The principle behind any type of steam cleaner is the same. It heats clean water to the point of it turning to steam and then delivers this steam to the surface you are trying to clean. Most of the steam cleaners will minimize the amount of moisture in the steam, but still require that the surface be wiped or vacuumed right after the steam has been applied to remove the loosened dirt. The way steam loosens the dirt is through its heat. Most dirt and grease sticks to a surface because it has certain adhesives as part of its composition. The steam is so hot that it dissolves this adhesive for a period of time and allows the dirt and grease to be wiped away. If you use steam to loosen the dirt, you can simple wipe or vacuum it up before the adhesive has a chance to harden again. The beauty of steam cleaning is that in most cases it uses no chemicals, and can clean naturally. It also saves you money in not having to buy specialty chemicals for each type of cleaning task. Finally, because the steam is so hot it actually kills germs and bacteria on surfaces naturally and leaves the area clean and sanitary.

The first thing you need to do is find a steam cleaner for floors, that is suitable for the type of floor you want to clean. Some of the steam cleaners are advertised as a carpet and hard floor cleaners but when you read further you find out that they work great on linoleum but can’t do wood or tile. The reason for this is that even though all of these floor types are considered “hard” floors, their surface structures are different and require the appliance to be able to handle this variety.

Once you have the right appliance, take a minute to understand the adjustments. Because many of these appliances can handle a variety of surfaces, they need to be adjusted to accommodate the differences between wood and tile floors. Some of these steam cleaners will also require a cleaning solution be added to the water tank to help remove those stubborn stains and dirt. Be sure to add this in the right proportions for your cleaning job and use clean cold water in the water tank. Do not add any other chemicals than the ones specified. Many commercial cleaners may seem to be the same, but can become dangerous if added to a steam cleaner. They may pose a hazard to you and your family and may also damage the steam cleaning machine.

As you start your steam cleaning, be sure to first try the appliance in a corner or an inconspicuous area of the floor to make sure you have it adjusted right and it doesn’t damage the floor. Once you know its fine, start cleaning the floor from the farthest wall from your exit. Work your way back slowly to the door, making sure to divide the room into sections. Complete each section and then move closer to the door until you are done. This assures you complete coverage of the room and allows you an exit from the room when you are finished.