Unraveling the Mysteries of Vapor
Steam Cleaning
Are you looking for a way to clean that involves less
elbow
grease? Are you looking for a healthier way to clean?
Have
you considered switching to vapor steam cleaning? Vapor
steam cleaning is a unique cleaning method that uses
high
temperature (240 to 280 degrees), water vapor, and
pressure
to clean, sanitize and deodorize in one easy operation.
Although these systems have been around since the 1970s,
the early models were expensive and cumbersome. Models
of
steam vapor machines on the market today are lighter,
easier to use, and affordable.
How does the cleaning process work? Steam vapor machines
heat tap water to an extremely high temperature so the
water forms a fine, dry mist. There is no need to use
chemicals in the cleaning process - the heat actually
does
the cleaning for you. The water is placed in a sealed
boiler and heated until it gets to the right
temperature.
This usually takes about 25 minutes until the system is
ready to use.
It is the dry steam that dislodges soil and stains. The
high temperature softens grease and oils that make soil
stick to surfaces. The steam also gets into those hard
to
clean areas - sliding door tracks, window sills, and the
nooks and crannies that can be difficult to clean. Once
the
pressure of the steam dislodges soil, grease and debris,
it
is wiped or vacuumed away. The surface is left not only
clean, but sanitized. The high temperatures used in the
cleaning process not only cleans, but also kill germs
and
bacteria.
Vapor steam systems use as little as 1 - 1 ½ quarts of
water per hour. This is because the vapor is created at
a
high temperature with very low moisture content. The
vapor
contains only 5 or 6% water, so there is less mess and
surfaces dry quickly, usually in 15 minutes. Safety
concerns of using steam are slight, as the temperature
of
the steam drops dramatically as it leaves the machine
and
merges with the surrounding air.
The overall benefits of using a vapor cleaning system
include:
* Equipment is easy to use and has great accessibility.
Steam vapor units can reach into those small spaces and
corners that traditional cleaning methods have a hard
time
reaching.
*As no chemicals are used, there is a benefit to indoor
air
quality. In addition, it reduces the risks and hazards
that
come with chemical use, and there is no chemical residue
left after the cleaning process.
* Vapor systems are great for carpet spot removal.
* Vapor cleaning kills mold spores in bathrooms and
kitchens.
* Because vapor cleaning uses only water, there is no
chemical residue left behind after cleaning.
* Less physical effort is needed, meaning less burnout
by
your employees.
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Advanced Vapor Technologies, which makes several
models of
steam vapor cleaning systems, recently worked with the
cleaning staff at the University of Washington. One of
the
daunting tasks that staff has is to clean a 123,312
square
foot library, which is open 24 hours a day. Technical
specialists from Advanced Vapor Technologies trained
custodial workers on the use of their Mondo Vap 2400
steam
vapor cleaning system. They conducted a six-week test to
determine the effectiveness of the equipment.
The equipment was well received by the staff who noted
that
the extension handle made cleaning hard-to-reach areas -
such as behind toilets and urinals - much easier. Using
the
equipment took no more time than the traditional methods
of
cleaning and there was a higher degree of cleanliness
and
reduced drying time. The risk of cross contamination was
also minimized since no dirty mop water or mops were
used
throughout the restrooms. If cleaning staff faced tough
soils, they pretreated with a non-VOC solution before
using
the steam vapor system. This process proved to be more
efficient than either steam or chemicals used alone.
You can use the machines to clean floors, walls,
ceilings,
windows, carpet, kitchens, bathrooms, blinds, glass, and
upholstery. Because of the heat of the steam, the
systems
are not practical for surfaces that are heat sensitive -
such as silks, some thin plastics, and some types of
velour
upholstery.
Steam vapor systems are available for both residential
and
commercial use. Residential systems start out with a
price
tag of around $400. Commercial systems run from $1600 to
$3200.
Although steam vapor systems have been around for many
years, the first models were cumbersome, expensive and
ineffective. Models that have been introduced in the
last
couple of years are efficient, compact, easy to use, and
affordable. With the continued interest in green
cleaning,
the investment in a steam vapor system is one way to
decrease the use of chemicals while still ensuring that
you
have a high degree of cleanliness. New technologies can
be
tough to incorporate into your existing cleaning
protocol,
but a steam vapor cleaning system can be an easy and
profitable adjustment for your cleaning company.
About the Author:
Steve Hanson is co-founder of TheJanitorialStore.com,
an online community for owners of cleaning companies.
Sign up for Trash Talk:Tip of the Week at
http://www.TheJanitorialStore.com
. Read success stories at
http://www.cleaning-success.com
.
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NASA - Improving Vacuum
Cleaner Technology
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to appreciate how
a vacuum cleaner operates. But a touch of space-age
engineering has made a clean sweep of the inner-workings
of the house-cleaning appliance, making it far quieter
and more efficient.
Under a Space Act Agreement between the
Cleveland-based Kirby company and Lewis Research Center,
NASA technology was applied to a commercial vacuum
cleaner product line. Kirby engineers were keenly
interested in advanced operational concepts, such as
particle flow behavior and vibration, critical factors
to improve vacuum cleaner performance. Of particular
importance to the company was a high-tech evaluation of
the firm's 1994 home care system, the Kirby G4™, the
results of which contributed to the refinement the new
G5™ and future models.
Under the cooperative agreement, Kirby also had
access to Lewis' holography equipment. This apparatus is
normally used to analyze the vibration modes of jet
engine fans. Laser beams of light can detect vibrations
that cannot be discerned with the unaided eye. Using the
laser, insight was gained into how long a vacuum
cleaner's fan would perform.
Lewis proficiency in advanced computer software that
can simulate the flow of air through fans was made
accessible to Kirby engineers. Computational fluid
dynamics--virtually an "electronic wind tunnel"--was
employed to figure out what happens when air or any
other substance flows through a passage such as a tube
or fan.
The Lewis/Kirby collaboration resulted in several
successes, such as fan blade redesign. The new blade was
constructed from a polymer that was then configured for
a substantial reduction in centrifugal force. Vacuum
cleaner blades can run as high as 18,000 spins per
minute, compared to just 7,000 to 8,000 in a jet engine.
Higher spin rates translates into more stress on the
blade. The blade redesign was 300 percent to 400 percent
stronger than the previous blade used. A 75 percent
noise-level reduction in certain frequencies was also
accomplished.
Put into motion was a continuing dialogue between
Kirby and Lewis engineers on improving air-flow traits
in various nozzle designs. The overall goal is to
quantify both velocity fields and particle trajectories
throughout the vacuum cleaner nozzle. That information,
in turn, can optimize nozzle performance in terms of "cleanability"
or ability to remove embedded dirt and other
particulates from carpeting or hard surfaces. Any future
findings would be incorporated into Kirby's G5 and
upcoming models.
The relationship forged between Kirby and NASA was
striking. The merger of knowledge and need helped an
American company become more competitive in the global
market by the sharing of world-class knowledge and state
-of-the-art equipment.
™ G4 and G5 are trademarks of Kirby company.
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