can I add fragrance to portable steam cleaner water?

Question

I bought a small portable steam cleaner used. Anyone tried using febreeze or other scented product with water to clean carpet or upholstery? Sorry...I'm a scent-aholic and plain steam just doesn't feel clean to me...

Z · Answer

I'm not sure what brand or type your steamer is but mine said not to use anything but tap water. 
 You might want to Google the brand name and see if you can find out for sure.

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

oil scents should not be used with steamers, unless the manufacture provides instructions that their system is designed for this. I know of no steam unit that allows this to be used as such. Perhaps having a scented oil in a dish near by might be picked up with the steam.

Z · Answer

Good idea @Bob.

KMS Woodworks · Answer

I still laugh when I see those commercials that claim 'spray cleaners' actually 'clean the air'. There is not a single spray product on the planet that can make the air cleaner by being 'added'. The only way to clean air is to 'remove' items. dust particles, chemical residues etc. This is normally accomplished by filtration. I worked in the pharmaceutical industry for a number of years and we had various levels of 'clean rooms'. The air quality in some of these rooms was 100 times cleaner than that of hospital operating room. This was all done via large air handlers and filtration equipment. Some of these air handlers were the size of a school bus. Check out this article I wrote http://www.networx.com/article/what-are-you-inhaling-at-home

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

Funny you said that Kevin, I did a clean room many years ago for Lucent. They made silicon chips. We had to wear white suits, all of our tools had to be specially cleaned to bring them in. Our job was to air seal the ducts from the inside, change the HEPA filter banks which was the entire ceiling of the room, Each filter cost over a grand and there must have been over a 100 of them in the room, and replace the air handler motor on the roof. We had to repel down five stories inside the duct system that was over six feet square. We only had two days to do the entire project. It cost them at that time over a $1,000,000.00 per day of loss revenue to shut that room down. 
But you are 100% correct, Sprays only mask odors, some will kill the mold spores floating around, but even dead spores can cause breathing issues etc.

Sherry · Answer

To get the freshest and cleanest steam possible only use distilled water in your steamer. Then apply Febreeze right after the steam cleaning and allow to dry. Best of both worlds and no damage to your steamed

KMS Woodworks · Answer

I have never been a fan of 'Chemical Sprays'...Febreeze is one of the worst. here is a link to a study that found 87 chemicals. http://www.sustainablebabysteps.com/febreze.html Sunshine and fresh air will do wonders.

Z · Answer

Thank you @Kevin. I really appreciate the info. I don't know why, considering how careful I am about using chemicals, that it never dawned on me, that when using Febreeze, I was spreading chemicals around our whole home! That's down right scary. I'm going to read the links provided on the page you linked to. Thanks again.

Leanna Stupperich · Answer

You could also try DIY febreeze - rubbing alcohol or cheap vodka in a spray bottle with your choice of essential oils....

Benecya Jackson · Answer

Don't worry i was asking this same question as well. Maybe a drop of essential oil? It might clog the spray head but it doesn't seem that likely or that much of a risk to kill my curiosity. I will say use the oils for their indications with the smell being a bonus (lavender is usually a failsafe as long as its diluted, calming, not overpowering & pleasant to smell).  I don't like steam going in my face smelling like whatever stale smell I run across haha it'd opening my pores & idk how I feel about it.  Anyway does anyone know if I can add anything or do anything to get ketchup out of my upholstery (micro suede,

Charlotte Cox · Answer

I added just a tiny bit of vinegar to mine. Welllllll...........it sort of 'welded' the screw on lid to where it would no longer come off. Hubby and I tried everything. Finally gave up and bought a new one.

Manuelbralic · Answer

I came to the idea to put a few drops of essential oil onto the BACK of the pad before mounting it onto the steamer. This way no oil (or anything else you might want to use) would go into the steamer, but rather the steam would 'push' it out of the pad. By putting the drops onto the back, rather than onto the face of the pad, it should not 'smear off' straight onto the floor.
Didn't try it yet, but will do next time I use the steamer.

Jessie · Answer

Yes I'm with you, I dont lime just steam.  I have to have a great scent.  I pour about an 1/8 cup of febreze into my full size steam cleaner and add the rest water.  Never had a problem and my house smells great.  I have dogs so this really helps to freshen my house when I don't always need to actually shampoo my carpets.

Joj2270663 · Answer

you can use liquid fabric softener....give it a try, test with a small amount...it does work

Keemee · Answer

my friend uses essential oils in her floor steamer. it makes everything smell nice and fresh. We love it and there's been no problem with her steamer.

Giz · Answer

The problem with adding your own ideas of fragrances to the steam cleaner is that you don't know if they will later gum up in your spray nozzle and clog it up.

Mike Wagner · Answer

If the machine is making steam, then it is basically a boiler. I have operated steam boilers for over 20 years, and while the quantity of water in the two items is vastly different, ANYTHNG you put in will eventually become scale or sludge in the heating vessel. In big boilers we use lots of chemicals to remove this, but in this tiny little boiler, it will definitely scale up or plug up, or at least take lots longer to heat the water to the boiling point. So, basically I'm saying that to keep this at a minimum, only distilled water like you used to use in your steam iron should be used. It's still available in grocery stores and is cheap by the gallon, like milk, but cheaper! If you have soft water in your home that will definitely help too, but if you want a fresh smell, spray a room freshener, not put stuff into your steamer!

Mogie · Answer

Some steamers only recommend using water to clean. Other manufacturers suggest only using specific cleaning products like diluted bleach or vinegar so check your instruction manual before using.

Mogie · Answer

I used to add Pinsol to my rainbow vaccum.

can I add fragrance to portable steam cleaner water?

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