I have no idea how to use a steamer, school me please. :)

SuperBee364

SuperBee364

New member
I finally ordered a steam cleaner, and I'm as nervous about using it as I was when I jumped from DA to rotary the first time.



Seeing the results you pros get from a steamer has me very anxious to learn how to safely and effectively use the thing.



Any chance I could get some of you talented steamer guys to do a newb's guide to steaming?
 
You plan on cleaning the interior only with it?



Can those things get hot enough to hurt plastic and such? Ive never used one so Im kinda curious too.
 
SuperBee364 said:
I finally ordered a steam cleaner, and I'm as nervous about using it as I was when I jumped from DA to rotary the first time.



Seeing the results you pros get from a steamer has me very anxious to learn how to safely and effectively use the thing.



Any chance I could get some of you talented steamer guys to do a newb's guide to steaming?
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Haha, you and me both Supe! :har:
 
I have a suggestion to get you used to it if you are a little hesitant.

I cleaned my kitchen trash can with my steamer last week. The plastic is very similar to the plastic of most interiors. Get used to your steamer by cleaning various things around the house and you will see the difference it makes and learn the distance you need to use to prevent hurting plastic. To get used to cleaning fabric interiors, clean your floor mats and rugs laying around the house (especially the one by the front door that gets the most traffic).



Any other direct questions, feel free to ask away.
 
sal329 said:
Which one did you end up goin with? How did you allow your wife to open the budget? I plan on talking mine into wanting one for the "house"
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SuperBee364 said:
Well, I finallly caved in. Got this one. Steam Fast SF-276 Professional Steam Cleaner New - eBay (item 160235171520 end time May-05-08 11:40:49 PDT)



129 bucks shipped, and it includes clothes attachments. Don't ask why I had to buy the model with the clothes attachments... :(
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I'm planning on doing as many things in the house as I can, but at some point, I'm gonna have to point the business end of it at my car's interior. I gotta admit I'm pretty nervous about it. I imagine it's kinda like using a rotary; there's not any warning, the damage is just suddenly there.
 
todd@bsaw said:
I have a suggestion to get you used to it if you are a little hesitant.

I cleaned my kitchen trash can with my steamer last week. The plastic is very similar to the plastic of most interiors. Get used to your steamer by cleaning various things around the house and you will see the difference it makes and learn the distance you need to use to prevent hurting plastic. To get used to cleaning fabric interiors, clean your floor mats and rugs laying around the house (especially the one by the front door that gets the most traffic).



Any other direct questions, feel free to ask away.
Click to expand...



Great ideas, thanks! I have a bunch of plastic trash cans I can practice melting/cleaning on.



I'm not sure how to go about cleaning floor mats/carpet with it, though. After you run the steam over the mat, do you just use a towel to blot the mat afterwards?
 
Here is one video on YouTube that will help you on how to use your new steamer. It's not your exact model, but still does basically the same thing.
 
Thanks for the link, JonP. That video is very helpful. There's also a bunch of related videos from that link that show how to use steam to clean just about anything you can imagine. Answers a bunch of questions.
 
SuperBee364 said:
I'm not sure how to go about cleaning floor mats/carpet with it, though. After you run the steam over the mat, do you just use a towel to blot the mat afterwards?
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You could spray an APC on the carpet first, depending how dirty it is, and let it dwell just enough to separate the dirt from the fabric. I use the attachment with a towel wrapped around the end (4" triangle tool) and steam over it just like a vacuum. Your carpet will be dry in a matter of minutes with no need to blot dry.



Any spots or stains can be hit first with a direct jet of steam then followed up with a towel.
 
Nice! I think if I was to buy a steam cleaner, it would be high pressure steam. I could just think of more uses for it.



I wonder if there are any combination units that provide high pressure steam, regular pressure washing, and a carpet extractor capabilities all in one...?
 
jesselyons2002 said:
You should also look at this video found on kleen auto appearance. This is where I learn where to use my steamer. Just make sure you have quicktime.



professional car detailing training, Kleen Car|professional detailing training|equipment
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Awesome link, jesselyons, thanks! BTW, I still think we should have a democratic vote here to bring back your old avatar picture. ;)



charlesaferg said:
Nice! I think if I was to buy a steam cleaner, it would be high pressure steam. I could just think of more uses for it.



I wonder if there are any combination units that provide high pressure steam, regular pressure washing, and a carpet extractor capabilities all in one...?
Click to expand...



I've seen a similar machine on one of the really expensive steam cleaner sites. It had extraction and pressure steam, but no regular pressure washer.



Really appreciate all the help, gents. :up
 
todd@bsaw said:
You could spray an APC on the carpet first, depending how dirty it is, and let it dwell just enough to separate the dirt from the fabric. I use the attachment with a towel wrapped around the end (4" triangle tool) and steam over it just like a vacuum. Your carpet will be dry in a matter of minutes with no need to blot dry.



Any spots or stains can be hit first with a direct jet of steam then followed up with a towel.
Click to expand...



Ah, I see... I've got some really dirty floor mats to give this a shot on. Thanks for the quick response, Todd. I'm actually looking forward to cleaning carpets... there's just something wrong about that...
 
That thing is impressive for sure. Looks like a quality unit. I'm interested (will search more, but this is just off the top of my head) on the pro's opinions on something like the steamer versus a hot water carpet extractor. None the less, post up some pictures of some before and after shots when you use the steamer, I would really like to see some if you are able. Good luck!
 
SuperBee364 said:
I've seen a similar machine on one of the really expensive steam cleaner sites. It had extraction and pressure steam, but no regular pressure washer.
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I should do research on my own regarding these machines, but what about everything besides the pressure washer. I know I've seen them before.



Recommendations, preferences?
 
Twinscroll said:
That thing is impressive for sure. Looks like a quality unit. I'm interested (will search more, but this is just off the top of my head) on the pro's opinions on something like the steamer versus a hot water carpet extractor. None the less, post up some pictures of some before and after shots when you use the steamer, I would really like to see some if you are able. Good luck!
Click to expand...



I'm no pro (at least yet) but I've heard and agree that these two are definitely two different beasts. There really is no comparison as they do different things.
 
Twinscroll said:
That thing is impressive for sure. Looks like a quality unit. I'm interested (will search more, but this is just off the top of my head) on the pro's opinions on something like the steamer versus a hot water carpet extractor. None the less, post up some pictures of some before and after shots when you use the steamer, I would really like to see some if you are able. Good luck!
Click to expand...



Maybe this video can help.



Steam_Vapor_Demo.mp4
 
jesselyons2002 said:
You should also look at this video found on kleen auto appearance. This is where I learn where to use my steamer. Just make sure you have quicktime.



professional car detailing training, Kleen Car|professional detailing training|equipment
Click to expand...



After watching this video that Jesse posted the link for, I browsed the Kleen Car website for the steamer/vacuum/extractor they're using. It looks like a really promising piece of equipment. I'm really not quite sure how it would compare to a Mytee 8070 or Aztec Hot Rod but from my understanding is that it has 1 more function than the Mytee or Aztec, which is the steamer. I'm definitely rethinking my future equipment purchases since this Desiderio seems to be the great all-in-one product.



Thoughts?
 
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