When is steam cleaning not really steam cleaning?
Dry Vapor Steam vs Hot Water Extraction
The use of dry vapor steam, under the right circumstances, and when properly applied, can be a very effective step in safely cleaning delicate fabric window treatments. Low moisture steam, that some professional steam boilers produce, can reach temperatures of 250°F- 300°F or more.
This very hot dry steam, containing only 5-6% moisture, does not saturate the fabric but rather instantly kills dust mites and disinfects by killing bacteria and mold spores that are embedded in the fabric. Steam dryness is very important because it has a direct effect on the total amount of transferable energy contained within the steam which affects heating efficiency and quality. The drier the steam the more efficiently it transfers the heat that kills the dust mites and disinfects the fabric.
Killing the dust mites is only half the battle. What must be done as a next step is to use a specially outfitted Hepa filtered vacuum to remove the allergens. This critical step will remove both the old dust mite droppings and dust mite remains that actually cause people’s allergic reactions.
This non-chemical cleaning process penetrates deeply and safely into the fabric to kill and remove any dust mites that took up residence in drapery, sheers or other fabric window treatments such as Roman shades.
Under the right circumstances, a non-chemical dry vapor process can do a great job removing soils and allergens, however, it is imperative to know when a fabric is so soiled that it must be hand dry cleaned back at our workroom. If you live in Manhattan you know it is a sooty place. If you have waited several years to maintain your window treatments you may need to have the fabric’s hand dry cleaned to remove the soot buildup that is simply part of life in Manhattan!
Companies that often advertise as “steam cleaners” are actually rug and carpet cleaning specialists NOT fabric window treatment cleaning specialists
Rug and carpet cleaning companies employ what is professionally known as a hot water extraction method and don’t actually use steam in their cleaning process. The condensation from the hot water is arguably why the term “steam cleaning” came to be associated with what in reality is hot water cleaning.
Hot water in combination with specially formulated detergents are applied by carpet cleaners and then extracted with a powerful vacuum leaving the carpet only slightly damp but not wet. This is an effective and proven technique, especially when done by a well trained professional.