Steam mop: what is it, what is it for and how to choose a successful model

How does a steam mop work?

A steam mop treats the surface with hot steam. It comes out through holes in the sole. To ensure a sufficient volume of steam, the device has a water tank and a heating element that converts this water into steam. This device operates from the mains. Turning on the steam mop activates the heating of the water until it boils and steam appears. It accumulates, creating some pressure, and is released through the steam brush.

Processing (cleaning) using hot steam has a number of advantages; a steam mop:

• removes old, persistent stains;
• copes with different types of pollution;
• kills microorganisms, including dust mites (the strongest allergen);
• removes unpleasant odors;
• disinfects surfaces;
• refreshes appearance, color, moisturizes.

Operating principle and properties of a steam mop

The device operates on the principle of a steam cleaner. Water is poured into the tank, which is heated to a boil and turns into steam. Through the holes in the nozzle at the bottom, steam comes out and provides quick, high-quality cleaning of surfaces.

A steam mop looks like a classic mop, but more massive. At the base there is a rectangle or triangle (delta) that rotates. There are holes in the platforms for steam to escape, and the nozzle itself is attached to the handle. A water container is attached to the handle.

The rotating nozzle makes cleaning faster and easier, allowing you to get into hard-to-reach and remote places. At the same time, it cleans only with water and steam without special cleaning agents, such as a washing vacuum cleaner.

Thus, a steam mop has the following advantages:

• Multifunctionality. A steam mop cleans dirt, eliminates fungus and mold, disinfects and disinfects, removes unpleasant odors, gives things and surfaces freshness and cleanliness;
• Versatility. The device is used for washing floors, walls and ceilings, windows and doors, furniture and soft toys, curtains and clothes, car interiors, with any coating and from any materials;
• Easy to use and quick to clean. The cloths do not require spinning and rinsing, like a classic mop. This lightweight, maneuverable device will simplify and speed up cleaning;
• Safety and environmental friendliness. No additional chemical cleaning agents required. You can wash the floor or other surfaces and objects only with plain water. This is optimal for cleaning a home inhabited by small children, people with allergies or respiratory diseases;
• Savings and efficiency. Effectively removes any stains and dirt without streaks with minimal water consumption, without the use of cleaning agents.

We looked at how a steam mop works. To use it effectively and get the highest quality results, it is important to choose the right device. Modern models differ in functionality, size, design and some other characteristics.

Design Features

A steam mop takes simple cleaning to the next level. Equipped with the technical ability to clean with steam, it tackles the toughest problems faster and easier. For many situations, a steam mop is the best solution.

1. The device is quite lightweight, weighing about 3 kilograms, which makes it easy to move around the apartment.
2. Powered by electricity, but consumes only 5 kW/hour.
3. Equipped with a handle, depending on the model, it can be adjusted in height or be solid.
4. The set includes several attachments designed for different surfaces.
5. Some models are equipped with a steam power and intensity regulator, which allows you to wash the most difficult stains without using any chemicals.
6. In the latest models, the steam generator can be disconnected from the mop itself and can be used to disinfect household appliances (for example, a stove, microwave oven) or the interior of the car.

Steam mop H2O 5in1

Read the review of the H2O Mop X5 steam mop.

How to use a steam mop

The functionality of a steam mop is similar to that of several devices, including a steam cleaner. Using this device is not difficult, although it has its own specifics. In general, this is how you should work with a mop.

1. The reservoir, which is usually located on the handle, must be filled with water. In most models, you can use any water, including tap water.
2. Connect the device to the network. Typically, the wire allows cleaning over a large area, its length is up to 9 m.
3. In a few minutes, the water boils and the mop is ready for use: steam begins to flow from the brush.

The steam from the working nozzle comes out hot, about 100 degrees, and under pressure. The impact of such factors leads to the disappearance of bacterial contaminants and microorganisms. The mop creates a hygienically safe, clean space.

Attention: not all surfaces can be washed with hot steam. Laminate flooring may swell if it is not designed for wet cleaning. Even a good laminate should have joints sealed. Parquet boards also do not like hot steam. You can treat parquet with such a mop only in case of emergency.

Read more: can you wash laminate flooring with a steam mop?

Steam mops can be used for other purposes than their intended purpose. Many models support additional options.

1. Vertical steaming of clothes. Suitable for delicate fabrics, silk, natural thin fabrics, as well as clothes with a complex cut that are inconvenient to iron on a board. Attention: the steam mop is not suitable for steaming synthetics and heavy fabrics.
2. Sterilization of various objects and surfaces. You can use a mop to “walk” through the toy box and not be afraid that the child will put them in his mouth. Hot steam kills all pathogenic bacteria.
3. Washing windows, mirrors and tiles. Steam removes dirt well, including in corners and tile seams. All that remains is to wipe the surface dry to remove any stains.

What materials are “friendly” with a steam mop?

You can only use a steam mop to clean laminate flooring if it is made of waterproof material and the seams between the wood boards are sealed. However, even if the floor covering meets the requirements, it is better to limit the use of the device to general cleaning only.

You should not use household chemicals for laminate flooring at all, or use special products for laminate floors.

