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Finding easier and healthier ways to clean diverse surfaces with minimal environmental impact is the goal of today's cleaning personnel. One relatively new method that accomplishes this goal, but is somewhat misunderstood, is the use of vapor steam cleaning. Vapor steam cleaning systems use only a little water and a little electricity to sanitize and clean almost any surface without using chemicals.
"These systems can't get any easier for workers," says Dan Nestor, U.S. sales director for Osprey Deep Clean. "They involve water and an energy source for heating it up."
Vapor steam cleaning's origin reportedly goes back to an Italian bartender. The story goes that the bartender was faced with cleaning up glasses smeared with lipstick stains every night. On a whim, he walked over to the cappuccino machine and tried steam on the stain. The steam from the machine removed the stain with remarkable ease. The cappuccino machine became the model for the superheated cleaning process.
The cleaning process
Vapor steam machines work by heating usually less than a gallon of tap water to an extremely high temperature. Boiled under pressure, the water forms a fine, dry mist that dislodges soils and stains when sprayed. Once the pressure of the steam displaces soil, grease and debris, it can be wiped away or vacuumed out.
"It is a nonchemical, nontoxic approach to cleaning that adds efficacy and repeatability to the process," says Rick Hoverson, a principal with Advanced Vapor Technologies. "This process is ideal if you're cleaning areas with public exposure such as restrooms, restaurants or buildings."
"These types of systems use gallons per hour instead of per minute — without applying any chemicals," says Nestor.
Vapor steam systems use so little water because the vapor is created at a high temperature with very low moisture content. The vapor contains only 5 to 6 percent water and is less dense than the air that we breathe. According to Hoverson, a quarter cup of water produces 1,200 qt. of steam.
"The vapor systems can produce thousands of gallons of dry steam using only about 1.5 qt. of water an hour," says Frank Trecki, owner of Business Solutions Inc., a seller of the cleaners.
Clearing up misconceptions
Unfortunately, the early models produced were awkward and bulky to use and unable to maintain a constant steam pressure to allow cleaning of the areas needed. This led to unfulfilled expectations. However, experimentation and innovations have resulted in the powerful, efficient and user-friendly models available today. With the industry's continued interest in Green cleaning, the vapor steam systems are one way to cut down on chemical usage.
The name steam cleaning conjures up images of big systems doing carpet cleaning. These types of systems are actually hot water extractors. While vapor steam systems can be used for carpet cleaning and are quite good for spot carpet cleaning if some kind of pretreatment is used, this is not how they work.
"Steam cleaning for carpets uses hot water with a high moisture content," says Hoverson. "Maybe we should create a different name for the steam vapor system. It is really 'dry' steam cleaning using low moisture."
Safety
Vapor steam cleaning is also a nonabrasive method. The high pressure blast permits cleaning in hard-to-reach areas. Since the temperature of the steam drops dramatically when it merges with air, it is safe to use for cleaning personnel.
"As long as you don't put your hand directly on the tool for an extended period of time, you will not get hurt," says Nestor.
The system is designed to be used by surface contact with the area to be cleaned. In addition, because no chemicals are used, indoor air quality is not harmed. The risks associated with chemical use also are removed.
"Because these systems don't apply any water pressure, they are safe to use on many things," says Nestor. "For example, hospitals use them to clean and disinfect EKG and X-ray machines. They are also safe to use on computer keyboards and electronics without shorting any of the systems."
Disinfection
Vapor steam cleaners kill dust mites on contact, remove allergens, eliminate bacteria and get rid of mold and mildew. Steam has been proven to kill not only a wide range of pests but also their eggs; thus you are eliminating two generations of pests at once and breaking the breeding cycle. Vapor steam cleaning kills germs by the destructive action of the heat on microbial proteins and by the destruction of the fatty cellular membranes of bacteria and fungi.
A recent study sponsored by The Carpet and Rug Institute and partially funded by the U.S, Department of Housing and Urban Development, evaluated three carpet cleaning methods and the growth of fungi (Cladosporium sphaerospermum) and its removal over time. One of the evaluated methods was the Thermal Accelerated Nano Crystal Sanitation (TANCS) steam vapor technology by Advanced Vapor Technologies.
Researchers at the University of St. Louis School of Public Health found that "steam was significantly better than the other two methods with 99 percent efficiency in removal of Cladosporium sphaerospermum from wetted carpet after 24 hours and 30 days' incubation time with 92 percent efficiency after seven days."
Vapor steam methods also remove colonies of germs present on many surfaces that produce a protective film to shield themselves from harm. These biofilms are highly resistant to many germicides, but are penetrated and easily removed using hot steam vapor, according to Hoverson.
"The problem is people don't equate the steam method to disinfection. You can't smell it, it doesn't have suds and it is not a spray. It is pressurized water," says Hoverson.
What to look for
The pressure needed for the systems to obtain the heat for cleaning is produced by a boiler in the unit. Stainless steel is the premium material used in boilers. Stainless offers higher safety points and is more resistant to limescale. Pitting and deterioration will also occur at a faster rate in aluminum than stainless steel.
"There are thousands of different choices in machines and all types of manufacturers," says Nestor. "You have to be careful. Let the buyer beware."
Modern units also offer a continuous-fill system. In a continuous-fill steam vapor system, a nonpressurized, nonheated water reservoir allows water to be added at any time. This means no downtime when the system needs water. Single boilers fill directly into the boiler and when the machine runs empty of water it will need to be refilled and heated.
Because of the heat of the steam, the systems are not practical for use on surfaces that are heat sensitive such as silks and some thin plastics. However, they are safe for personnel to use.
"There are no safety issues. The heat dissipates quickly and what very little water remains on the surface evaporates fast," says Hoverson.
author: BY BILL SWICHTENBERG