[Geoff Jewkes]

Hi all, I have a friend with a domestic cleaning business who has just invested a fair amount of money in a steam cleaner. She is planning on using it mainly on hard surface e.g. tiles, worktops, sinks etc. She is wondering what degergents are out there for pre spraying. Obviously a pre spray is required that is safe to use in food preperation areas as well as bathrooms and tiles / grout etc. I personally haven`t a clue as this is way out of my area of expertees !!!!! Any info on products and suppliers would be more than welcome !!!! Best regards, Geoff

[Blast Away]

Pretty much any degreaser that is non caustic.

I'd stay away from any that Osprey sell as it's too dear with their label on. You can buy the same 4 times cheaper.

[Geoff Jewkes]

Thanks for that, would you recommend any particular brand or supplier ?

[greencleaning]

I found a good thread for you...

http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/kitchen-and-bath/kitchen-and-bathroom-surfaces/how-to-clean-grout/

hope it can help you out.

[Griffus]

Several times over the years I have thought about buying a good quality steam cleaner.

I can't help but think that they are massively overpriced for what they are.

On the odd occasion that steam has been the only option I have easily managed with a small hand held steam cleaner. I recently resorted to usung a wallpaper steamer / stripper for a job that had been passed onto us following several unsuccessful attempts by other people to resolve a tricky issue.

Now the hand held cost a max of £40 several years ago, but I see similar for the £20 mark. The wallpaper steamer cost £10 in a sale, knocked down from £20.

Ho can an industrial steamer therefore tip the scales at £2000 +

Do they work without an operator? There must be some benefit.

One other point, I've lost count of the amount of times I've seen people selling an industrial steam-cleaner, usually due to it hardly being used.

Who has one of these and what are the benefits? How much did it cost and how long until you were seeing a return on your investment?

[Neil kell]

Steam is steam as far as the microbials are concerned. Whats the temp 160 - 170 degrees? Keep your eye on LIDL. They regularly do one called the Star Steam, I use it in my carpet cleaning after the pre spray just to emulsify that compacted grit and to compliment the alkaline, during the dwell time. 99 euros I believe it was. I bought a second one but the first one is still working grand and dandy. Get one if you get a contract where you are told you will need one. I wouldn't buy one on the fly, not an expensive one anyway. You may just spend more time cleaning it, than using it for cleaning.

Neil.