Best steam mop for tile floors? To clean and sanitize.

Question

Opinions about best steam mop?  Considering either Hahn or Eureka envirosteamer. both seem to have pros and cons.  These two appear to steam at a higher temperature than others; ie: shark, etc. thanks for any input!

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

Cannot tell you which one is better then the other, but I am wondering what type of floor your looking at cleaning? Tile, wood, laminate?  There has been a lot of comments about the types of floors that steam should be and should not be used on. Search posts on the top of the page for cleaning floors and see what pops up. May be an interested read.

KMS Woodworks · Answer

@Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com She mentioned tile in the subject line...which is the only surface in my book that I would ever even consider using one of these devices on.

As far as 'sanitize'.... this is another myth promoted by these manufactures.  For steam to 'kill' germs it needs to be under pressure to to bring the temps up above boiling. Well above boiling, to reduce the 'exposure time' to something reasonable.

Remember when they talk about people who need to boil their water to 'sanitize it'  They recommend boiling the water for 10 minutes....by practical  terms no one is ever going to steam mop their floors  for 10 minutes at each and every 4 or 5 inch section that is directly under the steam head of the mop...it would take you a week and half to clean and Sanitize a small kitchen.

Chemical sanitation is far more effective for floors...Period.  When I worked in the Pharmaceutical industry we actually Needed our floor to be sanitized.  In a residential environment just 'clean' is just fine... as a few bugs (germs) here and there is better for your immune system.

studies have shown that farm kids would routinely play in the dirt and mud, cow poo etc.  are less likely to have illnesses compared to 'city' kids who live in a more sanitized world.

It is the millions of years of biological evolution in a shared environment with pathogens...our immune systems are pretty good when left alone.

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

Guess it would be great to read the tag line, lol

Jean · Answer

Thanks for your comments.  I am not looking to turn my tile floors into hospital clean; jus trying to figure out after reading the pros and cons on different websites if readers here have an opinion before I invest in a new steam mop.  (Most of this house has tile floors.) I did have a Hoover Floormate...it was way too much trouble and never cleaned very well on the tile.  So I am back to Hahn or Eureka unless someone has a better idea.  Thanks again for reading and taking the time to respond.  Jean

KMS Woodworks · Answer

Personally I have never used a steam mop...I have about 400 feet of tile on my main level and we rarely even mop it...it is granite with a brownish spotted pattern and brown grout so it never looks dirty....we vacuum up the dog hair and regular dirt every week or so but in all honesty it only gets moped once or twice year.

Suzie S · Answer

My whole house is tile and I have a steam mop. I also have a steamer and I can tell you nothing I have tried cleans better than getting on my hands and knees and scrubbing. However, my neighbor uses a Bissell carpet cleaner, the kind that heats the water for you and their tile looks like you could eat off it.

Jean · Answer

Thanks, Suzie.  What kind of steam mop do  you have?  I am now leaning to the Haan...but there are quite a few models.   Jean

Sheila B · Answer

I love my new Shark.  Best steam mop I have ever used.  The new ones are so neat and easy to use.

Suzie S · Answer

I have a shark steam mop. I also have a bissell floor mate that I also use.

Jean · Answer

thanks to all of you who tried to help me!  today I ordered the Haan Agile (SI 40).  I ordered it from Costco where it was a little cheaper than Amazon and because it is very easy to return it if it does not work out.  I have had several Sharks and I have liked them, but they only have had one steam emitter;  the Haan has about 15 and claims to get up to a much higher temperature. Also, I could not decide between the Haan Slim and Light, SI35 and this one.  This claims to be a newer model.   We'll see....!

Sherrie · Answer

I always use a Commerical steamer to clean my tile and grout before I seal my tile floors at least once a year. Other than that I mop them. I have to steam cleaners I take off the heads when my grout looks cruddy to keep,it clean in between the Commerical steamer. But I always re-seal after I use it.

Suzie S · Answer

Sherrie- Do you own a Commercial steamer or do you rent one? I would love to rent one but have no idea where I could.

Jean · Answer

Sherrie...I would also like to know what kind of commercial streamer you rent for your tile and grout floors. and...also..where do you get it??

