Could steam mops be considered the modern equivalents of disinfectants? A study carried out by the University of California Davis Medical Center demonstrated that conventional wet mops are only capable of eliminating about 30% of the bacteria already present in a given area. On the other hand, steam mops were found to kill off as much as 99% of the bacteria. As time goes on, hardwood floors can end up substantially dirty, showcasing everything from past spills to footprints. The remarkable capability of steam mops to absorb even the dirtiest of spills cannot be overlooked.
But how do you get rid of all that dirt and restore the original luster of your hardwood floor without using toxic chemical cleaners? Simple, use a mop to steam away from the stains, smears, and the most persistent dirt. That said, there are so many options on the market, and all of them assert to work miracles, making it quite confusing to decide which one is worth your money. In this article, we review the 10 best steam mops for hardwood floors.
Top 10 Steam Mops for Hardwood Floors – Laurel & Wolf
1. BISSELL PoweFresh Steam Mop and Hard Wood Floor Cleaner
As far as versatility is concerned, the BISSELL PowerFresh 1940 takes the day. If you are looking for a multipurpose steam mop with accessories that switch easily to let you customize your cleaning in different settings, then this is worth your consideration.
The BISSELL PowerFresh 1940 is a powerful (Power rating: 1500 watts) and adaptive steam mop that allows you to customize your cleaning for hardwood floors. it is equipped with a simple built-in scrubber for tough stains and a digital steam control to let you customize the flow of steam for safe cleaning and disinfection of several hardwood floors.
This 6.82-pound steam mop heats up in 30 seconds and pushes out a decent amount of steam which easily cuts through grime and dirt.
The variable steam controls let you tailor your cleaning in 3 settings: low, medium, and high. This gadget also cleans ceramic, stone, tile, peel and stick tiles, laminate flooring, and linoleum.
Most importantly, it boasts of eliminating up to 99.9% of germs. Additionally, the kit includes 2 spring breeze bad-smell eliminating fragrance discs in case you want to add the fresh fragrances of your favorite soapy water.
Pros
Large detachable reservoir tank lets you clean for long.
Powerful steam blast removes stickier messes.
Heats up quicker (30 seconds) compared to competing models.
23-foot power cord.
Cons
Isolated complains about a strong smell from the included spring-breeze scented discs.
3. Shark Genius Hard Floor Cleaning System Pocket Steam Mop
We love the steam blaster and the touch-free release options. Recommended for cleaning corners, somewhat dirty areas, and high-traffic areas.
The Shark Genius S5003D is equipped with double-sided absorbent pads so you can clean further and a touch-free release option to protect you from handling dirty, damp cleaning pads. It also has a steam-blaster feature that allows you to target dirty grout and tough messes.
It features a powerful 1,200-watt boiler, a sizeable water tank, and 3 steam controls to choose from depending on the severity of the dirt and type of floor. To boost the steam-output, the Shark Genius S5003D is equipped with a Steam Blaste function to release a powerful jet of steam to loosen dirt in crevices and corners.
This model takes less than a minute to reach operating temperature and about three minutes to attain a disinfecting temperature. And more, you don’t have to remove the 350-ml water tank for a refill.
For convenience, this 5.78-pound lightweight steam mop features a 22 ft. the power cord to minimize the number of times you’ll need to switch outlets.
Note that the re-usable double-sided cleaning pads also trap dirt, courtesy of the dirt-lifting woven strips. To further ensure your hands remain clean, the pad detaches easily with the pad release button.
Pros
Instant heating; releases extra-hot steam in less than 1 minute.
Value for money.
Low-priced, considering what you get.
360° swivel head.
Smart sensor controls the amount of steam released.
Refillable while cleaning.
Cons
We wish the steam was always released automatically.
3. LIGHT ‘N’ EASY Steam Mop Floor Steamer for Laminate Floors
This is a budget-friendly mop that releases extra-hot steam to quickly deep-clean the areas it touches. If you don’t intend to pre-spray your wooden floor with a cleaning solution, then the LIGHT ’N’ EASY S3101 is worth your consideration.
