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Why you cannot use steam floor washers on carpets or rugs
Steam floor washers- Mechanical and Thermal Design Limitations
Most consumer steam mop machines run higher than boiling water (212 degrees and higher), and they spray steam on to surfaces. These machines are excellent at killing germs on wooden or tiled floors, but they steam mop machines are not designed to work on carpets. The bottom flat metal plated steam mop machines press down excessively on carpet fibers and therefore ruin and permanently crush the fibers. Classic vacuums do a much better job because they remove dirt instead of pushing dirt deeper. When steam cleaning machines are used on carpets, the carpets can remain wet for days, at least 24 hours. When a carpet is damp, mold can begin to grow. The EPA has conducted studies to show that mold can take a hold in wet carpet in as little as 2 days. With rug and carpet steam cleaners, you are almost always unable to control the temperature or intensity of the steam. This can lead to shrinkage in the carpet and wool rugs.
Key Differences Between Steam Floor Washers and Professional Carpet Steam Cleaners
Professional-grade carpet-cleaning equipment is most effective on fiber-based surfaces and keeps steam temperatures around 150 to 180 degrees. This is gentle enough for most carpets, and the strong vacuum systems in these machines help remove above and beyond 95% of the water in just a few hours. The spinning brushes go through the fibers to avoid squishing them, and most machines will have some kind of built-in detergent dispenser to combat dirt at safe temperatures.
As for consumer grade models, the story is completely different. There’s steam everywhere and it’s all uncontrolled, leaving your carpets full of water. This is the reason numerous clients have been caught off guard and confused by why their new carpets have been ruined and have ended up paying even more. The Carpet and Rug Institute has estimated damages from consumer grade carpet-cleaning machines to be around 740 thousand dollars per year on a national scale.
Material-Specific Risks of Using a Steam Floor Washer on Carpets
Heat and Pressure Damage, Fiber Damage, Shrinkage, and Pile Distortion
Consumer steam floor washers that are designed for cleaning hard surfaces (tile, vinyl, wood) can cause serious damage to carpets. Wool sheared carpet fibers will begin to shrink permanently at temperatures around 140 degrees, and steam machines run at temps over 212 degrees (even 230 degrees F) for prolonged periods of time. For other synthetic carpet materials (nylon, polyester, and other polymers) prolonged contact can cause fibers to soften, warp, or even completely melt. Additionally, the presence of heavy machine bases and hard steam nozzle heads presents even greater damage to the carpet.
For soft pile or cut pile carpets
Disruption of carpet fibers leading to carpet replacement
Separation of latex or rubber backing layers
Carpet absorbs and retains moisture while hard surface floors allow moisture to evaporate more quickly. Pile heights that are greater than 2 cm can prolong drying time from 12 to 24 hours, providing sufficient time for microbial growth. The EPA states that mold will grow when areas remain wet. Mold can grow quickly (in 2 days) when humidity levels are high. This is a concern with wet areas of the carpet.
Thick pile carpets, high shag piles, and tightly woven wool rugs
Thick rubber rubber backed cushioned carpets
Basements and other areas with low ventilation.
Consumer use of steam cleaning with minimal extraction will result in dangerous levels of moisture in the carpet, leading to mold, bacteria growth, and the sinking of odors. This is especially true for areas that are poorly ventilated.
Under What Conditions Would the Steam Floor Washer be Used on This Surface?
Synthetic, Wool and Natural Fiber Rugs: Risks related to Heat and Moisture
The Steam technology present in steam floor washers produces high heat and moisture combine to create a hostile environment for the structural integrity of most of the residential rugs. Some of the major vulnerabilities for the individual materials are:
Synthetic Rugs (Polypropylene/Nylon):
Steam washers can get hot enough to damage the rugs. The threshold for melting is approximately 150°F (65°C). The heat can also damage adhesives of the rugs and can cause the rug to delaminate.
Wool Rugs:
Wool rugs are very sensitive to heat. The Woolmark Company has seen as much as 30% shrinkage of a wool rug due to heat. The natural oil in the wool is also removed causing the wool to lose its natural resilience.
Natural Fiber Rugs (Jute/Sisal):
Natural Fiber rugs (jute & sisal) also have a very high sensitivity to heat and moisture. Natural Fiber rugs also tend to take a long time to dry, for example, sometimes they will take more than 48 hours to dry. This is very conducive to the growth of microbial organisms in the rugs.
The rugs in all of the above categories (only for the sake of this argument) cannot have steam cleaning performed upon them, as the rugs are designed for dry maintenance. Steam cleaning runs directly opposite of this principle.
Safer, More Effective Ways to Clean Carpets and Rugs
Don't do it yourself and risk damaging fibers or trapping dangerous amounts of moisture. Use methods designed to clean carpets instead, such as carpet extractors, which apply just the right amount of moisture while effectively eliminating the debris and leaving the carpet only slightly damp. For regular maintenance jobs, encapsulation cleaning also works wonders. This carpet maintenance process uses special polymers that grab onto dirt particles and, as those polymers dry, they turn into crystals, making it easier to vacuum the carpets. This method, as compared to traditional steam methods, utilizes approximately 80% less water (ISSA Research). Fabric protectant sprays, also, do not change the feel or the look of the fabric, as they dry to form a clear coating that simultaneously protects the fabric from setting spills. If you are cleaning a hand-knotted rug that is particularly valuable or fragile, always consult the manufacturer's care recommendations or bring in the professionals. IICRC certified professionals, for example, can avoid additional damage to the rug that the average person may overlook and keep the rug in good condition for a long time.
FAQ
Q: Are steam floor washers safe to use on carpets?
A: Steam floor washers are usually not safe to use on carpets as it could damage the carpet’s fibers, cause the carpet to shrink, and could leave excessive moisture behind, which can cause mold.
Q: Are carpet steam cleaners more effective than steam floor washers on carpets?
A: Yes, carpet steam cleaners are more effective than steam floor washers because they are designed to operate at safe temperatures for carpets, and have strong vacuums to remove excess moisture.
Q: What are the risks for using steam floor washers on wool rugs?
A: Steam floor washers can cause irreversible shrinkage, reduce the rugs resilience, and cause the rugs to be more susceptible to mold.
Q: What is a better option instead of using a steam floor washer for cleaning carpets?
A: Carpet extractors and other forms of encapsulation cleaning are a better option. These methods use a more controlled amount of water to remove dirt in a more efficient way while leaving minimal moisture behind.