Steam mops are the new thing in home cleaning, promising an eco-friendly, detergent-free alternative to the traditional mop and bucket. Are these new fangled devices worth the extra dough? Will your floors really shine, or will you still need to break out the soap and water?
First, it is probably a good idea to understand how these steam mops work. Although there are some differences in the way they operate, many of their features are the same. They are corded units that use electricity to heat water. The base of the mops are covered with reusable, and generally machine washable, pads. By pushing on the handle or pulling on the trigger, steam is released into these pads. These pads, with the help of the steam, pick up dirt as they are passed across flooring surfaces.
Contrary to popular belief, basic cleaning with steam mops generally will not sanitize flooring surfaces. To sanitize, the mop head must be left in place for a certain amount of time. For example, the Bissell 1867 instructs users to leave the unit in place approximately fifteen seconds to sanitize. It would take a long time to sanitize a small area, such as a foyer, and let's not even discuss how long it would take to do a larger area!
Also, these machines are not vacuum sweepers. Their design does not allow them to pick up dirt particles. The area must be vacuumed or swept prior to using. Sweeping or vacuuming just prior to use will also eliminate wear and tear on the reusable cleaning pads, as well as prevent scratching of flooring surfaces.
Steam mops will ruin unsealed hardwood floors. There have also been reports of damage to no-wax surfaces. Contact the manufacturer of your floors to verify if these types of steam cleaners are safe to use on them. It is a good idea to test a small area to verify that it does not have any adverse effects on your floor's finish.
Steam mops use only water. If you are tempted to mix detergent with the water, don't do it! It will ultimately ruin your cleaner and void your warranty. Although tap water can be used, most manufacturers recommend distilled water if the tap is hard or to prolong the life of the filter.
Although you will save money by not having to purchase expensive detergents to clean your floors, owning a steam mop is not expense-free. You will need to occasionally replace the cleaning pads, and may need to replace filters and other parts that may wear out from time to time.
Overall, steam mops are an effective way to clean floors. However, keep your expectations realistic. It will not take the place of commercially cleaning and sealing grout, or making old worn out linoleum look new. However, it will do just as well as a bucket and traditional mop, without the back breaking hassle and time consuming work required by the old-fashioned methods.
