Frequently Asked Questions

How does it work?
Using less than a gallon of tap water, this multipurpose appliance creates a low moisture vapor that carries heat to the surface you wish to treat.  The heat combined with light agitation does the work for you.  This appliance comes with a variety of accessories, creating a system that can be used for carpets as well as oven cleaning.  The process eliminates chemical residue while sanitizing the surface being treated.  Because so little water is consumed, approximately 1.5 quarts per hour, it is virtually "mess free".  The Vapor System is quiet and portable, allowing for use anytime and anywhere.

What is "Dry" Steam Vapor?
An oxymoron?  Perhaps.  This describes a system that produces a high temperature, low moisture vapor.  The vapor contains only 5% to 6% water and is much less dense than the air we breathe.  Over the past few years, you have been exposed to products being promoted as "steam cleaners" that in fact use no steam at all - maybe warm water on a good day.  These so called steam cleaners spray on large amounts of water using quantities described in gallons per minute.  You may ask "Where's the steam?"  The Vapor System, by contrast, is equipped to safely produce thousands of gallons of live dry steam using only about 1.5 quarts of water per hour.  This significant difference relates directly to the versatility and capabilities of the vapor system.  It is unlike anything you have used before.  It is mess free with temperatures hot enough to kill bacteria and germs, emulsify grease and oil as well as other surface contaminants.

Is it difficult to use? 
Not at all.  Cleaning floors is as easy as using a vacuum cleaner.  Even deep cleaning of grout lines can be done from a standing position - not on your hands and knees as before.  Remember - the heat does the work for you.  Surfaces that used to take a great deal of physical effort (like oven cleaning) can now be done quickly and easily.  You are able to take better care of your home than before with much less effort!

Where do the chemicals go?
The appliance only uses clean, clear, potable water.  No chemical is used in this system.

Where does the water go?
The water is put into a special tank or boiler that super heats the water and changes it into a "dry" mist of vapor.  Hence the name "vapor system".  The unique benefit of this system is that it produces a low moisture, high temperature vapor that carries only about 6% water.  We like to call this "Dry"  Steam Vapor because so little water is left behind and so little is used.  This patented system gives us the proven power of heat to safely sanitize and clean while reducing chemical use.  Carpets are dry within minutes.  Floors are also dry within a few minutes.  This reduces the time and effort required for many tasks.

Where does the soap go?
The system uses only potable water and heat to sanitize and clean.  This reduces the amounts and residues of chemical cleaning.  It also lowers your exposure to toxins and helps prevent further degradation of the environment at the same time.  Vapor cleaning saves us from pouring expensive chemicals down the drain.  Flushing waste down the drain ultimately contributes to the contamination of our limited fresh water resources and is costing us more in the form of expensive sewer treatment as well.

How much pressure does it produce?
The appliance produces only a low pressure, usually in the range of 50 to 60 PSI.  The low pressure creates a very safe and easy to use system.  Low pressures are also essential for getting the job done without making a huge mess.  The work is done by the heat concentrated at the work surface.  The heat dissipates quickly once the vapor expands into the atmosphere.  This system is designed to be used through "surface contact" with the areas of concern.

Why don't I just scrub away with soap and water?
Our existing cleaning regime consists of applying a chemical or abrasive cleaner, then wiping or scrubbing the surface until the contaminant appears to be removed.  This method is superficial at best, requires much physical effort, often degrades the surface, exposes our skin  and lungs to harsh or toxic fumes and leaves behind chemical residues which dull and attract dirt to the finished surface.  The heat combined with very fine water particles penetrates even the pores - whatever the surface.  This proven process thoroughly removes contaminants plus leaves the surface free of residuals.  Visibly superior results are achieved with less effort and no exposure to potentially discomforting or harmful chemical effects.  The vapor system also allows you sanitize and deodorize areas that are impossible to treat mechanically or chemically.  Why not let the heat do the work?  It is easier and does a better job in less time.

Where does the dirt go?
Depending on the application, the dirt loosened by the vapor system is simultaneously absorbed into terry cloth towel or rinsed or wiped away using an absorbent cloth.

