Steam mop on wooden floor?

Hoploz

Does anyone use a steam mop for wooden floor?

Just been looking at a Shark one in Costco with a washable pad on the end of a stick and wondering if it's a good idea.

Do they produce much wetness? I've never used a steam cleaner before and don't know whether it all evaporates as it's steam, or whether it's not much different to using a damp mop which I do now but not often as I don't want to damage the floor!

Thanks.

Drachenfach

I don't think it's a great idea.


My steam mop does not leave a lot of wetness on the floor after use, but it's jetting steam out constantly. I think it's the heat and pressure that do the damage and can strip off the wax and polish.


It certainly trashed my laminate flooring as the steam got into the joints and made it swell (but as the initial damage was caused by repeated doggy accidents, I could live with the damaged flooring so long as it didn't stink of incontinent setter)

ST1991

I have one, and can confirm it does get 'wetter' the longer it is in use. The microfibre pad on the end absorbs a lot of the steam so you are pushing around a damp cloth.
I've gone from room to room with it before, and by the time i get to the bathroom last (tiled) it is soaking. That was in our pokey 2 bedroom flat, and only involved the living room, hallway and bathroom...

Don't think it is good on laminate floors, we have used on solid wood before which was OK.

Maybe ours is not up to par with more expensive steamer (although it is a vax) but i wouldn't use mine on laminate for the reason Drachenfach stated above.

Ruski

Two things that wood hate: moisture and heat

Draw your own conclusions

HTH

Russ

Hoploz

Just fed up of getting on my hands and knees with damp cloth.
I don't use a mop as its too wet.
It's a huge area about 10m by 10m
Really need to find a better way

Silvertabby

A well wrung out micro fibre mop with a long handle? Have look at Lakeland Limited.

moonpenny

I have laminate wood flooring in the kitchen and after buying different sorts of mops settled of one of those with a squirt bottle on the front where you press a lever.

It has a removable pad on the bottom that I wash after every use.

The one I bought was Wilco own make £15 and I think it's great. The Vileda looks good too.

Like you, I was on my hands and knees but this is so easy and squirts only as much water as you need.

Mr.Generous

We use a steam mop on a real wood floor, it cleans it excellently and quickly. No damage after 3 years cleaned once a week. On laminate with joints unless its an "Aqualock" type ie waterproof I'd say no. If the laminate is ok in bathrooms and kitchens then yes, we also use steam mop in kitchen and 1 bathroom with laminate and on a couple of tiled floors. We wash the pads every week and just re use. Also steam mop is helpful when cleaning the oven.

Hoploz

Right I've taken the plunge and bought a spray mop from Dunelm. I had no idea these existed! Going to put my Method wood cleaner in it to squirt. Bought extra cloth bits so i can change them as i go along then bung them all in washing machine. Just waiting for the kids to go back to school to give it a try.

Is it wrong to be so excited about a new mop?!?

thebaldwindowfitter

We have used a steam mop now for over 4 years on our solid wood floor and have had no problems

Hoploz

New spray mop tried today - what a great invention!

Three mop head cloths got covered in dirt before I got round the whole downstairs today but that's because it's the first proper clean it's had. Round two tomorrow!

Hallway smelling lovely from the Method wood cleaner ... although the cat doesn't seem to like it much. Think she was a bit scared of the mop squirting too close to her!

Thanks for the input peeps, no steam mop for me for the moment.