Tile floors look great, but you do have to clean them regularly. That’s not always easy, especially with just regular mops that seem to just spread the dirt around the area so it’s not as obviously dirty. These mops are often simply useless, and that’s even more obvious when you’re dealing with more stubborn stains and grime.
Do You Need a Steam Mop?
If you have a tile floor, then the most likely answer to this question is yes, you do. That’s because regular mops tend to fail at actually cleaning your tile floor. Instead, they just spread the dirt around or leave smudges or streaks of grime behind.
With a steam mop, you can actually end up with clean tile floors. The problem is that some steam mops are actually good, while others are still rather useless and a waste of your money.
To help you differentiate the good ones with the bad mops, we offer a list of good mops for you to choose from:
BISSELL PowerFresh Steam Mop, Tile Cleaner, and Wood Floor Cleaner, 1640
Use this with the microfiber pad as directed in the instructions and you can get rid of 99.9% of the bacteria and germs on your floors. Your floor will be so clean you won’t have to worry about your baby crawling on the floor.
This doesn’t require you to use any chemical cleaning agents at all. Instead, you use steam along with the Easy Scrubber that comes with the mop. Your purchase includes a microfiber soft pad and scrubby pad, Spring Breeze fragrance discs, and a carpet glider. This lets you pick from low, medium, and high steam options with the smart set digital steam control.
Pros
- Don’t need chemicals
- Your floors smell nice afterwards.
- Can be used for hardwood, marble, granite, and ceramic tile floors along with your carpet
- Gets rid of virtually all germs
- Comes with swivel steering and 23-foot power cord
Cons
- Steam can get so hot you need to wear shoes so you don’t burn your feet Must be put together first (though it only takes a minute)
O-Cedar Microfiber Steam Mop with extra refill
This also doesn’t use chemicals either. Plug it in, and in just 20 seconds you’ll have to steam you need to get rid of even the most stubborn grime. You can pick from adjustable steam settings so you can have just enough steam to work with.
This comes with a microfiber pad that goes into that distinctive triangle-shaped head. You actually get 2 microfiber pads, and each one absorbs the dust and dirt very effectively. You can use and machine wash a pad about 25 times before you need to use another pad.
This also comes with a snap-on carpet glider. Even with it, it’s very lightweight as it only weighs 5 pounds.
Pros
- Steam heat comes on in 20 seconds
- Various steam level settings
- Can kill up to 99.0% of germs, and this has been tested on the E. coli bacteria
- Can be used for nooks and crannies
- Can be used on carpet
- Very lightweight
Cons
- Be careful about buying proper microfiber pad replacements
Not everyone is pleased with the O-Cedar customer support
Shark Steam Pocket Mop Hard Floor Cleaner (S5301)
This too promises 99.9% elimination for bacteria and germs. Your natural mopping motion gives you the hot steam you need in just 30 seconds. Just plug the cord and you’re good to go.
You can pump the handle about 5 to 10 times to generate the steam you need so you can start mopping. The handle comes with a nice soft grip so it’s comfy to hold.
The cord is even 25 feet long so you’re able to go just about all through the room to clean it. The quick-release power cord also makes storage not much of a problem either.
This comes with a pair of washable microfiber pads that use the steam to lift and absorb the dirt. This can work on various hard floor surfaces, such as ceramic or marble tiles. It can even work on hardwood floors too.
Pros
- Washable 2-sided microfiber pads
- 25-foot long power cords with quick release
- Easy to grip handle
- Steam is generated with push forward motions in 30 seconds
Cons
- Can’t be used on carpet It’s not easy to learn if you’re running low on water
Bissell Symphony Pet Steam Mop and Steam Vacuum Cleaner
Whoa, this is comparatively pricey. Sure, part of that money goes to the Bissell Pet Foundation, but is it really worth the expense? Actually, it is. That’s because it’s both a steam mop and a vacuum cleaner too. If you have pets that leave a mess of hair in your home, this is what you need for your hard floor.
It works for marble, granite, ceramic, linoleum, and even sealed hardwood floors. It uses a soft mop pad along with a scrubber pad, and you even have scented water to work with.
Pros
- Dirty tank that’s completely dry
- Empty the dirty tank without getting the dirt on your hands
- Can be used on many types of floors
- Has vacuum cleaner
Cons
- Uses non-washable disposable mop pads.
A bit pricey
SharkNinja Shark Genius Hard Floor Cleaning System (S5003D)
This uses wide dirt grip pads, because it has direct steam channeling technology that creates a super-wide cleaning zone. This makes it much easier and faster for you to clean your floors.
The Steam Blaster gives you a strong burst of hot steam to target especially tough dirt, so you can get rid of messes even in grout lines and crevices. The intelligent steam control system gives you 3 settings to choose from.
