What’s Hot, What’s Not Products that use steam to clean floors, countertops and other surfaces that are in your home are a hot topic these days. But you shouldn’t get swept away by manufacturers who tout models that produce the highest temperatures of steam. Most models provide a steam temperature that’s adequate to tackle most cleaning jobs. I'd like to share an article I read on Consumers Digest with you... Steam is the new buzzword when it comes to cleaning your home. The sales of products that use steam to clean floors, countertops, tiles and even sinks have more than doubled to $335 million since 2008. And 24 manufacturers now make steam mops, canister steam cleaners and hand-held steam cleaners. Steam mops, which cost $50–$160, are made for cleaning hard floors. Steam canisters, or canisters, which cost $90–$1,600, have mop attachments that clean hard floors, but they also have other attachments that allow you to clean countertops, upholstery, tile grout, ovens or grills.

However, canister models that cost more than $500 typically are beyond what most consumers need, because these models produce steam for at least 2 hours, which is what you’d get from a commercial steam cleaner. miele vacuum cleaner repair serviceHand-held steam cleaners, which cost $40–$150, can’t mop floors, but they will handle many of the other jobs that canisters can tackle. top rated vacuum cleaners baglessIt’s just that they do so on a smaller scale.vacuum cleaner keeps clogging What makes a steam cleaner appealing is that it uses only hot water to eliminate germs and bacteria as effectively as chemical-based cleaning products do. But steam cleaners vary in the way that they create steam, and they vary in the maximum steam temperature that they generate.

Steam temperatures that manufacturers list for each model and the way that each manufacturer measures steam temperature is a particular problem for consumers. Independent experts whom we interviewed say steam that’s 212 degrees Fahrenheit (or perhaps even lower than that temperature) is hot enough to tackle most cleaning tasks at home.Most manufacturers measure a steam cleaner’s steam temperature from the spray nozzle, which provides the most accurate indication of how hot the steam will be when it hits the surface that has to be cleaned. But other manufacturers measure steam temperature from the boiler tank, where the water would be hottest. Of course, steam temperature decreases as soon as it leaves the boiler tank—by as much as 30 degrees in just 5 inches, depending on the density of the steam, according to steam-cleaner manufacturer Haan. All of this can make for a maddening shopping experience for consumers. For instance, we found steam mops that listed temperatures of as high as 248 degrees that were measured from the nozzle tip and a staggering 347 degrees that were measured in the boiler tank.

But the models that have the highest steam temperatures won’t deliver better cleaning results, according to the independent experts whom we interviewed. Steam that’s produced in normal conditions—at room temperature—is 212 degrees, yet experts say that as long as steam is 140 degrees, it will kill enough bacteria to sanitize a surface. Nonetheless, 10 manufacturers claim that a few of their models heat steam at a temperature that’s higher than 212 degrees. Those manufacturers tell us that the increased steam temperature isn’t about killing more germs but about delivering more cleaning power, because steam that’s hotter than 212 degrees does a better job of penetrating uneven surfaces, such as tile grout, and soft surfaces, such as mattresses, when it’s compared with steam temperatures of 212 degrees or lower. It’s true that steam that’s hotter than 212 degrees will kill more bacteria if it’s used in a contained environment, such as the autoclave devices that some hospitals use to sterilize medical tools.

But in the real-world environment of your home, steam that’s 212 degrees is hot enough to kill germs and bacteria for most cleaning jobs, says Jay Garland, who is in charge of microbiological research at Environmental Protection Agency.The only problem with having low-temperature steam—say, 150 degrees—is that you must apply the steam for more time, says Andrew Milkowski, who is an adjunct professor at University of Wisconsin and a bacteria-research specialist. That doesn’t mean that models that have steam temperatures that are lower than 212 degrees are necessarily a bad choice; it’s just that the cleaning task will take longer.Riccar vacuum cleaners are made by a California company that has been in business for over 50 years. Oddly enough, they make both sewing machines and vacuum cleaners. Both are of exceptional quality. Riccar makes vacuum cleaners for both home and commercial use. If you have a lot of carpet at home, you might consider a commercial model, although the top models of each category are very similar.

Riccar’s motto is, “the first name in vacuums that last,” and from tests and customer reviews, it seems they can live up to this claim. The best vacuum cleaners Riccar makes are not their top-of-the-line models. Their smallest vacuums have been life savers for so many people. It’s their line of “Supralite” models that all weigh 8 pounds each. With the baby boomer generation getting older, a lot of families are going through problems with independence. Our parents want to remain independent as long as possible, and that means taking care of their homes and doing daily chores they’ve always been able to do. You wouldn’t think that being able to vacuum your own floor is such a fundamental freedom, but when you’re feeling your strength and abilities fading, something so simple can really help you feel more capable. At 8 pounds and simple to push and operate, the Riccar Supralite RSL3 and RSL4models are perfect for elderly people, people with limited mobility, and even people in wheelchairs.

If you have children, these models are also light enough for them to participate in the chore of vacuuming earlier. These lightweight Riccar vacuum cleaners are also great for people who have two-story houses. You don’t have to buy two vacuums because this one is a cinch to carry up the stairs. These two models both operate on 5.5 amps (remember – amps are NOT suction ability; they are only the amount of energy used) and deliver suction as powerful as vacuums that weigh three times more and use twice the energy. They have 30-foot cords, so you won’t have to keep unplugging and re-plugging while you clean. They have low emissions and excellent HEPA filters to trap dust and particles. Both have two xenon headlights that are bright enough to actually see things you don’t want to accidentally vacuum (or dirt you might have missed). The RSL4 model has 6 wheels for easier maneuvering, two speeds of cleaning, and a squeegee for bare floors. With all the new technology available, a lot of vacuums have become difficult to operate.

There are just too many buttons and indicators. Both of these models have simple on/off switches right at the handle so you don’t have to bend over to turn them on and off. The switch even lights up so it’s easy to see without putting on glasses! Best of all, the Supralite RSL3 was the lightest vacuum (and the only one under 10 pounds) to rank in the top 10 of the Consumer Reports March 2006 Vacuum Ratings. It has done equally well in other testing comparisons. For a lot of power in a little package, RSL3 for carpets and RSL4 for bare floors and carpets are definitely great buys. Riccar makes central vacuums that cover 4,000 to 20,000 square feet for both home and commercial use. They also make several lines of canister and upright vacuums designed to be light and easy to operate while not sacrificing powerful suction. They use stainless steel on all of the important parts (for much longer life than the usual plastic) on the release step, the bottom plate, the brush bar, and motor parts.

They also use soft rubber wheels that are easy to maneuver and won’t even scratch marble or hardwood floors. The Radiance upright series has amazing features like an automatic brush roll jam detector. If something gets caught (thread, a sock, draperies), the brush roll will automatically stop spinning and a bright, easy to recognize light will let you know there is a problem. There is a light next to it that tells you when your bag is full. The Radiance actually has a 7-step filtration process! It’s like getting a vacuum and air purifier in one machine. There is also a six year warranty on the Radiance, which is very rare among vacuum cleaners. The 8900 Premiere line has both household and commercial vacuums. The warranties are longer for home use, even if you buy a commercial machine. The commercial and higher end home vacuum cleaners have more than one motor fan and longer cords (up to 40 feet). Several home and commercial models have six levels of adjustment for all types of flooring and carpet piles.