CLEAN in 2011: A Steam Mop Discussion
As I was writing a post on the products I use for cleaning, it occurred to me that I don’t really care for my steam mop and that I need to get a new one. Needless to say, I put that post on hold until I get this straightened out.
Do you use a steam mop?
I think steam mops in general are fantastic! I love that I can clean my floors without any toxic chemicals. I also really like that the floor dries a little bit quicker since it doesn’t get as wet, and that there is no sticky residue left behind by a cleaning solution. It’s also great not to need to wring out a mop or deal with a bucket full of yucky, dirty water. I like that I can just throw the steam mop pad in the washer and reuse it.
Here are some great resources if you want more information on the benefits of steam mops:
Steam Cleaning- Green Cleaning At Its Best @ Simple Organic
Steam Mops: The Hot New Thing In Green Cleaning @ Tiny Green Mom
Steam Mop to Cut Water and Chemical Use @ Best Green Home Tips
Steam Cleaner Reviews @ Mrs. Clean USA
The steam mop I’ve been using is a Shark (the basic one). It works well for quick cleans, but for really DEEP cleans or tough spots, it’s not the greatest. You have to pump the handle to get the steam to come out. The cord is short, and the water doesn’t get all that hot (the hotter, the better!). Like I said, it is okay, but not great.
My plan was to write this post, get awesome suggestions from all of my wonderful blog readers, and THEN order a new steam mop. Â But I got the trigger finger on Amazon yesterday, and order this Eureka 313A Enviro Hard-Surface Floor Steamer that I’ve been eyeing for a few weeks now:
4 Stars from 1,067 reviews on Amazon. Can’t be all bad, right? It has the longest cord (25 ft) of all the steam mops on the market, heats to 220 degrees (very hot, enough to kill lots of bacteria and pick up more dirt than many other mops), has a large water tank (larger than other steam mops), and you don’t have to pump the handle or hold down a button to get it to steam. I’m looking forward to trying it out, and I’ll be sure to let you know if it really lives up to all the hype.
So, let’s discuss! Do you use a steam mop? Which one do you have? What do you think of it?
PS. If you told me last year that I’d soon be writing blog posts about cleaning (including my recent bathroom cleaning post featured on House of Grace!) and discussing steam mops in detail, I NEVER would have believed you! What a difference a year makes!Â
Okay, I am totally excited about this post because I was just talking to the hubs about getting a steam mop. Thanks for the tips!! I hope you get your new one soon!
yeah – I am not a fan of my shark either but I have been eyeballing that Haan thanks to QVC!
I had a shark, and was not a fan. I didn’t like the push-for-steam mechanism or the short cord. I DID like the cleaning power, and felt like it did a good job for that. The short cord was a real issue because our entire 1st floor at our old house was tile/wood. So there was a lot of plugging and unplugging. I will be interested to hear what you think about the new one!
I am relieved to hear you say that you don’t really care for your Shark either! Obviously, everyone has their own opinions, but I didn’t want it to sound like I was Shark-bashing too much. I haven’t heard much about the Haan- hope I didn’t jump the gun with my new order!
I feel the same way, Tanya! The cord was SO short and that was a pain. We’ve still got carpet in our living room and dining room, but it’s getting ready to get replaced with wood. Then my whole downstairs will need a steam mop, too.
Steam mops are definitely the way to go! My new one should be here in a few days..can’t wait!
I’ve got to admit that I’m reluctant to add another cleaning tool to my closet – steam cleaning sounds like a wonderful, non toxic cleaning alternative, but I think I’ll just stick with good ol’ vinegar and water. Stopping by from SITS!
I don’t have one, but from the sounds of the one you just got, i’m going to have to get one asap!
