Do those steam mop things work?

**monkeywrangler71** · 03-25-2010, 12:55 PM

And are they okay for hardwood?

I don't know a specific model, but they are usually about $100 and have pads at the bottom that wipe the floor while spraying steam at it. Spraying hot water at wood seems counter-intuitive to me, but the people in the commercials seem to be doing it.

I'm looking for something that is low effort and leaves the floors clean, shiny and streak free. I'm hoping for something so miraculous that it gets the grime between the planks as well.

Any recommendations, warnings, etc?

**Englishlady** · 03-25-2010, 02:50 PM

Well, I don't have hardwood floors but I do have a steam cleaner and it is brilliant!

They produce hot steam but the floors don't seem to get over wet and the steam evaporates very quickly and of course there is no need for chemicals

The only caveat with mine is that you have to use the same sort of water you would use in a steam iron or(the instructions say) it furs up with limescale like a kettle/iron.

I use water from the dehumidifier and no problems so far

**lotsadebt** · 03-25-2010, 02:55 PM

I have a similar one that I got at a flea market for $9 and love it. It does a great job on the kitchen floor (linoluem)(sp) and the bathroom tile floor. Just wash the pad and you are good to go next time. It is not an infomerical brand. But I have had it for 3 years and no complaints!

**Neeley** · 03-25-2010, 03:11 PM

I have a Shark and it is great. I also got the hand held steamer when I bought the mop and it is wonderful as well. It works great in the hard to reach areas, like behind the toilet. It also is great on my counters, the fridge, everywhere.

As said above, the floors are not very wet at all and the steam does dry very fast. I am normally walking on my floors within five minutes. When I used a regular mop, it took longer for my floors to dry than with the Shark.

**frugalfranny** · 03-25-2010, 11:50 PM

Interesting reading........don't have one but wondered about them.

Thanks for posting the info.

**joyofsix** · 03-26-2010, 04:22 AM

I thought about one for the kitchen and bath (vinyl). I hate that the kids drop stuff and it gets hard and I'm bending down to scrape it off even with a mop. I don't think I'd have the guts to use it on our wood floors though. I'll keep my eye out at garage sales.

**sinopa27** · 03-26-2010, 04:40 AM

good question. I wondered the same and which brand is the best and least complicated.

**ladykemma2** · 03-26-2010, 05:28 AM

my exhusband used to steam wood to raise the grain and to bend wood. so, no, i would NOT use steam on wood floors or laminate.

**Neeley** · 03-26-2010, 08:25 AM

I have laminate flooring in one room. We've used it two to four times a week for well over a year on it with no problems whatsoever.

**jas** · 03-26-2010, 09:22 AM

Will they clean the grout lines on tile floor? I've looked at them in the store several times, but have not made the leap yet. I don't mind cleaning most things, but floors just are not NOT my favorite.

**nessarowdy** · 03-28-2010, 11:17 AM

Hi,
We bought one last month. We have tile as well as sealed engineered hardwood flooring, and I use it on both. It does clean the floor, but it isn't a bright shine like using a cleaning product and a mop would produce. At least on my floors, anyways. Although I'll take "it looks streaky because you cleaned it" to "Wow, look at all the doggy footprints" ANYDAY!!

I would recommend it, for the most part. Especially for the tile. The grout doesn't seem to get super clean, but nothing did short of getting down on my knees and scrubbing them. It was much easier on my back.

-Vanessa

**lisaflex** · 03-28-2010, 06:30 PM

i have requested the shark and the hand held shark for mothers day! lol. hopefully i get them both!

**Neeley** · 03-28-2010, 07:10 PM

Originally Posted by lisaflex

i have requested the shark and the hand held shark for mothers day! lol. hopefully i get them both!

If there is a Sam's Club near you, most sell the pair for $88.

**Jilly** · 03-28-2010, 08:06 PM

I have two dogs and a cat and they are always tracking in the Georgia clay from outdoors whenever it rains (which has been seemingly continuous since last September!). It's been such a hassle to pull out the mop and bucket all thte time. I've often considered purchasing one of those steamers and now, after reading the many responses, will bite the bullet and get one. Thanks!!

**jennordhavn** · 03-28-2010, 09:37 PM

We have hardwood and got the Haan steam cleaner. It works great. I think as long as the wood is sealed, it's safe to use on hardwood. Like someone else said, the wood isn't super shiny, but definitely looks clean.