Eliminate grime and dirt in your home using a 1500W powerful steamer that releases sterilizing water (175°F) in 30 seconds. In the same way, the areas you clean with the mop will take only 30 seconds to dry. All you need to do is plug in the 20 ft. power cord and switch on the LIGHT’N’ EASY S3101 steam mop.
You don’t have to detach the water tank from the mop stick to fill it up. This ensures the continuous release of ultra-hot steam.
The hot steam is potent enough to kill 99.9% of Staphylococcus, Salmonella, E. coli, and more. It works on the go, thanks to its 3-layered microfiber pad that quickly fastens to the mop head using the provided strips.
At 4 lbs., this steam mop is easy to push on the floor, making steam mopping lighter on your body. It also features a rubber handle for a comfortable grip.
Pros
Steam Blaster function cleans hard-to-reach areas.
Detaching or attaching a cleaning pad is easy.
Touch-free mop.
Cleans further compared to other mops in its category.
Cons
A minor issue pointed out by some users is that the pad’s release button is positioned far down the body.
4. Iwoly M11 Steam Mop Cleaner and 2 Mop Pads for Hardwood Floor
This model stands out for its ability to preserve hardwood floor finishes, thanks to its Intelligent Steam Control. Do you want an affordable and efficient steam mop that takes care of your vulnerable floor finish? Think of iwoly M11.
The iwoly M11 features a Steam Control option that lets you steam-clean while preserving your hardwood floor finish. This 1100W power steam mop heats up steam quickly (less than a minute) to clean hardwood floors, carpets, laminates, and other surfaces. Even more, it includes a second pad meant for cleaning your carpet.
This steam mop can be picked up and moved around with ease since it weighs 8.25 pounds. Moreover, the mop head swivels around by 360° for easy cleaning. It quickly switches to Standby Mode when placed down, it doesn’t matter if it’s leaning on something or not.
This gadget features a 420-ml water tank, so it can provide you steam for up to 20 minutes and offers 2-Setting Intelligent Steam Control to regulate the amount of steam needed depending on the finish on your hardwood floor. The cord is about 16 ft.
Pros
Vibration function for further cleaning.
Automatically switches to standby mode when not in use.
An on/off switch on the handle.
2-Setting Intelligent Steam Control.
ETL-certified.
Swivel mop head spins around by 360°.
Cons
Some users wished it cleaned their rugs better.
5. LIGHT ‘N’ EASY Mop Cleaning Steamer for Hardwood Tile
The LIGHT ‘N’ EASY S7338 reaches steaming heat in 30 seconds, which is just as fast as the BISSELL PowerFresh 1940. If you need a great steam mop for cleaning your hardwood floor on the go, this model is worth trying.
The LIGHT ‘N’ EASY S7338 features a sensor that releases steam only when you move the mop on the floor and stops when the movement ceases. As a result, you will not have unforeseen puffs of steam that will scald you. Moreover, your hardwood floor will not be damaged in case you accidentally forget to shut it down.
Its 360° swivel head lets you adjust the head to a triangular or square shape for disinfecting and cleaning corners and more extensive areas. This unit also cleans windows, carpets, work surfaces, sanitary ware, ovens, and more.
For convenience, you can fill the water tank while using it to clean a large surface area. This mop is self-adjusting, so you won’t need to fine-tune the temperature or steam setting every time.
Pros
Express heating; reaches steaming heat in 20 seconds.
Dual mop head performance.
Ultra-lightweight; allows you to move back and forth quickly.
Features a smart sensor to ensure the steam doesn’t leak when the unit isn’t in motion.
Cons
Some users would love it more if it were convertible to a handheld steamer.
6. ThermaPro Steam Mop Cleaner 10-in-1
The ThermaPro 10-in-1 stands out for being a multipurpose steam mop because it can be used in 10 different ways. If you are looking for a low-priced, detachable steam mop that’s gentle on your hard floor finish, then you might want to consider this steam mop.
The ThermaPro 10-in-1 is equipped with ergonomic features to suit the modern lifestyle. With 3 adjustable modes to let you control the steam level, this unit is undoubtedly created with your hardwood floor finish in mind.
