As a spa owner, what is one of your most important pieces of equipment? Your facial steamer. You can't perform your luxurious services without one! So...how do you clean and maintain your steamer?
I receive numerous inquires about how to clean a facial steamer every month from clients. I have so many clients who own facial steamers, but none of them seem to know how to clean or maintain it!
If you think about it, we are begging a steamer to malfunction, simply by using it. This is a piece of electrical equipment that we continually, day in and day out, run boiling water and steam through. Following the below steps will help keep your steamer clean and running smoothly for your clients to enjoy!
Steamer Cleaning Instructions:
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Daily
- Empty jar and let dry
- Clean rubber seal around rim
- Use fresh distilled water for each client
- Before your first client, turn steamer on to warm up. This will save valuable time once you begin your first appointment!
- Disinfect the body of your steamer daily - paying close attention to the parts you touch most often (controls, steamer arm, etc.)!
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Monthly Cleaning to Demineralize Steamer
- Add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar to the glass jar, and fill with distilled water. If there is noticeable mineral build-up, you may increase the amount of vinegar used.
- Turn on the steamer. Allow to heat to steaming temperature.
**IMPORTANT: DO NOT TURN ON OZONE OR ANY OTHER STEAMER COMPONENT!***
- Let steamer steam for 3-5 minutes, then turn off. Let steamer rest for about 30 minutes, until jar is cool to the touch.
- Wipe down the heating element and exposed metal surfaces with a clean cloth, removing mineral deposits and build-ups.
- Empty jar and refill with clean distilled water. Steam again for 3-5 minutes, turn off, and allow steamer to rest again for about 30 minutes.
- Repeat step 4, checking to see if the vinegar smell has dissipated. If it has not, continue repeating step 4 until you no longer smell vinegar.
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Important Pro Tips:
- Unless otherwise instructed by the manufacturer, always use distilled water in your steamer. This will minimize mineral buildup and prolong the life of the steamer.
- Do not leave water in steamer overnight. Always empty and dry jar at the end of the day.
- Never put essential oils or herbs directly in the steamer water. This can cause spitting and possible steamer malfunction.
- Never leave vinegar solution in jar longer than 1 hour - doing so can corrode heating coils.
- Remember, vinegar has quite the pungent smell - we recommend performing this cleaning process after hours when there are no clients in your spa. In addition, you might want to avoid running the vinegar solution through your steamer in your treatment room - a utility room or other space clients do not visit might be best.