Cleaning upholstered furniture with a steam cleaner - quick, easy and simple

Cleaning upholstered furniture using a steam cleaner is an effective and gentle method when compared with using household chemicals.
A steam cleaner removes various contaminants of varying degrees of complexity. Steam removes dust and stains without causing any aggressive mechanical impact on the area being cleaned. Additionally, bacteria, microbes and allergens are neutralized. After reading this article, you will learn the rules for cleaning upholstered furniture with a steam cleaner. Furniture that can be cleaned with a steam cleaner. Any type of surface in the house can be exposed to steam, as high temperatures are not dangerous to their appearance. You can process metal, plastic, ceramic, textile objects and parts. Upholstered furniture, carpets, mattresses, pillows need regular deep cleaning.

This is due to the fact that their fillers may contain mites, which are hazardous to health. This procedure should be carried out at least once a year.

Principle of operation

A steam cleaner operates on the basis of hot steam, which is supplied under pressure from a tank. Jets of hot steam penetrate hard-to-reach places, dissolve dirt, while simultaneously cleaning the surface and disinfecting it. And you can clean it without using chemical detergents!

This device works simply: water is heated in a tank, turned into steam, and then released into a pipe. But its effectiveness is colossal! When the surface being cleaned transforms right before your eyes and the dirt disappears, it is comparable to a miracle. It is not surprising that the number of fans of this miracle device is steadily growing.

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A portable steam cleaner with fairly good performance characteristics. With a low power of 900-1050 W, the steam pressure value is 4.2 bar. The water tank has a volume of 265 ml. There are 2 signal indicators on the body. The device heats up in 4 minutes.

• compact;
• steam supply adjustment;
• affordable price;
• set of 4 nozzles;
• extension hose.

• small tank.

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What furniture can be treated with a steam cleaner?

Many devices allow you to keep your apartment in good condition. The steam cleaner is used for deep treatment of upholstered furniture, removing difficult stains from surfaces that can withstand high temperatures. Steam under pressure penetrates into the surface being treated to a depth of 1 decimeter.

Metal, plastic, ceramic and fabric interior items can be treated with steam . Steam penetrating deeply into upholstery, pillows and mattresses destroys parasites dangerous to human health. Steam is capable of destroying and removing deposits of organic origin. Grease stains, stuck hair, dust clots, stains from juice and watercolor paints can be easily removed with a steam cleaner.

The following types of fabric upholstery are well tolerated by the device:

• velor and velvet;
• jacquard;
• suede
• suede;
• tapestry;
• made of synthetic materials and eco-leather;
• made of genuine leather;
• artificial fur;
• chinchilla fur;
• from matting.

Important! For natural fabrics such as wool, silk or linen, steam cleaning is contraindicated.

How is a steam cleaner iron different from a regular steam boost iron?

Ironing is an additional bonus that a steam cleaner equipped with an iron provides to its owners. The steam generated by the steam generator enters the iron through a practical hose and from there it hits the fabric under high pressure. Moreover, the effect of steam is so strong that you will not need to iron your clothes from several sides.

The indisputable advantage of a steam iron over a regular iron is that it acts on the fabric not with a hot steel sole, but, as already mentioned, with steam. It creates an air cushion between the sole and the textile, which protects delicate fabrics (velvet, silk, guipure) from damage.

Also, with a steam iron, housewives will need much less time ironing. Unlike the traditional version, the steam iron does not need to be refilled with water as often. After all, the steam cleaner from which steam comes into it can hold up to approximately 3 liters of water. This, in turn, should be enough to iron a mountain of things.

Advantages of cleaning with a steam cleaner over alternative methods

Of course, there are many alternative means and methods for caring for upholstered furniture - your favorite sofas and armchairs, but this device is considered the most effective.

Cleaning in the usual way using napkins soaked in a detergent solution helps to some extent cope with the problem. But when it dries, unsightly streaks and stains remain on the upholstery. However, this method is suitable, but only for upholstery made of leather or leatherette.

