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    What can you steam clean? 5 surfaces you didn’t know you could tackle

    Think a steam cleaner is only for floors? Think again. Steam cuts through everyday mess with no harsh chemicals and hardly any effort. In this handy guide, we’ll share five surprising surfaces that love a steam refresh, along with simple tips to get great results. Ready to save time and tackle grime? Let’s get cracking.

    If you already love how steam handles your floors, you’ll be happy to know it can do a lot more around the home. A burst of clean heat lifts sticky splashes in the kitchen, loosens soap scum in the bathroom, revives soft furnishings, and easily tackles those fiddly spots that wipes never quite reach. Some even come with specialist tools and attachments for different surfaces to make things even easier. It’s a simple way to cut down on bottles and residue, turning quick spruce ups into satisfying little wins.

    Hobs

    Baked‑on grease is no match for steam. It can blast uneven gas burners and along the edges of ceramic hobs where food and grime get trapped, taking the hard work out of scrubbing awkward spots.

    1. Remove any loose food bits and take out the racks if they lift out.
    2. Fill your steam cleaner with fresh water and let it heat up fully. You should do this whenever you want to clean a different surface.
    3. Aim steam at greasy areas.
    4. Wipe away loosened grime with a microfibre cloth or use an approved scraper on baked on spots.
    5. Switch to the detail nozzle for tricky areas like knobs and buttons.
    6. Finish by drying all surfaces with a clean lint free cloth for a polished look.

    Ovens

    Think your ovens is past saving? Let steam come to the rescue. A few slow passes can soften baked on splashes, clear up cloudy glass, and lift grease from racks and corners.

    1. Scoop out loose crumbs and lift out racks and trays, then lay a towel under the door to catch any drips.
    2. Slowly guide the steam over the inside glass, then move on to the cavity walls, floor and ceiling. But keep clear of any vents, elements and light fittings.
    3. Follow each pass with a microfibre cloth while the grime is warm. Make sure to use a proper scraper on any flat glass if you need extra help.
    4. Switch to a detail nozzle for edges, shelf supports, and the door seal. Short bursts are best, so you don’t flood the openings.
    5. Finish with a clean damp wipe, followed by a dry cloth for streak-free results. Leave the door slightly open to air dry, then pop the racks back in.

    Sofas

    Your sofa might look spotless on the surface, but steam gets right into the fibres to lift hidden dirt, help tackle germs, and break down allergens like dust mites.

    1. Give the sofa a quick vacuum to lift dust and crumbs.
    2. Test a spot that won’t be seen and let it dry completely to make sure the process won’t cause any discolouration.
    3. Fit the upholstery nozzle and move slowly across the fabric with steady overlapping passes.
    4. Pay extra attention to armrests and cushions where most of the build-up lives.
    5. Let everything air dry completely before you sit back down. Open a window or pop a fan on to speed it up.

    Cushions

    Cushions do a lot of lounging around, so they can hold onto more than you might think. A warm burst of steam quickly takes care of the mess you can’t see, so they’ll be ready to cosy up with again in no time.

    1. Shake out any loose dirt and give it a once-over with your vacuum.
    2. Just like your sofa, make sure it’s safe to use and won’t discolour your cushions by testing it on area no one’ll see.
    3. Hold the tool a few centimetres away and guide it in overlapping lines across the surface.
    4. Keep it moving to cover every area without soaking it, then flip it over and repeat.
    5. Switch to a detail nozzle for seams, piping and buttons. Use short bursts and avoid directing steam at zips or delicate trims.
    6. Blot away moisture with a clean microfibre cloth. Stand cushions on edge and let them air dry.
    7. Once dry, plump the cushions to restore shape and pop them back.

    Sinks and taps

    Steam makes bathroom grime a thing of the past. It gets right into grout, loosens soap scum, and freshens sinks and taps, helping to sanitise without bleach.

    1. Aim steam around the sink bowl and taps to loosen any grime and limescale.
    2. Switch to the detail nozzle for tight crevices and fiddly edges.
    3. Wipe as you go with a microfibre cloth to remove moisture and debris.
    4. Finish by drying everything with a clean lint-free cloth for a polished look.

    If you want to quit chemicals and give more surfaces a really hygienic clean, you can't go wrong with steam. It makes light work of messes throughout your home without the bottles or the extra elbow grease. Just pop on the right attachment and let the heat do the hard work for you.

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