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We have all heard of the “5 second rule” and many of us have probably used it. The 5 second rule applies to dropped food (especially food we really want to eat) and the “rule” states that if it is on the floor for less than 5 seconds it is safe and acceptable to eat. We may not do this as much in public places where the floor seems dirty but are probably more apt to do it in our homes where the floors are relatively “clean.” The problem is – the floor in your home may be far dirtier than you realize, especially if you wear your shoes inside your home. The shoes you wear outside that walk all over the sidewalk, parking lot, offices, schools and other places you visit in a day pick up germs, bacteria, fecal matter and more and if you wear those shoes inside you transfer all of that bacteria to your home’s floor. But, even if you do not wear your shoes inside, just by living in your home there will automatically be bacteria on the floor. Bacteria can transfer to dropped food in just one second so ultimately – the 5 second rule is not really a rule at all.
Biofilm – you may not know what it is but you know it does not sound good. If you have been using chemical cleaning products in your home you may not even realize that surfaces may already contain biofilm. Biofilm is often invisible to the eye (or may be pink in color) but, make no mistake, it is there, and it is not good. CleanLink describes what biofilm is and why it is so concerning, “The film left behind from cleaning products can be a growth medium for microorganisms, a particular problem in moist places. This results in layers that are hard to clean. Biofilm is where microbes establish a colony, similar to slime on a rock or plaque on teeth. “Biodegradable means that microbes feed on it,” says Rathey. “So those residues can actually feed microorganisms.” What’s more, once biofilm becomes entrenched, it becomes very difficult to remove. “Biofilm protects all these living organisms,” says Hicks. “It’s kind of like putting plastic wrap over something.”’
Turn on the news and you will hear about a food recall due to potential bacterial contamination. It seems like it is a constant problem and that is because it is. Food processing facilities have a love of moving parts, tiny mechanisms, organic matter (food), moisture, cold temperatures that foster bacterial growth and more. In essence, it is veritable breeding ground food bacteria. It is no wonder that cleaning and sanitation is a constant problem that must be vigilantly managed for food processing facilities. Food Safety Tech explains how bacteria gets introduced to a wide range of foods and why that makes proper sanitation in food processing facilities so important, “Caramel apples, ice cream, packaged salads and frozen vegetables were responsible for sickening dozens of people and killing more than 10.
We all love our pets but we certainly do not love stains and odors they leave when they have an accident in the home. If you have ever attempted to clean pet stains you know that they are exceptionally hard to clean and often there are lingering odors even with the best attempts at cleaning. When you have pet stains you want to be able to quickly and easily clean them before they set in and if they are already set, you want to easily and effectively be able to remove them. The eccentric and inventive designers at Vapamore knew that which is why they invented the Vapamore MR-50, a unique hybrid that fuses the power of steam cleaning with the ability to vacuum, all in one handheld machine.
Bedbugs are a growing problem all over North America, in various climates and in various settings. Individual homes and the hospitality industry are struggling to mitigate and eliminate the problem because bedbugs are becoming increasingly resilient. In fact, “super bedbugs” are even becoming resistant to common forms of pesticide, making them even more difficult to eliminate. At Vapamore, we know how important cleaning and disinfecting is and our steam cleaning machines are more than capable of eliminating bacteria and leaving something spotless, but our machines are also capable of actually killing bedbugs, as well as their eggs, and completely eliminating bedbugs better than chemical-filled pesticides.
Sporting goods such as fitness equipment, balls, safety gear, and more encounter their fair share of dirt, sweat, and grime. There is special gear for football, soccer, and hockey that you cannot just throw in the washing machine and yet, they must somehow get washed. Gym and other fitness equipment also get sweat and dirt all over it and even in the tiny crevices which can be very challenging to clean. While spraying and wiping down sporting goods and equipment is a good first line of defense, it will not get rid of the dirt and grime in tiny crevices or that has been soaked into fabric. The only way to get in, lift and remove dirt and bacteria, and truly clean and disinfect sporting goods and other fitness equipment is to use a steam cleaner. Below are 3 sporting goods you can clean with a steam cleaner.
When you think of cleaning odors in the home, the first thing that comes to mind is probably pet odors. And, while that may be the primary odor concern when cleaning, there are other sources or odors within the home including food, bathroom, and smoke. Removing odors can be incredibly tricky because odors often permeate porous surfaces such as upholstery, carpet, grout and more and then linger because those are some of the most difficult surfaces to clean without causing damage. Steam cleaning is the ideal solution because it cleans without chemicals but can permeate porous surfaces to lift and remove dirt, debris and odor without causing damage.
Kitchen grease – it is the gross substance left over from cooking a meal that linger and clings to everything in close proximity. Whether you work in a commercial kitchen or are a home cook preparing meals for your family, kitchen grease happens. It may be slow and steady or fast and furious but one way or another, it will be there because there is simply no avoiding it. It will be on your range hood, kitchen cabinets, and anything else anywhere near your kitchen stove. If you have ever tried to wipe away kitchen grease, you know it is no easy task. And chemical-filled cleaning products are not always ideal near cooking areas and food preparation surfaces because those chemicals can get transferred to the food you eat. Further, that grease doesn’t just land on easy to clean surfaces, it flutters and flies around, into tiny crevices that are exceptionally hard to clean. There is one proven-to-work solution that is better than any chemical cleaning product available, steam cleaning.