What is the difference between a steam cleaner and a steamer?

Steam treatment of things, furniture and carpets in the house has long gained popularity among housewives and cleaning companies. This method can get rid of dust and stains, refresh colors without damaging the surface and destroy many harmful bacteria and insects. Let’s try to figure out which device is suitable for your home

Operating principle and functional features of the steam cleaner

For complex cleaning using steam, a steam generator has been created - a special device for supplying heated water vapor. Manufacturers produce different models:

1. Compact steam cleaners for a car or home are similar to an electric kettle with a long spout. Its container contains a heating element that heats the water, and a nozzle on the spout sprays and directs steam. The device is lightweight and easy to hold while cleaning.
2. Multifunctional models are available for comprehensive cleaning of the house. They are more like a vacuum cleaner, where instead of a dust bag there is a container with water. Such devices can wash windows, clean carpets and upholstered furniture, steam clothes or do wet cleaning. Each operation has its own nozzle, included in the kit.
3. Professional steam generators are designed specifically for cleaning companies.They are distinguished by their solid size, high power and variety of operations. Such devices are designed for cleaning large areas and are able to work on different surfaces.

IMPORTANT! Never point the nozzle at yourself or others, as this may result in serious burns.

Operating principle and functional features of the steamer

A steamer is better suited for working with fabrics and upholstered furniture. It resembles an iron, but does not have a heated soleplate that can damage the surface. You can work with it vertically, placing the item on a hanger, or horizontally, or on an ironing board. The device is simply indispensable for working with delicate fabrics, as well as for steaming leather items (raincoats, jackets, sheepskin coats).

IMPORTANT! When exposed to hot steam, not only does the folds in the fabric straighten out, but also the feather and dust mites living in pillows and down jackets are destroyed.

After the steamer, outerwear looks no worse than after dry cleaning: the nap of suede and fur is straightened, creases and greasy pestles on sheepskin coats disappear, the color is refreshed, and the unpleasant odor disappears.

Differences between a steam generator and a steamer

Steam generators have more advanced functionality than steamers. They are suitable not only for working with fabrics, but also for cleaning the entire house. Today, there are also combined devices that combine the functions of both devices.

The advantages of a steam cleaner, in addition to its versatility, also include a variety of models (from compact manual ones to massive professional ones), the ability not only to treat dirty areas, but also to collect dust and dirt.This can be done using a compressor, as in a vacuum cleaner, or using special brushes and cloth, as in a steam mop.

Disadvantages include the high price of multifunctional models and the limited functionality of inexpensive hand-held steam generators.

In addition to the above, the difference between these two devices is in size. Steamers are more compact and can be easily placed on a shelf or ironing board, whereas steam cleaners require a place in a closet or pantry. Although modern manufacturers also produce more bulky models of steamers, equipped with a special bar and hangers for clothes. Such models are classified as floor-standing; they are more often used in clothing stores or ateliers.

When working with any of the devices, you must follow safety precautions, namely:

1. Before connecting the device to the network, inspect the wires and make sure they are intact to avoid electric shock.
2. Check the integrity of the water container. The slightest crack during heating can lead to rupture of the tank and burns from boiling water.
3. Do not touch the heated surfaces of the device, do not bring the nozzle to your skin or clothing.
4. Do not direct steam at people or animals, keep the nozzle away from yourself.
5. Do not leave the device turned on unattended, even for a minute, even if there are no children or pets in the house.
6. Use filtered soft water, or preferably distilled, to avoid scale formation on the heating elements and steam outlets.
7. Strictly follow the manufacturer's recommendations set out in the instructions for the device.
8. Place floor-standing units only on a firm, smooth surface to prevent them from wobbling or accidentally falling.

To work in the house, housewives will need both a steam cleaner and a steamer. You can choose either a universal two-in-one model, or take one device that is more expensive and the second one cheaper, depending on which one you will use more often.