with a heater power of 1.4 kW generates a steam pressure of 4 bar. Used to clean various types of surfaces: floors, tiles in the kitchen and bathroom, windows, radiators, plumbing, furniture, fabric surfaces.
Clatronic DR 3280
Made of high quality materials and components, meeting the world's safety standards. Subjected to the passage of environmental and hygienic quality control. Equipped with a reservoir of 1.5 liters, a powerful heater of 1.5 kW. Provides a pressure of 4 bar. Cleans, disinfects and degreases without leaving lime deposits after cleaning. Disinfection is already carried out at a distance of 30 cm. Equipped with a water presence indicator. There are functions for adjusting the temperature and steam power.
How to choose a steam cleaner for your home: user reviews
There are many models from lesser known manufacturers. It would be fundamentally wrong to argue about their poor functionality or ill-conceived design solutions. Before choosing a steam cleaner, it is necessary to carefully analyze for what purposes it is bought, what cleaning it will do, with what frequency. No need to spendlarge sums of money, trying to buy the most functional model at the highest price. This is evidenced by the numerous reviews of users who have already tested this device. Many focus on the fact that, first of all, you should focus on the set of useful functions that will be used constantly.
However, it should be borne in mind that large and well-known manufacturers support their devices better. A well-developed network of service centers, in-depth scientific research that allows the development and implementation of various innovations that improve the efficiency of devices, well-thought-out ergonomics and a complete set of various auxiliary elements, are aimed primarily at considering the model range of steam cleaners from well-known companies. And one cannot but agree with this. Many who have given preference to the equipment of leading manufacturers are satisfied with their choice.
If you are still at the analysis stage - how to choose a steam cleaner, then find out what the devices are made of. The durability and reliability of operation are significantly affected by the raw materials from which the components and blocks of the unit are made. At the beginning of operation, devices made of high quality and fragile materials show equally good results. However, in the future, the steam cleaners of companies that saved on raw materials fail much more often, often without the possibility of restoration.
Helpful tips
BIn the process of domestic use of a steam cleaner, there are some features of its operation that can be very useful.
- The effect of steam on a surface made of soft plastic, delicate fabrics (silk, velor), leather, natural parquet, can damage it.
- When cleaning fabrics, it is recommended to direct the hot jet at an angle to the surface so that the dust is not driven into the depth of the material, but blown out of it.
- When cleaning electrical appliances (microwave, electric stove), be sure to unplug them to avoid a short circuit.
- When removing limescale in the bathroom, for better removal, it is recommended to pre-moisten the surface of the tile with a solution of vinegar and leave for 5 minutes.
- Cleaning and moistening of plant leaves should be carried out from a distance of more than 30-40 cm to avoid thermal damage.
- Clothes, curtains are recommended to be cleaned in an upright position. It is strictly forbidden to steam clothes on a person.
- When cleaning the carpet, it is recommended to vacuum it after steaming.
- Pour filtered water into the tank. Despite the existence of means of removing scale, it is better to prevent its formation. If pieces of it get into the steam generator, it can disable it.
Before you choose a manual steam cleaner or a floor model of this appliance, you should identify the most important criteria and the necessary set for yourselffunctions. It is not advisable to purchase an overall device for a small apartment. In this case, a compact model with quick readiness for work will be enough. If you plan to use the purchased device for cleaning various surfaces, it is best to choose the option with several nozzles or buy them additionally.