The dirt grip pads are 2-sided, and they’re quite absorbent. They’re washable and reusable. They grip dirt and they drive very quickly too. You can just press a button to attach the dirt grip pad on the floor, and then that same button can release the pad.
Pros
- 3 steam control settings
- Powerful burst of hot steam can target tough dirt
- Grip pads are double-sided and reusable
- No need to dirty your hands to attach the pads
- 22-foot cord
Cons
- Automatically on standby when plugged in (no on/off button).
Water reservoir doesn’t come off
Light ‘N’ Easy Multifunctional Steamer S3601 10-in-1 System
This can clean your tile floors, though to be honest that’s just one of its many capabilities. It’s a steam cleaner that you can also use to clean the kitchen sink. It can freshen up the sofa cloth. It’s also a garment steamer too.
You can use it as a regular steam mop, and it even has a smart switch. Just tilt the handle to start steaming, and then you can stand it upright to stop. It also offers low, medium, and high settings for your steam levels.
You can also detach this from the mop handle and you have a handheld steamer. It has a sensor on the grip, and when you hold the sensor it starts steaming as well. Get your hand off the sensor even while you hold the grip, and you stop steaming.
Pros
- Can be used as detachable handheld steamer
- As a steam mop, it has swivel steering
- Takes only 3o seconds to get the steam
- Has switches and sensors to start and stop the steaming
- Can be used for more than cleaning floors
- Uses washable pads
Cons
- Can be hard to push across the floor surface Only comes with 1 cloth pad
SharkNinja Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop (S3973D)
This is another 2-in-1 device, since it works as a regular steam mop as well as a handheld steamer. As a handheld steamer, you can then use it to clean your kitchen countertops as well as your kitchen sinks. This handheld steamer also comes with a hose so you don’t have to lift the whole thing to clean your cabinets.
This gives you 3 intelligent steam control levels, along with a stream blaster to target stubborn dirt. The dirt grip pads are dual-sided, and there’s no need to handle them with your hands to attach them. It features a touch-free attach and release technology for your pads.
Pros
- Can be used to clean floors as well as your cabinets and the inside of your microwave oven
- Tough dirt can be targeted with steam blaster
- 3 steam levels
Cons
- Power cords could have been longer
Smart Living Steam Mop Plus
This is the priciest steam mop on our list, although it’s not really prohibitively expensive. It may seem to work much like other steam mops; you fill the reservoir with water, you attach the microfiber pad, you plug it in, and you go to work.
What makes this very special is that your steam can get really hot, so they’re much more effective. The steam can actually reach up to 230 degrees F. Keep in mind that boiling point of water is 212 degrees F, so you get a fair idea of how hot the steam gets.
The handle is special too. There’s no need to pump the handle to get the steam. In addition, the handle also has an “elbow joint” so you can use it at an angle if this is more comfortable for you.
Pros
- Steam can get really hot
- Has a rounded handle that’s easy to grip
- The handle can also be bent along the joint
- Uses reusable microfiber pad
Cons
- Quite expensive. Even the microfiber pads are expensive too
BISSELL Spinwave Powered Hardwood Floor Mop and Cleaner, 2039A
Now we’re back to the more affordable steam mops, but that doesn’t mean we need to endure intolerable drops in function and quality. In fact, this one’s a bit more advanced than even other steam mops.
This also uses reusable pads, though there are 2 types included in your purchase. One type is for scrubbing, while the other one is softer. This also comes with a clear water tank that lets you see when you need a refill. You even get a multi-surface cleaner if steam alone won’t get the job done.
But this can really work wonders. It scrubs the floor for you, so don’t have to exert any effort. It still works without making a lot of noise though. You just need to guide the mop around the floor and with its swivel steering you can get to the nooks and crannies. There’s on-demand spray as well for tougher dirt.
Pros
- Wide cleaning path
- Powered scrubbing
- Reusable pads with 2 different types
- Clear water tank
- Swivel steering
Cons
- Delicate pump. It won’t work as well with other cleaners
Purstream Steam Mop Cleaner ThermaPro 10-in-1
This comes with a detachable handheld unit, so you’re able to steam clean more than just your floor. You can also use this to clean your carpet. It’s very durable too, as it offers a 2-year warranty instead of the usual 1-year warranty.
You only need to use tap water for this and you’re good to go. This has 3 adjustable steam modes, and you can get that steam in just 30 seconds. The cleaning path is nice and wide, and the cleaning pads are washable.
The only caveat here is the size of the water tank, which is only 11.5 ounces. That’s enough for about 20 minutes of cleaning at the lowest setting, and you cut that to 10 minutes at the highest setting.
Pros
- Comes with detachable steamer
- Wide cleaning path
- Reusable cleaning pad
- Needs only tap water
- Lightweight and easy to store
- 2-years warranty
Cons
- Tiny water tank
Steam Mop Uses
Depending on your steam mop, you can use it for the following tasks:
- Clean marble, granite, ceramic, and linoleum floors
- Get rid of 99,9% of germs on your floor
- Can clean carpets
- Use it as a handheld garment steamer
Use it to clean your kitchen cabinets, sinks, bathroom, and house windows
Why Look for Quality?
