How to properly use a steamer for cleaning various things?

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RMarkJr

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Hello again. So today I bought the Vapor Chief 100 steamer. Hopefully will be here by Friday at the latest.

Its been a long time since I have used one and when I did I dont think they had us use it correctly at the shop.

My questions are:

How do you use it to clean upholstery/carpets? Is it just steam only with a cloth or do you need to spray with a floor cleaner or APC and agitate first and then the steamer? and if you use the APC first and then the steamer do you need to follow it with anything to get the chemical out?

Will this be helpful on pretty dirty upholstery/carpets or is it more just for lightly dirty carpets/upholstery

What about door panels and dash areas? use the single tip and just get things wet then wipe it up? or use it and then clean with a cleaner as its still warm? or cleaner first agitate and then use the steamer?

I cant find a whole lot about this anywhere and if there are any other helpful tips for other parts of the car you want to throw out there be my guest!

Thanks!
 
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Great topic...

Simply put - a steam cleaner will replace cleaners.


Here's some examples.

  • All purpose cleaners
  • Upholstery cleaners
  • Vinyl and leather cleaners



Here's the most important tip I have for you, it's also a quote

When steam cleaning cloth seats in modern cars... don't stay in one place for very long... don't ask me how I know! -Mike Phillips



Here's a few articles on using steam machines,

I actually have HUNDREDS OF PICTURES showing both steam machines and extractors at work in my classes but it takes so long to make pictures magically appear on the Internet.

I also taught a class on both these tools at Mobile Tech this year but surprisingly there wasn't much interest. I had both tools set up at the Autogeek Booth for ANYONE to play with and again... no interest. Kind of surprised me.

Mobile Tech Expo 2017 - Classes this year


Just to note - the main difference besides the quality of the machine when it comes to high end steam machines is the ATTACHMENTS. The attachments are better and the best attachments come with the Dupray Hill Injection. With lower costs steam machines you usually don't get much for attachments. Click the links below and you'll see what I mean when I say attachments.


Steam Cleaning a Ferrari Interior with the Dupray Hill Injection Steam Cleaner

Interior Detailing - Steam Cleaning Carpet

How To Use the Dupray Hill Injection Steam Cleaner


This is some work one of my classes did, the pictures you see are the real deal... simply put... amazing!


Here's what a Dupray Steam Cleaner can do!


:)
 
Agree with Mike above. Always keep the wand moving and never stationary in one area.

I love my steam cleaner and could not imagine professionally detailing without it in my arsenal.
 
I use mine rarely because it is only my car I do.

What I've found is that water vapour is nature's best solvent.

It will dissolve almost anything with a small bit of aggitation.

I never use APC with the steamer.

What I really like is you can spray the steam into places you can't get a rag into and when dry it is clean.
 
I used to have 2 steam cleaners, not at the same time though. I didn't find them as useful or as fast as a Tornador.
 
I love my steam cleaner and it's only a Harbor Freight dealie now 3 years old. Except for the worst of stains, you shouldn't need any cleaner, as Mike said. To boot, this process kills bacteria, and therefore a lot of odor that's in (usually family) cars.

For most areas, I just spray, give light agitation if necessary, and wipe with MF. Must take care around electronics (steering wheel comes to mind). And yes, keep moving... never stay on one spot for more than a second, except for maybe a carpet spot. ESPECIALLY on headliner, as you don't want to negatively affect the adhesion there and the fabric is so thin.

Otherwise, I find this tool invaluable everywhere... for cleaning the grout on the tile floor at home after spraying a bit of Kaboom, the grill, the oven racks after Thanksgiving (one of the minions will do last for $5). Cleaning the bathroom and knowing that bacteria is now gone, all without leaving a chemical odor... why is it that cleaning the bathroom is so much more tolerable when using a power tool?

Heh heh it's nearly 0320 again... don't mind me...
 
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