The kit · heat
Steam cleaner: what it removes and where never to use it
Steam at roughly 100 °C / 212 °F delivered through a nozzle or pad.
- pH
- 7
- Safe on
- 0 materials
- Never on
- 4 materials
- Used in
- 0 files
01 How to use it
Only after protein and urine have been removed, in short passes, and never on heat-sensitive materials.
- Sets protein stains and locks urine odour into fibres.
- Can burn skin.
How it works
Heat speeds up almost every chemical reaction, including the ones that bond stains to fibres. It helps melt fats and dissolve sugars, but it sets protein, tannin and dye stains that have not been lifted first.
A steam cleaner is ruled out on silk, leather, suede and a wood table. Avoid routine home use on a wool sweater, a wool rug, a mattress, marble, a painted wall and plastic containers. The table gives general restrictions; an unlisted restriction is not proof that a product is compatible.
02 What it works on
- Sugar
- Oil and fat
- Living mould
A steam cleaner is strongest against sugar and oil and fat, and useful on sugar and oil and fat.
03 Where it is safe
| Material | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Silk | Never | Steam water-spots and weakens silk. |
| Leather | Never | Steam shrinks and cracks leather. |
| Suede and nubuck | Never | Steam mats and stains suede. |
| Wood furniture and floors | Never | Steam forces moisture into the finish: white haze and lifted boards. |
| Wool and cashmere | Avoid | Heat and moisture can shrink and brown wool. |
| Wool rug | Avoid | Heat and moisture can shrink and brown wool. |
| Mattress | Avoid | It drives moisture deep into foam, which then takes days to dry. |
| Marble | Avoid | Heat and moisture can cloud marble and stress the sealer. |
| Painted walls | Avoid | Steam can blister and lift paint. |
| Plastic containers | Avoid | Steam can warp plastic. |
| Clothes | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| White shirt | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Jeans | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Linen | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Sheets and bedding | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Towels | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Baby clothes | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Polyester | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Leggings and activewear | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Rayon and viscose | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Carpet | Test first | Fine for general cleaning of synthetic carpet; it sets protein and urine stains. |
| Fabric couch | Test first | Check the cleaning code: W or W/S only, and never on protein stains. |
| Microfiber couch | Test first | Steam can raise crushed velvet pile, but never use it on a fresh stain. |
| Velvet upholstery | Test first | Steam can raise crushed velvet pile, but never use it on a fresh stain. |
| Car seats | Test first | Check the cleaning code: W or W/S only, and never on protein stains. |
| White sneakers | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Granite | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Quartz countertop | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Tile grout | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
04 Questions
What stains does a steam cleaner remove?
It works best on sugar and oil and fat.
How do you use a steam cleaner safely?
Only after protein and urine have been removed, in short passes, and never on heat-sensitive materials. Sets protein stains and locks urine odour into fibres.
What should you never mix with a steam cleaner?
This reference cannot establish that any commercial cleaner has no dangerous mixing partner. Do not combine cleaners unless their exact manufacturers explicitly permit the use; rinsing alone does not establish compatibility for later treatment.
Where should you never use a steam cleaner?
On silk, leather, suede and a wood table. Steam water-spots and weakens silk.