Frequently Asked Steam Mop Questions

Here are some answers to the questions I receive the most frequently about steam mops:

Can you use a steam mop on laminate floors?

Yes, I have safely used steam mops on my laminate floors for a couple of years now.  My Haan Slim and Light gives the best results when steam mopping my laminate floors.  It's never left streaks and it gets up any and all gunk and dirt that my kids and ferrets leave on them.

Does the Shark Steam Mop really work?

While some people are happy with the performance of their Shark Steam Mop, many experience problems with it.  If you want a steam mop that cleans and sanitizes floors, I recommend checking out the Haan Slim and Light or the Eureka Enviro Steamer instead.  Shark doesn't get hot enough to sanitize so even if it cleans your floors, it won't kill germs and bacteria on them.  The Haan and Eureka both get hot enough to sanitize and do an excellent job of cleaning floors as well.

Why does a steam mop leave streaks?

You probably need to change your mop pad more frequently. If the mop pad becomes too saturated, it will often leave streaks on the floor. Streaking seems to be more of a problem with some steam mops than others. This is because the thickness and quality of the mop pads varies greatly from one model to the next. In my opinion, Haan makes some of the best steam mop pads. They are thick microfiber and they velcro on to the machine easily. My Haan Slim and Light never leaves my floors streaked although my Eureka Enviro Steamer (which has cloth mop pads) occasionally does.

Where should I buy a steam mop?

There are a lot of places that sell steam mops but I personally recommend buying a steam mop at Amazon. That's where I have always purchased mine (I have several models). From what I have seen, read, and experienced, they have the best prices (often 20-40% below the recommended retail price) , easy return policies, and you get fast, free shipping. Often, buying directly from the manufacturers websites can mean paying retail price and also paying heavy shipping fees.

Where can I buy a steam mop in Phoenix?

If you don't want to buy your steam mop online, many retail big box stores sell steam mops. Target, Walmart, Bed Bath and Beyond, Kohls, and JCPenneys all carry steam mops in their stores.   The models that are available at each store varies.

What are the reviews on Shark Steam Mop?

While some reviewers are happy with their Shark Steam Mop, nearly half the reviews I read on it were negative or neutral. There are a lot of complaints of handles breaking, the mop ceasing to function (steam) within a year or less, and problems with Shark's customer service. I recommend skipping the Shark and buying a Haan Slim and Light, Haan Steam Mop, or Eureka Enviro Steamer instead. All solid performing steam mops with better designs. And Haan has amazing customer service!

Why does my steam mop smell bad?

Are you removing the dirty mop pads after you use it? If not, that could be the culprit. Always throw the used mop pads into the washer right away to prevent them from getting mildew. Another thing you should do is empty the water tank between uses. Never leave the water tank filled when you are not using the mop.

Which steam mop reaches the hottest temperature?

That would be the Monster Steam Mop.  It reaches a temperature of 266 degrees F.  When buying a steam mop, you want to make sure to choose one that is at least 212 degrees F.  Otherwise the steam mop may clean your floors but it won't sanitize them.  I actually did a page about which steam mops get hot enough to sanitize.  You can check it out here.

Can you put vinegar in a steam mop?

Some people do in order to clean out the mineral build up in their steam mop.  But if you use the recommended distilled water from the start, you shouldn't have to do this.

If you are thinking of putting vinegar in because you are worried the water won't do a good enough job on its own cleaning the floor, you shouldn't need to.  If you pick a steam mop that gets hot enough to sanitize your floors, you shouldn't need anything other than water to clean them.

Which is best the Shark Steam Mop or the Bissell Steam Mop?

Neither is the best steam mop in my opinion.  I would recommend the Haan Slim and Light, Eureka Enviro Steamer, Haan FS20, or Monster Steam Mop over the Shark or Bissell.  Why?  Neither the Shark nor the Bissell gets hot enough to sanitize the floors while they are cleaning them.  If this isn't an issue for you, then I would recommend the Bissell over the Shark.  It has a better track record.

More Steam Mop Questions Answered:

Is it really worth it to buy a steam mop?

Which steam mops sanitize best?

Should I buy a steam mop or carpet cleaner to clean spots on my carpet?