While steam cleaning might be a relatively recent concept in housekeeping, the method is more than 150 years old. If you have any doubts about the dirt-lifting power of the steam, you’ll be reassured to know that initially, it was used to clean industrial appliances and machinery. The first domestic steam mops were invented in Italy, and some of the leading manufacturers still come from this country.
The glory of steam cleaning
One of the main reasons people switch to steam cleaning is that these appliances run just on water. This allows skipping chemical formulas without sacrificing the tidiness of your floors. If someone in your household is allergic or sensitive to cleaning agents, cleaning with steam is a great alternative.
Furthermore, the steam helps eliminate bacteria, dust mites, and even viruses. You’ll see many manufacturers claiming that up to 99.9% of germs can be killed.
Types of steam mops
From stout canisters to svelte steam mops and compact handhelds, nowadays, there is a steam mop for every kind of mess. Each type has certain advantages, but they have their weaknesses too.
Canister (or cylinder) steam mops
Canister (or cylinder) steam mops visually resemble cylinder vacuums. They have a body on wheels connected to the cleaning head via a flexible hose. These machines boast a higher-capacity water tank and a more powerful steam output. Thus, they are perfect for more extensive cleaning tasks and allow cleaning faster. Canister steam mops are the best choice for owners of large houses; they are also favoured for commercial settings, such as restaurants, hotels, guesthouses, and studios.
Steam mops
Steam mops look similar to upright vacuums. They’re usually lightweight and compact, with highly manoeuvrable heads. They heat quicker than cylinder steamers but have smaller water tanks. Most steam mops have few (if any) accessories, and they are designed for floor cleaning first and foremost. Steam mops take little storage space and are an excellent pick for apartments or smaller homes.
Handheld steam mops
Handheld steam mops are light and small enough to be conveniently carried in one hand. Usually, they have plenty of attachments, perfect for more specific tasks like tiled walls, ovens, handles, acute corners, and so on. However, their steam pressure is weaker, and they have smallish water tanks that need refilling often.
Two-in-one steam mops
Two-in-one steam mops usually are an upright mop with a detachable centre unit that can be used with several attachments. Some others combine vacuuming and steam cleaning in one device, which gets especially handy for carpets. The multi-purpose cleaners excel with their versatility; however, they tend to be costly.
What you should (and shouldn’t) steam clean
On the right type of surface, steam mops are highly effective and versatile. Yet, to make sure you remove just dirt and not the topcoat of varnish or colour of your household items, some caution is needed.
- Steam cleaning is safe when it comes to cleaning tile and stone floors, windows and mirrors, shower cabins and sinks, tiled walls, and greasy surfaces such as ovens or barbecues. With right attachments, you can also use them on carpets, upholstery, plush toys, car seats, and even for ironing clothes.
- These appliances are also used to eliminate various pests. Nothing can resist the steam treatment, from fleas and bedbugs to mould, algae, and dust mites. The high temperatures can also kill bacteria and viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. If someone in your family has become infected, this can minimize the exposure risks to others.
- Finally, steam mops can be used to remove things like glue or chewing gum. This is because the steam gets even into the tiniest cracks and crevices, loosening anything stuck in them.
However, this means that not all surfaces are steam-proof.
- Unsealed wooden or cork floors are a definite no-no. The same goes for any material bonded by an adhesive (like laminate or parquet), as steam can loosen the glue. Even resistant materials like linoleum or vinyl can get discoloured or damaged by the high temperatures of a steam mop.
- Sealed wooden surfaces can get damaged too. This is because the seal rarely is ideal, especially as it starts wearing. And even if your flooring is brand new, it may have minuscule cracks and crevices. When steam is regularly pushed into these crevices, they will expand. And once the moisture gets underneath, undesired effects from bubbling or warping to mildew may occur.
- Steam cleaning can also damage any other unsealed, polished, or waxed surfaces. Avoid steaming composite surfaces, musical instruments, delicate fabrics, and anything coated with water-based paint.
What to look for in a steam cleaner
Safety first
Most steam mops nowadays feature the automatic shut-off function, which prevents the risk of overheating. Many will also have indicator lights, informing when the water level in the tank is running low. A safety lock on the pistol is important too. It allows locking the trigger and preventing accidental steam release, which might scald the user or someone else.
A non-pressurised boiler is another desirable safety upgrade. It prevents hot water from escaping when you need to refill the machine; thus, you can do it quickly and continue cleaning. On models without the feature, you’ll have to wait for the boiler to cool down before it can be refilled.
Water tank
The tank is the heart of a steam mop, and it will affect every performance aspect. If you buy a canister model, the tank capacity can vary a lot. If the capacity is up to one litre, you can expect the machine to run for 20-30 minutes before it needs refill (the selected power setting will affect this too).
The downsides of a bigger tank are that the heat-up time increases and that the appliance itself must be larger and heavier. If this is not optimal for your needs, another option is looking for a steam mop with a continuous refill.
Refilling
The refilling process can affect your cleaning experience as much as the capacity. Detachable water tanks are the most convenient. This is especially true after the cleaning is done. If there is some water left in the appliance and you have to empty it, it may be uncomfortable to lift and turn the whole canister.
