Steam generators from the famous German brand Karcher in a bright yellow or white body with black inscriptions and components are reliable assistants in solving cleaning problems.
The devices are easy to use and do not require special handling skills. Instructions for using a Karcher steam generator are presented in this article.
What and how does a Karcher steam cleaner clean?
Answer: The Karcher steam cleaner works on the principle of a steamer. In a closed boiler, the poured water is heated to boiling, resulting in the formation of steam with high temperature and pressure of up to 4.0 bar. A distinctive feature of cleaning with a steam cleaner is that steam does not leave streaks on the surfaces being cleaned, effectively cleans stubborn dirt and does not require detergents. The Karcher steam cleaner will be an excellent assistant in cleaning the kitchen and bathroom (cleaning plumbing fixtures, tiles, stoves, hoods, shower cabins, mirrors, windows, etc.), it will wash floors without streaks in any room, it will easily refresh and remove odors and will give an excellent look to fabric products (carpets, upholstered furniture, curtains and other products). If you have an iron connected to a steam cleaner (if this is provided for in the design of the steam cleaner), you can easily iron and iron clothes and other textiles.
Question:
Principle of operation
The operating principle of the device is simple. Its main component is the boiler. Ordinary water is poured into it, and with the help of electric heating elements it produces steam at a temperature of 140-150 C.
Attention! Getting into the hoses and spray nozzles, the steam cools to a temperature of about 110-120 C, this helps to dissolve any contaminants from the surface being cleaned and eliminate all viruses, bacteria, microbes and other harmful microorganisms.
Which steam generator to choose for ironing and cleaning, read here.
Do you have a Karcher steam cleaner?
Not really
Can I use a Karcher steam cleaner to clean mirrors and windows? How to do this correctly?
Answer: Yes, of course you can. If the glass surface is small or is divided into small sections by some partitioning slats, then you can use a nozzle in the form of a point nozzle. To prevent the glass from cracking from hot steam, treatment should begin from a distance of about 30 cm, gradually bringing the nozzle of the steam cleaner nozzle closer to the glass. To clean normal-sized windows and mirrors, use a proprietary window cleaning nozzle, which is equipped with transverse nozzles and a rubber tie, with which you can easily remove traces of steam and collected dirt.
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Other Applications
The functions of the steam generator are not limited to this; it can cope with other tasks :
- Cleaning the surface of seats and decorative trim in the car interior.
- Cleaning car rims.
- Removing old wallpaper.
- Cleaning washable wallpaper.
- Care for suede shoes and bags.
- Cleaning and disinfection of soft toys.
- Washing windows and mirrors - at negative outside temperatures, cold glass must first be sprayed with a stream of steam at a distance of 5 cm. Next, clean the glass from accumulated dust and dirt using a hand nozzle with a cover, and only then clean it with a nozzle with a rubber tie, moving it from top to bottom in overlapping stripes , regularly supplying steam at full power;
- Treatment of sleeping mattresses.
Despite the wide range of steam generator capabilities, not all surfaces can be exposed to steam . Do not process natural leather, plastic, or some fabrics:
- gas,
- linen,
- wool,
- velours.
When treating surfaces coated with varnish, wax or paint, as well as just wooden ones, it is necessary to spray a napkin with steam and wipe the products with it.
When exposed directly to steam, artificial surfaces may dissolve or become stained.
Which Karcher steam cleaner can be used for ironing textiles?
Answer: You can iron and smooth a garment well with a steam cleaner only using an iron attachment. When using a nozzle for textile care, you can simply treat the textile product with steam, while the product is not so much smoothed as it is refreshed and various kinds of odors are eliminated. Be careful! Not every steam cleaner model has the ability to connect an iron. For example, the popular model SC 1.020 does not have this feature, but models SC 1.030, SC 2.600 do. If the name of the steam cleaner contains the letter B, then the iron is included in the delivery package (for example SC 1.030 B, SC 2.600 CB).
