Steam mops are a great solution for those who hate using chemicals in there home. Steam mops kill 99.9% of germs by using heated water to eliminate unwanted messes from your home. In addition, these mops are able to clean much quicker than a standard mop. Some even come with multiple add-ons, much like vacuum cleaners. This can help buyers clean hard to reach places like countertops.
Best Steam Mops List
Best Steam Mop Reviews
Bissell Powerfresh Steam Mop 1940
The Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop is a simpler item that is perfect for those who don’t need a ton of extra features. The PowerFresh comes with a swivel head and a twenty-three-foot cord to make cleaning easy. It has an 8-inch cleaning path and a tank that can hold thirteen ounces of water. The model has 1,500 watts of power with three different steam levels. The level display has light-up indicators so that you will always know what setting you are using. You will also receive a washable pad with the model and a pack of scent discs. It will take just thirty seconds for this model to finish heating up and be usable.
Like other products, you will get a 30-day money-back guarantee and the model is covered by a two-year warranty. The price of this mop tends to stay around the $100. Read full review.
Bissell Powerfresh Slim Steam Mop
The Bissell Powerfresh Slim is made to be versatile enough to clean a variety of household locations. The mop comes with tons of accessories that can help you clean your couch, shower, and even your clothes. This makes the product perfect for those who need steam for more than just cleaning their floor. The model is made out of durable materials that are easy to detach from one another. This allows the product to have an easy to use handheld mode for countertop cleaning. The Slim Steam Mop also has an ultra-long twenty-five-foot cord and a thirteen-inch cleaning path. Along with this the mop can heat up in under a minute and even be used to help with pet messes.
Like most mops, this one also has replaceable pads. The mop also features a swivel head perfect for homes that have more furniture than normal. This model has a two-year warranty and costs around $150. Read full review.
Shark Genius Pocket Mop S5003D
The Shark Genius Pocket steam mop can truly be a quality addition to any home’s cleaning appliances and one that can leave your floors sparkling after each use. The mop head is also quite durable making it worth the price. The functionality of the included dirt-grip pads that finely comb your home’s floors for any and all particles that plague their surfaces are considered unparalleled. The advanced steam blaster technology that can also minimize stains and hard to remove buildup. This adds a level of performance that goes above and beyond in the way of sanitizing any hard surface.With its competitive price tag of around $105. This is the level of pure and easy-to-use functionality that one should look for when using an appliance such as this. You are definitely not going to be disappointed with the results of your purchase. Read full review.
O-Cedar Microfiber Steam Mop
The O-Cedar Microfiber Steam Mop is a simple steam mop perfect for those buying their first steam mop. It comes with two microfiber triangular cleaning pads and a glide attachment for cleaning carpets with ease. This model’s boiler can heat up the water in only twenty-second and produce steam at about 200 degrees Fahrenheit . It has an adjustable dial for controlling how much steam is used and an LED indicator to show when it is ready for use. The power cord is about 20 feet long making it easy to clean large rooms without stopping. The tank holds around 350ml which gives you 10 to 20 minutes of steam depending on the setting you are using. The O-Cedar Steam Mop has a simple design but is very effective at its job.
This product comes with a one year warranty that covers defective parts. It can usually be found at around $70. Read full review.
Shark Lift Away Steam Mop
The Shark Lift Away Steam Mop is a great option for people who have harder to reach surfaces in their home to clean. It has 2 in 1 versatility with it’s easy to use detachable hand held steamer that can reach 3 feet from the main mop to get even the hardest to reach places. This model also has three different steam settings that takes the guesswork out of how much steam you should use on each surface. It also has built-in steam blast technology that allows you to hit heavy dirt and grime hard. It comes with two microfiber cleaning pads that can be released from the mop head touch free using a button on the main mop. This steam mop is perfect for those who need extra features to help speed up cleaning.
This model comes with a one-year limited manufacturer’s warranty that covers defective parts. It can commonly be found for around $160. Read full review.
