Author’s note: This post was written by Elyas Bakhtiari, a freelance writer we’re happy to have under contract at sustainablog.
Have you ever heard someone use the phrase, “I want these floors so clean you can eat off them?” Before taking them up on the offer, you might want to ask what cleaning products they used.
Most hard-surface floors and stained carpets are cleaned with conventional chemical cleaners that can be toxic and incredibly bad for the environment. Cleaning products are responsible for nearly 10% of all toxic exposures, especially for small children, and are largely the reason that the air inside a typical home is 2-5 times more polluted than the air outside. A 2002 U.S. Geological Survey found that 69% of U.S. streams contained persistent detergent metabolites and 66% contained disinfectants. Our efforts to keep our homes clean are ironically making our air, water, and general environment dirtier.
Steam cleaners are a growing green alternative to conventional chemical cleaners. Instead of the nearly 63 synthetic chemical products found in the average American household, steam cleaners rely on just two ingredients–heat and water–to deep-clean surfaces without sacrificing the pathogen-killing effectiveness of chemical cleaners.
Is there an environmental trade-off with steam floor cleaners?
There are certainly environmental consequences associated with the manufacturing of commercial steam cleaners (as with any product). And the average model consumes quite a bit of electricity: it takes between 1,200 and 1,500 watts to heat up water to cleaning temperature.
They also aren’t cheap. A multi-functional model, like the Eureka Enviro Steamer, is nearly $225. Handheld and portable steam cleaners are available for much less, but their utility is limited.
But when you consider the hidden economic costs of conventional cleaners, you’re getting a deal. In addition to polluting our shared air and water, chemical cleaners are associated with long-term health risks as well, including asthma. These risks aren’t priced into the cost of chemical cleaners, but they should be.
Steam cleaners won’t be the right tool for every cleaning job; however, a combination of steam cleaning and environmentally-friendly cleaning products (which are made from natural ingredients) can virtually eliminate the need for synthetic chemicals.
If you plan on eating off your floors anytime soon–or more importantly, if you have small children who already do–it might be time to make the switch.
Elyas Bakhtiari is a freelance writer currently working with long-running blog and green shopping site sustainablog.
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Hi! Great article, this is a very interesting debate. Steam cleaner energy and production vs. other green cleaners. I propose another alternative. I have recently found Norwex. THey are a company that manufactures SUPERIOR quality microfiber (antibacterial, in fact). The mop system has an antibac microfiber pad that disinfects your floor simply with water. No energy costs to run a steamer. I have a steamer, I like it. But feel like it takes FOREVER to clean my kitchen floor. I’m not sure how long you’re supposed to hold it in one spot to get a santized clean…with the Norwex mop system the microfiber picks up bacteria, germs, etc easily and quickly…what do you think?!!
Danielle
We just got one–my wife and I love it! Although, she more than I–she has floor issues 🙂
I have a steam cleaner, and it’s wonderful. It was a hand-me-down from my mother, who found that it wasn’t right for her.
My kids are able to use it, which is pretty handy. I watch them… it’s steam after all and I don’t want them getting too curious and getting burned, but it’s really easy for them to clean floors now. Handy when they’re the major causes of messes.
If you are considering a steam cleaner you really should read “Vapor Steam Cleaners: Green Cleaning At Its Best.” This is the best article I’ve found on the subject: http://bit.ly/aFKQrk