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Caring for your household appliance
Caring for Karcher steam generators involves preventing the formation of scale in the water tank.
The manufacturer recommends cleaning the device before every 10th filling. To do this, just fill the tank with water, shake vigorously and pour out the water. This will remove scale from the bottom of the tank.
Scale from the walls of the tank should be removed on average before every 40 fillings . To do this, you need to dilute the solution with a special product (you can use citric acid), pour it into a cooled device, and leave it overnight. In the morning, pour out the liquid and rinse well 2-3 times with clean water.
No descaling is required if you use a water softener or distilled water.
Microfiber cloths and terry brush covers can be washed in a washing machine at a temperature of no more than 60°C, without adding rinse aid. The extension tubes, hand nozzle and round brush can be washed under running water.
Can I use a steam cleaner to clean carpet?
Answer: Carpets, upholstered furniture, including carpet, cannot be cleaned with a steam cleaner, since the steam cleaner does not have a suction function. For these purposes, a steam vacuum cleaner (or steam vacuum cleaner) is more suitable, which has the functions of a steam cleaner and a vacuum cleaner at the same time. However, treating carpets with a steam cleaner does an excellent job of removing stains and softening dirt, which can later be removed using a napkin, brush, rag, etc. In addition, steam treatment will refresh the appearance of the carpet and eliminate odors from it.
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Preparing for work
To prepare the steam cleaner for cleaning or washing, you must perform the following steps:
- Unscrew the protective cap and fill the tank with water.
- Close the plug and connect the necessary nozzles to the steam gun. Extension tubes can be used.
- Connect the device to the power source, and 2 lamps should light up - orange and green.
- After heating the water to the required temperature, the orange lamp goes out. The device can only be operated when the green lamp is turned on.
For quick heating, you can draw warm water.
Will cleaning with a steam cleaner damage parquet flooring made from expensive wood?
Answer: Parquet and laminate floors are cleaned using a floor cleaning attachment. It is recommended to fold the napkin placed on the floor nozzle in half. When cleaning, you need to moisten the napkin a little with steam and wipe the floors with it. The steam generator cannot be turned on for a constant supply of steam! This can actually cause damage to the parquet, which can become unusable over time. When cleaning parquet and laminate flooring with a cloth soaked in steam, no streaks remain and the floor covering retains its original appearance for a very long time.
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Precautions for use
When working with a Karcher steam generator, the following safety precautions must be observed :
Before each use, it is necessary to check the serviceability of the steam generator and its components - the housing, steam supply hose and power cord must be in good condition;- do not open the water tank until it cools down;
- Do not turn on the device if there is no water in the tank;
- do not direct the steam jet at nearby people and animals; due to the high temperature of the steam released, you can get a significant burn even through clothing;
- during operation, hold the device only by the handle or gun at the end of the hose, do not touch the hose itself with your hands;
- Do not remove the nozzles or disconnect the tubes when the steam supply mode is on;
- Do not add detergents, solvents, or alcohols to the water tank; only water can be used;
- During operation, it is prohibited to block the steam supply lever.
These measures will ensure long and safe operation of the steam generator.
conclusions
When choosing a steam cleaner from KARCHER, it is recommended to pay attention to the following nuances:
- The main selection criteria are the power of the unit, the volume of the water container and the maximum steam pressure ;
- if there are small children in the family, it is worth purchasing a device with a safety lock function , which guarantees safe operation;
- a device with an automatic cable winding option and many replaceable attachments will cost more . However, using such a gadget is much more convenient;
- for a small apartment or studio, a miniature hand-held device with a small water tank would be a good solution;
- If you need to clean large areas, it is better to purchase a high-power floor-standing unit with a spacious water tank.