It features a removable handheld unit which can be used as a garment cleaner or steam cleaner. The package includes a special surface scrubber to provide top to bottom versatile cleaning. No wonder it is also ideal for sealed stone/grout, glass, and stainless steel.
it is equipped with a 350 ml water reservoir that offers you up to 25 minutes of cleaning. Finally, its mopping functions are pretty straightforward, you barely need to push a button and wait for about 30 seconds for this gadget to be ready for the job.
Pros
Detachable handheld unit.
3 adjustable cleaning modes to preserve your hard floor finish.
Can be used in 10 different ways.
Comes with multiple accessories.Free replacement policy.
Cons
The pad should be washed regularly.
7. Shark Steam Mop Hard Floor Cleaner
We like the reusable pads, so you don’t have to buy new pads every time. This is a considerable option if you want a compact, lightweight steam mop to clean your small home.
The Shark Steam S 1000A features a fast 30-second startup and an 18-foot power cord. These features save time and make the mop always ready to clean from room to room. For convenience, this unit weighs 4.6 pounds, so it’s a lightweight. For this reason, you won’t get worn out moving it as you do your cleaning.
The Shark Steam S 1000A has an XL water tank which you can remove to fill and refill with little effort. It’s designed to clean dirt and grime on your sealed hardwood floor, marble, laminate, and tile. And more, it comes with a washable, reusable scrub pad.
This is an easy to assemble steam mop, as it takes merely 3 simple clicks to get the mop ready for a plugin. As if that’s not enough, the pieces feature instruction arrows to make assembling easy.
Pros
On-demand steam ready in 30 seconds.
Reusable cleaning pads.
Easy refill detachable water tank.
Compact and lightweight.
Easy to assemble.
Cons
This could’ve been our top recommendation if it included options to select the level of steam you want. Nonetheless, it does what it was manufactured to do: clean and sanitizes your hardwood floors.
8. Bissell PowerFresh Slim Hard Wood Floor Steam Cleaner
This is our recommendation for those who want a hardwood floor steam mop that includes a ton of tools to keep your entire house virtually germ-free.
The Bissell 2075A Powerfresh Slim terminates 99.9% of harmful microorganisms on hardwood, fabric and nearly all hard surfaces. Thanks to its 3-in-1 steam feature that lets you sanitize floors, counters, clothes, and toys.
It features a slim head that can fit under tables and around tight areas. It also includes an angle tool which enables you to clean thin crevices. The swivel head allows you to get into constricted corners. You can also convert it into a handheld steam cleaner. Moreover, this steam mop lets you control the steam output using the on-demand sanitizing trigger.
The Bissell 2075A Powerfresh Slim comes with several tools for cleaning grout, wiping, and scrubbing, you can also use it to clean ceramic tiles and linoleum. It comes with a soft mop pad for day-to-day floor maintenance and a scrub pad to cut through gummy grime.
Remove the extension wand to convert this 6.4-pound steam mop to a handheld steamer. You can use the clothing steamer tool to de-wrinkle your clothes and sanitize your sofa.
This unit comes with 7 handheld attachments and 2 pads to use in upright-mode. Into the bargain, you get 2 extra scrubbing brushes for use when the need arises.
Pros
3-in-1 electric floor and handheld steam mop.
Swivel steering to infiltrate tight spaces.
Comes with a ton of useful tools.
Features a variable steam control trigger.
Cons
Some users expressed concerns about it lacking a window squeegee attachment.
9. LIGHT ‘N’ EASY 5-in 1 Steam Mop Floor Steamer
Many people vouch for its ergonomic bending handle, which can let you clean under a low bed without bending over. This is an ideal steam mop if your house is filled with heavy furniture, narrow cabinet spaces, or low-height furniture.
The LIGHT ’N’ EASY S7339 features impressive and intelligent mechanics in its operation. For instance, the smart sensor dictates the amount of steam released. The faster you move this gadget, the more steam is released. It has a 20-foot cord and a large water tank that heats water to the right temperature in 20 seconds.
Apart from being an efficient hardwood floor cleaner, LIGHT ’N’ EASY S7339 can safely be used to clean laminate, tile, carpet, and grout floor. Again, the steam mop pads are washable and replaceable to save you the cost of buying pads every time.
Its ergonomic handle design lets you clean some of the most unreachable places, including furniture spaces and narrow cabinet spaces. Even more, the handle rotates smoothly, so cleaning requires little effort.