Furniture upholstery can also be cleaned using a washing vacuum cleaner. It will remove dust and light dirt, but will not be able to disinfect the surface. For sofas and carpets, there are detergents that are diluted to a paste, applied for a while, and then washed off. This cleaning method has a right to exist, but only for minor stains.

Cleaning with a steam cleaner is more effective and also does not require much effort. The device provides gentle surface treatment. Penetrating deep into the upholstery and filling, a jet of steam cleanses the fibers of the materials from dirt and dust mites. The fabric itself is not damaged by steam.

There are many factors that speak in favor of treating upholstered furniture and bedding with a steam cleaner.

1. Removing old shiny stains, degreasing the surface.
2. Disinfection: steam successfully fights parasites, germs and mold.
3. Elimination of unpleasant, musty odors.
4. After steam treatment there are no streaks on the surface.
5. Elimination of folds and lint on fabric covers and decorative elements.
6. Convenience and ease of use. Thanks to its attachments, the steam cleaner allows you to treat hard-to-reach areas in the interior.

A special nozzle allows you to clean hard-to-reach places

Areas of use

A steam cleaner is considered one of the most effective and versatile devices of our time. Initially, the device was used in hospitals and medical institutions to disinfect floors, but over time, the scope of application expanded its horizons. Now, with its help, you can clean not only rooms, but also use it when cleaning car interiors or household appliances. The steam cleaner you choose is most often used for cleaning the bathroom, but there are many other possibilities for use, including:

• Cleaning glass surfaces
• Removing hardened dirt from dishes and household appliances
• Disinfection and cleaning of upholstered furniture
• Cleaning bedding from mites and allergens

Considering all the above features, the device can proudly be called universal and practical to use. The only thing is that it is not recommended to use a steam cleaner on wax and varnish surfaces, and also to clean cold glass in winter (the glass may crack if the temperature changes).

How to steam upholstered furniture

The principle of surface cleaning is to dissolve and remove contaminants using jets of steam supplied under pressure. Jets of steam penetrate into all hard-to-reach places.

Advice! To ensure proper cleaning, it is recommended to read the manufacturer's instructions. It would be useful to familiarize yourself with the attachments included with the device and how the devices are used.

For processing smooth surfaces, a rounded brush attachment is shown, which ensures cleaning efficiency due to a larger impact area. Corners and other hard-to-reach places in interior items are treated using a cone-shaped nozzle; a flat nozzle is well suited for treating joints and crevices with steam.

Heavily contaminated areas of the sofa or chair can be pre-treated with detergent (powder, gel). Chemicals should be selected according to the type of fabric upholstery. The foam composition is applied to the desired location for a period of time recommended by the manufacturer of the product, after which it is washed off with water. After pre-treating the stains, the furniture is cleaned with a steam cleaner.

Plumbing

When cleaning the bathroom, it is important not to scratch the chrome surfaces of metal fittings. A point nozzle is placed on the steam cleaner, through which the contaminants are exposed. Soap and limescale dissolve under a stream of steam. If sufficiently hard deposits have formed on the surface or a grease film has formed, steam cleaning is combined with mechanical wiping with a brush. Recommendation: thick layers of limescale can be pre-moistened with diluted vinegar or citric acid to dissolve.

Step-by-step algorithm for steaming upholstered furniture

Before you begin full cleaning, you should check the upholstery fabric for sensitivity to steam. If, when processing a small, inconspicuous area, the upholstery fabric has not changed its structure or color, you can begin the process.

1. Collect dust, debris and other debris using a vacuum cleaner or damp cloth.
2. Preparing the steam cleaner for use. You need to pour filtered water into the device’s reservoir. Detergent can be added if the manufacturer allows this possibility in the instructions, and there is a need to use chemicals.
3. Modern furniture is usually modular. Therefore, it is recommended to process removable elements separately.
4. Place the appropriate nozzle on the nozzle, and, turning on the device, begin processing the main part, removable sections and hard-to-reach places. Periodically you need to turn it off to wipe the steamed area with a microfiber cloth, as well as replenish the reservoir or change the nozzle.
5. To prevent fabric upholstery from becoming overly saturated with moisture, it is necessary to monitor the steam pressure. Also be careful when steaming areas near wooden or metal decorative elements. Steam that gets on their surface should be immediately eliminated with a dry cloth.