Differences, advantages and disadvantages of floor and manual models
Stay up to date! There are two types of steam cleaners on the household appliances market:
- floor They resemble conventional vacuum cleaners or steam mops and are suitable for both professional and domestic use. The devices are distinguished by their high power, the presence of a spacious tank and the ability to clean for 20-30 minutes without refueling. However, the cost of floor-standing devices is quite high;
- manual. They are small, portable, ergonomic and affordable, making them the best option for cleaning small areas. The weight of the device without water can reach 1 kg, which in some cases causes difficulties during cleaning and causes discomfort in the wrist area.
The lineup
The Kärcher steam cleaner range includes portable units and equipment equipped with a wheeled chassis with a front steerable roller. The power cables are not equipped with a reel for winding; when stored, the cord is hung on a bracket. Models of home cleaners are distinguished by a reduced set of attachments; professional equipment is equipped with additional brushes and small irons with steam nozzles.
The Karcher compact steam cleaner is designed to remove dirt stains without the use of cleaning agents. The design of the product uses a tank with a capacity of 200 ml; for heating water there is a heating element with a power of 1200 W. The equipment is connected to the household network with a cable 4 m long. The heating element is switched on automatically when power is supplied; The design includes a control indicator and blocking against unauthorized use of the hand-held steamer by children.
Equipment on a wheeled chassis designed for cleaning hard surfaces in domestic premises. The purifier is equipped with a 2-stage steam supply regulator (on the casing); the product body has niches for storing additional attachments. The design of the equipment uses a water tank combined with a boiler and holding 1 liter of water. The equipment warms up in 6.2 minutes (the design does not provide for a separate switch), the steam pressure reaches 3.2 bar (at a temperature of +145°C).
The equipment is distinguished by the use of a modernized 1900 W boiler, which generates operating steam pressure 30 seconds after turning on the power. The design of the water jacket includes a special cartridge filled with a reagent to soften tap water. The product allows you to refill a 1 liter water tank without turning off the power. The steam cleaner comes with top caps made of yellow or white impact resistant plastic.
The Karcher steam cleaner is equipped with a modernized Comfort plus nozzle and a removable water tank with a mark on the permissible water level. To turn on the equipment, a separate switch located on the control handle is used. The design of the device includes a special lock for the steam supply lever, which prevents unauthorized activation of the equipment.
The Iron Kit modification is distinguished by the introduction of an additional iron with an individual heater. The tool is connected to the equipment by a flexible hose with an integrated power cable. The standard iron soleplate is made of stainless steel; To improve steam cleaning, removable parts made of special anti-friction materials are used. A 3-position temperature switch is mounted on the iron body (the position of the regulator depends on the type of fabric being processed).
Professional equipment is supplied in 2 modifications, differing in the color of the upper casing. The design uses a removable tank designed for 1.5 liters of water. The liquid is pumped by a pump into a separate supply tank in the boiler, holding 0.5 liters of water. A steam jet intensity switch is mounted on the control handle; The additional Vapo Hydro mode with the supply of hot water to the surface being treated is supported. The Karcher company produces a modification with an expanded set of attachments and an iron (Iron Kit version).
Equipment
The Karcher steam cleaner kit includes standard components:
- head unit with installed water tank and safety valve in the plug;
- extension hose equipped with a steam nozzle;
- extension tubes with couplings;
- replaceable tips with synthetic bristles installed on the nozzle;
- floor nozzle equipped with attachments for a microfiber cloth.
Depending on the model, the set includes control handles equipped with performance adjustment buttons and a locking device. The manufacturer completes the product with a nozzle and replaceable brushes that allow you to remove spot dirt from the surface.
For plumbing
What else does a steam cleaner clean? For example, plumbing. To do this, you can use a steam cleaner, which removes rust without the use of aggressive chemicals. The advantage is that at the same time the device ensures proper treatment of plumbing fixtures, eliminating pathogenic microflora.
Handheld or floor-mounted steam cleaners are suitable for this purpose. It is necessary to go through the plumbing with a narrow nozzle, and then rinse off the condensation with water.
