FAQ’s: Steam Cleaners vs COVID19

PPE Requirements

If cleaning is being performed in an area suspected of being contaminated with the virus the appropriate PPE should always be worn. Introducing a steam cleaner does not require additional PPE.

How often should I clean?

Frequently touched points should be cleaned at least twice daily and more so after busy periods (i.e. reception desks, waiting room chairs, ER chairs).

Who recommends steam cleaning?

The Australian Governments guidelines provided by the CDNA recommend steam cleaning soft surfaces and a carpets in the event of viral agents. In the case of vomit or bbf they recommend that the bbf is removed with neutral detergent and water followed by steam when possible. This recommendation is inline with governments around the world.

The UK government recommends steam specifically against Covid-19.

Can steam vapor aerolize the virus?

No, the research does not support this. I believe this idea came around from carpet ‘steam’ cleaners which only reach ~70°C. Our machines reach >170°C. Both Monash Health and the NHS in England have tested dry steam to see if it can spread anything. They tested this by sampling the air, vapor and additionally placed settle plates around the room and found that the steam did NOT spread anything.

Can I use any microfibre?

No. You should always use a microfibre cloth proven to remove atleast 99.9% of micro-organisms. Most microfibre commercially available do not meet these standards.

Disposable microfibre is always recommended in the case of an infectious organism.

Steam Australia can supply suitable microfibre which has been proven within hospitals for use with our machines.

Steam Cleaners vs COVID19 – Can our units kill the virus?

There is still little known about Covid-19. To be effective it is important to break down the mucus surrounding the virus and kill it with temperature. Professor Bloomfield from UNLV says “to actively kill the virus you need temperatures of around 60 degrees [Celsius]”. Our machines are heated to >176°C drastically reducing the contact time required.

Steam is also the recommended process for sanitising a viral agent of any soft furnishings or carpet by the Australian Government, International Cruise Liners Infectious Guidelines and also specifically against Covid-19 by the United Kingdom Government.

Can steam be used on other surfaces?

Yes, our machines can be used on nearly any surface. Our dry steam cleaners and recommended microfibre cloths are being used as the sole cleaning method in hospitals within Australia and New Zealand. Combining these two cleaning technologies has seen a statistically significant improvement on achieving a reduction in hospital acquired infections and improved cleaning efficacy. These results are consistently inline with expectations regardless of the size or purpose of the facility, hospitals also consistently report a significant reduction in costs, cleaning times, staff fatigue and WHS claims as well as a significant improvement in visual and microbiological cleaning results.

Should I use vacuum or just steam?

It is recommended that in most cases just steam or steam and microfibre is used. Special consideration can be given to use a vacuum in certain circumstances – in this case you should ONLY use vacuums with HEPA filtration.

Machine recommendations

Domestic – Saphira & Microfibre

Commercial Steam only – SW9 & Microfibre

Commercial Steam and vacuum – Jupiter & Pegaso

Microfibre Recommendations

Disposable – Reynards or Diversey

Rewashable – Rubbermaid HYGEN range or Diversey