When working with a steam cleaner, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and handle the device correctly so as not to cause damage to interior items.

Regular steam treatment helps keep upholstered furniture tidy and protects the health of household members from harm caused by the proliferation of dangerous microorganisms and dust mites.

Dust mites – will it remove them?

A device such as a steam cleaner is a very important thing, especially for people suffering from allergies. Indeed, today, according to statistics, every 5 people suffer from allergies and half of them are small children. Dust mites are often the cause of an allergic reaction. By cleaning the apartment with a steam cleaner, we destroy dust mites and other allergens invisible to the eye and thereby make life easier for allergy sufferers. At the same time, steam cleaning also removes unpleasant odors and humidifies the air in the room. After it you can breathe much easier.

A large number of harmful microorganisms live on soft toys. Therefore, for the benefit of our children, such toys simply need to be steamed regularly. Steam cleaners help to destroy all these health pests.

Tile seams

To clean joints, use a point nozzle and a round brush attachment. The work of steam is combined with mechanical friction to clean dried contaminants in the seams. After cleaning, the surface of the tiles and tile joints are wiped dry.

Important: if silicone grout was used to lay the tiles, then the effect of the steam cleaner should be short-term.

Windows and mirrors

It is better to clean glass in the warm season. In winter, the windows are preheated with steam from a distance of no more than 5 cm. First, the glass surface is completely wiped with a hand-held nozzle. After this, the window is washed with a jet of steam from a point nozzle, moving from top to bottom. You can dry the glass with a screed, making movements that overlap the surface. To ensure that no streaks remain after drying, wipe the rubber nozzle dry with a napkin as needed.

Tile

The main problem with tiles is soap and limescale deposits. A steam cleaner allows you to get rid of dirt without damaging the tile surface. To work, use a point nozzle, which is brought close to the coating and moved slowly, waiting for the plaque to completely dissolve. If the deposits have hardened, it is necessary to further treat the problem areas with a brush. The combination of intensive wiping and constant steam allows you to remove even old, dried plaque. The napkin in the nozzle is changed as needed. It is recommended to periodically treat the tiles with steam to prevent repeated deposits.

Selection rules

In order to choose the right steam cleaner that is ideal for cleaning upholstered furniture in your home, you should learn more about the types of such devices. Today you can find several varieties of such devices on sale.

• The first and most popular option is manual. It has a compact size and is easy and comfortable to hold in your hand. As a rule, the tank of such models has a maximum volume of up to two liters.
• The second option is a compact steam cleaner , the tank volume of which can be from a liter to three. As a rule, such a medium-sized device has several different attachments included, it is convenient and easy to use. Often the kit may also include a small vacuum cleaner.
• And another option is a stationary model. Of course, the cost of this option is much higher, and it also differs in its dimensions. This device is perfect not only for cleaning furniture, but also for washing windows, tiles and other surfaces. As a rule, such options are distinguished by high power, large tank volume and the ability to heat water in just a minute.

When choosing a modern device for cleaning various surfaces, be sure to pay attention to the power of the unit. On average, the electrical power of steam cleaners should be 1.5-2 kW. Devices with lower power will not be able to efficiently clean furniture. As for the pressure of the escaping steam, this figure should be 3–4 bar (kgf/cm2). It is quite possible to choose models whose tank volume is a liter or one and a half. These models are not too heavy, which will allow you to clean easily and quickly.

Laminate

To clean laminate and varnished parquet, reduce the steam supply by half. Attach two napkins to the steam cleaner nozzle or fold one napkin in half to protect the surface from thermal effects. When cleaning, it is recommended not to stay long in one area so as not to over-wet the laminate. The water dries quickly after cleaning, leaving no streaks. A few recommendations:

• vacuum the floor before steam cleaning;
• Clean only on well-laid and glued laminate flooring;
• fold the napkins on the attachment so that you get at least 4 layers.