Does Anyone Own A Steam Mop?
 

I have hardwood floors, and would love to find a great steam cleaner. I am using washable pee pads and the puppies seem to always walk over the pads after they have been used and then create little puppy pee prints all over the floor. We are washing the floor several times a day but there's always a tacky residue leftover. I don't use harsh cleaners since their are puppies nearby. That is why I thought that a stem cleaner would be the best bet. I would love to get reviews on different steam mops. Does anyone use one? Does it work? Pros/Cons? Thanks!!

I did. I requested one for Christmas. The Shark.
I did get it and loved it. However, after using it for two months
it stopped making steam. I was so upset. I took it back and
never replaced it.
I would like to get another but am leary. Maybe someone else
has a better one. I'll keep checking for updates.

There was a thread on this some time ago, maybe do a search. I do know your floors must be sealed if you are going to use it on hardwood.

Are the real wood or laminate? Steam is a real no no on real wood, it will cause the fibers to expand and could ruin the finish. One of the best cleaners for real wood is white vinegar in water; the solution can be sprayed on, but must be thoroughly wiped dry.

I think washable pee pads absorb more, I never have any prints. Or you might try setting the pads on a small rug.

I was looking at this one: H20 Mop, Converts Water into Steam | Solutions It's the H2O mop.

I saw it on TV, and it said it was safe for hardwood floors (mine are sealed). Although, after reading many reviews, a lot of them said it worked great -- at first, but then they just stopped working all of a sudden. So, that is why I wanted to hear from the people that have them and like them, or not.

All wood floors are sealed, and polyurethane is probably the hardest sealer, but it would break down in time with steam, besides all it would take is a small scratch in the finish to get to the wood.

As far as the mops breaking down over time, this happens to a lot of different brands, I would guess that it's due from a build-up of minerals in the water that would clog the steam action.

Hmm, maybe there are no "good" ones? I guess it's back to washing the floors on my hands and knees! You'd think technology would catch up to the times by now.

I found a great dry mop at Bed Bath and Beyond made by DF products. It has an aluminum handle strong enough to "mop" back and forth. I just spray the vinegar and water solution on the floor and mop dry. The mop has a thick microfiber cloth pad that detaches easily for washing. I believe it was about $29.00; it's so much stronger than the swifter type mops. There are also lots of different wood floor cleaner sprays you can use. I swear I can do the whole floor in minutes. I got several extra pads, and use it on my ceramic tile floors as well.

We bought a Shark Steam Mop and we really like it! We occassionally still mop the floors though...just because I feel I need to.

Have you had it long? It seems the consensus is that after a few months it gets clogged somehow and doesn't work anymore. Have you tried it on hardwood floors? Thanks for the reply!

I've had it a few months....I saved the box and receipt and asked when I bought it (bought it at Bed, Bath and Beyond) if I could return it if after a few months it doesn't seem to work well or not work at all...and they said yes. So, I have that to fall back on if something does happen.:thumbup:

I believe it was $70 something at BB&B, but I had a 20% off coupon and used it too...so a lot cheaper than some online places...and a lot easier to return if I need to.

We have laminate wood floors on the main floor and second floor...and it works well...and super easy to use...in fact, it is so easy, that we do our floors more than we have ever done before!:biggrin:

Jenn I remember we were looking at these at the same time. Do you think they would work as well on tile too? I am dying for something easier than mopping all the darn time? Does it dry fast or stay wet like mopping? I may have to go look at my bed bath and beyond and see if they carry it. :D

I don't have the box here in the office, but it can be used on tile...I can't remember what else. Our downstairs, we have painted concrete and we have used it down there and it has worked well.

The first time we used it, it dried really fast, but left streaks....so, we mopped the floor, as we normally would and then went over it w/ the steam mop (to see if that helped, to see how dirty the floor still was, etc)...no streaks that time....so you might want to start w/ a "clean" floor. ;)

It dries quickly....my daughter is the one who uses it the most and she loves it!!

I have the Shark Steam mop and I love it. I use it on my laminate floors and they look great. I used bottled water in mine because the book said if you use tap water they will plug up.

Ah, so maybe that's the trick! Thanks guys, I think I'll try it. I'll have to check my BB&B.

