Steam mop - what is it, the device, how does it work and what is it used for?

How does a steam mop work?

A steam mop treats the surface with hot steam. It comes out through holes in the sole. To ensure a sufficient volume of steam, the device has a water tank and a heating element that converts this water into steam. This device operates from the mains. Turning on the steam mop activates the heating of the water until it boils and steam appears. It accumulates, creating some pressure, and is released through the steam brush.

Processing (cleaning) using hot steam has a number of advantages; a steam mop:

• removes old, persistent stains;
• copes with different types of pollution;
• kills microorganisms, including dust mites (the strongest allergen);
• removes unpleasant odors;
• disinfects surfaces;
• refreshes appearance, color, moisturizes.

Design Features

A steam mop takes simple cleaning to the next level. Equipped with the technical ability to clean with steam, it tackles the toughest problems faster and easier. For many situations, a steam mop is the best solution.

1. The device is quite lightweight, weighing about 3 kilograms, which makes it easy to move around the apartment.
2. Powered by electricity, but consumes only 5 kW/hour.
3. Equipped with a handle, depending on the model, it can be adjusted in height or be solid.
4. The set includes several attachments designed for different surfaces.
5. Some models are equipped with a steam power and intensity regulator, which allows you to wash the most difficult stains without using any chemicals.
6. In the latest models, the steam generator can be disconnected from the mop itself and can be used to disinfect household appliances (for example, a stove, microwave oven) or the interior of the car.

Steam mop H2O 5in1

Read the review of the H2O Mop X5 steam mop.

Classification

All steam mops can be divided into three groups: classic, lightweight and universal.

Classic

This includes standard models with a weight of 3.5-4.5 kg, with a power of 1600 to 2200 W. It's rare to have your other hand free when cleaning, but most often there are many attachments available. Tank volume is from 250 to 700 ml, there are additional large and small containers included.

They work from 20 to 40 minutes. Suitable for regular and general cleaning. They have stands for standing storage.

Lightweight

With special ergonomics, but functionality suffers. Rarely have additional attachments. Power varies from 600 to 1200 W. Weight no more than 3 kg, water container volume 200-400 ml. With these parameters, cleaning is limited to 10-20 minutes, which means it will not be possible to thoroughly clean the surfaces. For wet daily cleaning, such models are much better suited.

Expert opinion

Borodina Galina Valerievna

Easy to hang on wall mount.

Universal

As a rule, heavy “fighters” weigh from 4 to 6 kg. They have filters for collecting debris, and the nozzles contain appropriate brushes. Even a vacuum cleaner can be turned on - an electric broom or a full-fledged cyclone. The water tank reaches up to a liter, power up to 2200 W (sometimes higher). Cleaning can take an hour.

It must be stored vertically with additional support, since heavy weight often creates an imbalance.

All classes have types with rectangular and triangular main nozzles. Rectangular ones are rigidly fixed; only the tilt is adjustable. The triangular ones are very maneuverable, they rotate around the handle, tilt, and reach hidden corners.

Have you used a steam mop before?

Yes I want to try

How to use a steam mop

The functionality of a steam mop is similar to that of several devices, including a steam cleaner. Using this device is not difficult, although it has its own specifics. In general, this is how you should work with a mop.

1. The reservoir, which is usually located on the handle, must be filled with water. In most models, you can use any water, including tap water.
2. Connect the device to the network. Typically, the wire allows cleaning over a large area, its length is up to 9 m.
3. In a few minutes, the water boils and the mop is ready for use: steam begins to flow from the brush.

The steam from the working nozzle comes out hot, about 100 degrees, and under pressure. The impact of such factors leads to the disappearance of bacterial contaminants and microorganisms. The mop creates a hygienically safe, clean space.

Attention: not all surfaces can be washed with hot steam. Laminate flooring may swell if it is not designed for wet cleaning. Even a good laminate should have joints sealed. Parquet boards also do not like hot steam. You can treat parquet with such a mop only in case of emergency.

Read more: can you wash laminate flooring with a steam mop?

Steam mops can be used for other purposes than their intended purpose. Many models support additional options.

1. Vertical steaming of clothes. Suitable for delicate fabrics, silk, natural thin fabrics, as well as clothes with a complex cut that are inconvenient to iron on a board. Attention: the steam mop is not suitable for steaming synthetics and heavy fabrics.
2. Sterilization of various objects and surfaces. You can use a mop to “walk” through the toy box and not be afraid that the child will put them in his mouth. Hot steam kills all pathogenic bacteria.
3. Washing windows, mirrors and tiles. Steam removes dirt well, including in corners and tile seams. All that remains is to wipe the surface dry to remove any stains.

Advantages of the invention

Having learned what a steam mop is, you need to familiarize yourself with its advantages.

1. The device has wide functionality and additional capabilities.
2. It is convenient to use, as the rotating head allows you to clean even the most difficult to reach places.
3. There is no need to use chemicals when cleaning, which makes it environmentally friendly. Plus, you can save on purchasing detergents.
4. Due to the fact that the steam temperature reaches 100 degrees, the surface is disinfected.
5. Excellent for cleaning plastic windows.

Steam mop kit

Device types

Before choosing which steam mops are best, you need to research the types of devices. There are three types, they differ in functionality and configuration.

Decide which type suits you, then choose from the proposed models.

