Research scientists investigated steam cleaning technology against the traditional 2 step disinfection method in a hospital during September 2015 in three separate patient rooms (one bed per room) in a 12-bed resuscitation ICU. They used two cleaning methods side by side and took lab samples after. First method was a traditional 2 step protocol where the surfaces were wiped with detergent and rinsed with water, then they were disinfected with a hospital grade sodium hypochlorite solution. Second method was a jet of high temperature water vapor and and a microfiber cloth to wipe surfaces dry. The lab analysis after each cleaning method showed that both methods are equally effective for disinfection. However, steam cleaning took twice less time and used no chemical solutions, which significantly reduced the cost of labor and materials. In addition, steam vapor could disinfect surfaces in hard to reach places that often were left out by the 2 step method.

Conclusions: When compared to, steam technology was found to have an advantage over the 2-step procedure with cleaning and disinfection, because it avoids the use of chemicals, reduces water consumption, labor time and costs for cleaning.

Research Credits: Oztoprak N, Kizilates F, Percin D. Comparison of steam technology and a two-step cleaning (water/detergent) and disinfecting (1,000 resp. 5,000 ppm hypochlorite) method using microfiber cloth for environmental control of multidrug-resistant organisms in an intensive care unit. GMS Hyg Infect Control. 2019 Oct 24;14:Doc15. doi: 10.3205/dgkh000330. PMID: 31728268; PMCID: PMC6838735.