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Chemical-free and squeaky-clean have become the buzzwords of the steam cleaning craze that’s taking over CleanTok, the cleaning niche of TikTok. Known for only using water to remove the toughest stains, steam cleaners have become a hot (quite literally) commodity. Some, like the handheld BISSELL SteamShot Deluxe, have more than 23,000 reviews on Amazon. Everyone from cleaning companies to influencers have jumped on the trend and shared the innovative ways they’ve leveraged the device to keep their homes, cars, and more spiffy clean.
Regardless, if you’re looking to ditch the Windex for water, there’s a few things to consider before splurging on a steam cleaner. First, decide if you’re planning on tackling smaller projects like grout lines, the nooks and crannies around your appliances, or if you’re planning to use it for large pieces of furniture or entire spaces like a shower. All steam cleaners work best with distilled water. “I don’t think people realize that you can cause the steamer to stop working if you use the incorrect water,” says Kellsie Zapata, the owner of Zapata’s Cleaning Services. “The minerals in tap water will corrode the inside of your machine.”
Steam cleaning is also not a magic solution where the hot vapor banishes the debris away in an instant. You still have to to wipe the dirt away; it just makes it easier. To get started, steam the surface for 45 seconds to sanitize it and break up the tough-to-remove dirt, then clean up the splatter and the mess with a microfiber cloth. A face mask, protective glasses, and gloves are recommended if you’re tackling a particularly grimy mess.
Read on for eight ways you can put your new steam cleaner to work, according to the TikTok cleaning crew.
Steam clean the toilet
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Using a steam cleaner around a toilet is not for the faint of heart. You will be surprised that even a clean-looking toilet may start oozing a horrifying mix of brownish gunk when it comes under the wrath of a steam cleaner for the first time. As soon as you purchase your steam cleaner, decide which nylon scrub brush attachment will be used for the bathroom and keep it separate from the rest to avoid any cross contamination, even if you plan to disinfect it with soap and water after every use. For your physical (and mental) health it’s best to maintain the kitchen attachments separate from those used to clean the toilet. (You can mark it with painter’s tape or a label maker).
Steam clean the grout
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One of the subtle ways a home can show its age is through discoloration of grout lines. Whether on the floor or on countertops, white grout lines around shower tile are notoriously difficult to restore to their former glory, but with a combination of The Pink Stuff and a steam cleaner, you can have them look practically like new. This duo is unmatched, but it’s important to remember that the Pink Stuff is an abrasive, so use it with caution and test first before you apply to delicate surfaces.
Can You Use a Steam Cleaner on Every Item in Your House?
What is a good steam cleaner?
Water is the basic ingredient for all steam cleaners, but adding effective cleaning solutions can enhance the cleaning power and kill germs and bacteria effectively. Some of the top essential solutions for steam cleaning are vinegar, lemon juice, essential oils, and baking soda. White vinegar is the most commonly used solution for steam cleaning.
How do you make DIY steam cleaners?
Instead, you can create your cleaning solutions using safe and effective ingredients that are likely already in your home. Some of the most popular ingredients for making DIY cleaning solutions for steam cleaners include vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and essential oils. These ingredients are non-toxic, eco-friendly, and generally affordable.
How do you clean a steam cleaner?
Fortunately, there are several natural cleaning solutions that work well with steam cleaners. One option is a mixture of vinegar and water. This solution is effective at removing stains, grease, and grime. Simply mix equal parts of white vinegar and water and pour the mixture into the steam cleaner.
Can you use lemon juice in a steam cleaner?
Another natural cleaning solution that’s safe for use with steam cleaners is lemon juice. Lemon juice contains citric acid, which is a natural disinfectant and cleaner. To use lemon juice in your steam cleaner, simply mix a half cup of lemon juice with water and pour it into the machine.