8 AMAZING Uses for a Steam Cleaner

Many thanks to HomeRight for sponsoring this post and giving me a chance to try all the amazing ways to clean and sanitize using their SteamMachine Steam Cleaner.

This past month I’ve shared lots of 15 minute decorating ideas, but today I’m going to BLOW YOUR MIND with a handful of under-15 minute cleaning tips using a steam cleaning machine.  Cleaning and sanitizing tile and linoleum floors, granite and marble countertops, grills, ovens, bathrooms, curtains, concrete, and even wallpaper removal can all happen with this one little machine and NO chemicals.  NONE.  Nada.  Just water.  This eco-friendly, chemical hating, germaphobic girl had to give it a whirl– and, hey, I could do each task (with the exception of the wallpaper removal) in under 15 minutes.

It goes without saying that different brands operate differently.  This particular machine comes with about eight attachments and three adaptors to attach them to the steam nozzle.  After following the directions for filling it and proper operation, here’s how I used the various attachments for the HomeRight SteamMachine Steam Cleaner to clean and sanitize my home:

How to Clean Granite and Marble Countertops

Here’s the issue with my granite countertops: they were cloudy.

… and dirty.

I couldn’t get them to shine up the way they looked when new without using harsh chemicals.  Enter the steam machine, and voila!  Not only did it remove stubborn stains with very little effort and sanitize against nasty germs from raw chicken or fish, BUT it restored that glorious shine once more!  I simply used the Large Cleaning Brush attachment, and moved it over the countertops.  When I came to an area with visible dirt or where I prepare raw meat, I held it there longer and moved it back and forth a bit.

My entire kitchen’s countertops were so clean they shined like the top of the Chrysler Building* in under 15 minutes.

*name that movie for eleventy billion points.

Aren’t they gorgeous now?

How to Clean Ovens and Grills

The steam machine contains several adorable little brushes for this job, including nylon brushes and a brass brush:

I made the mistake of using the brass brush on my burner without testing it first, and it rubbed a bit of the finish away.  No biggie, but I switched to the nylon brush and it quickly did the trick with no scratching.  You can do the same with your grill.  Try the nylon brush first, and then test the brass brush if you need something stronger.

How to Clean and Sanitize Bathroom and Kitchen Faucets

Boy moms take note!  This puppy will sanitize your previously pristine bathroom and get rid of all those germs and little boy smells that seem to accumulate and multiply in there.  Wash the large surfaces using the Large Cleaning Brush or Squeegee, nod your head, and sing Katy Perry at the top of your lungs to avoid the vision of how all that pee smell got there in the first place.  😉

Sinks and faucets are one of THE dirtiest and germiest places in your home.  Here’s how to fix that: give it a blast with the Jet Nozzle. I also removed the grime around my kitchen faucets by steaming that area with the Nylon Brush and giving it a quick scrub.  The Jet Nozzle and Brushes for perfect for reaching all those tough-to-reach spots.  Grime, gone!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

How to Remove Wallpaper

My kids started this process by noticing one teeny tiny rip in the wallpaper and pulling down the entire section, so I’m counting on the SteamMachine to finish it.  To remove wallpaper without chemicals, you place the Steam Plate attachment and flat against the wallpaper for 20-30 seconds.

Remove the steam plate and scrape that section of wallpaper.  And can I just tell you?  This little sweetie has not left my side— whatever I’m doing, she wants to do too (whether it’s cooking, cleaning, crafting, or scraping wallpaper).  Watch out blogworld, she’s taking notes!  And she’d better roll up her sleeves because there’s TWO layers of wallpaper to remove.  We’re going to be doing this for awhile.

To speed up the process, use a wallpaper removal tool such as the Zinsser Paper Tiger to score the wallpaper, then use the steam plate.

This will allow to steam to permeate the wallpaper better.  NO nasty wallpaper removal chemicals needed!

How to Steam Garments and Curtains

I’m the worst at ironing.  THE WORST.  Each time the ironing board comes out, my kids ask what it is.  That’s why I love using  steamer to freshen, clean, and get wrinkles out of clothes.  According to the manual, this can also help get rid of dust mites in your mattress and bedding (we ALL have dust mites, people.  Everyone.)  Use the Squeegee attachment with the rubber lip removed and you’ve got freshened curtains and wrinkle free garments!  WARNING: Do NOT use on velvet.  Unless you are doing a craft project and purposely trying to dent your velvet.

How to Clean Ceramic Tile and Linoleum Floors

So, I’ll admit that the steam cleaner didn’t automatically clean the grout the way I’d hoped.  And by ‘hoped’, I meant that I could spray the grout with steam for 5 seconds and have any stains magically disappear.  Which is fine, because it turns out I have the perfect secret trick for cleaning grout that takes very little time and effort.  😉  But the floors around the grout cleaned like a dream when I used the Large Cleaning Brush.  I have yet to try the steam cleaner in combination with my secret trick for cleaning grout, but I can only imagine it would like stop the universe on it’s axis and all other cleaning products ever would disappear in a poof of jealousy.  MAYBE.

How to Clean Windows, Shower Doors and Walls

The Squeegee is also an excellent tool for cleaning your bathroom shower doors and walls.  Plus windows.  And also grimy fireplace doors.  Bonus?  You get to use the word squeegee.

When NOT To Use a Steam Cleaner

Steam cleaners are not appropriate (unfortunately) for unsealed hard wood, laminate flooring, or unglazed ceramic surfaces.  If surfaces aren’t properly sealed they may be damaged by heat and moisture.  As mentioned above, don’t use it on velvet either.  Also, since the steam cleaner uses hot steam avoid using on cold surfaces as they could shatter.  And it goes without saying not to use this thing around kids, right?  Or on your kids?  No matter how much they beg because the steam looks like a cloud or a train, it’s NOT okay. 😉 {and yes, my kids BEGGED to use it but I didn’t let them come even close while I was steaming, to my 3-year-olds chagrin}.

If you like the idea of chemical free cleaning and EASY sanitizing, you’ll love the HomeRight Steam Machine Steam Cleaner for Cleaning and Wallpaper Removal.  But don’t just take my word for it– check out the reviews on Amazon, too (4 out of 5 stars for any appliance is great, in my opinion).

Many thanks to HomeRight for sponsoring this post!

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8 AMAZING Uses for a Steam Cleaner Steam Machine is part of Day 21 in the 31 Days of 15 Minute Decorating Ideas series.  Subscribe in the header to get each quick decorating idea delivered to your inbox daily, and find of the rest of the 15 minute decorating ideas series here.