Chemical-Free Cleaning Goes Beyond Green Cleaning

Hospitals, just like many other types of facilities, are looking for more environmentally preferable cleaning systems, products, and procedures. The powerful—and often dangerous—cleaning chemicals that have been used for decades are now coming under closer scrutiny, and many facilities are concerned that continued use of these products is unhealthy to patients, visitors, staff, and the environment.

However, some healthcare facilities have found that the current alternatives to conventional cleaning systems and products are either not available, are costly, or are less than effective for their cleaning needs. As a result, some medical facilities have decided to look beyond traditional cleaning chemicals. An alternative that appears promising is the use of steam vapor equipment to clean a variety of hospital surfaces.

“One of the things they like the most about steam vapor is the fact that it is totally chemical-free,” says Larry Kolodey, a manufacturer’s rep for Tornado Industries, manufacturer of a wide-range of professional cleaning equipment including steam cleaning machines. “Compact mobile units are now available from Tornado Industries that generate as much as 248 degrees Fahrenheit steam,” he says. “Some even have variable heat controls, allowing both steam vapor and a jet of hot water to pressure wash surfaces.”

According to Kolodey, steam vapor at this high temperature is hot enough to kill most mold, mildew, fungi, and E. coli without the use of chemicals. These machines have also proved to be effective in eradicating Norwalk viruses and a variety of bacteria, which often can lead to nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections, a major concern in many hospitals today.

How They Work

“Steam vapor machines are not new,” says Kolodey. “In fact, some first-generation machines were used to clean commercial facilities almost 20 years ago.”

However, he says that these early machines had several limitations such as running out of steam—quite literally—quickly and requiring as much as 20 minutes to reheat water, create steam, and continue the cleaning process. “As a result, they were often found too cumbersome, time-consuming, and impractical for use in professional cleaning situations. On top of that, there were safety concerns with some of the early models,” says Kolodey.

To overcome these obstacles and limitations, steam vapor equipment has been reengineered over the years to be more effective, more productive, and safer. For instance, one manufacturer has a two-tank system that can be refilled with water while the machine is operating. This allows for continuous operation, enhancing worker productivity considerably.

Additionally, a variety of other features have also been developed such as calcification-monitoring systems to prevent mineral-deposit buildup, which can affect the machines’ performance. Some units also have automatic shutoff systems and safety caps with pressure-relief valves, all to protect the cleaning professional.

Where to Use Them

“Often facility managers purchase steam vapor equipment for a specific cleaning task,” according to Kolodey, “but soon they use it to clean a variety of surfaces and areas.”

A common application of steam vapor cleaning equipment is in foodservice areas. The hot vapor melts away grease quickly with little effort as it kills germs and bacteria.

Hospital and industrial facilities have also put the machines to frequent use in restrooms.  The steam vapor can effectively clean machine components, removing grease, soil, and oily build-ups.  It also helps remove grit and soil in floor, tile, and grout areas on industrial walls and floors, and is effective in heavily-used restrooms, helping to eliminate odor-causing urine trapped deep inside porous tiles and grout.

Many medical facilities have also found steam vapor machines helpful in cleaning bed frames, frequently touched areas such as door handles and railings, as well as some types of furniture and upholstery.

A final feature many facilities appreciate is the fact that as hot as the vapor is, the surfaces cleaned with steam vapor cools quickly. This allows these areas to be put back into operation immediately, all efficiently sanitized, without the use of any chemicals.