Steam Mop?

Rambosmum

We are replacing out rubbish laminate/ carpet combo downstairs with nice, hardwearing laminate throughout the whole of downstairs (approx. 45m2). We have a good hoover and previously I hoovered then mopped the laminate once/ twice per week depending on need - I also swept in between.

As we will have laminate all downstairs, a much bigger space, I was wondering if a steam mop would be the way forward. I generally dislike mopping normally. Particularly the time it takes the floor to dry properly.

Are steam mops any good? Any specific recommendations?

LilElvis

Our whole house is a mix of wood, tile and stone so we have always had to combine hoovering with mopping. We've had a Vax Bare Floor Pro for over a year and its great. You can just use steam or fill the detergent tank too if there is anything particularly dried on, though we seldom need it. There might be a more advanced model available now. We bought ours from QVC not only because it was the cheapest at the time (lots of extra mop pads and detergent) but also as they offer a 30 day money back guarantee so that you can actually use it and return if it's not suitable (though there would be postage costs). Definitely been a great buy for us and its easy to use, light, quick to heat up and the floors take far less time to dry than with mopping. Mop pads just get chucked in the washing machine to clean them.

Vampgirl

Definitely recommend one if you have large floors needing mopping - I wouldn't go back to not having one. Do your research though and read the reviews - we've got one of these for our tiled hallway and large kitchen/diner (though I think we only paid £50 when it was on offer last year, and I seem to remember the reviews being better too!). The handle does feel a tad flimsy but its quick and easy to use and makes mopping the floors a 5 minute job. Whereas my Mum has one which she says is really awkward to use so she's not a fan and hardly uses it.

Mupette

I got a cheap one from Aldi a month or so ago, works a treat, makes husbands life that little bit easier when he does it

System

I love my steam mop

mrsHall2b

We have recently had laminate put down, the proper hard wearing stuff as we have children & my FiL brings his dog over every day and we have a cat. for the first few days I swept then mopped, but my girls (aged 2 &3) where slipping all over the place, falling over & hurting themselves.. so I bought a steam mop by hoover as it was reduced in argos and thought why not?!?
I am so glad I did, it also has a load of different attachments for it! at the same time as the laminate we bought all new furniture too, the heavy real wood type (in hindesite with young children it was a stupid idea but still..) and now I can use the steamer and it gets off crayon, chocolate, spilt drinks which have dried in, Ive used it to clean my oven with minimal effort (it does make your arm ache a little when the water tank is full..) I dont need to buy so many cleaning chemicals because I can give things a blast of hot steam and its done, wipe off with a towel and we are sorted, my floors feel lovely (they can get a tad sticky with young children around!) but after a quick sweep and a steam they are like new again.

I cant actually reccommend the steamer enough, I really do love it and it only takes minues to do our living room and hall way.

GwylimT

We have a vax steam mop for our floors and it is very good, we don't have any carpets so it has been used most days for the past two years.

Rambosmum

Thanks, I think the answer yes, buy one! Just need to decide which!

KxMx

It's totally better than a mop & bucket, but I find they leave more water on the floor, and usually dirty water too, so have to then mop up with a towel in places.

I'm talking about a double kitchen floor with a very heavy tile.

pinkshoes

I paid about £100 for the black and decker steam mop. It has lots of attachments, so really handy for doing windows, kids toys, and even steaming clean a mattress (!).

It does make light work of the floor, but having two dogs who love mud, I also find I need to mop the kitchen floor first, as otherwise I run out of clean mop pads!!

(really should buy some more pads - keep forgetting!)

hubblebubble99

I have the Shark steamer. It's expensive but you get what you pay for. Look out for sales, I paid £80 for mine. Leaves floors looking beautiful.