Keeping a clean and tidy home is a key concern for many people and steam mops and other steam cleaners are very useful tools in meeting this purpose. Using a system that boils water to create steam, these cleaning products can be used on the floor, carpets, clothing, soft furnishings and other typical household products. Any dirt or bacteria is loosened or removed, and, in the case of clothing, wrinkles are often smoothed. Considered to be an eco-friendly alternative to the traditional mop and bucket or chemical-heavy products, a steam cleaner is often easy to use and very effective.
Steam cleaner safety
Steam cleaners are generally very safe to use as long as you follow the manufacturer’s instructions and take a few sensible precautions before and during use.
Safety first
- Make sure you buy your steam cleaner from a reputable retailer, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
- It’s important to register your new steam cleaner with the manufacturer so that you can be contacted if a safety notice or recall is issued. It also makes it easier for you to return a faulty product or order a repair. To find out how to register any of your appliances, regardless of age, visit our Product Registration page.
- Use our free online Product Recall checker to see if your steam cleaner or any other electrical items have been recalled.
- Check that your appliance has a UK plug; if it doesn’t, don’t try to use a UK travel adaptor. Get in touch with the retailer and ask them to fit a UK plug.
- Do regular checks of the plug and socket for burn marks, sounds of ‘arcing’ (buzzing or crackling) or if it feels too hot to touch. If you have fuses blowing or circuit-breakers tripping then contact a registered electrician to investigate.
- Any socket you plan to use to plug in a steam cleaner should have RCD (residual current device) Protection. An RCD is a life-saving device that protects against dangerous electric shock and reduces the risk of electrical fires. If you don’t have RCD protection in your fuse box for your sockets, consider using an RCD plug to protect you and your property from serious appliance faults.
Using your steam cleaner safely
- Check for damage to the cables and plug on a regular basis. If there are any signs of split wiring or damage to the plug, discontinue use.
- Be careful not to use the cleaner around any open electrical points or wiring.
- Never use your steam cleaner for anything other than its intended use.
- When steam cleaning windows, for example, make sure it is not a very cold day, as the difference in temperature could cause the glass to crack.
- Ensure the steamer is unplugged when filling with water and/or detergents.
- Do not overstretch the supply cable.
- Empty the water chamber before putting the steam cleaner away after each use.
- Unplug when not in use.