• Cleaning parquet must be done very carefully. Improper processing often leads to clouding of the varnish, darkening of joints and deformation of the coating. Use a steam mop on hardwood floors only when absolutely necessary.
• But tiles tolerate steam treatment very well. A jet of steam washes tiles and seams, and also kills harmful microorganisms that constantly breed in the humid environment of the bathroom.
• If carpets or rugs are made of natural fibers, then the miracle mop will not harm them. The flow of moisture refreshes the surface, eliminates unpleasant odors and disinfects such coatings. To remove stains, soften the bristles with hot steam and scrub the dirt with a brush. Steam is harmful to synthetic carpets.

Advantages of the invention

Having learned what a steam mop is, you need to familiarize yourself with its advantages.

1. The device has wide functionality and additional capabilities.
2. It is convenient to use, as the rotating head allows you to clean even the most difficult to reach places.
3. There is no need to use chemicals when cleaning, which makes it environmentally friendly. Plus, you can save on purchasing detergents.
4. Due to the fact that the steam temperature reaches 100 degrees, the surface is disinfected.
5. Excellent for cleaning plastic windows.

Steam mop kit

Disadvantages of Steam Mops

Unfortunately, high expectations do not come out of thin air. Advertisers are to blame for this, they greatly overpraised the device, introducing unrealistic parameters into the minds of buyers. Of course, no one likes serious discrepancies between expectations and reality.

1. Advertising campaigns talked about the device’s amazing ability to collect liquid. And that's a lie. Of course, the nozzle can absorb some amount of moisture, but very little, since the device simply has nowhere to put the accumulated liquid. This option is not provided.
2. The second exaggeration is the device’s ability to collect all the dirt. But what is a mop compared to a vacuum cleaner? It may remove some dust or debris, but there will still be debris that gathers around it or hides in a corner. Really high-quality cleaning is only possible if you first sweep away large dirt or vacuum the floor.
3. And the third misconception that buyers were misled into is the ability of the mop to remove any stains. Of course, if you spill juice or milk on the carpet, it will do the job. But stains from paint or brilliant green will be difficult to wipe off unless you use cleaning products.
4. And the last thing that buyers were dissatisfied with was the unreliability of the design. True, this does not apply to branded models; we are talking about fakes, with which the market is teeming.

If you decide to purchase a steam mop, then choose a model from a trusted manufacturer. It costs more, but will also last you longer.

The best steam mops

As a result of analyzing the characteristics of devices and reviews from real users, a selection of the best models was compiled that you can focus on when choosing a mop for your home.

Kitfort KT-1010

This is a combined device that combines the functions of a steam mop and an electric broom. The nozzle has a complex design that combines a turbo brush and a nozzle for wet cleaning. The brush has a rotating shaft with long bristles arranged in a spiral. It perfectly collects not only simple garbage, but also pet fur and hair. The mop comes with a frame attachment for cleaning carpets and a glass with a spout for easy filling of the reservoir.

Water container 0.35 l. This is enough to clean a small apartment or studio. The water quality can be any, because... There are built-in filters. The power of the mop is good - 1.3 kW. Preparing the device for operation takes 0.5 minutes.

The mop is light and comfortable. The 5 m cord allows you to clean the room without changing the connection point. Kitfort KT-1010 allows you to clean in one pass, without first sweeping up the debris. It is suitable for use with most floor coverings.

Endever Odyssey Q 604

This mop is intended only for wet cleaning of surfaces suitable for this type of care. It washes, disinfects and refreshes linoleum, parquet, tiles and other hard surfaces. The mop head is triangular in shape and rotates around the attachment point, so there are no inaccessible places or corners where it cannot reach.

The water container holds 0.55 liters, and a 0.9 W heating element heats this volume of liquid in 1 minute. One fill of the mop with water is enough to thoroughly clean the house.

For economy, as well as ease of use, the steam supply can be stopped if you need to stop for a while. The mop is inexpensive, almost the same as a simple non-electric model, and the quality and speed of cleaning is incomparably better.

Tefal VP6555RH

This is a powerful mop (1.2 kW) with a large water tank and a 7 m cord. The tank volume is 0.6 liters. All this allows you to quickly and efficiently clean a large apartment without refueling or changing the power point. Tefal VP6555RH is ready for use 30 seconds after switching on. Water can be taken from the tap, because... There is a protection system against water hardness.

Unlike budget models, the Tefal VP6555RH has the ability to select steam power, which allows it to be used for cleaning any surfaces, including “delicate” ones. The minimum steam pressure is suitable even for laminate, and under high pressure you can clean even old plaque from tiles.

User voting

Which steam mop would you choose or recommend?

Kitfort KT-1004

20.00% ( 1 )

Black+Decker FSMH13101SM

0.00% ( 0 )

Kitfort KT-1001

0.00% ( 0 )

Black+Decker FSMH1300FX-QS

0.00% ( 0 )

Tefal VP6555

20.00% ( 1 )

Xiaomi DEM-ZQ600

0.00% ( 0 )

Hotter HX-801

0.00% ( 0 )

Endever Odyssey Q-605

0.00% ( 0 )

Kitfort KT-1009

0.00% ( 0 )

Endever Odyssey Q-606

0.00% ( 0 )

Endever Odyssey Q-607

20.00% ( 1 )

H2O X5

20.00% ( 1 )