Steam Cleaner vs. Upholstery Which One Do You Need?
A lot of our customers are asking about the difference between steam cleaner and upholstery cleaner or use the two terms interchangeably. As a company striving to provide the best carpet cleaning services in NY, we use all kinds of equipment to handle the toughest cleaning jobs and would like to clear the confusion between the two types of cleaners. Here’s what you should know about steam cleaner vs. upholstery cleaner:
What Is a Steam Cleaner and How Does It Work?
A steam cleaner is a piece of equipment that heats water beyond the boiling point and releases the heated vapor through an attachment. The water vapor is pressurized and is thus able to remove allergens, bacteria, mold, dust mites, and even bed bugs. Steam is so effective at cleaning because it has very small molecules which can penetrate pores of multiple surfaces, while the heat kills microorganisms.
Depending on the shape of the steam cleaner, there are three main types of equipment:
Handheld steam cleaners
They are affordable and portable and are mostly used for steaming wrinkles or cleaning small areas.
Steam mops
Resembling stick vacuums, these steam cleaners are used for mopping floors.
Canister steam cleaners
Recommended for large scale cleaning as they produce higher pressure and feature larger water tanks. They are often equipped with various attachments for cleaning different surfaces.
What Are the Benefits of Steam Cleaning?
Steam cleaning can be used on a variety of surfaces: upholstery, curtains, carpets, floors, tiles, metal fixtures, countertops and sinks, BBQ grills, recycling bins, etc. It is even used for mattress cleaning as steam is an effective method for eliminating bed bugs. Benefits of using steam cleaners include:
Kills 99,99% percent of bacteria, molds and viruses
The high temperatures combined with pressure not only manage to dislodge dirt, but also eliminate 99,99% of microorganisms.
Clean without using chemicals
Steam cleaners can be used per se, without adding a cleaning agent, which makes them safe options for people suffering from allergies or asthma triggered by cleaning substances.
Safe for your family and the environment
Steam cleaners are very effective at sanitizing surfaces without releasing harmful chemicals into the environment. This green cleaning method is preferred by many upholstery cleaning NYC companies as it enables them to meet the demands of all customers and have a reduced impact on the environment.
Disadvantages of Steam Cleaning
While steam cleaners have lots of advantages when included with couch cleaning services or carpet cleaning, there are also a few downsides of this cleaning method:
Burning hazard
Always keep steam cleaners out of children’s reach and be careful while handling them because the high temperature of steam can cause burns.
Heat can damage some surfaces
Steam cleaning, although popular with homeowners and couch cleaner services, is not suitable for all surfaces. For instance, steam cleaning laminate floors or delicate upholstery or carpets containing viscose is not recommended. Steam can cause laminate or hardwood to swell and will damage delicate fabrics and cause viscose to shrink.
What Is an Upholstery Cleaner?
An upholstery cleaner is a piece of equipment designed to deal with stains, spills, crayon marks, and all kinds of residue that needs to be removed from upholstery. Cleaning can be achieved through multiple methods, such as hot water extraction, steam cleaning, brushing, etc., which can be combined or provided separately.
What Is the Difference Between the Two Types of Cleaners?
Upholstery cleaners include upholstery steam cleaners but are not limited to them. While upholstery steam cleaning is a very effective method of cleaning and sanitizing your furniture, not all upholstery cleaners use steam.
Different types of upholstery cleaners include vacuum cleaners with motorized brushes, water extractors withs scrubbing tools, hot water extractors, and professional tools for removing pet stains and messes. Many of these products can also be used for carpet cleaning, not just for upholstery, and are commonly employed by couch cleaner NYC companies.
While the types of upholstery cleaners presented earlier typically need combining them with cleaning agents, equipment for furniture steam cleaning relies on the power of steam only. Steam cleaners’ ability to sanitize without using chemicals makes them suitable for people and pets that suffer from allergies. For more convenient and efficient couch steam cleaning, upholstery steam cleaners can be equipped with a suction feature, enabling the user to vacuum the dirt displaced by pressurized steam.
What Kind of Furniture Can You Use Upholstery Cleaner On?
Upholstery cleaners can be used on all types of furniture, except for using upholstery steam cleaners or hot water extractors on delicate fabrics. Moreover, upholstery cleaners utilizing water are not recommended for viscose couches as water can cause this material to shrink and distort.
In conclusion, what do you need - a steam cleaner or an upholstery cleaner?
The answer depends on the type of cleaning method that is the most effective and safe for your furniture. A general-purpose steam cleaner can be used for upholstery, too, but may not be suitable for your particular type of sofa or mattress and could lack the features that make cleaning more effective. As an upholstery cleaning Brooklyn service, we can assess your couch cleaning needs and use the right type of equipment, without you needing to purchase and maintain expensive cleaning machines. Get a free quote for your required service today!