Pros
Well-designed mop head that fits narrow spaces.
Ergonomic; the bendable handle lets you clean hard to reach places.
Smart sensor for automatic steam control.
Pre-heats in 20 seconds.
Cons
You have to change pads regularly to prevent streaks.
10. Bissell Symphony Pet Steam Mop and Steam Vacuum Cleaner
In our opinion, LIGHT ‘N’ EASY S7339 tops the list of best mops that clean up pet messes. This is our recommendation for people with pets as its vacuum feature can pull up pet hair before you switch the steamer on.
The Bissell Symphony 1543A is a high-end mop that features 3 cleaning modes: steam, vacuum, steam, and vacuum. As a result, you won’t need multiple tools to do the cleaning. For example, you can use it to effectively clean sticky areas and get rid of fairly-large pieces of debris.
It’s equipped with digital controls that make it easy to maneuver. On top of this, it has a 25 ft. long cord to let you easily clean your large rooms. It also has room for a fragrance disc should you decide to give your hardwood floor a fresh scent.
The 5-way adjustable handle ensures your hands are comfortable during the entire cleaning process. It has a non-removable 13-ounce water tank that warms up in 30 seconds, so you can clean a small room without needing to refill.
It includes 4 microfiber mop pads. The soft pads are used for overall cleaning, whereas the coarser pads are used for scouring unyielding debris. Over and above, the pads are machine-washable.
Pros
Vacuum function.
Hands-free emptying.
Ability to insert scent discs.
Disposable mop pads.
Cons
We would like the water tank capacity increased.
Buying Guide for Steam Mop Cleaner
Is a steam mop the precise piece of equipment for your hardwood floor? Shopping for a steam mop is similar to buying any other home equipment.
To get the steam mop that best suits your hardwood floor, you must consider various factors, and some matter more than others. Consider the following factors as a guide for buying the most suitable steam mop for your hardwood floor.
Water Temperature
How long it takes to achieve a steaming temperature and the temperature attained is equally significant. An ideal steam mop should heat water in not more than one minute to a temperature of at least 171°F. Anything lower than this might not be able to sanitize your hardwood floor and will leave behind too much moisture. Too much moisture will damage your hardwood floor.
Cleaning Pads
Naturally, hardwood floors are vulnerable to even the mildest of harsh conditions. As a result, the cleaning pad you use shouldn’t be abrasive. In its place, use a soft cleaning pad to avoid scratching your floors. Ideally, a steam mop that comes with microfiber absorbent pad will do you right.
Water Tank
The lesser the number of trips you make to the sink, the quicker you’ll clean your hardwood floors. For this reason, you need to get a steam mop with a large capacity. For more convenience, certain brands let you add more water to the steam mop as you actively use the mop, instead of switching it off first and waiting for the water to heat up.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do steam mops work?
Principally, steam is a natural cleaning element. Steam mops release super-hot water which quickly combines with air to dissolve messy, sticky compounds in a second. A base layer of steam keeps the mop pad wet. This is the reason why it glides along when you use it to clean your hardwood floor.
Why are steam mops better than regular mops?
Steam mops use pressurized, ultra-hot steam to sanitize hardwood floors. Besides, other steam mops feature pads that integrate antibacterial coatings that capture and kill harmful bacteria.
Furthermore, they lower biological matter, residual bacteria, and molds of the surfaces cleaned and are safer (chemical-free) and cheaper (saves money that could otherwise have been used to buy floor cleaning chemicals).
What will happen if my hardwood floor isn’t sealed?
If your hardwood floor isn’t properly sealed, the hot-steam generated by your steam mop might buckle or warp it.
Bear in mind that some finishes can be removed by scalding water vapor, so be sure to check out the different models keenly and seek assistance, if necessary, before making a purchase. But most importantly, go through the manual.
Final Words
Unlike cleaning using a regular mop, which is often tiring and time-consuming, steam mops use hot-vapor and heat from steam to thoroughly clean and disinfect hardwood floors. Even so, not all steam mops have the same cleaning power.
With a good-quality steam mop, you can considerably minimize the time and effort spent to remove persistent dirt from your hardwood floor.
You may also love to read: How To Keep The House Clean