Superior DOFF Steam Cleaning Services – A Step-By-Step Guide And What To Expect

Maintaining your property’s cleanliness is essential, whether it’s a historic building or statue, a modern office space, or even during delicate restoration work. Over time, exterior surfaces will build up all kinds of biological or organic matter and general dirt, which dulls their appearance but can also cause damage if it’s left untreated.

So, what’s the best way to clean them? The highly effective DOFF steam cleaning system will safely clean any surface material without causing damage. But what is DOFF steam cleaning, how does it work, and why is it the preferred cleaning method? Here’s our detailed step-by-step guide on the entire cleaning process.

What is DOFF steam cleaning?

DOFF steam cleaning is an advanced, environmentally friendly, and hygienic water-based system that uses high-temperature steam to clean surfaces safely and effectively. With temperatures of up to 150°C, DOFF steam cleaning can remove surface dirt, including algae, moss, fungus, oil, grease, pollutants, gum, wax, even certain types of graffiti, and more, all without using any harsh chemicals or abrasives.

But one of the main reasons why DOFF cleaning is preferred over other cleaning methods is its gentle but effective technique that preserves the building’s materials without causing surface damage. It uses low-pressure, high-temperature water vapour rather than high-pressure water used with power washing.

This one benefit alone makes it an essential choice for cleaning all surfaces, especially historic buildings, monuments, statues, or other buildings with delicate stonework or masonry.

Before the cleaning process: Preparation

So, what’s the process of getting ready for a DOFF steam cleaning session before the cleaning starts? Complete upfront preparation is essential to have a successful finish for every project. Here’s some of the prep that can happen before steam cleaning begins:

1. Complete area assessment
   A thorough assessment of the area and the building surface is carried out beforehand so the building material and the scale and type of dirt can be inspected. Checking this will make sure the right temperature and pressure settings are used for the surface areas. Delicate or damaged surfaces will also be checked in case they need extra care or attention.
2. Building protection
   Depending on its design and materials, other parts of the building, including windows, doors, and vents, may need protective coverings or barriers over them during the cleaning to avoid any potential damage from the steam. In some cases, covering any electrical or other sensitive equipment to prevent possible water damage might also be necessary.
3. Health and safety
   Health and safety measures should always be in place to protect staff and members of the public during the cleaning. This means the cleaning team will wear protective gear or PPE while sealing the work area off for buildings with any public access. Warning signs or barriers might also be used to direct the public away from the area.

The DOFF cleaning process: step-by-step

Once the preparations and checks are complete, it’s time to start the steam clean. Here’s a breakdown of the DOFF steam cleaning process and what happens, from setting up the equipment to the final inspection. This step-by-step guide will give you a good idea of what happens during each phase of the process so you know what to expect when your building surfaces are cleaned professionally using the DOFF system.

1. Machine testing
   Firstly, the DOFF machine will be placed as near to the cleaning area as possible, whether working at ground level or at height, so the hoses can easily reach the surfaces being cleaned. When the machine is connected to its water supply, a suitable nozzle is chosen, and the temperature and steam pressure settings are adjusted to suit the surface material.
2. Spot test clean
   Like any cleaning process, a small test area is usually cleaned first to confirm the temperature and pressure settings are suitable for the surface material and type of dirt. These tests are essential, especially for delicate stonework, masonry, or listed buildings, and allow the settings to be adjusted before the proper cleaning begins, so the results will be as good as possible.
3. DOFF steam cleaning
   Steam cleaning begins from the top, working downwards with an overlapping motion as the high-temperature steam is applied evenly across the surface. This technique allows the combination of heat and gentle pressure to lift away the grime, moss, algae, and other dirt and contaminants to leave a super clean surface without causing any damage.
4. Post-cleaning checks
   When the full steam clean is complete, the surfaces will be checked for any leftover dirt or grime. If anything is found, the area will have additional cleaning to remove it all. The surface of the whole building is then left to air dry naturally for a pristine finish.
5. The final inspection
   The last step of the cleaning is to check the final results. This process gives the operator the chance to make a note of any difficulties or issues experienced during the clean, along with any special actions that may have needed to be taken. Completing this gives transparency to every customer and ensures any future steam cleans will have a consistently excellent finish.

The benefits of DOFF steam Cleaning

Professional DOFF steam cleaning is an excellent and proven choice for restoring and maintaining the cleanliness of various exteriors and building materials. And with no surface damage, it’s essential for delicate or historically important buildings.

While saving water, its effectiveness, thanks to its low-pressure, non-abrasive surface clean, makes it a preferred method for many property owners and conservationists looking to effectively remove all types of dirt, grime, and build-up with controlled precision.

Choose Prestige Professional for your DOFF steam Cleaning

This step-by-step guide gives you a clear understanding of what to expect during a DOFF cleaning session to experience an expert finish with minimal disruption. So when you’re ready to give your property the care and finish it deserves, contact the Prestige Professional team today or call 01752 424873 or email info@prestigeprofessional.co.uk to schedule a DOFF steam cleaning service and see the difference it can make for your property’s exterior surfaces.