The answer is simple—low quality wastes your time and money. When you get a high quality steam mop, you enjoy the following advantages:
- You actually end up with a clean floor
- You don’t exert as much effort.
- The job takes less time.
- You may be able to use the steam mop for more tasks than just cleaning your floor.
- You don’t end up with a steam mop that breaks down quickly.
You save a lot of money in the end as well.
What Makes for a Quality Steam Mop?
Here are the factors you need to consider:
- Price. It shouldn’t be all that expensive.
- Function. A regular steam mop will do just fine, but others may like more versatile units that can clean carpets and also be used as a handheld steamer to clean windows and kitchen sinks.
- Easy setup and use. It should be simple to put together and to use, with settings for steam heat levels, swivel steering, wide cleaning paths, and reliable steaming performance. A long power cord also helps.
- Clean hands. It’s better if you’re able to attach the pads without getting your hands dirty. The same goes if you’re emptying any dirt tank.
- Large transparent tank. It is best if the tank is larger, so that you don’t need to keep on refilling the tank to clean a big room. It’s also better if the tank is transparent, so you know how much water you have left to work with.
- Effectiveness. In the end, you need to make sure that it really does the job it’s supposed to. That’s why many of the better manufacturers also out in a steam blaster so that you can target really tough dirt and stains. Others also may offer swivel steering and especially designed mop heads to get to nooks and crannies.
Durability. This should last a long while, or at least for a few years before you need to replace it. Read customer reviews for complaints regarding its quality, while you also check out the length of the warranty.
Steam Mop Repair Guide
Before you do any DIY repairs on your steam mop, you better check the warranty conditions. It’s possible that you can just send this in and the manufacturer can replace the product with a new one while within the warranty period.
At the same time, doing DIY repairs may even void the warranty. Such repairs are also not a good idea if you’re not sure about what you’re doing.
However, if it’s past the warranty period and you think you can fix it yourself, here are some tips that can help:
- Check the manual first. It may contain solutions to your problems, or even explain why your “problem” isn’t a problem at all.
- Research the problem online. Check YouTube for video demonstrations on what to do to fix the particular problem you have.
Clean the steam nozzle regularly. You may have mineral and calcium deposits clogging the nozzle so you don’t get steam. Sometimes your steam mop comes with a nozzle cleaner, though a paper clip that you straighten out can work just as well.
FAQs
Q: Can steam mops clean up spills and stains?
Ans. Yes, and it can do so much more effectively than regular mops. However, you need to pick a good one, and you have to use it properly. Some of the best ones can get rid of overnight soda stains on floors after only a couple of strokes of a steam mop.
Q: Can I use a steam mop on floorboards?
Ans. That depends on your floorboards. Some can be cleaned with steam mops, others can’t. You can check your flooring instruction manual as this will typically have the info you need regarding the use of a steam mop.
You can use a steam mop for your hardwood floors, but only if they’re sealed with a protective top coat. Varnish works fine as a finish, as well as polyutherane.
Q: What else should I look for in a steam mop?
Ans. Ask yourself this question: do you look forward to using the steam mop to clean your floor? Or do you dread the experience?
If a steam mop works very well and easily, most people simply love to use it. There’s something supremely satisfying about seeing a dirty floor become clean again, especially with a good steam mop that doesn’t require too much effort or time.
But if you hate the experience, you probably don’t have a good steam mop to work with. Maybe it’s fussy, or perhaps it breaks down easily. It may have an annoyingly short power cord, or maybe it just doesn’t remove the stains as it’s supposed to.
Our Pick for Tile and Stone Floors: Bissell
Powerfresh Steam Mop 1940
This does what it’s supposed to with flying colors—clean your tile floors with no trouble. Every feature is included to help with this mission. The steam is reliable and effective. The unit is easy to put together and maneuver. You have 3 settings to choose from. It offers a very wide cleaning path. It even has a feature to leave your floor smelling nice and fresh.
This steam mop is very affordable, but that’s not the sole reason why it’s the topselling steam mop online. It’s because it really is effective in what it’s supposed to do. Its build quality is topnotch as well, so you can expect it to work for you for a long while. Whether your floor is marble, ceramic, granite or even sealed hardwood, you can use this.
Conclusion
It’s hard to justify using a plain mop when you have steam mops as alternative options. Using hot steam is much more effective, and you also don’t end up with a wet dirty mess on your floor. With the many steam mop options, you may even get a handheld device that uses steam to clean cabinets and kitchen sinks. So ditch the regular mop and go with the steam mop. You save time and effort, and you end up with much cleaner tile floors that even babies can crawl on!