Sherrie · Answer

I rent it from a rental supply house. General Rental. You probably have a place that rents equipment...chain saws, floor sanders. Place that men go to. : )
Doing it myself saves me at least $200.00 instead of having a company doing for me. It cost $75.00 it is called a Vapar-Lux. I have a lot of tile. More than half my house is tiled. The steam gets hot so be careful. I clean the grout lines in each room first. Then I clean the tile. I wipe the dirty water up as I go along and then mop the floor with fresh clean water. After it dries I re- seal the floors. Anytime you have tile depending on the sealer you have to re-seal the grout. I need to re-seal it at least once a year. I hope this helps. : )

Suzie S · Answer

Thanks Sherri- I'm going to have to check some rental supply places out in my area :)

MakerDon · Answer

I also like getting on my hands and knees to get it clean, although I don't have the time to do that all the time heh. Renting the commercial steamer is an option for a very deep clean, but for a daily use I like to use a basic steam mop. I heard the Bissel and Hoover and great brands also. I did a little research of found several reviews for them. http://deviceraters.com/top-3-steam-mops/ My budget is below $100, I am still search for one and looking to buy one soon.

Trisha · Answer

Who has had a good experience with a steam mop that cleans grout?

Janet Smith · Answer

I have a Haan and really love it. It heats the water to a higher temperature than many 'steam mops' so it sanitizes. It cleans the tile without putting dirty water on the grout (which is what causes the grout to look so nasty)

Debradoo · Answer

Does anyone know anything about the Bissell Power Fresh steam Mop?

Cynthia E · Answer

We purchased the Hoover Twin Tank Steam Mop and we love it--it is safe for all flooring surfaces-- laminate, wood, tile, vinyl even has carpet glide pad for refreshing carpets. The cleaning pads are removable and washable, so don't have to keep buying replacements. The dual tanks 1 holds just water the other cleaning solution--so you can choose just to steam (wipe down with water or use solution to mop and steam and has settings for light up to heavy cleaning) , swivel triangle head easy to maneuver and gets into corners good and fairly long cord . With 6 dogs and 2 teenagers (all inside and laminate throughout house except for bathrooms this has made my life so much easier and gets floors really clean and another plus dries fast... Normally runs around 170.00 but is on sale at Amazon right now for 84.50 and free shipping -- if you get this positive you will love it :) http://www.amazon.com/Hoover-TwinTank-Disinfecting-Steam-Mop/dp/B004Q7CK56

Deb Bystricky · Answer

Any suggestions on the 'latest and greatest' steam cleaner for tile floors?  Borrowed a Orek from a friend but left my month old tile floors looking worse then they were before I started cleaning them (streaky).  Also had to refill several times and the cord wasn't long enough.  The plus was it heated up fast and I had several pads so I could change it often and wash them when done.

Shirley maiorca · Answer

Debra, Did you get any response re Bissell Power Fresh Steam Mop? Did you buy one? I am leaning toward purchasing one for my tile floors.

Wanda sinnema · Answer

I also had a HAAN, it didn't last only 2 yrs. I also hit the bottom of the cupboards so you had to hand scrub alone the baseboards.. The price was not cheap, I used it only 24- 36 times.. NOT IMPRESSED. this was about 5 yrs ago. I now have a BLACK and DECKER, it handles much better, has worked better, so far also got under the cabinet . I recently moved and haven't tried it on the kitchen hardwoods yet.. I also have a slate entry I will try it on..I will add I kept the old pads and use them on the B+D, I would also recommend buying extra pads when you purchase one.. they do streak if you do not change the pads often if doing a very dirty floor or a large area....

Wanda sinnema · Answer

BEWARE,,,,,I'd also add..by accident I didn't get all the HAAN on the rubber pad when I stopped to move a kitchen chair,, the part not on the pad lifted the top of the vinal off. leaving it feeling like sandpaper and a spot to catch all the kitchen dirt.... luckily ours was an old kitchen..

Barb · Answer

I have a couple of things you need to remember. First, do not use on your hardwood floors. The second is when your drain is sluggish and draining very slow, give it a shot or two of steam Works great!

Best steam mop for tile floors? To clean and sanitize.

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