Types of floor mops:

1. The classic device operates only with water. There is no need to use chemical compounds. Steam kills bacteria even without them. The classic model is used for washing any surfaces (linoleum, parquet, marble) and polishing.
2. With an electric broom. This technique performs dry cleaning well. An electric broom is a rotating roller that quickly collects all the debris. Thanks to it, even old dirt is removed.
3. Ergonomic. The cleaning head of this model has a triangular shape, so it can clean all the hard-to-reach places. The ergonomic floor mop has small dimensions and is ideal for cleaning a small apartment.

You should choose equipment based on the conditions and frequency of cleaning. For a family of 4 with children, the first option is suitable.

Steam mops with an electric broom are bought for homes where people wear shoes. They are excellent at collecting dirt. An ergonomic option suitable for small apartments.

Disadvantages of Steam Mops

Unfortunately, high expectations do not come out of thin air. Advertisers are to blame for this, they greatly overpraised the device, introducing unrealistic parameters into the minds of buyers. Of course, no one likes serious discrepancies between expectations and reality.

1. Advertising campaigns talked about the device’s amazing ability to collect liquid. And that's a lie. Of course, the nozzle can absorb some amount of moisture, but very little, since the device simply has nowhere to put the accumulated liquid. This option is not provided.
2. The second exaggeration is the device’s ability to collect all the dirt. But what is a mop compared to a vacuum cleaner? It may remove some dust or debris, but there will still be debris that gathers around it or hides in a corner. Really high-quality cleaning is only possible if you first sweep away large dirt or vacuum the floor.
3. And the third misconception that buyers were misled into is the ability of the mop to remove any stains. Of course, if you spill juice or milk on the carpet, it will do the job. But stains from paint or brilliant green will be difficult to wipe off unless you use cleaning products.
4. And the last thing that buyers were dissatisfied with was the unreliability of the design. True, this does not apply to branded models; we are talking about fakes, with which the market is teeming.

If you decide to purchase a steam mop, then choose a model from a trusted manufacturer. It costs more, but will also last you longer.

Advantages in comparison with similar devices

Compared to a vacuum cleaner, a modern floor cleaner:

1. Much lighter, the low weight of the device makes it suitable for cleaning vertical surfaces.
2. It is equipped with a floating head and is able to penetrate into the most inaccessible corners of the house.
3. Maneuverable and easy to operate.

When cleaning with such a device, no chemicals are used, so the steam device can be used for cleaning children's rooms.

Small dimensions allow the unit to be placed in a room of any size. Most of the models entering the Russian market are made taking into account modern trends in the design of home appliances.

An electric mop does not consume much electricity. 5 kW/hour is enough for her.

Brands from different manufacturers differ from each other:

• power;
• price;
• strength;
• quality of cleaning;
• design;
• tank volume.

When choosing the right model, you need to pay attention to the weight of the device and its functionality. In some modifications, due to the large number of additional functions, the mop has become heavier. Such products are not suitable for fragile girls. If the device will be used most often to clean the interior of the car, you should pay attention to universal models that can be separated from the handle. This mop was created for the fair half of our planet, as a house helper. By giving your other half such a gift, you will undoubtedly please! You can give it for a birthday or March 8th and, believe me, your lady will appreciate it. After all, such a device will help to restore order very quickly and thoroughly, without much effort, not only in the house, but also in the interior of your car.

The best steam mops

As a result of analyzing the characteristics of devices and reviews from real users, a selection of the best models was compiled that you can focus on when choosing a mop for your home.

Kitfort KT-1010

This is a combined device that combines the functions of a steam mop and an electric broom. The nozzle has a complex design that combines a turbo brush and a nozzle for wet cleaning. The brush has a rotating shaft with long bristles arranged in a spiral. It perfectly collects not only simple garbage, but also pet fur and hair. The mop comes with a frame attachment for cleaning carpets and a glass with a spout for easy filling of the reservoir.

Water container 0.35 l. This is enough to clean a small apartment or studio. The water quality can be any, because... There are built-in filters. The power of the mop is good - 1.3 kW. Preparing the device for operation takes 0.5 minutes.

The mop is light and comfortable. The 5 m cord allows you to clean the room without changing the connection point. Kitfort KT-1010 allows you to clean in one pass, without first sweeping up the debris. It is suitable for use with most floor coverings.

Endever Odyssey Q 604

This mop is intended only for wet cleaning of surfaces suitable for this type of care. It washes, disinfects and refreshes linoleum, parquet, tiles and other hard surfaces. The mop head is triangular in shape and rotates around the attachment point, so there are no inaccessible places or corners where it cannot reach.

The water container holds 0.55 liters, and a 0.9 W heating element heats this volume of liquid in 1 minute. One fill of the mop with water is enough to thoroughly clean the house.

For economy, as well as ease of use, the steam supply can be stopped if you need to stop for a while. The mop is inexpensive, almost the same as a simple non-electric model, and the quality and speed of cleaning is incomparably better.

Tefal VP6555RH

This is a powerful mop (1.2 kW) with a large water tank and a 7 m cord. The tank volume is 0.6 liters. All this allows you to quickly and efficiently clean a large apartment without refueling or changing the power point. Tefal VP6555RH is ready for use 30 seconds after switching on. Water can be taken from the tap, because... There is a protection system against water hardness.

Unlike budget models, the Tefal VP6555RH has the ability to select steam power, which allows it to be used for cleaning any surfaces, including “delicate” ones. The minimum steam pressure is suitable even for laminate, and under high pressure you can clean even old plaque from tiles.

Criterias of choice

Experienced housewives consider mops with the following parameters ideal for regular cleaning:

Such a mop will penetrate hard-to-reach places, make it easier and faster to clean surfaces, and will justify its cost in just a few cleanings.