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what do PCO's steam?
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minibughater
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Joined: Oct '07
Posts: 88
Posted 2 years ago
Tue Dec 4 2007 19:15:36
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Do they only steam clean mattresses? or the whole room that's infested?? I'm asking because I haven't seen any bites for about 4 weeks now but occasionally see sand like "fecal specks" on the bed... I wonder if it's just dirt or something?? anyways to be certain I wanted to buy a steam cleaner and do the whole bedroom like baseboards, crown moldings, bed, mattress and possibly the wood floors. but I read in another post that it may cause mold on wood floors? So then what about the baseboards? is it safe to do baseboards or will it damage it? also I have a metal bed frame. will it cause rust?
So what do PCO's usually steam clean? just carpet and mattress?
thanks -
itchyincharmcity
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Posted 2 years ago
Wed Dec 5 2007 10:49:49
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I think the bigger fear is mold on the carpeting, mattress, any textiles. And even drywall. Wood would be a less ideal palce for mold to set up shop, I think. But I have never steamed anythign other than wrinkles in my clothes.
One treatment is probably not bad if you get a nice dry steam going. But be very careful with multiple steam treatments. Maybe you should read up on household mold problems.
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I think the key to avoiding mold is to get a commercial grade steamer that uses a very hot, very dry steam. and also not steaming too often, especially on places that are likely to have mold growth. problem is commerical grade steamers are expensive! I'd like to invest in one eventually, I think it'd be a good thing to have just for general cleaning.
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pleasehelp
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Posted 2 years ago
Wed Dec 5 2007 11:55:19
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I second that... would love to get a good commercial (dry) steamer that could be used for cleaning as well as clothing. Any tips on specific models would be appreciated.
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The material used for steaming is Di hydrogen monoxide a material which is found in
various carcinogens, hazardous materials and can be deadly. Of course you may know it better as water (H2O). Any surface can be steamed as long as the water or heat itself
will not damage it. Electronics for example are not good ideas, clothing, stuffed animals,
beds bed frames, plastics, some floors carpet edges etc are good. The steamer must
stay over say 200 contact higher if you are trying to kill inside areas like a mattress.
The cheapest good unit for home use is about $400. By the way I am talking about dry steam
in which the water is so hot it basically dries itself if used properly. -
pleasehelp
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Posted 2 years ago
Wed Dec 5 2007 12:22:42
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Winston, which unit is that? Can it be used for clothing as well? Thnx.
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this is one of the units
I have the other is the same only larger with more water capacity.
There are other brands on the market as well but this was recommended
to me by some with experience at that time and I have been happy.
I beleive they have a bed bug package which includes certain attchments
over others. -
pleasehelp
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Posts: 301
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Dec 5 2007 13:49:16
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Great - thanks Winston. Are you a PCO?
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minibughater
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Joined: Oct '07
Posts: 88
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Dec 5 2007 14:58:20
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so what about the 40 dollar one at bed bath and beyond I read about in another post?
also what about renting one from like sears? or supermarkets?
so carpets can get moldy? then why do people steam clean their carpets? I'm confused... -
lieutenantdan
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Joined: Apr '07
Posts: 1,162
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Dec 5 2007 15:06:53
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I have a couple of questions Winston please.
What more can you tell us about mold, will you be able to see mold? Also the steamer that you recommended is $700.00 the cheapest price that I could find.
If you use a lesser steamer can it still work well?
If your house humidity is low does that help in preventing mold?Thank you.
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itchyincharmcity
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Posts: 262
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Dec 5 2007 16:37:15
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I've heard people have had some success witht he $40 srak steamer, haven't tried it myself. I believe ltdan discovered it and swears by it. Unless I am getting my bedbuggers confused.
Most of the carpet cleaners you can rent from the grocery store or Sears or wherever are not true steamers. They work on water extraction, basically shooting the water/cleaner into your carpet and sucking it back out along with the dirt. You do not want extraction, you want heat. And I believe these things do not get near the temperature you need to kill BBs. Also, not sure how that contraption would work on baseboards, etc.
