Steam cleaner for clothes: can you iron clothes with a steam cleaner? Rating of the best steam cleaners. How to clean a fur coat, sheepskin coat or down jacket at home?

The essence of the work

The operation of the device is based on the property of steam to clean and dissolve contaminants.
Water is poured into a special tank, which is heated to a temperature above 100 °C. The resulting steam under pressure enters the steam line, then into the supply handle and onto the contaminated surface. Expert opinion

Borodina Galina Valerievna

It soaks up dirt. Under pressure, the swollen dirt is “blown out” from hard-to-reach places, then removed effortlessly with a soft cloth.

Application

The scope of use of a household unit is extensive. They can be used to clean surfaces and hard-to-reach places throughout the house.

The cooking area is one of the most polluted places in the apartment. After the cooking process, stains of grease, soot, and splashes remain on kitchen appliances. The kitchen backsplash and floor coverings have seams that are difficult to restore to their original clean appearance.

Stove or cooking surface, including cast iron grates, gas switches, buttons, seams adjacent to the work surface.
Oven, including rubber seal, wire rack, baking trays, glass door.
Dishwasher or washing machine, especially rubber bands in which dirt accumulates, trays for pouring detergents.

Kitchen backsplash, especially tile joints.
Plumbing equipment, including faucet, sink.
Kitchen cabinet surfaces and handles.
Floor covering.
Window.
Suspended ceiling.

Bathroom

Certain areas of cities and towns can boast of water that does not leave residue or hard stone on the plumbing. In addition, soap stains constantly remain on the walls of shower cabins and glossy surfaces, which it is advisable to remove immediately.

Walls lined with ceramic tiles and the seams between them, the joints between the bathtub and the wall.

Plumbing, including toilet, washbasin, faucets, shower heads.

Living rooms

A steam cleaner is used for cleaning bedrooms, living rooms, and children's rooms. Many artificial flowers or decorations can be easily cleaned using an electrical appliance.

Mirrors
Window
Furniture
Some walls, for example, fashionable false brick
Floor coverings, in particular laminate, linoleum

House plants, the distance should exceed 20 cm, it is better to use a special nozzle for steaming things
Clothes are more likely to use the steam function to smooth out wrinkles and wrinkles

Purpose of the device and advantages

A powerful jet of steam effectively cleans any contaminated surfaces. Replaceable nozzles make it easier to wash the floor, clean glass, tiles, hobs, etc. Hot steam is destructive to germs, so a steam cleaner is often used to disinfect things and premises. It also makes it easier to smooth out wrinkled fabrics. The steam jet quickly copes with ironing items by weight, ideally smoothing out folds and deep creases, giving the fabric a neat appearance.

With a steam cleaner you can tidy up any item in your wardrobe. It will delicately steam any fabrics and even outerwear. Steam is convenient for cleaning faux and natural fur coats, cashmere and wool coats, down jackets, sheepskin coats, and hats. Steam penetrates the fibers of the material without damaging it, leveling their structure.

There are a number of fabrics that require steam cleaning rather than traditional washing. It can be done at home with a compact device. This ensures that the material is not exposed to harmful chemicals. In addition, you will not have to waste time transporting things to a specialized laundry. Products that are best cleaned with steam include:

furs that cannot tolerate moisture;
dresses and blouses made of delicate fabrics that are prone to deformation;
items that shrink during normal washing;
garments painted with unstable dyes that fade when in contact with water.

Advantages of a steam cleaner:

copes with dust and stains of various origins;
disinfects things, ridding them of germs and dust mites;
cleans furs, preventing the appearance of moths;
degreases surfaces;
cleans without auxiliary products.

A steam cleaner makes it easier to care for wardrobe items that are difficult to properly iron. For example, behind suits, which should be cleaned in a vertical plane. For a standard iron, this task is impossible. The steam cleaner can also handle home cleaning. A powerful steam jet easily removes all kinds of dirt.

Is it possible to steam clothes with a steam cleaner?

There are a huge number of fabrics that cannot be washed, as they will lose their appearance when washed. The main fabrics are:

delicate, which can stretch after washing;
fabrics that can shrink after washing at any temperature;
fur, which is undesirable to expose to moisture;
colored, which may fade after washing.

