Every fall I’ve tackled the job of deep cleaning in hopes of keeping my mold and dust mite allergies, and sinus issues, under control during the indoor months. But alas, I didn’t have the right weapon until I received a WhiteWing Steamer Vapor Steam Cleaner for my birthday.

The steamer was a present from my husband who has always been challenged when it comes to gift selection. But I’ll have to say he got it right with this present. The steam cleaner was the perfect present for a year-round allergy sufferer like me. I’m hoping I will have a healthier winter because of it.

After unpacking my new steamer, I spent an hour carefully reading the instruction manual and watching the DVD that came with it. I wanted to make sure I knew what I was doing before operating a machine that produced 285-degree steam. These materials made operation of the steamer seem fairly simple.

The next day I was ready to put the steamer to the test but after following the set-up directions carefully, there was no steam when I pulled the release trigger. I went to the website for the Allergy Buyers Club where my husband had purchased the steamer and was able to get immediate help through their chat help line.

The advice was right on but they also provided me with a phone number for the WhiteWing Steamer service department if I had more problems/questions. I give them high marks for customer service.

The hose wasn’t securely locked into position, a common set-up error. Now, I had steam and was ready to clean.

My first mission was to clean the kitchen, a breeding ground for mold, grit, grime, bacteria and germs. I thought I had been cleaning my kitchen but there were layers I had never removed. The steam cleaner added new muscle to my efforts.

My first two hours of cleaning went by quickly as I tackled the counters, cabinets, shelves, sink, stovetop hood, stove exterior, tile splashboard and floors. I was able to remove grime I had never succeeded in cleaning with a plain-old sponge and commercial cleaning solutions.

I realized I could clean some stubborn dirt without using any harsh cleaners, a plus for someone with chemical sensitivity like me. Occasionally, I pulled out a bottle of Simple Green all-purpose cleaner and sprayed an area before steaming it. The steamer plus Simple Green made an awesome combination.

After two hours, the steamer needed to be refilled with distilled water which convinced me I’d had enough cleaning for one day. However, the steamer is easy to refill if you feel the need to continue.

My next sessions included cleaning the refrigerator and dishwasher, two dreaded jobs. I was able to get better results than ever before. The master bathroom was next on the list. Yuck! The amount of crud on the shower door that I removed was eye-opening.

After a few days of cleaning, I admit I became addicted to using the steamer. One job lead to another as I discovered dirt I’d never conquered. But now, I’m facing the winter feeling confident I can defeat mold, dust mites, germs and bacteria with my new weapon.