Repair a multipurpose steam cleaner at Home
Basically, multipurpose steam cleaners are robust and durable, so they are not particularly prone to repairs. However, there is a malfunction that occurs frequently and does not necessarily represent a defect. The steam cleaner will then no longer steam as it should. You can find out how to repair the steam cleaner below.
The principle of operation of the multipurpose steam cleaner
The principle of operation of the multi purpose steam cleaner is simple. The water in the cleaner tank is heated up to a certain pressure. Then it is compressed again by the steam nozzles, so that the steam can escape at an even higher pressure or a corresponding speed (up to 180 km / h). The most common types of damage to the steam cleaner:
- the device is leaking inside
- the device is no longer heating
- the steam cleaner no longer steams
Malfunctions can result from this
The last two points do not necessarily have to be in a context. Many steam cleaners heat the water, but steam no longer escapes. In most cases, the steam nozzles are clogged. Lime deposits can form when the water is heated to steam. These deposits are transported to the steam nozzles and block them.
Steam cleaner no longer steams
You can correct this malfunction by descaling the multipurpose steam cleaner. There are two ways to descale. You can fill the tank with diluted water with vinegar or acetic acid and then heat the water only briefly so that the steam reaches the nozzles. Then let the steam cleaner stand for at least 24 hours. You may need to pierce the nozzles with a needle.
However, this is only a temporary solution because you only push the lime deposits into the nozzles so that they can clog again. As an alternative to filling with vinegar water, you can also place the steam cleaner completely in a bath with vinegar water. Then leave the vinegar to work for 24 hours. Of course, you can also combine both descaling techniques.
Instead of vinegar or acetic acid, you can also use citric acid. Since multipurpose commercial lime cleaners can be very aggressive, we do not recommend this. It is not uncommon for the first-mentioned damage to occur if the device has been treated too often with aggressive descaling agents because the seals can fail.
Do not operate steam cleaners regularly with descaler
Under no circumstances should you operate the steam cleaner regularly with decalcifying agent or vinegar water, as this only damages the seals and the acid could not work due to the rapid flow anyway.
The device is no longer heating or is leaking
If the device is no longer heating, there may be a short circuit. But the heating element can also be damaged. However, you should always have such damage repaired by a specialist company. The same applies to opening the device to replace seals. Be sure to also note any warranty claims that may still exist.
Tips & Tricks Especially with multi-purpose steam cleaner machines from no-name manufacturers, it often happens that you can read in the operating instructions that you should fill up conventional tap water. In any case, you should only operate your steam cleaner with distilled water. It will surely give you deeply sterilization with steam.
Only distilled water is free of other ingredients such as lime or dirt and sand particles. You may have a condenser dryer or air conditioning (split air conditioning). Then you can collect and filter the condensed water and do not have to buy it expensive.