How Does a Floor Steam Cleaner Clean?

Written by brenda priddy
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How Does a Floor Steam Cleaner Clean?
Steam cleaners come in a variety of styles. (vacuum cleaner image by vb_photo from

Steam cleaners are used to heat water to the point of steam and inject the steam into the surface that the user is trying to clean. Steam cleaners are an effective way of removing dirt and grime that is ground into the smaller crevices and fibres of a carpet or other object being cleaned. Steam cleaning makes it possible to clean a surface without chemicals or other abrasive materials.

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Steam Chamber

True steam cleaners have a chamber that heats potable water up to the boiling point and turns it into steam. Since steam takes up a greater amount of space than liquid water, it will escape through any exit it is provided.

Steam Jets

Steam cleaners use very small openings that release the built up steam into the object being cleaned. Steam jets focus concentrated jets of steam deep into the fibres of the carpet and melt dirt and other debris, mixing them with the steam.


Many steam cleaners have a rotating brush system that works the fibres and crevices of the surface being cleaned. The brushing action helps further loosen debris and dirt lodged in the fibres of the carpet. Higher quality steam cleaning systems will have several rows of rotating brushes that help loosen the fibres of the carpet and increase the effectiveness of the steam cleaning.


Once the steam has melted the dirt and debris and the brushes have worked the fibres and crevices, the dirt and debris will be loosened enough to be vacuumed out of the flooring. Steam cleaner vacuums not only vacuum up the dislodged dirt, but also the water that resulted from the steam, and stores the dirty water in a chamber disposal. Once vacuumed, the steam-cleaned floor will dry much faster, reducing the chance of mould and mildew.


Many steam cleaners have smaller attachments that will allow users to steam clean hard-to-reach areas. These attachments make cleaning the carpet in vehicles much easier. Many attachments are designed to help clean corners and crevasses.


Steam cleaners work well for cleaning soiled carpets, linoleum and tile grout. Steam is very effective for loosening ingrained grime and other dirt that has been ground into the porous surfaces of flooring. Steam cleaning is also a very effective method for killing bacteria and dust mites. Steam cleaning has been found to drastically improve the living conditions for people with extremely acute allergies.

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