Bissell PowerFresh Lift-Off Pet Steam Mop
The Bissell Powerfresh Pet Mop is perfect for anyone who shares their home with four-legged friends. The mop comes with thirteen different attachments to make cleaning easy no matter where your pets have made a mess. There is even a tool for carpet cleaning and the vacuum can be broken down for counter-tops. The mop can hold thirteen-ounces of water and clean over 1,000 square feet at once. The mop has a cleaning width of 8-inches and replaceable pads are readily available.
You even get a free tool bag to keep everything tidy. The mop features a 25-foot cord that’s attached to the water tank. To feel the tank you will have to deal with the cord. The head has a slight swivel but won’t work well if you need a mop for cluttered rooms. The product also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a two-year limited warranty. This product is generally priced at around $120. Read full review.
What To Consider Before Purchase
Steam mops may seem like a simple purchase to make, but there are still some things to consider. Not all steam mops are created equal, and some will have more features than others. It’s up to you to decide what types of features you need for the perfect clean.
Materials
The materials that a product is made out of can tell a lot about it. Some materials are cheap, and when products use them, they will break down faster. Cheap plastics, for example, are something you should avoid when buying a product you will be using for long periods of time. For steam mops, you should look for models made out of hard plastics and metal. Metal handles are great for standing up to your grips. Hard plastic bodies will ensure that even if you do bump into your table, the mop won’t crack. Even the pads you attach to your mop need to be made out of quality materials. Pads made out of thin cloth can come to pieces when trying to mop up hard stains. In addition, you will need to worry about the materials used to make your model’s water tank.
A tank made with cheap materials can easily crack or not be seal well enough to keep water from spilling out. Even some tank caps are made out of cheap materials that will quickly degrade away. If your cap goes out, then you won’t be able to use the mop without finding a replacement. In addition, if you have a cracked water tank, the chances are that you will have to replace the whole mop. This will either cost you quite a bit of money as steam mops aren’t cheap or use up your warranty. In either of these scenarios, cleaning up the boiling hot water from your floor won’t be a pleasant experience.
Company Guarantees
If a product doesn’t list the materials, it’s made from or is lacking a warranty than beware. Companies who are proud of their products will freely list the details. Warranties are also a great indication of just how long the company expects the product to last. Even if the product does have some materials listed, read closely to make sure that they aren’t using any cheap fillers or plastic known to break down when exposed to hot water. Some steam mops will start to deteriorate if they are made out of poor materials, and you use high settings.
Modes
The next thing you will want to consider is how many features you need in your mop. Some houses with little to no mess will only need a simple steam mop with one steam setting. Houses with active children or pets may need a tougher mop to clean up messes. For pets, especially, you may need to look for a mop that is made to clean up pet messes. Some mops won’t do a good job at picking up pet hair, which is a major issue for pet parents. If you have kids who compete in sports, then you are likely to find mud or dirt on your floor. For this, you will need a mop that can clean up rougher textures. If you’re sensitive to steam output or have asthma, then you may want a mop with multiple settings.
This way, you can turn them steam output up and down as needed. Some mops will even come with lighted displays. This will give you a clear idea of what setting you have the mop on at all times. These features are all dependent on the user, though, and may not be necessary.
In addition, you will want to consider what type of mop you want to go with. Some can break down into a smaller, more portable device. These mops can be used to clean countertops and small kitchen appliances. This helps to cut back even further on the use of chemicals in your home. Some steam mops will even have special attachments, much like a vacuum that can be used to clean areas without breaking the mop down. This feature can sometimes be used just by pushing a button a removing a hose.
Accessories
The next thing to consider when choosing your features is what accessories the mop comes with. Some mops will come with over ten attachments for use on different types of messes. Other mops will have special scents available. These scents often come as an attachment for your pads or as scented water you add to your tank. Scented accessories are especially useful for houses with pets. The scent will replace the pet smell as you mop to give you a more pleasant room. Some mops will come with washable scrubbing pads.
Unlike the majority of steam mop pads, this accessory can be cleaned out in your sink after every use. Washable pads are more durable and will last for months. If you don’t like having to wash a pad, though, you can buy a mop that only has replaceable pads. These pads usually cost $10 for a pair of replacement pads.
Next, consider what type of brushes you may need with your mop. Many products will have super scrubber attachments that can be used to cut through tough messes with ease. Other mops will have specialty attachments good for cleaning sensitive types of hard flooring. These mops will be able to handle fake woods or thin tiles that are susceptible to hot water.
