Steam Mops

[bajaespuma]

Have any of you fabulous housekeepers(wreckers) had any experience with any of the new steam mops that are being advertised a lot on TV? When I mop my floors I usually boil water for the job and if those mops truly worked as advertised they would save me a lot of work. When I look at them in the stores, however, they look very Suzy Homemaker and flimsy. Inquiring mind wants to know.

 

[iheartmaytag]

Steam is hotter than boiling water

I have a Eureka Enviro-mop. It does a great job, my house now only has a bath that isn't carpeted so I don't use it as much as I used to . You can get about 30 minutes on a fill and a pretty quick warm up (about three minutes)

The Eureka requires that you use one of their special pads, you get two with the machine and they are machine washable. When washing don't use softner as it will reduce the ability to absorb, and will streak. Also don't dry it in the dryer or it will shrink. If you need more pads they cost about $14,95 for two, but if you consider you aren't buying any chemicals or other supplies it is pretty economical.

I might also point out that when I had an uncarpeted kitchen you could really tell the steam was cutting the grease and stuff from the high traffice areas. I also like that the steam, being hotter than water, sanatizes without chemicals (even though I have no problem using LCB).

My friend has a Shark which uses micro-fiber pads, her's has a 'burst of steam' option for tough spots.

All in all I like mine and have no problem recommending it to friends.

 

[toggleswitch2]

Are these things safe for wooden floors?

This one looked intriguing.....

http://www.haanusa.com/

 

[brisnat81]

Mum bought one 10 years ago and from time to time it gets passed around family members who use it once or twice and then put it in the cupboard. It seems like a good idea, but the cord is never long enough, it's fiddly to put water in, the handle always falls down and you still have to vaccum before you mop.

We find it more hassle than just using a mop and unless you're germ phobic a mop, with hot water and a good cleanser will do the same job.

Just another opinion.

 

[whirlcool]

Those Haan steam mops are not very pricey at all. There is a dealer in BTR that is selling them new on Ebay. I think they are much cheaper than the shopping network shows have them for.

Haan & Steam for sale | eBay

Get the best deals for Haan & Steam at eBay.com. We have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & Free shipping on many items!

shop.ebay.com

 

[iheartmaytag]

Are they safe on wood floors

Yes/NO
The book with my Eureka says can be used on sealed hardwood, but not to use on varnished hardwood. I have never used mine on eiter so I can't answer from experience.

Also, you shouldn't leave the mop sitting in one place for longer than about eight seconds as the higher heat can cause glues to release and some floors to delaminate.

 

[andrewinorlando]

I have a Shark steam mop....love it, love it, love it....can clean the whole house on 24 ounces of plain water. It has a carpet skate attachment that is supposed to kill dust mites on carpets. It's nice to have something that cleans so well without chemicals,cleaning agents or detergents, yet it still leaves the house smelling very clean and fresh, not flowery or perfumey.

The pads wash great, and I've been using the same two pads over and over for about 6 months now.

The instructions say the mop is safe to use on any sealed surface....I have terrazzo floors in my house, but friends use it on their hardwood and laminate floors, and claim it leaves no film or streaks like mopping does, since no soaps are being used. Sounds good to me!

 

[tlee618]

I have the Shark Steam Mop as well and have been very pleased with it. It does a great job, leaves the floors clean and shinny and almost dry instantly. I don't have any wood so I can add anything there.

 

[toggleswitch2]

*LOL* that last sentence reads as hilarious..... and hopefully FALSE!

 

[whirlaway]

Hands & Knees

I just scrub and clean all my floors on my hands and knees.I just feel like they are cleaner. Bobby

 

[autowasherfreak]

That's too funny toggles, I'm sure someone in the group can help tlee with that problem, LOL

I have been thinking about getting one of those mops, but my wood floors are all varnished, and aren't sealed very well, because every now and then they will warp a little after I mop.

I like the look of the H2O mop over the Shark, but the Haan looks a little more industrial to me.

Has anyone over used one of the hand held steam cleaners like this one?

 

[tlee618]

Steve, you are just to funny!! You know what I meant!!!

 

[toggleswitch2]

 

[rexaircollector]

Toggles

I have the Haan steam mop and absolutely love it. I use it on my sealed hardwood floors and it works like a charm. The quality is superior compared to the rest of the steam mops on the market. I have used the Shark, returned it for the Haan and I have no regrets. The handle on the Shark seems like it is flimsy and tends to bend easily, unlike the Haan. which is quite sturdy. It comes with a thick rubber pad for it to set on should you have to leave it for a bit so the steam does not come in direct contact with the floor. Also has an attachment to use on carpeting and on beds to kill dust mites. The only drawback I have with it is that the head is quite large and is not nimble enough to fit into small spaces. Other than that, I highly recommend it.

Robb

 

[toggleswitch2]

Glad you like it..it does look tempting!

 

[butch-innj]

I just hope those steam mops work better than those little
steamer things that you can carry around and clean stuff like
faucets, sinks, toilets and the grease off of stovetops and
ovens.
I have one of these steam cleaners. Its been setting in my
basement for over a year.
I've tried it at least 10 times and just don't like it.
It creates steam but it didn't do a thing to remove any grease
from the stove top nor the oven.
The door on my oven slides off for easier access to the oven
when cleaning.
I took the door off and just about climbed inside the stupid
thing with steamer in one hand and a clean cloth in the other.
Yes, my ass was the only thing visible from the outside.
All I ended up doing was steaming or fogging up my glasses so I couldnt see what I was doing !
Needless to say it didn't remove any of the dirt nor grease
from inside the oven.
I've tried it everywhere, mirrors, toilet bowl, shower and it
just dosent work.
The only place it hasn't been is in the plumbers crack !!!

 

[whirlcool]

We had a Shark hand held steamer self contained unit. It wasn't very powerful at all. We used it a few times and it really didn't put out enough steam to even clean dog noseprints off the windows.
Our iron (Europro) has a "burst of steam" that is really good. It works wonders on the windows.

 

[autowasherfreak]

I did some online research on the steam mops, and from what I've read the Euro Pro, and the H20 by Thane, had the worst reviews from users and the Haan had more positive than negative reviews.

 

[rexaircollector]

AW Freak

You are right on about the H2O mop. I used to be a Manager for Linens N' Things and my house is full of all the household gadgetry. We had an extremely high rate of returns on that item for a multitude of reasons from complete failure to shoddy construction where pieces were coming apart. The only thing positive it had going for it was the size and shape of the head because it was extremely manuverable. It sold for the same price as the Haan and is nowhere near the quality. Not much of a fan of Euro Pro either. Their vacuums have proven to be junk as well.

Butch is also correct about the hand heald steamers. Too much trouble for what they accomplish (or don't). I had the same oven experience and agreed, they do not handle grease at all. My experience with using it to clean the shower is not worth the effort because it is inadaquate there as well, not to mention my shower does not get to be a science experiment to clean up. Actually, I squeegee my and towel dry my stall shower after each use, resulting in taunting from my friends for being too much of a type A personality. Hey, it works and eliminates the need to take out the big guns to clean it. The only thing I have found that hand steamer to be good for is blasting out the hinges in the toilet seat and around the edges of the faucet fixtures. Other than that, mine is a closet decoration as well.

Robb