As a house owner, I’ve always complained about the never-ending chores. It seems that none of my friends could actually comprehend how much energy and time consuming it is just to mop the floors. I’ve had my house for about 8 years now, and I can safely say that I have tried everything in order to be able to clean the house faster and more efficiently. Cleaning floors is something I myself have always dreaded. I have a dog and three children, and have to clean the floors and tiles on a daily basis. Luckily for me, I’ve found a way that doesn’t take up as much energy as it used to. So, in order to help out my fellow home-owners, I’ve compiled a list of the best steam mops of 2018.
I’ve also noticed that the past few years have been revolutionary for home owners because we can find all sorts of handy gadgets helping us around. Still, there is not a single vacuum or a robot that can take the job a steam mop. They are handy because they kill germs and great for people who have allergy issues. Also, according to my experience, they disinfect the areas, and are super-safe for young children who eat things off the ground.
Our List of the best Steam Mops
1. Bissel PowerFresh 1940 Steam Cleaner – Overall best steam mop cleaner
As the best steam mop for tile floors and grout, the Bissell PowerFresh 1940 is a super-effective mop, killing 99,9% of germs and bacteria. It uses the natural power of steam to do so. This also means that it is chemical-free in serving its purpose, just like other steam mop cleaners. What I really loved about it was the customized steam cleaning. The mop lets you choose between three different cleaning levels – low, medium and high. Basically, there is a digital and variable steam control where you can choose these options.
Another thing that I really loved about the Bissell is the built-in scrubber on the mop head. The flip-down scrubber easily let me clean the tough mess. In addition, it is great for cleaning sticky spaces on all surfaces – tiles, hardwood floors, whatever. This is the absolutely best steam mop for laminate floors too. It is amazing what it can do in the patio. Lastly, it is great that you can insert fragrance disks and have a nice scent after cleaning your house. These disks ensure freshness and they are very durable too. After the Bissell 1940, your house won’t just look clean, it will smell clean too!
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very long 23-foot power cord
Lightweight 6-pound body with easy usage Effective – kills 99.9% of germs and bacteria Has fragrance disks |
Only comes in two colors, so the design is kinda limited |
2. SharkNinja Shark Genius Steam Mop – Best shark steam mop
It is a wide known fact that whenever you are looking for a good mop, you look for the Shark brand. After all, Shark as a brand is literally a SHARK compared to other smaller fish. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Shark Genius Steam system found its way on my list. This is basically the best steam mop for wood floors, especially if you have spacious rooms. With the Shark Genius, you’d be able to clean each sealed hard floor without any problem. The dual sided dirt grip pads are washable and completely safe. If you have trouble touching the pad, this is the perfect mop for you. There is a touch-fee technology that releases the pad, and you just put it in the washer.
Out of all the steam mops, this one is the best for greasy and stuck messes because it is very powerful. No wonder it has been on all lists of best steam mops in 2018. Now, 2019 is not any different, this is still one of the bestselling mops and for all the good reasons too. You can customize the steam for each different surface and task. Great, right? Just remember, it is an eco mop, so don’t use bleach with it ever!
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 3-setting intelligent system for steam control
A lot of handy features Touch-free technology |
You should only use distilled water with it |
3. O-Cedar Microfiber Steam Mop – Best steam mop for tile floors
As a budget steam mop, this one is basically the most amazing one because it has a lot of high-end features for a very low price. I had to read a lot of steam mops reviews to see how other people felt about it, because frankly, I was surprised. At the price it comes, I believed that something would be terribly wrong with it, and luckily, I was convinced otherwise. This is a very light steam mop, with microfiber pad.
I was really surprised to see that it heats up very fast. It needed only 20 seconds after plugging it in to achieve steam temperature which is amazing. To be honest, I was kinda afraid that it might get damaged because it is so fast. Still, if you don’t want a lot of steam, you can control the steam levels on the settings. Another thing that came to my attention was the performance. I didn’t need any chemicals, it kills 99,9% of the bacteria, and as said on the package, it was tested on E. Coli bacterium which is basically the hardest one to get rid of.