Therefore, for clothes made from these materials, it is best to use a steam cleaner. The device will not damage clothes, and they will remain in the same form as before steaming.

Attention! The advantage of this device is that it can easily rid an item of stubborn stains that cannot be removed by washing.

Advantages and disadvantages of cleaning

A steam cleaner has a number of significant advantages, but there are also disadvantages

A steam cleaner has a number of significant advantages. The purchase is especially recommended for those who suffer from allergies, asthma, and have small children.

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Advantages of a household steam generator:

Environmentally friendly. Cleaning is carried out without household chemicals.
Speed. There is no need to soak or pour anything. A fine water stream is applied to the dirt and the dirt is immediately removed with a cloth or using a nozzle.
Minimize effort. After dousing with steam, there is no need to rub with incredible force. All dirt is pushed out to an easily accessible place, from where it can be easily washed off.

The modern method of cleaning furniture is considered the best and most universal among specialists. The steam cleaner used to treat surfaces has a number of useful functions and is able to easily cope with various complex tasks.

Steam cleaning furniture has the following benefits:

suitable for all types of surfaces;
does not require a lot of time and physical labor;
professionally removes most types of contaminants;
carries out disinfection;
eliminates unpleasant odor;
does not require the use of chemicals;
is environmentally friendly;
steam does not leave wet and dirty stains;
penetrates into hard-to-reach places.

The main disadvantage is the cost of professional equipment or dry cleaning services. A simple iron with a steam function or a vacuum cleaner cannot replace a steam generator for professional cleaning. The device has high power, which increases the effectiveness of cleaning furniture.

Karcher appliances have good characteristics for home use. From the manufacturer's assortment you can choose the optimal high-quality device at an affordable price. Taking care of its customers, Karher has developed a new unique equipment that combines the properties of a vacuum cleaner and a steam cleaner for furniture. This model significantly reduces cleaning time, simultaneous suction of dirt, cleaning of the surface, and drying occur.

How a steam cleaner works and its capabilities

The operating principle of a steam cleaner is simple. Water is poured into the tank, brought to a boil, and then comes out in the form of a stream of hot steam. Various attachments and nozzles are used for work.

What you can do with a steam cleaner:

Clean the upholstery of upholstered furniture from dust;

Disinfect the surface: kill germs, bacteria, microorganisms;

Degrease different types of surfaces

Remove unpleasant odor;

Renew soft toys;

Clean the curtains;

Remove animal hair and hair from the surface.

And this is just a small part of the list of functions.

Karcher is a frequently sought-after steam cleaner. It is possible to select a model: by weight, power, tank volume, availability of steam control function and other characteristics.

Rules of operation and care

To obtain the desired result and preserve the structure of even the most delicate materials, it is worth arming yourself with a few tips.

Only purified water is suitable for the steam cleaner to prevent streaks on the fabric.
When steaming, the steam cleaner nozzle should be kept almost parallel to the fabric so as not to spoil the surface.
The steam power is adjusted according to the type of fabric being processed. It is important to choose the most gentle mode for items made of delicate materials.
When steam cleaning carpets and upholstered furniture, you need to vacuum the surfaces before and after treatment. The product must first dry completely. After cleaning, you need to check it for moisture level. If necessary, leave to dry in a room with good air circulation.

Causes of scale

A clothes steamer is a household appliance that smoothes out wrinkles and creases in fabric using a stream of hot steam. The unit works in close interaction with water. Regardless of careful use, scale will form on its internal parts over time. Limescale is caused by the following reasons:

hard tap water; ordinary tap water contains many foreign impurities, which quickly turn into solid deposits;
intensive use of the device, the more often the steamer is turned on, the faster limescale deposits form.

Limescale poses a real danger to a household appliance. First of all, it worsens the heat transfer of heating elements. During operation, the steamer consumes more energy to warm up new portions of water, is subject to overload and fails prematurely. Plaque that forms in the inner tubes and at bends impedes the passage of liquid and makes the device less effective when used.

If the scale in the steamer is abundant and noticeable, it may leave whitish marks on clothes during operation.

Important! It is necessary to descale the steamer regularly, without waiting until the contaminants begin to really interfere with the operation of the device.