I have terrible allergies to common household pests like dust mites and fleas.  How can this system help me?
The vapor system, unlike other cleaning or pest control methods, uses heat to do the work, NOT CHEMICALS OR POISONS.  Let's consider the dust mite, which lives in our clothes, mattresses, carpets and upholstery.  The recommended treatment for dust mites is to launder the item of concern in water at a temperature of at least 130 degrees F, or treat the surface with a tannic acid solution.  This may be difficult to do with carpets, couches and mattresses, or you best suit coat.  The vapor system comes to the rescue in these cases because it provides you with a method of penetrating all of these surfaces completely with temperatures in excess of 180 degrees F.  The heat kills the mites without over wetting the surfaces.  Minimal wetting is important because mites favor a humid environment.  The articles treated are completely dry in minutes - not hours.  After treating a surface it is recommended that you vacuum it thoroughly with a HEPA equipped vacuum to remove any particulate matter.  Fleas, flea eggs and flea larvae are also killed by the short term exposure to high temperature heat carried by a fine vapor reaching into the pores and pockets of fabric and carpets.  No poisons to affect children, pets, or indoor air quality

I have chemical sensitivities.  How can this help me?
Because this system uses only water, you are not introducing anything into your environment that has NEW chemicals or NEW odors which may effect your well being.  Using this system will actually remove chemical residuals left behind from previous cleaning procedures as well as remove odors such as perfumes from garments and other fabrics.  In addition, using the system provides you with a means to sanitize many critical surfaces which are important to your health without using odiferous toxic germicides.  However, if you suffer from chronic and severe chemical sensitivity, you should consider having someone else actually do the work, particularly during the initial cleanup.  Because the system reaches into the pores of fabric and hard surfaces, it will drive out contaminants and chemical residue from those surfaces.  This may have an adverse effect on you until those contaminants are completely removed.  For more information, contact us through e-mail or by phone.

Why haven't I heard of this before?
If you reside in North America the answer is very straight forward.  This appliance, while having been available in Europe for several years, is just now being introduced to the North American market.  Because our electrical power supply is different from the European electrical system, the products were re-engineered for use here.  Safety minded suppliers have also taken it upon themselves to be sure that safety approvals such as Underwriters Laboratory or ETL listings were in place before introducing vapor systems to this market.

Where does this technology come from?
This technology is closely related to the espresso machine.  The manufacturer is located in Northern Italy where the espresso technology has been produced for many years.  Chem Free Cleaning is your source for a variety of "Healthy Home" products.  Chem Free Cleaning also has several vapor systems for the commercial market that are available and are being used by a wide variety of businesses.  For more information on our product line, please refer to the other pages at this site, or call us.

Are these systems being used on a commercial basis?
Yes they are.  Many of the systems are being used in hospitals, retirement care facilities, the food service industry, hospitality industry and government institutions such as schools and universities.  The use of this system improves indoor air quality, reduces the physical effort involved with cleaning and provides a more thorough approach to cleaning.  Because the use of chemicals is eliminated and because water does not involve the regulatory requirements that many cleaning chemicals require, the system requires less management time and reduces paperwork for many businesses.

I see that there are a number of different models available.  How do I know which one is right for me?
Good question.  The models vary with the number and type of accessories, their tank capacity, and a variety of control features.  We have found that most people are happier with the higher end multipurpose machines.  We have chosen not to carry the lower end machines because customer satisfaction is not as high, and we do not want unhappy customers.  Remember, there is a reason why some machines are priced higher - they work better, have better quality accessories, more accessories are available and are they more durable.  Top of the line machines like the ones we carry produce steam at a higher temperature which greatly improves the machine's ability to clean.

You can browse our web pages and compare the different vapor cleaning systems and then decide for yourself, or you can contact us.  We can show you the difference and you can see how the system relates to your specific needs.

What features make a difference in performance and ease of use?                 

• Steam temperature should be between 240 - 260 degrees.  Anything less should be avoided because it will not give the results you want.
• Boiler - stainless steel is best to prevent corrosion.
• Safety caps on non-continuous fill machines are a must.
• Continuous fill machines have to actual safety cap, but it is not needed due to the design.
• Continuous fill machines can be used for longer periods and water can be added as it is needed.  Non-continuous use machines must cool down before the safety cap can be removed and more water added.  This means some down time for you.
• Boiler capacity
• Can you regulate the steam volume?  Some low end machines simply have on and off.  Other may have high and low.  Our systems allow very minute variations in steam volume so you can completely control the amount of steam you use on various jobs. 
• Are spare parts and accessories available?  Can the system be serviced where you bought it if needed?
• Length of warranty on boiler and other parts.
• Weight of the machine when filled and castor wheels for ease of use on multiple floor surfaces.
• Are accessories available?  These should be guaranteed as well.