Using Hot Steam To Remove Stains

By Matt Oden | Comments

We’ve all seen those infomercials for the latest mops and gadgets using hot steam to remove stains and keep your house sanitized. But do they really work? Can they do the job a lot more effectively than good old scrubbing and your favorite cleaning solution? They actually just might be able to! A lot of people have reported that steam doesn’t just get the surfaces in their home sanitized, but it also quickly breaks down a lot of stains, which allows them to be easily wiped up and cleaned.

While it is very possible to use steam and high heat to remove stains, it is typically best if you use a steam mop or hand-held steamer to get the job done. This way you can direct the steam where it needs to go, and ensure that the stains are receiving the full effect of a blast of steam.

Using Hot Steam To Remove Stains From Tiled Floors

What You Will Need Before You Start

Steam mop
Clean white towel

The great thing about using hot steam to remove stains from tiled floors is that you won’t have to worry about any sticky residue from a cleaning solution, and you won’t have to worry about slow dry times. We’ve all had to wait for ages while the tiled floors that were freshly mopped have to dry! Steam cleaning the floors will simply apply a thin coating of water that condenses at it hits the tiles - cutting drying time down dramatically.

Fill the steam mop with water as per the manufacturer’s directions and allow the machine to heat the water.
Ensure that you have swept or vacuumed the tiled floors so that it is free from any debris that could just make a bigger soaked mess.
Run the steam mop over the stain slowly, and observe the stain. If you are working with stains that are as the result of a food spill then they should start to break loose very quickly.
If the stain is breaking up then the cloth on the steam mop should pick up the pieces, but you might find it very useful to wipe the debris up with a towel so you can avoid spreading the sticky mess to other parts of the floor.

If you will be cleaning a large area then you’ll find that using a steam mop is the best tool to have on hand. However, for quick stain cleaning you’ll find that a handheld steamer is a lot easier to use, to quickly blast away at the stains.

Using Hot Steam To Remove Stains In The Microwave

What You Will Need Before You Start

White vinegar
Large microwaveable plastic bowl
Scrubbing sponge
Whole lemon or lemon juice

It doesn’t take long for dirt and grime to accumulate in your microwave, leaving you with someone that looks more like a crime scene than your home’s microwave. The good news is that it is very easy to clean up your microwave, by using hot steam to remove stains and other accumulated grime.

Add two cups of white vinegar to the bowl, along with the lemon sliced in half. If you’ll be using lemon juice then add at least 2 generous squirts from your bottle of lemon juice.
Place the bowl in the microwave and set it to heat for 10 minutes, on high heat. What this will do is effectively loosen the stains and grime from the sides and top of the microwave so that you can effortlessly wipe it down.
Once time is up, wait an extra five to ten minutes and then carefully remove the bowl of vinegar. Be very careful because this bowl and its contents will be incredibly hot.
Wipe down the inside of the microwave with your sponge, using the scrubbing side of it to remove any stuck-on bits and pieces that are proving to be stubborn.

This is a much more effective method of cleaning the microwave, all without the use of chemical cleaners! Not only will using hot steam to remove stains from the microwave prove to be very helpful in loosening up the stains, but it will also leave a fresh scent behind!

Using Hot Steam To Remove Stains From Wooden Surfaces

What You Will Need Before You Start

Steam mop or handheld steam cleaner
Clean white absorbent towels

Wooden surfaces that are sealed properly are just fine to clean with steam; however using hot steam to remove stains from wood that hasn’t been sealed and finished off correctly could lead to a warping in the wood. If all is sealed then you’ll find steam a swift means of getting rid of stains and breaking down sticky problems.

If cleaning wooden floors, be sure to sweep or vacuum up and debris. Wipe down counters or furniture that you plan on cleaning with steam.
Fill your steam mop or handheld steamer with water and wait for it to start producing steam.
Carefully and slowly run the steam over the stain and observe it. Stains left behind by crayons, food, and even paint will start to quickly dissolve when exposed to the steam.
Quickly wipe up the stain residue once it starts to break up, so that you can be sure it is completely gone and not likely to simply move to another spot.

Remember that when you are using hot steam to remove stains, you need to always clean up the loosened stain residue. While steam mops do have absorbent cloths on the bottom of them, you’ll find it a lot easier to just simply give the area a quick wipe down before moving on.

Steam can also be used to remove stains inside of the fridge or the dishwasher. Ensure that the fridge is empty and turned off, then place a steaming bowl of white vinegar and a bit of lemon juice into the fridge for up to fifteen minutes. This will loosen the stains and give the fridge a nice fresh smell. The same can be done in the dishwasher, with a bowl of steaming water. This will work stains out of the dishwasher and also help to disinfect it.

Use your handheld steam cleaner to remove stains from upholstered surfaces, just be sure to use a towel to absorb the stain residue and help to remove any excess moisture that could otherwise lead to additional grime sticking to the furniture. Also take care that you work very carefully with the boiling water, otherwise you’ll find yourself with a very painful burn.