Steam mops

What a great thread! My kitchen floor is very small so I just get out the mop and bucket. It fascinates me that people want to 'sterilise' their floors, whatever for? You don't eat from them, or maybe some people do? Even so plates and cutlery aren't 'sterile.'
Maybe that's a thread on its own?

Steam cleaners are fantastic for certain surfaces like sealed hard floors and grout, but it's important to note their limitations. Since you have a mix of flooring materials, consider using the steam cleaner only on compatible surfaces. For wood and linoleum, opt for gentle cleaning methods like microfiber mops or specialized cleaners to ensure they stay in top condition. Always research and test in a small area before tackling larger spaces.
I'll be happy if it works for you!

I bought one a few years ago (it is still in the cupboard). It was great, so easy and the floor dried very quickly. Once day I could mot be bothered with getting it out and filling it, did a quick mop with my old manual one from Aldi with a washable pad. The amount of dirt that came off was frightening. The steam mop just hadn’t cleaned properly and was just a waste of money.

I bought a steam mop when my 2 dogs caught guiardia dysentery from drinking deep muddy puddles. As humans can catch it it seemed the best way to treat the floors with hot steam, without chemicals. Guiardia lives in cool water, apparently and is killed by heat. Floors are clean but I find it hard to push. Quick to use and dries fast.

Hats off to anyone who does a regular hands and knees job. I’ve done the kitchen floor that way twice in the 35 years we’ve lived here.

I did do the wooden floors in the dining room and hall with the steam mop, but not sure I should now, as it’s a bit battled scarred.

Doing it with a mop and bucket and wooden floor cleaner leaves it very wet though, so I don’t know which is worse.

I used to use a steam mop on the old kitchen floor tiles but when they were replaced with LVF and we had that same material laid in the hall, bathroom and dining room we were told not to use a steam mop on them.

We have a Shark steam mop which cleans all the floors really well and no damage . It’s only used about once a month now because my daughter found another smaller Shark cleaner which is a steam mop and hoover in one . It has its own charging stand so when it has clean water in the tank it’s always ready to go . It’s hoovers the crumbs up off the floors and steam cleans them as it goes along .
The dirty water goes into another small tank . It cleans up spills in the kitchen and it’s great for the muddy dog paw prints .
The other good thing is when you put it back on the charger just press a button and it cleans itself ready for the next time.

DH was in the flooring business and assured me a steam mop would be fine on our sealed wood.

I bought one then realised it was no good for a krndean floor so returned it and got a full refund. Lot of faff for nothing.

They’re all just gadgets. Another manufacturer creating something people think might make their life easier. There are “details” often that may (should!) tell you what it will actually do. Truth in advertising!

Undines Have to agree on the scrub on knees approach. I have 4 rooms with ceramic tiles and use a spray steam mop. But, once a month I di the old fashioned scrubbing. The dirt in the water is eye-opening. One room has a wooden floor and I would never use a steam cleaner on that, sealed or not. The fact it is steam means you have basically boiled the liquid. Boiled water with maybe other chemicals on wood, no thank you. I use a damp cloth to wipe wooden floors.

I've had two different brands over here in the US, both bought on Amazon. Both worked okay, but I also have a spray bottle of ammonia/water mix that I spray my floor with first. It felt cleaner to me using a cleanser as well. I've used them on bamboo flooring, LPV, wood, & tile. Never had any trouble, but didn't let the water sit on the flooring for a long time either.

I am on my third steamer and best to date. Large ceramic floor in kitchen, also bathrooms and vinyl in hall so it gets plenty of use. I have spare pads which are reversible as well so do a good job.

Don't bother to use my steam cleaner anymore, too much faff and only an OK result. Prefer to use mop and bucket and if I just want a quick clean of a small area then I use a Swiffer mop with disposable wet floor wipe attached. Find it much quicker with similar result.

I love mine. I feel the kitchen floor is much cleaner than with a mop and bucket as the steam sort of sterilises it. The cloth heads do wear out eventually, but I've repaired them and made new ones from old towels.

Every year I use it on mattresses to clean them. I just run it over the mattress without the cloth head on it, and leave to dry.

For walls/bathrooms/baths etc i got a long handled scrubby from Lakeland online, it was about £15 i think?Its like a scrubby sponge on an extending stick and you can get replacement sponges to click on when its worn out.

I’ve had a Karcher steamer for nearly a year now and wouldn’t be without it. We have wooden floors in the kitchen, living room and hall. It cleans them beautifully with just water. The bonus was finding something at last which would clean our bathroom floor. We had textured anti-slip ceramic tiles laid 5 years ago which we immediately regretted because they were a nightmare to clean. We discovered that Karcher sell an abrasive cleaning pad for the steamer which makes short work of the tiles. We also use it on the lino in our small toilet.

Nothing beats a hands on knees wash. I do this regularly on our kitchen floor - if I can get the dogs off it for long enough!

I've got a Beldray one and everywhere smells clean after I clean with it

I have one of these, good for edges and under doors. I also got a Tineco hard floor cleaner with clean and dirty water tank. Great to use on large areas but does have to be dismantled and air dried.

mines brilliant on my kitchen, cleans in no time and dries quick. Also use it on the cushion floor in the bathroom. It can also be used on carpets which is great for small spills etc

I have one with a squirty bottle attached and removable pads. It works on all surfaces.

Husband employed a cleaner and gave her a mop and bucket. Sure it just drags bacteria from one place to another but I was brought up to think a bit of dirt does you good. When it’s down to me I use the steam cleaner and find it great but I’m not really into housework.

I have a spin mop. I don't like it! I want a regular mop and bucket.
My steam mop went hiss hiss, threw out all the water and died. I haven't replaced it as I could only use it on the kitchen floor.

How to put the fun into floor mopping!