Watt power
Remember, we mentioned that some steam mops heat much quicker than others? Some canisters can take up to 15 minutes before they are ready to produce steam. The best ones need only a fraction of that time. The heat-up time is affected not only by the tank capacity but also by the watt power the machine has. Higher means less waiting.
Steam pressure
Since canister steam mops are considerably more powerful than other types, they often have the maximum steam pressure listed in specifications. Generally, higher pressure means quicker cleaning, as the steam gets better forced into the pores, cracks, and crevices of the surface, lifting any dirt stuck there. If fast cleaning is your priority, look for a model boasting 4 bars or higher.
Variable steam
Not all household surfaces will be happy to see the maximum pressure applied on them. Thus, having several steam settings is crucial for versatility. Being able to turn the steam down can also prevent your home from turning into a sauna on summer days.
Size and weight
Before you buy, check the dimensions of the unit and consider where you will store it. Also, pay attention to the model’s weight and add one or two kilos for the tank when it’s full. Most canisters have large wheels, and they obediently follow wherever pulled. But you may still have to carry the unit if your house has stairs or high doorsteps.
Power cord
We advise against using an extension cord with steam mops, as they’re high-wattage appliances. It’s much safer to check the power points in your household before and make sure the model you’ve eyed offers enough of a reach.
Canister steam mops usually have cords from 4 to 9 metres. The total reach usually is 1 to 3 metres higher because you’ll attach the included plastic hose and extension lances.
Cleaning pads
For the floors, most steam mops use elastics or hook and loop (aka Velcro) systems to attach the pad to the cleaning head. To remove it, you’ll have to place the mop on a horizontal surface, wait for it to cool down and then remove the pad with your hands.
Typically, one pad lasts long enough to mop the kitchen and two bathrooms. But if the area is larger (or heavily soiled) and requires changing pads in the middle of cleaning, a manual replacement can feel too time-consuming. This is where steam mops with hands-free systems come in. They tend to be among the most expensive models, but you won’t get your hands dirty, nor have to wait for the pad to cool down.
Filters and descaling
Some steam mops are recommended to be used with distilled water only. This is because the minerals dissolved in tap water can accumulate in the unit, blocking the nozzles and outlets and even damaging the heating element. If the water in your area is very hard, you can also mix it with distilled water to minimise limescale formation.
Manoeuvrability
If you mainly want to steam the floors, look for a model with a swivel head that allows cleaning tight spaces. The pole should also tilt easily for accessing areas under furniture. The hose should be lightweight and flexible, and the handle must feel ergonomic, not to tire your wrists.
For large, mostly obstacle-free rooms, mops with wide, rectangular heads deliver the fastest results. If you have flooring with plenty of nooks and crannies, a mop with a smaller, oblong or triangular head will be more convenient.
Steam cleaner accessories
Both canister and handheld steam mops typically come with plenty of accessories that are either included or can be bought separately. Here are some of the most popular steam mop accessories and how to use them:
- Carpet gliders get attached to the floor head and allow using it for refreshing rugs and mats.
- Brushes of various shapes and sizes allow accessing and scrubbing away embedded dirt from narrow spaces.
- Microfibre pads work well for wiping tabletops, sills, walls, and other flat surfaces. Some can have a more abrasive surface to clean grease from ovens or other challenging filth.
- Squeegees are convenient for cleaning windows and glass.
- Upholstery tools work similarly to carpet gliders, refreshing upholstery, car seats, and plush toys.
- Jet nozzles are designed to deep clean the tiny crevices larger tools cannot access. Some are angled for particularly tricky corners.
- If your floors often get heavily soiled, you’ll need a grout cleaner. These basically are very narrow brushes, perfect for accessing the dirt between tiles or other tight areas.
- The iron attachment allows gently pressing your clothes and smoothing out wrinkles.
Steaming right
Operating a steam mop is straightforward, but some measures should be observed to protect yourself, the cleaning surface, and the machine. If cared for well, these appliances can serve 5 to 8 years.
Here are the essential tips to prevent burns, keep your steam mop in top condition, and get sparkling results every time.
- Always keep the kids and pets away when you’re mopping.
- Check whether your unit can be used with (hard) tap water. Some models come with filters or cartridges that prevent lime. In that case, remember to change them as indicated in the manual. Other manufacturers recommend using distilled water or mixing 50% of tap- and 50% of distilled water together. Neglecting this can kill your steam mop within a year or two since lime deposits will clog it up.
- Don’t add cleaning agents to the water tank. The vapour is a powerful cleaning tool on its own; adding chemicals may result in irritating fumes and/or damage to your device.
- After steam cleaning mattresses or upholstery, wait for the surface to completely dry and go over it with a HEPA vacuum cleaner. This will pick up the dead dust mites and other loosened dirt and is especially helpful for those who suffer from asthma or allergies.
- For killing bed bugs, it’s best to clean slowly, covering each spot for ~30 seconds. Go over the whole mattress from both sides, and also steam any crevices the bed has. Spot cleaning of 30 seconds also sanitises the surface and kills bacteria and viruses.
- During the cool down, don’t leave the head or the attachment on the same spot; this can cause damage.
- Remember to empty the water tank after each use, especially if you only use your cleaner occasionally. You don’t want the water to go stale or mold to form inside. Don’t store the unit in a cold place where it may freeze.
- The pads have to be washed after each use. Most are machine washable at 40° or 60° C.