If you want to get even more use out of your mop, then you can get a carpet piece. This will allow you to steam some types of carpet, which can help you get a deeper clean after using a classic vacuum. Depending on the model of steam mop, you may even be able to get all these features included in your initial purchase for a reduced price. Some models even come with storage bags to keep things neat and tidy.
Maneuverability
When you are using any tool for cleaning, you need to think about the layout of your home. Do you have a simple home or one that is a bit more cluttered? Do you have a big family table with lots of chairs in your kitchen, or is it open space? If you have an open kitchen, you can pretty much pick any steam mop without worrying about getting stuck on objects while cleaning. If you have a bit more furniture then normal though, you may need a mop with a moderate amount of swivel. For kitchens, with lots of nooks and crannies, you will need a mop with a high amount of swivel. Some mops will maneuver more than others while other are designed to just clean in a straight line.
You will need to check each model to see how well the head can turn during cleaning. You will also want to consider the cleaning path. Some mops will use bigger pads, which means you can clean more floor space at once. The other models will have smaller pads that are perfect for getting into small spaces, but take much more time to use. Mops with the 30-day money-back guarantee are a great choice for those with cluttered homes. This way, you can see which model works best for getting around your furniture without wasting any money.
Cord Length and Weight
In addition, you also need to worry about the length of your cord. Most models of steam mops are plugged into the wall instead of running off of a battery. This helps water to heat up fast but can be a bit annoying if you have a short cord. If you have a larger house, then consider getting a mop with a 20-inch cord or more. Luckily, long cords are the standard with this type of product. Some smaller steam mops may be a litter hard to use without unplugging the cord and moving it to another room, though.
Finally, you will need to consider just how heavy your mop is. Mops that are heavy will be hard to clean with for more than a few minutes at a time. On the other hand, mops that are too light may not have enough pressure for a thorough clean. What mop weight is perfect will vary from person to person. You should try to avoid mops that are much more than ten pounds, though. You should also watch for ultra-light models under five pounds. Most mops will weigh between six to twelve pounds. Keep in mind that adding in a full tank of water will add on to this weight. Keep the size of the tank in mind when choosing which mop to buy. You can determine the extra weight by checking how many ounces of water the tank can hold.
Cleaning Ease
The next thing you will need to consider is how easy it is going to be to clean with the mop. Steam mops have to heat up the water before you can use them. Some mops can take a few minutes, while newer models can heat water in just thirty seconds. The more time you spend letting the water heat, the more time you are waiting to clean. Try to look for models that are able to heat water in under a minute’s time. You will also want a model that does a great job of keeping the water a consistent temperature. Some cheaper models will heat water up, to begin with, and then let it cool as you use the mop. You should also check to see how easy it is to use and remove cleaning pads.
A mop that doesn’t securely hold onto the cleaning pad will become a nuisance while in use. The cleaning pad should snuggly fit around or securely latch onto the mop. You should also check to see if the mop pads are easy to switch out. For tougher messes, your mop pad may turn black quickly. If you keep using the same mop pad, then you will only be moving the mess around. Mop pads should have a way to easily detach them quickly in the middle of cleaning.
Assembly
Assembly is also something you need to take into consideration. When you buy a mop, you don’t want a model that takes you hours to assemble. The same goes for models that de-attach for counter cleaning. Switching from the main mop to a smaller mode should only take a few minutes at most. These mops should be able to transform with a simple press of the button, much like vacuum cleaners. When you first receive your product, the box should include clear instructions for assembly. While it’s understandable that steam mops don’t come assembled, they shouldn’t come in multiple small pieces either. Look for models that are rated for five to ten-minute assemblies. You should also check to see if you will need any special tools to put the product together.
Check user reviews to see what other consumers have said about assembly. Even some models that claim to be easy to assemble may end up causing you more trouble than they are worth. Cheap models may even have missing screws or parts that don’t quite fit together as needed.