Flaws

Price. Most models are presented by German manufacturers. Therefore, the cost of a steam cleaner with a set of additional functions or attachments is high.
Compliance with safety regulations. The work takes place with steam whose temperature exceeds 100 °C. If there are cracks in the supply tube or visible damage, do not turn on the electrical appliance and start working. It is important to handle steam carefully while cleaning.
Not 100% effective. Even a powerful steam cleaner will not remove old, deeply ingrained dirt.
High humidity is dangerous for some surfaces. It is not recommended to use a steam generator to clean the seams of MDF cabinets. This leads to swelling in the area where the film is applied. Do not steam the joints of the window sill and the wall or window cracks with silicone. It lags behind and loses its insulating properties.

Recommendations and prevention of scale formation

It is impossible to completely prevent the formation of scale in the steamer; one way or another, with frequent use of the device, it will appear on the walls. But you can slow down its occurrence if you follow simple rules:

pour filtered or distilled water with a soft composition without hard salts into the household appliance;
use a magnetic transducer - a special tube for pump-action models that does not allow mineral salts to settle on internal parts.

To prevent plaque from turning into a serious problem, it is recommended to clean the steam steamer preventatively once a month or less, depending on the intensity of use of the device.

Some steamers work with hard water, but they last longer when using filtered water.

How to steam clothes?

Before you get started, you need to carefully study the signs on the label and make sure that this type of care is acceptable for a particular product:

clothes prepared for ironing should be hung on a hanger, straightening out existing creases and folds;
select the operating mode according to the type of fabric;
move the nozzle smoothly 5–10 cm from the surface of the product, moving the unit, gradually moving vertically;
For better results, use suitable attachments and clamp.

Characteristics

To choose the optimal model, you should familiarize yourself with the main technical characteristics of the electrical appliance. This affects its functionality and areas of use.

The nuances of appearance are related to the size of the device and the method of movement.

By design, steam cleaners are:

Manual. They have small dimensions and a small volume of water tank. Purchased for cleaning the car interior.
Floor-standing. A common option is intended for use in homes, apartments, and professional cleaning services.
Combined option. It is a floor-standing electrical appliance from which you can take a manual one.

Steam cleaners: 1-Manual 2-Floor-Mounted

Volume of water container. The size of the tank affects the time it takes to heat the water and supply the first portion of steam. The maximum volume is 4 liters. Usually in everyday life three liters of water are enough for cleaning.
Power of the electrical appliance. The speed of water heating and the strength of steam supply are affected by the power of the steam generator. The higher it is, the greater the productivity. It is advisable to purchase a product with a power of at least 1500 W.
Highest steam pressure. Pressure is directly dependent on steam temperature. The higher the temperature of the steam, the greater the pressure. The indicator should not be lower than 2 bar.
The period of uninterrupted operation of the device. The characteristic depends on the volume of the tank. The larger the volume of the water tank, the longer the period of non-stop operation of the device. Typically the period ranges from 20 minutes to an hour and a half.
Steam temperature. The value can be from 100 °C to 180 °C. This affects the pressure force of the steam jet. The higher the temperature, the easier it is to wash off difficult dirt.
Use of special means. Some devices allow the addition of liquid household chemicals. When sprayed onto a dirty area, a foam is formed, which allows you to remove stubborn stains.
Water heating time. The period from the moment water is poured into the tank until the first portion of steam is supplied. Can take from 4 seconds to 30 minutes. This indicator is affected by the power of the electrical appliance and the volume of water.
Possibility of adjusting the intensity of steam supply. Depending on the degree of contamination, the steam power can be adjusted.
Anti-scale protection for electrical appliances. Hard water shortens the life of an electrical appliance. When boiling, impurities in water settle on the heating elements, thereby damaging the steam generator. Therefore, some models are equipped with a water softening filter.
Presence of a fuse. All devices have an overheat protection function. If there is no water, the steam cleaner is disconnected from the network.
Placement of steam control buttons. Placing them on the handle simplifies the cleaning process. The steam pressure can be adjusted without bending or bending towards the appliance.
Power cord length. The longer the cord, the more comfortable the cleaning process. It is advisable that the cord be no shorter than 4 m.
The presence of a device for storing nozzles. Many accessories are stored on the electrical device itself. Which is convenient, because it’s easy to change the nozzle while cleaning.
Number of nozzles included. Many models have a number of adaptations for different surfaces and degrees of dirt. Their cost is included in the purchase price of the steam cleaner. But some can be purchased additionally from the manufacturer.
Dimensions. A steam cleaner is a large appliance. Before purchasing, you should study the dimensions and decide on storage location. For example, the dimensions of Karcher SC 3 EasyFix are: 360X236X253 mm.

