Have you ever sat at home and wondered where that musty, malodorous smell comes from?
Detecting odors is difficult, but eliminating them is even harder. This may have led you to consider using a steam cleaner. But what is it? And is it really that effective?
Let’s answer your question, “Does steam cleaning remove odors?” and delve deeper into how this method works and tips you should keep in mind when using it.
What Is a Steam Cleaner, and Can It Remove Odors?
Akin to its younger sibling, the iron, a steamer’s main purpose is to boil water at 200-300 F and turn it into steam. The hot steam is then released through a nozzle or brush, which cleans away any dirt and eliminates odors without burning or damaging the area on which it’s used.
You can use them on various surfaces like furniture, upholstery, floors, tiles, car interiors, and even engines!
Moreover, they come in an array of shapes and sizes. These include handheld models perfect for small tasks like ironing clothes and larger canister types that can tackle floors and carpets.
Removing Stubborn Odors from Curtains
One reason why your space smells so bad is probably because of your curtains. Drapes can be susceptible to catching odors, the likes of which can spread throughout your room, making it smell terrible.
Here are two rooms in particular that you’d better take heed of to get out of your predicament.
Bathroom Odors
The bathroom is perhaps the most obvious place in which inexorable odors can thrive. The main culprits of these smells are the mold and mildew that form on the curtains due to the warmth and humidity of the bathroom.
In this instance, steam cleaning will be your only friend. Unlike some other traditional methods, using a steamer helps soften and remove these build-ups, rendering your space so much more hygienic.
Kitchen Odors
Cooking is an art, an expression of one’s desire to create palatable dishes that inspire and induce praise and appreciation.
However, when you cook, smoke, and the scent of the food rises from the stove and infuse the curtains. Sometimes, food may sizzle, boil, and splatter all over them. This might explain why there’s a stagnant stench that lingers in your space.
Make sure to remove them carefully and start steam cleaning them as soon as possible. After you’re done, grab an air freshener and spray the rest of your home to start afresh. Your home should smell way better now!
What Makes Steam Cleaning So Good
It’s no secret that steam cleaning is certainly a great way to clean rough and dirty areas. But why is that so? If you’re still not completely sold on steam cleaners, keep reading. This section explores the benefits of this technique.
Eco-Friendly Properties: Using steam cleaners can help you stay away from any harsh chemicals that may harm the environment.
Gets Rid of Allergens: The high temperature helps extirpate any allergens that may exist in your vicinity. This makes it great for people with dust and pollen allergies.
More Economical: Steam cleaning gets rid of the need to buy expensive cleaning products and is quite useful on its own when getting rid of dust mites, grime, grease, and dirt. This makes it a much more affordable, long-term solution.
Gentle on Thin Fabrics: Using a washer and dryer for diaphanous fabrics may not be ideal as it could tear or fray them significantly. Steam cleaners don’t use harsh chemicals or involve any hard brushes, which makes it better for such materials.
Removes Wrinkles Without Contact: It helps eliminate wrinkles in your garments without making direct contact and having to confront the risks that come along with it.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Using a Steam Cleaner
Whenever you purchase something that seems completely new to you, like a steam cleaner, feeling intimidated is almost inevitable. But I’m here to convince you otherwise. Here is a proper guide to get rid of odors from clothing and other surfaces effectively.
First, you should prepare the cleaner. Fill the water chamber with fresh water and connect the nozzle or brush. Follow the instruction manual provided by the manufacturer for further details.
Next, prepare the area you intend to clean. Remove any and every loose piece of dirt and debris that might be clinging to the surface.
Then, plug it in and let the steam cleaner heat the water until it starts generating steam.
Test it on a small area before using it on what you want to clean. If there’s no damage, you may proceed.
Press the steam button whilst holding the nozzle close to the area. Make sure to cover any and every spot on the surface to ensure a consistently clean and spotless area.
Once the trapped dirt has loosened up, use a microfiber cloth to wipe it off. Repeat this process until all the dirt has been removed.
Give the area adequate time to dry. Your surface should be dry in 2-12 hours, depending on its material.
Wrap things up by using the sanitize button on your steam cleaner to exterminate any stubborn germs and bacteria. Once you’re done, turn off your steam cleaner, rinse it thoroughly, dry it up with a damp cloth, and store it in an upright position.
Let’s Wrap This Up
Now that brings us to the culmination of this guide to steam cleaning. Remember, using this method is foolproof and incredibly effective.
So, say goodbye to laundry odors, pet urine stains, and grimy steel surfaces, and say hello to a cleaner home!
