How Does Steam Kill Viruses?

Steam cleaning is used in a variety of industries, from medical to food and beverage, because it’s an efficient, eco-friendly way to kill viruses and bacteria. Because there are no chemicals required, it’s also a safer cleaning method for those applying the steam and those who will use the clean surfaces. Let’s take a closer look at why steam is so effective at killing microorganisms and where it’s used as the primary means of sanitation.

How Does Steam Kill Viruses?

Steam cleaning relies on high heat to eliminate viruses. The steam must be at least 175 degrees Fahrenheit to sanitize surfaces, and because hotter is better, it often goes to 212 degrees and above. The heat damages the structure of the organism to kill 99.9 percent of molds, viruses, and bacteria like E. coli, staph, and salmonella.

Steam is safe to use on any surface that can withstand heat. Not only does it sanitize and disinfect, it also helps remove dirt and grime. 

Applications Where Steam Sterilization Can Prevent the Spread of Viruses

Steam cleaning has applications in many industries as a sustainable, cost-effective way to ensure rooms and equipment are clean and sterilized. For many of these facilities, failure to sanitize completely can ruin entire batches of product, or it can put people’s lives at risk. There’s no room for error. These applications include:

• Commercial kitchens, especially countertops
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, including tools, equipment, and production areas
• Cleanrooms
• Food and beverage manufacturing facilities
• Bakeries
• Garment care centers
• Breweries and wineries
• Hospitals and other medical facilities, for use on countertops, equipment and tools, beds, and hospital rooms

From floors to countertops, walls to specialty equipment, steam is an effective way to kill viruses and other microorganisms while removing dirt. 

A More Sustainable and Healthier Way to Kill Viruses

By using steam cleaning in your facility, you eliminate or greatly reduce the need for toxic chemical cleaners. Those harsh cleaners can be dangerous for the people who handle them, particularly if they are not diluted correctly or if they get mixed inappropriately, and they can leave vapors and residue that can affect anyone who uses the space after it has been cleaned. Traditional cleaning methods also leave floors wet and slippery, which can cause accidents. 

As an alternative, steam cleaning is every bit as effective as chemical cleaning, if not more so, and the only thing you need is water. It’s more cost-effective and safer for your employees and visitors. It dries almost immediately, so surfaces won’t be left dangerously wet.

It’s also better for the environment. With steam cleaning, there’s no groundwater contamination to worry about, and you’ll improve the air quality in your facility. Avoiding chemicals also means avoiding chemical packaging, so you’ll send fewer toxic containers to the landfill. Steam cleaning is a simple way to reduce your carbon footprint while maintaining high standards for cleanliness in your facility. 

As a cost-effective solution, you’ll save money not only because you don’t have to buy expensive chemical cleaners, but also because steam cleaning requires less time and labor than traditional chemical cleaning. The steam finds its way into the cracks and crevices that may be hard to reach manually or that may be missed altogether during the manual cleaning process. Imagine how dirt and bacteria can build up in those small spaces over time if left unchecked.

Steam sanitation has long been relied upon by food producers, hospitals, garment care facilities, and more, as a way of ensuring cleanliness while saving money and reducing waste. At Electro-Steam, we specialize in industrial process steam generators and food safety sanitation systems. We have a wide range of standard solutions, and we can further customize them to meet your unique specifications. 

Since 1952, we’ve worked with a number of clients in diverse industries, and we’ve established ourselves as a leading provider of steam cleaning equipment. Contact us to learn more.