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Anti-scale agents and their use

There are two ways to clean the device from deposited scale at home: clean it with detergents purchased in the store, or use ordinary household products that are available at home. The choice of cleaning technique depends on the steamer model.

Chemicals

You can buy a chemical solution in specialized stores. It is worth considering that you need to purchase a product specifically for steam equipment. Preference should be given to products containing components for careful care of equipment.

For cleaning to be successful, you need to follow the instructions:

Pour the chemical solution into the water compartment.
Warm up the device to the highest temperature. It is important that the process is performed over a bathtub or sink.
Activate the steam release function.
Repeat the steps until the product has completely evaporated.

Be sure to rinse the steamer to remove chemicals. To do this, the same procedure is performed using filtered warm water.

Chemical solutions are used in cases where there is no confidence in the effectiveness of homemade products.

Household products

The use of household products is quite common when cleaning kitchen appliances. Sometimes such solutions help no worse than expensive store-bought products. You can achieve a positive result in several ways:

Cleaning with mineral water

Settled scale can be easily removed with mineral water. Most often, this method is used for devices with a plastic body. The procedure is easy:

Pour sparkling water into the reservoir.
Heat the steamer to maximum temperature.
Activate the steam release function. Also keep the device over the sink.
Continue until the mineral water evaporates.
Clean again with warm water to remove carbonated drink residue.

Cleaning with citric acid

Citric acid is a worthy alternative to expensive chemical products. You can quickly and easily remove scale with it. The main thing is to correctly distribute the proportions. The procedure is quite simple:

Add a tablespoon of citric acid to a glass of warm boiled water. Stir and let it dissolve.
Pour the resulting liquid into the compartment.
Activate the steam release function. Keep the appliance over a sink to avoid dirty liquid spilling onto the floor.
Repeat the action until the solution evaporates.
Be sure to repeat the process using warm boiled water to wash away any acidic residue.

Cleaning with vinegar

Vinegar can also descale your device. The effectiveness of the product increases when heated. Vinegar may give off a strong odor, so it is better to open the window before the procedure. The steps are the same:

Add a spoonful of vinegar to a glass of warm water.
Pour the resulting solution into the liquid compartment.
Release steam at the touch of a button.
Repeat until the liquid evaporates.
Rinse with warm water.

Video review: How to choose a steam cleaner

There are several criteria for choosing steam cleaners.

Device weight. In this case, the mass of the empty tank is not taken into account, because before use it will be filled with water.
Tank volume. The smaller it is, the more often you will have to add water.
Complete set with nozzles.
Hose length. Low-power models should not have a hose that is too long so that the steam does not have time to cool while passing through it.
Heating time.
Rating of popular manufacturers. It includes: domestic Kitfort and European Karcher, ENDEVER.

Care:

Manufacturers recommend using only purified, high-quality water;
descaling is required twice a year;
the remaining water after turning off the device must be drained;
It is important to exercise caution when working with a steam appliance to avoid burning yourself or others.

To learn how to choose a steam cleaner for clothes, watch the following video.

How to descale a handheld steamer

Regardless of the chosen cleaning agent, you can get rid of scale in the steamer using a single algorithm:

the prepared solution is poured into the device reservoir - 3/4 or more to leave a small space to the edges of the compartment;
the unit is heated to a boil, the higher the temperature, the more effective the effect of the cleaning agent;
activate the steam supply several times in a row to completely empty the tank of the solution;
Rinse the device with ordinary filtered water to remove any remaining deposits.

Important! After cleaning the steamer, it is recommended to first test it on a piece of old fabric. This will ensure that the device does not leave streaks on clothes.

Middle price segment (up to 10,000 rubles)

Most low-cost models are hand-held steamers. Among them are the brands Kitfort, MIE, KARCHER.

MIE Forever Clean

A hand-held compact steam cleaner with a 0.48 liter tank. The power of the electrical appliance is 1200 W, the highest steam pressure is 4 bar.

