Steam Mops

Steam Mops are an alternative to your traditional mop and bucket, designed to help keep the floors at home hygienic and sparkling clean. Instead of using chemicals, a Steam Mop uses steam and a Steam Mop Pad or cloth to lift and wipe away dirt, killing germs.

Steam Mops consist of a refillable water tank and head where reusable cloths are fitted. When the Steam Mop is turned on, the water from the tank is pumped through and heated, pushing steam out through the cloth at the head. The Steam Mop is then pushed around the floor to steam and wipe away dirt and grime. When done the mop pad can be removed and machine washed so it's clean and ready for next time.

Because it uses steam instead of chemicals and water surfaces dry quicker than those cleaned with regular mops. For the best results sweep or Vacuum the floor beforehand and aim to Steam Mop floors once a week.

Steam Mops are great at cleaning hard floorings and most manufacturers will provide guidance about what sort of flooring is most compatible. Vinyl, ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles, linoleum, stone, marble and sealed timber can all usually be cleaned with a Steam Mop. Steam Mops may also be able to steam carpet with an included attachment to allow it to glide over the carpet's surface.

If steam finds its way into surface cracks or gaps between boards on a hardwood floor, it can seep into the wood and cause it to expand and warp. This process makes Steam Mops unsuitable for unsealed or waxed hardwood floors along with cork tiles. Some manufacturers don’t recommend Steam Mop use on linoleum or vinyl floors as gaps or holes can also be penetrated by steam, which can weaken the adhesive and damage wooden floorboards underneath. If possible, it’s good to check with the manufacturer of the flooring whether a Steam Mop is suitable.

Both ceramic and porcelain tiles including tiled walls are excellent candidates for steam cleaning.

Most Steam Mop advertising claims to eliminate germs and bacteria in addition to leaving your floors clean and sparkling. The heat and steam produced by a Steam Mop is certainly capable of killing germs, although it may not be the most efficient method of disinfecting. If you want to ensure a properly disinfected floor, it is recommended that you use a commercial household cleaner or disinfectant solution that is suitable for the type of flooring before use.

To be clear, you should not add anything other than water to a Steam Mop tank unless the manufacturer tells you otherwise. The interior components of a Steam Mop are sensitive and prone to damage if substances other than water are used even in small amounts. Some manufacturers sell sanitizing additives for their Steam Mops but double check the solution is compatible with your mop. The best way to get excellent sanitisation and cleaning is to wash the mop pad or mop cloth after every use.

When shopping for a new Steam Mop, consider your height and the available power outletsat home. With these in mind, get a mop that will be comfortable for you to push and will have a long enough power cord to reach across all the flooring. Many Steam Mops can be adjusted to multiple heights.

Some Steam Mops come with multiple cleaning pads making it easy to swap out for a clean one while the other is in the wash. Most Steam Mops use microfibre pads to trap and remove dirt, although some models come with different types of pads for different tasks.

A mop with a larger water tank that doesn't need refilling mid clean will save time. Also look for models with quick heat up times to be ready to steam clean in seconds rather than minutes. There are a variety of handy Attachments and tools for many Steam Mops. Jet nozzles or brushes can be used to clean grout and other tougher cleaning spots, along with some for window cleaning and Carpet steaming.