Sunday, June 3, 2012

Steam for Cleaning - Why it's Superior


Steam for Cleaning?
Yes! Steam for Cleaning – and no we’re not talking about shampooing carpet. We’re talking about the revolutionary power of steam and how its cleaning is being used in more and more ways! The French Chamber Maid is proud to offer it in a variety of our services, but first, let us tell you more about it and why our clients are making this switch!

What is Steam Cleaning?
Of course this is your first question. It’s not a vacuum. It’s not a shampooer. It’s not a chemical. It’s actually an odor free vapor system that uses a small amount of water and a little electricity to sanitize, clean, and even deodorize a multitude of surfaces (especially floors) eliminating 99.9% of germs, bacteria, mold, allergens, stains, and even dust mites – hard to get rid of things that contaminate your home’s environment and make you sick.

How does Steam Cleaning work?
Steam cleaning uses water only – absolutely no chemicals – making it a safe choice in any home, especially if you have children and/or pets! It internally heats the water to vapour state (about 248 degrees Fahrenheit) then steam is released through a microfiber pad/cloth that is used to trap and remove dirt, dust, and stains that is loosened during the application of the steam.

What are the benefits of Steam Cleaning?
Aside from the extreme sanitation you get from using steam as your cleaning agent (kills 99.9% of molds, bacteria, germs, and allergens...wait, have we said this already?), steam cleaning also helps restores natural shine to surfaces. And, because it is a vapor, your floors and surfaces dry in about a minute...which is fantastic on hardwoods because it greatly reduced water saturation that regular mopping leaves behind that can strip and warp woods.  It uses absolutely no chemicals at all so it leaves behind no airborne odors, toxins, or left over (streaky) residues that can be harmful to our skin, lungs, pets – and of course surfaces. And, there’s never anything to throw away! No empty contaminated bottles going to landfills leaking into our water table and ultimately finding its way back into our homes and bodies.

How does it help with allergies?
Because the steam is in excess of 180 degrees Fahrenheit, it is able to penetrate the pores of any surface thoroughly, killing bacteria, mites, and even fleas! The microfiber pad removes dust, dirt, and grime – the dust and allergens are not flung into the air by a feather duster or left behind on surfaces, resettling and just waiting to wreak havoc on your allergies. Because steam is powered by regular water, you are introducing no new chemicals or odors into your home that may trigger an allergy attack and additionally it will remove previous residues left from previously used chemicals and products. If you suffer from chemical sensitivity and don’t want to compromise on your desired level of sanitary living – then this what you’re looking for.

What can Steam Cleaning be used on?
It can be used on any surface that is not heat sensitive. It has a 99.9% sanitation guarantee by the manufacture. We recommend our steam cleaning to be used and concentrated on the floors and counters for starters – but it can also be used on blinds, furniture, glass, clothing, and more!

Why haven’t I heard of this until now?
We are so use to grabbing for the bleach to clean the bathroom that we don’t really think about other alternatives – we are of the mind-set that “hey it’s what my mother used so it has to be the best choice” that we forget that technology changes! Bleach is a poison. It’s toxic and exposure can lead to poisoning. We use it on surfaces to make sure its “clean” and why? Because it kills everything? Yes. It kills everything, so what does that mean it does to us? Especially after years of continued use? And why use bleach when you can use steam, which delivers the same sanitation, kills the same things, yet without the hazards?

Overall...
At the end of the day, chemicals are designed to kill. Steam is designed to sanitize. Which would you chose? To us, the choice was simple, which is why The French Chamber Maid is working even harder than ever to go in a safer, cleaner, GREENER direction for you and with the power of steam and the help of all organic products. It does a better job to protect you, your home, your pets, even the environment – and that to us is always worth the effort! Can other maids say that?