Compact.
Makes it easier to clean lightly soiled surfaces.

You can iron outer garments.
Suitable for cleaning in homes where allergy sufferers live.

Short power cord.

Ineffective for removing old stains.

KARCHER SC 1

SC 1 is a small-sized model. You need to fill it with 200 ml of water. The device is ready for use in 180 seconds. Steam pressure indicator – 3 bar.

Lots of accessories for different surfaces.
Helps keep your entire home clean.

Cleans grease and splashes in the kitchen in hard-to-reach places: the junction of the stove and work surface, sink and countertop.
Excellent for cleaning suede shoe uppers.

Short operating time due to small tank volume.

Doesn't wash away heavy old stains well.

High cost of purchasing branded additional attachments.

The SC 1 cleans and disinfects most surfaces throughout the home. But you have to frequently add water and spend time heating it.

Kitfort KT-908

The floor-standing version of KT-908 holds 1.5 liters of water. The maximum steam pressure is 4 bar, the heating time is 900 seconds. The length of the power cord is 2.5 m. Dimensions: 34X24.5X28.5 cm. The set includes many accessories: for the floor, a corner brush, a small brush.

After starting to use, some disadvantages of the model are discovered.

Excellent for cleaning plumbing fixtures: limescale, stains.

Disinfects upholstered furniture and carpets.

Copes with heavy stains in the kitchen.

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Long heating period.
Reduction of steam power after 10 minutes from the start of cleaning.

No water level indication.
Often splashes during operation.

The cost of a steam cleaner depends on the brand, power, and the number of additional attachments included in the package.

The volume of the SC 2 EasyFix water tank is 1 liter. The power of the unit is 1500 W. The highest steam pressure is 3.2 bar. Heating time - 390 seconds. The period of non-stop operation is 25 minutes.

Removes greasy stains well.

Significantly reduces cleaning time.

Inconvenient storage of nozzles and tubes.
Fragility of replaceable brushes.

There is no automatic cord rewind.
Old limestone cannot be removed.

KARCHER SC 2

The floor-standing model of the German brand has a maximum steam pressure of 3.2 bar. The volume of the bowl is 1 liter. Power consumption – 1500 W. Water heating time is 390 seconds.

Availability of attachments included: brush attachment, spot attachment, floor attachment, extension tubes, microfiber cloth, soft cloths.
High quality assembly of parts, density of the body material.
Removes various types of stains.

Kills germs on treated surfaces.
Cleans glass.
Refreshes outerwear.
Blows dust and debris out of grooves in wardrobes and aluminum frames.

Minuses:

copes poorly with old limescale deposits;
cannot smooth out dry clothes or bed linen;
works noisily;
short power cord

Another device from the German brand is the SC 2 EasyFix Premium steam cleaner. The floor-standing device consumes power equal to 1500 W. Maximum steam pressure – 3.2 bar. Bowl volume – 1 liter. Water heating time – 390 s.

Lots of attachments included.
There is a compartment for storing additional brushes.

The length of the steam supply tube can be increased to 2 m.
5 years warranty

Short power cord.

Do not add water during operation.

There is no liquid level indicator.

As the price increases, the power consumption of the devices and the steam pressure increase. The leaders in the segment are Karcher steam cleaners.

The floor-standing cleaning device holds 0.8 liters of water, the boiler bowl – 0.5 liters. Power consumption is 2000 W. Water heating time is 240 seconds. Steam pressure – 3.5 bar. The water tank is removable.

Cleanses deep impurities.
Humidifies the air while cleaning.
Heats up quickly.

Deeply disinfects upholstered furniture.
Built-in water tank and boiler tank.

There is no automatic cord rewind.

Short power cable.

Automatic cleaning

Some steamer models are equipped with a self-cleaning function. During operation, the user, in principle, does not have to think about descaling. The household appliance eliminates it independently according to two schemes:

automatically during operation - when the steamer sensors show that plaque has accumulated on the walls, the device starts the dirt removal mode;
provided that the special compartment is filled, you need to pour distilled liquid into a small container; when enough scale has formed, the steamer will go into self-cleaning mode and use up this water.

Units with automatic plaque removal mode are available from Philips, Tefal and Bosch brands. Such models are more expensive than regular ones, but they are much easier to care for and have a longer service life.