Is it worth buying a steam mop?

Fusspot

I am considering buying a steam mop but don't want to waste the money if its not going to be useful. I have heard mixed reviews about them, some people say they are the best thing since sliced bread, yet I have also heard they can be a faff to use as they need water adding all the time and reheating.


The idea of having one is to use it instead of the traditional mop, to also be able to steam the carpets and also the tile grouting etc, maybe clean the windows with it too.

Tahlullah

Nope, not really. Total gimmick in my opinion. Used it a couple of times and that's it.

janb5

I agree- bought one and managed to break the water chamber so now back to floor mop. Cant be bothered to replace it.

pigpen

no.. not at all.

boliston

I've got a "vax" steamer and much prefer it to a mop & bucket! All my floors are either lacquered wood or lino (no carpets).

ska_lover

Glad I read this, we were going to purchase one this weekend, not going to now

Linda32

I wouldn't buy one. I am a cleaner in a nursing home. I have a choice over a steam mop or a mop and bucket. The one I can use is £30 from sainsburys which isn't any better than a mop and bucket.

shegirl

Get a steam cleaner rather than a steam mop.


It won't need constant refilling.


It has a long extendable hose with various attachments to enable cleaning in various places.It's designed like a cylinder cleaner.


You can do carpets properly with it because it has a proper attachment, not a daft thing on the end of an upright 'mop'.


I do everything with my steam cleaner - worktops, cupboards,tiles, floors and carpets, windows, oven,grill and hob etc etc. It's brilliant.


Wouldn't be able to do that lot properly with a steam mop. I think the mops are a waste of money, especially when you can get a proper multipurpose steam cleaner for the same money!


Edited to add: All steam cleaning still requires some 'work', you will still need to wipe over the surface after the steam,just a light wipe mind.


The main thing about steam cleaning is it kills bacteria and involves no chemicals making it better for your health and the environment. Probably cheaper in the long run too. It is convenient and saves doing different things, it's also a little less work.However, they aren't meant to make cleaning so easy you have to do nothing or a little wipe will make everything sparkle much more than anything, which is what many people expect from them

GwylimT

We have a steamer and we use it for most things, floors, windows, tiles, mattress and inside the oven. Our daughter has a very sensitive chest so most cleaning products are out of the question, and I don't enjoy putting my hand in boiling water with a rubber glove so steam it is.

IrishRose12

I had a Vax Steam mop....... used it once HATED it and didn't make a heap of a difference so give it away.
Mop and Bucket all the way

JIL

I bought one used it a couple of times and its now gathering dust. My son mentioned he would like one so its going to a new home.