FOOD SAFETY & STEAM CLEANING
Why steam cleaning deserves its place in the cleaning toolkit
James Carroll, Product Manager at Kärcher, explains why steam cleaning is becoming an increasingly valuable tool for cleaning professionals looking to enhance hygiene standards while supporting more sustainable cleaning practices.
The cleaning industry is constantly evolving, as organisations seek to raise hygiene standards while improving operational efficiency and reducing environmental impact. For cleaning professionals, this means delivering better results with smarter, more sustainable methods.
Against this backdrop, steam cleaning is an increasingly valuable tool. By using high temperatures to dislodge dirt, grease and grime while sanitising surfaces, steam cleaning can help eradicate bacteria and viruses without the need for harsh cleaning chemicals. Once viewed as a specialist solution for specific applications, it’s now recognised for its versatility across a broad range of professional environments. From facilities management and public sector buildings to transport depots, vehicle workshops, industrial sites and hospitality venues, steam cleaning offers an effective solution wherever high hygiene standards and operational efficiency are priorities.
The effectiveness of steam cleaning lies in the science behind it. While viruses, bacteria, yeasts and other pathogens can survive for long periods on surfaces such as metal, stone, wood, ceramic or plastic, they’re highly sensitive to elevated temperatures.
Steam cleaners and steam vacuum cleaners produce hot water steam that escapes from nozzles at temperatures of 100°C and above under high pressure. Even extremely short contact times are sufficient to reliably kill or inactivate bacteria and viruses. In fact, an independent laboratory was able to prove that, with a slow traversing speed of 30cm per second, bacteria and viruses are disinfected – by up to 99.999% for bacteria and 99.99% for viruses.
Thermal sanitation with hot steam therefore provides a reliable and practical means of inactivating or killing microorganisms without the use of chemical disinfectants. Steam can also penetrate difficult-to-access areas, such as crevices and joints, helping operators achieve a more thorough clean where cloths or mops may struggle. This can be particularly beneficial in vehicle workshops and service bays, for facilities managers maintaining washrooms and communal areas, local authorities
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responsible for public buildings, and industrial businesses tackling areas where grease, dirt and high-touch surfaces require regular cleaning. As with any cleaning method, coarse dirt should be removed beforehand, as germs can be concealed beneath surface debris.
Alongside its cleaning performance, steam also supports organisations looking to reduce their environmental impact and improve operational efficiency. As water is the primary cleaning medium, businesses can reduce their reliance on chemical products, helping to lower packaging waste, minimise the transportation of consumables and reduce chemical storage requirements. Fewer cleaning chemicals can also benefit operatives by reducing exposure during routine cleaning tasks and cutting the time spent preparing or diluting cleaning solutions, contributing to safer and more streamlined operations.
Steam cleaning is also straightforward to integrate into existing cleaning programmes. As only water is required and there’s no need for chemical additives, it’s particularly well suited to food preparation areas, as well as smaller to medium-sized spaces such as kitchens, sanitary facilities and changing rooms where maintaining high hygiene standards is essential.
Like any professional cleaning method, achieving the best results with steam relies on selecting the right equipment and ensuring operators receive appropriate training. Understanding suitable surface types, correct steam settings and recommended cleaning techniques helps maximise cleaning performance while protecting delicate materials. Steam should also form part of a broader cleaning strategy rather than being viewed as a universal solution for every application.
As organisations continue seeking ways to improve cleaning outcomes while reducing environmental impact and operating costs, steam cleaning is well positioned to play an increasingly important role. Its ability to support effective, targeted cleaning across a wide range of applications makes it a valuable addition to the professional cleaning toolkit.
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