Do you have kids and pets tracking dirt and grime in and out of the house everyday? Does your husband walk on your granite floors after coming home from a 10 mile run? Well, if you don’t like mopping all the time, and you’re not a big fan or chemicals that damage the environment when washed down the drain, you need a floor steamer!
Today we’ll be discussing the qualities you should look for when buying a floor steamer, and which brands are favored by consumers. Floor steamers are used to clean hard-surface floors without the use of hard chemicals that are bad for the environment. In other words, they’re ‘green.’
The steamers work by heating water above 200 degrees. Given this, they must be plugged into the wall; they are not cordless like a Swiffer. The combination of super hot water and friction allows for a high degree of cleaning power typically reserved for strong detergents; some models even claim to kill 99.9% of bacteria. Steamers can be used on granite, sealed wood, marble, laminate tile, stone, and ceramic floors, however, they should not be used on unsealed wood or floors that have been waxed as the heat will remove the wax.
Floor Steamer Pads – Washable?
One of the main differences between popular floor steamers relates to the type of pads they offer. While most pads are the same in size and functionality, some brands offer pads that can be laundered while some require you to buy more pads when your originals become too dirty. Obviously, this adds to the cost of the floor steamer in the long run, and is something to consider.
Aside from the size and type of pads offered most any floor steamer is the same. Some offer long cords, slightly larger water containers, etc., but the main characteristic you want to look for is quality and durability.
More Floor Steamer Reviews
Haan is a definite favorite among consumers, with 4 of the top 5 most popular floor steamers on Amazon. Their models range from $79.99 for the Han FS 20 up to $127 for the Haan SI-60. The main difference between these models lies in the SI-60′s telescopic handle and multi-level adjuster, allowing you to lower the temperature for easier to clean surfaces or increase it for harder to clean floors.
The highest rated model on all of Amazon is the Bissell Steam Mop Select 80K6. This model has a 4.4/5 rating, however it has significantly less total ratings relative to the Haan models. With that said, the 80K6 sells for $69.99 new, and is most likely the best floor steamer under $80. The 80K6 also features washable floor pads and a 17 ounce removable tank; larger than most of the 13.8 ounce tanks seen on other models.
Right alongside the Haan and Bissell steamers we have the Hoover Enhanced Clean Disinfecting Steam Mop – WH20200. This model features washable floor pads, an adjustable dial and two separate tanks; one for water and one for cleaning solution (optional). This is the only model we’ve discussed that offers the cleaning solution tank, which is a nice bonus when you have serious dirt and grime build up. With that said, the Hoover $110.95, putting it on the same level as some of the higher end Haan models.
That’s it for today. When shopping for a floor steamer your main consideration should be whether it offers washable floor pads, as replacing non-washable pads will cost more money over time. After taking this into consideration, definitely read up on reviews, as some of these models seem to be significantly more durable than others. If you found this article helpful, make sure to ‘Like’ or ‘+1′ us below! And for those of you who sew, we’ll discuss how to use a yarn winder in our next post.