I love your PS; I often feel surprised by my life. 🙂
I have the yellow Haan and I love it. I read through the reviews on Amazon and originally wanted the Eureka, but I had the gimmies and wanted to get something immediately, so I went to Macy’s and bought the Haan because I didn’t want to wait for the Eureka to be shipped. At the time, there was a really long review on Amazon that compared all of the steam mops on the market; if I remember correctly, the Eureka was the top choice and the Haan came in second, but they were both good mops. I haven’t tried the Eureka, but my Haan is light and easy to use, gets hot fast, and cleans well. I have no complaints.
You know, I’ve never tried vinegar and water for the floors. I’ve used it for cleaning other things, but never the floors. That’s definitely a great idea for people who don’t want to find space for a steam mop!
The Haan was definitely in the running too, and I think I must have read that same extensive review that you did on Amazon!
I am totally up on the air on steam mops. I have beautiful hardwood floors that would love it but a lot of people who work with hardwood have total me that it can really warp the wood so I am very nervous about that. They said it doesnt seem like it is doing it at first but eventually does and you might not notice it but someone inspecting them would and it could hurt the resale.
That’s the first I’ve heard about steam mops warping hardwoods! We’re getting ready to replace our carpet downstairs (and maybe our tile too!) with wood, so that is good to know. I know the product description SAYS its ok for wood, but I’m definitely going to do more research on this issue! Thanks for sharing!
We used a Monster EZ1 Steam Mop at our old house (we had a lot of tile) – and we loved it! You can see my complete review here: http://metropolitanmama.net/2009/07/housekeeper-husband-reviews-monster-ez1-steam-mop/.
Now that we have carpet in the RV, we have a cordless Dyson Digital Slim that is powerful, portable, and compact. 🙂
I actually have the one you’re thinking of getting. I love it! I love having a steam mop. No more nasty mops hanging out in my house….I researched, and researched before going with this one. I finally decided on the one listed above because of the reviews, and because of the price. It so easy to fill, and I love that the cloth is easily removed and washed. Very happy with it!
Did you get it? I’m wondering if you thought it was worth the purchase…
I’m new to your blog, and I just read this post… have you gotten a new steam cleaner? Â My hunk-o-junk Shark bit it, and I replaced it with a Haan from Home Depot… I have NEVER EVER loved a piece of machinery more!!!!!! Â It’s positively miraculous. Â 🙂 Â
Ive had 2 Sharks. One regular size just died after a year. And my Shark Pro just broke at the steam ,nozzle. I loved it. But I’m disappointed to have to buy a 3rd one at such a high cost.
There is no water just steam. I’ve used for 3 yrs and I actually think its better than mopping or worrying that the mop is too wet. It dries instantly. I’m disappointed that I’ve been thru 2 sharks. But I just love it – it gets your floors sanitary clean. I like the Shark pro cuz the foot is really larger than the other mops. Anyone know of a mop as large as the pro? People with complaints prob didn’t use distilled water. It’s just a lot of money to break after a year. Still – ill probably buy another one.
 I have a Haan steam mop and I do love it. It did a nice job on my hardwood floors but someone came to the door and I forgot to put the steaming mop on the pad and it left a large white mark on the floor! I love my steam mop and I was very mad at myself for doing that. I looked on line for a solution and the easiest was to put down a ironing cloth and iron it with a dry iron! It worked great! No more white mark!.
I do not do the wood floors very much at all. I do not think it would warp the floors is used with care.
Love my steam mop! Does anyone have any experience with it on a peel and stick floor? I have a new floor in the kitchen and am afraid to try it. It is very thick tile with a ceramic like finish. It says not to use it because of the high heat but I cannot see that heat going all the way through the tile. And I would think that water would be worse. Any body try it?
i do not recomend using it on a peel and stick floor. It will heat up the glue and cause it to dry up over time and come off. It will work awhile as long as you dont let the steam mop hover for too long without impacting the glue, but with tough cleaning areas, this may not be possible.
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I used both, you can spray it on the floor and steam it, or you can put it in there and 2in 1. I did it in my Shark but I didnt like the pumping action
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