People usually only steam clean their carpets once in a while, so there is plenty of time to dry out. The great danger of mold comes from repeated steaming, the carpet or other matierial would not have time to dry and mold would thrive in the slightly-damp material.
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The problem with most home steamers is that they are not dry steam. Mold is a serious concern.
However, Dry steam should not cause mold. The WhiteWing and Reliable T730 have prices between $400 and $450 and have both been recommended by other users here (one by a PCO as well)--and are both dry steamers, so you might consider them too. I understand that S used the WhiteWing. They're on the useful stuff page, with a link to our FAQ on using steam.
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nomorebugs
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Joined: Oct '07
Posts: 115
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Dec 5 2007 23:49:05
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Sorry, I scan quickly.
Was the original question answered? What do PCO's steam? I know they steam mattresses and box springs? But what else? Fabric couches? Fabric chairs?
I'm guessing it's fabric covered furniture only.
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No, actually. People steam bed frames and baseboards, floors, etc. Mattresses and clothes, sure--if the clothing fabric allows. This is why dry steam matters. If you use wet steam on wood, for example, you can cause mold problems. Hopefully Winston will come back because I know he knows some things about PCOs using steam.
(For those who don't know Winston, he is one of the bed bug professionals who writes and comments on the blog--click the blue bug below!)
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minibughater
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Joined: Oct '07
Posts: 88
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Dec 12 2007 10:14:48
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so is dry steam considered something like our what our clothing irons do? would I be able to use a standard clothing iron to just press steam out with the little button?
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pleasehelp
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Posted 2 years ago
Wed Dec 12 2007 10:33:02
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Irons I have used have had wet steam... and the buttons give you a spray of water, not steam. If your intention is to disinfect fabric w/the iron - that's fine, because the heat will kill the bbs as well as evaporate the water.
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Bites44
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Posts: 99
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Dec 12 2007 12:15:08
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I find my Shark portable steamer (about $100.00) quite handy. It is good for cleaning stove ovens, for example. I have used it to steam the metal parts underneath my recliner, as well as my wood chairs. I have used it also on the metal bolts and pieces on the metal bed frame, and even my Living Room area carpet. Steam does ruin fabric on the outside of a sofa if used too often.
When steaming a rug or carpet you have to do it slowly and it takes time. We do not have a high humidity here, so mold is not a problem. I would not steam my mattress because of the chance of getting it too wet, and I do not believe that it would penetrate far enough into the mattress. I do use it on metal parts, bolts, screws, etc., but it does remove paint.
As well, if necessary, I would steam the inside joints of a bureau if made of wood, and then allow it to dry well; I have a small end table in my Living room, and I turn it over and steam the joints. But one has to be careful so as not to ruin the piece of furniture and be sure that whatever you are steaming will not have a difficult time in drying completely.
I understand that if used the wrong way, steam can blow eggs and bugs out of whatever one is steaming.
There is some good information on steaming on the Australian website for hotels; scroll down until you find the section on steam, or use the Edit-find button.
This is the link: http://medent.usyd.edu.au/bedbug/bed_bug_cop_v1.pdf
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Dry steam is the overall preferred steam method. Because mold is unlikely when used properly. Some less expensive models may do the job but there have been problems with them maintaining the steam temp. For this you could use an infrared heat sensor but then you may as well just buy the better unit. Irons can be used with a towel to insulate around mattress edges, stuffed animals etc. Steam can sometimes blow eggs but using proper attachments and cloth reduce the chances.
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badlybugged
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Joined: Dec '07
Posts: 47
Posted 2 years ago
Sun Dec 30 2007 2:50:52
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Winston, et.al., the PCO treated my upholstered furniture with a unit that looks very similar to the one for which you provided a link in a previous post. The furniture was damp after the treatment and the PCO refused to accept liability for any mold that might arise from encasing the mattress directly after the treatment.(Also, please note that I live in post-Katrina New Orleans area -- the folks who survived Katrina are very, very hyper-sensitive to mold issues here.) The web site you referred reads “In one movement, super heated dry steam vapor dissolves and lifts contamination - the vacuum removes it from your environment and dries the surface instantly”; what is the condition of the furniture post treatment in your experience?
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