Lastly, I couldn’t help but notice the light weight. I guess they needed to use lower quality materials to make it so cheap, but still, it doesn’t feel like it either. It weighs only 5 lbs, and is great on the hand. It is perfect for shorter people who don’t want to put too much effort in cleaning.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Heats up quickly
Very lightweight and easy on the hand Has a snap-on glider for refreshing carpets |
Requires a lot of maintenance
Can easily get damaged |
4. Bissell PowerFresh Lift-Off Pet Steamer – The best steam mop for hardwood floors
Although it is a multipurpose steam mop cleaner, this one is simply the best steam mop for wood floors because there is not a single chance of it damaging them. Not a lot of steam cleaners can guarantee this, but the Bissell PowerFresh surely can. So, if you are looking for the best way to clean hardwood floors, this is the mop for you. Especially if you have pets. It is a handheld cleaner that can be found literally anywhere. Regardless of where you are from: United States of America, UK, Australia, NZ or even if you are Canadian! You can find the Bissell anywhere, online at Argos and Amazon or in shops like Tesco, Karcher, Asda, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Godfreys. After all, the demand for it is so high, because it is cheap and yet, very efficient.
Personally, I was amazed because it doesn’t need strong chemicals on the floors, and I deep-cleaned the carpet too. This mop for me, is the best way to deep clean tile floors as well, it cleans between the tiles perfectly and I don’t scrub anything with my hands. The lift-off feature lets me handle mess from the pet on and above the floor, and this is a great plus.
Lastly, I should mention that at a power rating of 1500 Watts, I was very surprised that it warms up in about 30 seconds, which is also amazing.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Safe for pets and kids
Lift-off features 13 different tools for deep-cleaning Especially effective on hardwood floors You can use other products like Bona with it |
The Window Squeegee Tool is not very helpful
The fabric steamer isn’t as effective as other parts |
5. LIGHT ‘N’ EASY Steam Mop S3101 – Best steam mop for vinyl floors
Light ‘N’ Easy is a brand that has a lot of decades worth of good reputation amongst home-owners. Their steam mops are great for all surfaces, but the S3101 surprised me because it was great for vinyl floors and surfaces. It also offers an easy way to clean laminate floors. It is quite effective, and it states that it cleans 99,9% of germs and bacteria which is amazing as it is.
What I loved about it was the ergonomic design and the soft-grip handle. If you don’t want to break a sweat to clean and wipe the floors, this is the mop for you. It also saves a lot of time, as it gets heated in 20 seconds, and it gets dry in the same amount of time. However, on this list, it is also best because it weighs only 4 pounds. It isn’t too bulky either, so it can be easily stored anywhere.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lightweight
Ergonomic design makes it easy to maneuver Quick-technology function |
Doesn’t clean old stains easily |
FAQ:
If you have any steam-mops related questions, here are the most common answers to them:
What is the best steam mop on the market and how to find it?
When looking for the best floor steamer, for your needs, you should know that this depends on your own specific requirements. Of course, the steam cleaner is supposed to be effective on all surfaces, but some are better at specific things. For instance, if you only have hardwood floors, you should get a suitable steamer. The same goes for vinyl or tile floors with grout. Make sure to know your needs and read a lot of reviews, this is the only way you can make sure that your investment is worth making.
How to use a steam mop
Using a steam cleaner is quite easy, as they are very compact and don’t have complicated controls. Know that all steam mops are different and using them varies from brand to brand, so we suggest reading the manual carefully. All we can tell you is that you need to plug it, have water in it, and press the button. However, some brands might have different instructions.
How does a steam mop work
Steam mops work in a simple manner. They heat water and this water is used to kill bacteria, as most germs and bacteria cannot withstand high temperatures. This is what makes them very safe to use, after all, water is safe for everyone – pets, children and adults. You just put water in the reservoir, and the mop heats it. The unit boils the water at about 248 degrees Fahrenheit, which is how it doesn’t leave residue.
Can you use a steam mop on laminate flooring
Although a lot of people claim that laminate flooring can be damaged by steam mops, the reality is quite opposite in most cases. Instead of cleaning laminate floors with vinegar or other solution, you can try using the steam mop on a small, hidden area. If this doesn’t cause any discoloration or damage, feel free to mop away. Most hand held steam cleaners are safe for laminate flooring, but make sure that you test the water. Hard floors often don’t get damaged easily, and neither should the laminate flooring.
How to clean a steam mop
Cleaning a steam mop is quite easier and less messy than cleaning a regular mop. This is because the germs are already killed, and you just need to take away the pad off the steam mop. Some mops like the H20 X5, the Bissell PowerFresh and other have triangle-shaped pads, especially designed for corners. This makes it quite easy to take away the pad. Just take one corner out, and the rest of it goes with it. Of course, if you don’t like touching the pad, look for touch-free technology steam mop. This tech ensures that you don’t have to use your hands to relieve the pad off the mop.
After taking it out, just put the pad in the washing machine, and you are good to go.