Floor Types
You will also need to find out what type of hard flooring you will be cleaning. Some flooring types will become damaged when cleaned with a high amount of hot water. The other types will benefit from a cleaning with a steam mop. Cheaper types of flooring or flooring that are made of delicate materials can be at risk for damage. In addition, if you are adding in scented water or vinegar, then some flooring types like hardwood may become damaged from the cleaning. Certain protective chemicals can be broken down when certain cleaners are used, leaving your wood floor vulnerable to rot. In addition, some accessories may be too rough for less durable flooring types. While not highly likely, you can scratch your floor or cause cracks by using rough brushes.
Price & Warranty
One of the biggest determining factors for consumers is the products price. Of course, the more special features you want out of your steam mop, the more it will cost. The materials the product is made from can also cause the price to rise. If you have a set budget in mind, you should look at a few models in that price range. From there, you should check reviews, features, and heat-up times to determine which product is best. While you may only need a simple steam mop, if there is a model for the same price with extra accessories, then you should take the offer. You never know when you will need to use extra features.
Most Steam Mops float between the fifty to one-hundred and fifty dollar price range. While this does seem like a bit of money, they are still much cheaper than premium vacuum brands. Buying a Steam mop may even be cheaper in the long run then going with a Swiffer mop. That’s because a steam mop can have reusable pads, and you don’t need to worry about buying a special cleaning solution.
Protecting Your Purchase
As an added bonus, most steam mops seem to have a 30-day money-back guarantee. This ensures that you can try the product out before fully committing to buying it. This takes a lot of worry out of trying a new product, especially for skeptical consumers. Most steam mops also come with a standard two-year limited warranty. This ensures that any factory defects that appear over that time span will be taken care of by the brand. These warranties will generally require you to ship your mop off; however, this cost is usually paid for by the company. If you do find yourself with defects, don’t try and fix them on your own, as this will void the warranty.
Once again, if you find a product with no warranty or one that is incredibly short, skip over it. Warranties are made with the durability of the product in mind. Companies that don’t offer a warranty likely don’t have any faith in their mops durability.
FAQs
How Do I Use a Steam Mop?
Using a steam mop is actually pretty simple. All you need to do is make sure the cleaning pad is secured and fill the tank with water. Once the tank is filled, make sure it snaps into place and plug you mop on. Within a short bit of time, your water should be done heating. At this point, pick a steam output mode if your mop has a different setting and begin to clean your home.
Can you put vinegar in a steam mop?
Yes, you can use vinegar in a steam mop without harming it. There are a few things you need to consider before doing this, however. For starters, vinegar has a strong smell, and this will be thrown into the air by the mop. Next, vinegar can’t be used for all flooring types. Vinegar works with most tile, linoleum, and vinyl flooring. You should double-check before using vinegar on your floors, though, as some flooring types can be deceiving. Never use vinegar if you have hardwood floors, though. Vinegar will disintegrate the protective chemicals that keep your hardwood flooring from rotting away. The best practice is also to mix vinegar in with some water when using it in a steam mop.
What can I put in my steam mop to smell nice?
Making a steam mop smell better can be a bit tricky, depending on the brand. Many premium brands will have several different options for odorizing your home. Many brands will offer distilled, scented water in jugs that you add directly to the tank. Others will have odor pads that place a scent directly onto the floor as you clean. You should never add scented cleaners into your tank. Even essential oils may cause problems when used with a steam mop.
Why does my steam mop leave streaks?
The number one reason your mop is leaving streaks is a dirty pad. No matter how sanitary a steam mop is, you need to replace the pad when it starts to turn black. Without replacements, you will just keep smearing the mess around to different parts of your home. A good rule of thumb is to change your pad out each time you finish using the mop. If you don’t want to be wasteful, then double-check your pad each time before use. If you are using a washable pad, then rinse it out every time you finish cleaning. For homes with pets, you may be seeing pet hair leave streaks as your steam mop isn’t made to clean up pet messes.
Can you steam mop laminate floors?
Yes, you can, but it requires a bit of extra work. This is one of the flooring types that you will need to create a water and white vinegar solution in order to clean. You can also use a black tea mixture to spray on the floors before you start cleaning. There are tons of recipes out there that will help you clean laminate floors, make sure to use the one you are most comfortable with. Just keep in mind that using baby shampoo or tea on areas that a steam mop will go over will likely perfume your room.
