Steam cleaning

Not to be confused with Hot water extraction.

Steam cleaning involves using steam for cleaning. Its uses include domestic applications in cleaning flooring and household dirt removal, and industrial uses in removing grease and dirt from engines.

Steam cleaning

Use

Steam cleaning is not suited for all materials, such as materials which are vapor-sensitive or sensitive for high temperatures. Some examples include silk, some types of plastic, leather, paper, wallpaper and water-based paint.^[1]

Environmental friendliness

When used without soap, detergents, or other cleaning products, steam cleaning is an eco-friendly way of cleaning.^{[citation needed]}

Bacteria

Steam cleaning is effective in eliminating 99.9% of bacteria, and is considered a modern way to clean home air-conditioners.^[2]

Use in self-cleaning ovens

In ovens, steam cleaning is an alternative to catalysis and pyrolysis for making a self-cleaning oven, and uses a lower temperature (approximately 100 Celsius) compared to catalysis (approx. 200 Celsius) and pyrolysis (approx. 500 Celsius).^[3]

See also

• Carpet cleaning – using "hot water extraction"
• Clothes steamer
• Steam mop
• Vapor steam cleaning