Steam Mops Shopping Guide:



Perhaps you live in the city. Perhaps you have dogs that love to play in the park or slobber all over your floor. Perhaps you have children that forget to take their shoes off no matter how many times you remind them.

Perhaps all of the above…

Whatever the reason, dirt is going to find its way into your home—and while ignorance is bliss, bacteria is not, especially when one has small children crawling around on the floor. Mopping offers one solution, but also comes with significant shortcomings, from hefty buckets to harmful cleaning solutions.

This is where steam mops can be a life-changer. Not only can you keep your floors cleaner without the use of abrasive and sometimes toxic chemicals, but they also require a fraction of the effort.

Steam Mops – Powerful Cleaning and Sanitizing

The right steam mop has the power to clean anything from vinyl to hardwood not only efficiently, but without causing damage. Choosing a steam mop that is designed to function safely on several different surfaces (and won’t void the warranty on your brand new hardwood floors) is a number one consideration for many people.

Many steam mops contain variable levels of steam for just this reason. Lower settings can be used to clean certain hardwood floors (always check first to see what the manufacturer recommendations are for your specific flooring surface). Conversely, for use on tile floor grout, you might choose a higher level steam setting. With steam mops averaging upwards of 1500 watts, some models can even heat water to 275 degrees and more. That's a powerful cleaning punch against stubborn debris!

It’s always useful to read what other users have to say about a particular steam mop’s heat levels, as well as how well the model maintained that level of heat (if the steam mop’s heat level fluctuates, this could cause damage to surfaces that should only be steamed at lower heat levels).

Storage Space Considerations



Especially if you’re going to use this desk as a multi-purpose space, drawers, shelves, and other storage features may also be important. Try to think about everything you might need and look for a desk you can store those items in. For example, if you’re also working at your gaming desk, what kinds of office supplies do you need on a regular basis? Do you buy game guides and other books that you want to have handy when you're gaming? If yes, plan for space for those items too.

Steam Mop Accessories

A variety of attachments will allow you to perform a broad range of steam mopping tasks with ease. Many people don’t realize that many steam mops on the market these days even include a special attachment to clean carpets.

Others accessories might include:

• An attachment with smaller, thinner bristles designed to reach into tiny crevices designed to steam clean grout
• A clothes steamer attachment
• Window squeegees
• Extension hoses
• Fragrance discs
• Scraping tools
• Longer and/or extension power cords

Some steam mops are cordless, but keep an eye on their power levels and cleaning capabilities—models that have a direct connection to an energy source are more likely to efficiently take on heavy-duty cleaning jobs.

Steam Mop Size and Storage

Some steam mops weigh as little as five pounds and can move around from room to room just about effortlessly—and are almost equally effortless to store.

However, if having a continuous steam time of upwards of 40 minutes or so is important to you, then a model with a larger water tank capacity might be a better choice (some steam mops have upwards of 2-liter capacity). Keep in mind, the more water in the tank, the longer your steam mop might take to heat up — and the bulkier design will make it more difficult to move from room to room.

Some steam mops feature alternating water tanks so you can fill up one side while the other is still in use. Other steam mops allow for continuous refill so you don’t have to turn your device off and then wait for it to heat up again—you can simply refill the water tank during your cleaning task.

Safety Considerations 

Anytime electricity, water, and heat co-exist, safety should be a consideration.

Here are a few steam mop safety features to be aware of:

• Automatic safety shut-off - Steam mops with this feature automatically shut off if your steam mop achieves a certain temperature.
• Child safety locks - This feature prevents little ones from accidentally turning on the device.
• Non-pressurized boiler - For steam mop models that allow you to refill the water tank while the device is powered on, this feature ensures hot steam doesn’t exit the water nozzle while doing so.
• Replacement cleaning cloths and sponges – Eventually the mop itself can build up bacteria, so replacing it from time to time is an important part of your cleaning regimen.

If you are interested in utilizing other cleaning solutions in conjunction with your steamer’s water tank (for example, vinegar or essential oils), look for a steam mop specifically designed to accommodate this.

And as a reminder, never leave your steam mop idling and never add any attachments to your steam mop while it is in the process of heating up. These parts will be hot so be sure to attach any sponges or steam pads before turning on the device.

Warranties and Replacements

With steam mop pads and cleaning cloths that require fairly frequent replacement, you might want to be sure replacements for your steam mop are not only readily available but are priced affordably.

Steam mop brands that stand behind their products are also a good indication of quality—look for generous warranties. Some steam mop companies offer no warranty whatsoever, while others offer one-year warranties and even longer.



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