Cordless steam cleaning

In support of the cleaning operators, the key players in the equipment sales market are evolving new products that are simple to operate and reduce cleaning costs. This is being done through the use of technology and includes the move to go cordless. Steam-e says that it is leading the way with its innovative products in the steam cleaning segment. 

Its new product, the Speed-e, is made in the UK to BS EN9000:2000 and uses a lithium-ion battery to create steam. The specially designed heater, which is located just ahead of the cleaning nozzle instantly and repeatedly heats pulses of water to 145 degrees, which exits as steam at the point of cleaning at 116 degrees. Conventional steam machines are said to deliver closer to 90 degrees at point of cleaning due to lost temperature between the boiler and the cleaning point. In traditional machines this is a journey of around 2.5 metres compared to the 2cm steam needs to travel within the Speed-e.

Rather than wait for the boiler and its element to reach temperature, which can take on average 15 minutes with existing machines, the Speed-e is at temperature within 10 seconds. This is said to translate to a significant saving. For example an operator using a Speed-e twice a day, on a daily basis, benefits from a productivity saving of 3.5 hours every week.

The Speed-e suffers no loss of pressure and is ready to use at an instant and for prolonged periods. It enables the user to work with steam produced at a constant temperature and pressure and operates consistently and effectively from a single battery for over an hour between charging.

As it is cordless and there are no trailing leads, a potential health and safety issue is avoided. Its portability is of additional benefit for use in areas without plug sockets, such as washrooms, in large venues or outdoor spaces, and in the case of the transport sector, off the platform.

Mike Eaves, traincare manager for GWR, said: “This machine will enable us to clean train toilets from ceiling to floor in the time allocated to get the train back into service. I am also looking forward to being able to use the Speed-e to thoroughly clean previously inaccessible areas of the carriage such as where the seat frame joins the floor and which have always been a problem for us to do effectively in normal daily clean using traditional methods. In short, the Speed-e will enable us to make sure our trains are beautifully clean for our customers and will keep GWR at the forefront of cleanliness for train operators.”