The infomercial on the h20mop had me going:D. I don't buy on impulse (anymore;)) and read reviews online about them. A huge dissapointment to many. I didn't get it of course:). I bought a Shark steamer....mmmm....wouldn't recommend THAT either. I think the good old fashioned clean up is going to be your best bet.

Awesome....thanks girl. What about now? Do you have to mop still or does this take care of that? :confused::)

I have heard that from several people. But, I do know one person who has used hers ALOT, and she has had no problems. She uses bottled water instead of tap water, as she said the minerals in tap water build up and clog the steamer after awhile. Maybe that's the problem with yours? Hopefully, that's all it is and once it's all cleaned out, it will work again.:)

:thumbup::thumbup: I don't love the Shark either! You just can't beat a good old string mop with some blue Pine Sol! :p

On wood floors???????? These are real wood not laminate.

I'm kicking myself for not buying this one Bissell® Steam Mop™ Hard Floor Cleaner at HSN.com

they had it as the Today's Special for like $65 3or 4 wks ago, but I was so sick, I never got it ordered. I was impressed with the demonstration. It has a longer cord than the Bissel ones in the store & I think some other upgrades.

Anyone have the Bissell? I have a Bissell Steam Carpet Cleaner that I have loved for yrs

:eek: Sorry ... I should have read the whole thread! I use the Pine Sol on tile ... it's not for use on wood floors. My parents had hardwood floors when we were growing up and my Mother always used clear water and damp mopped them. They were beautiful! That's also the way I mop my terra cota floors in our home ... I love it.

Distilled water is what shoud be used. Plain bottled water will still cause mineral buildup unless it's reverse osmosis. It's just like a steam iron (if anyone still irons)

Distilled water is what to use not just bottled or reverse osmosis

Haan Steamer
 

I went to The Hudson Valley GreenFair this Sunday and bought a steam mop after watching a demo and asking a trillion q's.:rolleyes:

I bought a Haan.

I rushed right home and used it.

I have lived in this house since Jan 07--- it's crew housing and there have been many more (some with pets too as well as small children) before us here and always cleaned every two weeks by a service.

That is until I moved in. I clean the downstairs, which we occupy as I can not tolerate the solvent type cleaners they use w/ the service.

My review after using it a second time today-----

I love it!

Leaves only a brief dampness behind and the tile floors actually squeek!

I even use it on the indoor/outdoor mats in front of the doors to not clean, but sterilize them, which kills the bacteria and therefore, any odors.

It is also a zen-like process for me. In that you have to move it slowly enough so that the steam has time to sterilize the floors.

It's light weight so def less work than moving and scrubbing with a mop. Much less dry time and I've gone from using s small bit of eco cleaner and white vinegar to using only distilled water.

I have noticed that there is stuff coming out of the grout each time I use it on the tile floors. This makes me especially happy around the toilets.;)

Also noticeable around the stove----the grease is starting to come out of the grout there.

So far , so fabulous!

Wow, that sounds great - I hope it stays working for you! Did you notice if this particular brand was safe for use on hardwood floors?

As long as they are sealed with a topcoat.

But not waxed as it will melt the wax.

I use it on the wood floors here and they look awesome.:cool:

I got the H2O stream mop and it's great
 

Thane Direct Canada: The Best As Seen on TV Products! H20 Mop Steamer , I use vinegar it and work great, floors and rug…check it out...

I have the Shark steam mop. The steam only comes out when you push it forward. The microfiber type cloth cover that velcroes on is very grabby. By grabby I mean it clings to the floor so much it makes it hard to push along the tile. It cleans amazingly but can be a little difficult to push along thus making the handle take more of a beating. You also have to push/pump the handle quite a bit to get the amount of steam I think is necessary. Hope this helps.

Okay, I went and did it! I bought the Shark steam mop from Target, and used it for the first time yesterday on both hardwood floors and tile - and it worked great! Here's something I noticed, on the outside of the box it said you could use just plain tap water, but on the inside of the box, there was a label that "suggested" only distilled water be used. Maybe that's the key? Anyway, I will be sure and keep you all updated! Thanks again for all the replies!