Steam Floor Mops – Do’s and Don’ts

Steam Floor Mops - Do's and Don'ts

Steam floor mops are a terrific in-home tool to use in fighting grime. For just a few hundred dollars, you can use one of these super-powered mops to provide your hardwood, tile or linoleum floors with a deep clean. However, using steam floor mops requires a bit more care than a standard mop. The addition of steam means the mops can get very hot and cause problems if not handled correctly. Below are some guidelines for how to use a steam floor mop correctly:

What To Do:

  • Prep the floor first.
    A mop that uses steam to clean isn’t meant to treat heavily soiled floors. If this is your first time using one, make sure to clean your floors as you normally would and then use the steam mop for maintenance. By cleaning the floors more frequently, you’ll have less build up of dirt and grime and be able to use the mop to its fullest potential.
  • Invest in mop pads.
    The mop pad will absorb dirt. However,  reusing a dirty mop head with steam might result in the dirt smearing across other surfaces. The good news is steam mop pads are generally washable and hold up nicely. A few good mop pads should last you for a while.

What Not To Do

  • Don’t allow the mop to idle.
    Once the mop has been plugged in, it’s really best to keep it moving. The heat generated from a steam mop can  build up quickly and cause damage to flooring if left in one place for too long.
  • Don’t use on unsealed floors.
    Steam floor mops are great for a variety of surfaces, but can easily warp an unsealed floor. If you’ve been advised not to use hot water on the floor or if the tiles are adhesive and appear to be lifting, don’t use a steam mop.
  • Don’t plug it in before attaching the mop head.
    Most steam mops heat up fast. So, if you wait to attach the mop head, chances are it’ll be too hot to handle.

For more information about steam floor mop do’s and don’ts, check out this article. And if you’re looking to upgrade the floors in your home, contact Tampa Flooring Company today.