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Rid your floors of dirt and grime while killing germs. Cleaner Vacuum
Steam mops used to be a secret weapon in the hotel industry — so many bathroom and kitchenette floors to speedily sanitize between guests! But now they've hit the mainstream as the top mop for avoiding chemicals while still getting sparkling clean results at home. These electric mops make buckets, floor cleaning products and hands-and-knees scrubbing obsolete, using gentle billows and targeted bursts of steam to dissolve grime, remove stuck-on deposits and even kill bacteria to sanitize with just water.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we've tested dozens of steam mops, putting them through our standardized battery of tests. Steam mops can sanitize germy areas like bathrooms and pet spaces in a way that other floor cleaners like vacuum cleaners, regular mops, robot mops and hardwood floor cleaners just can’t, and we had to see for ourselves. Many also convert to handheld tools to tackle moldy grout, greasy grill grates, car interiors, dirty windows and even wrinkled fabrics, so we checked those features, too.
At the end of this article, you'll find more information on how we test steam mops, which of these movers and shakers work best for which floor surfaces and whether you should invest in one.
Reliable's irons are known for billowing out lots of steam in GH Cleaning Lab tests, so it makes sense that the brand's steam mops perform well, too. And they do! This model's triangular swivel head makes it especially well-suited to cleaning in corners, and it even comes with a scrubber brush to plow through stuck-on messes and clean dirty tile grout better than steam alone can do.
We like that the package includes four microfiber pads so a clean one is always at the ready. It also comes with a glide that snaps onto the head for freshening carpets. The slim design and large handle make it easy to carry up and down stairs and the on-demand steam button is easy to access. You'll barely lift a finger.
This updated version of Shark's original steam mop is a great starter model for new homeowners or anyone who wants to spend less for cleaner floors. Amazon reviewers loved the super-easy set-up, too — just snap the pole and top handle into place and fill the tank to use. The water tank is removable for easy filling at the sink, and the steam is dispensed on demand via the button on the handle.
This steamer locks in the upright position for easy storage — unlike some others that annoyingly fall over — and the 18-foot cord means no corner is out of reach. Our tests on the original Shark steam mop proved it to be a good, easy-to-use mop at a reasonable price. We haven't tested this specific model, but based on the improvements we've noted, we expect it to be even better.
With a 4.6-star Amazon rating, this Bissell is a hit with online reviewers. We like its slim body design for streamlined storage and large cleaning head to cover more ground with each pass. And tough stuck-on dirt is easy to tackle with the all-in-one SpotBoost scrub brush: Simply step down on the foot pedal to remove the steamer from the head revealing the SpotBoost brush underneath. Yes, other steamers have scrub brushes included, but we like that you don't have to swap attachments here, especially when cleaning grout.
For added freshness, this model comes with fragrance discs. Slip them into the head or microfiber pad to add a subtle, yet noticeable scent to your room. In our testing, a previous model Bissell Lift-Off steam mop earned a good cleaning score and a very good steaming performance score.
If you're looking for one appliance to both vacuum and steam clean your floors, the Bissell Symphony Pet is the one for you. Use it as a vacuum for dry debris like pet hair, as a steam mop to wet clean and sanitize or as both at the same time. And because dry pickup stays separate from the wet dispensing, there's no mess inside the machine.
The dust cup is super easy to empty without getting your hands dirty and in our GH Cleaning Lab tests, the Bissell was easy to use and maneuver and we found it lightweight and comfortable to hold. We especially like that it comes with both reusable microfiber pads and disposable pads for cleaning up super icky messes. As a nice bonus, it also has multiple levels of on-demand steam.
If you like the idea of using steam to clean more than just your floors, this Black + Decker is up to the job. Simply pop off the attached handheld steamer unit and use it to steam clean the grill, kitchen surfaces, appliances, shower walls, doors and grout and even glass with its squeegee attachment.
In our tests, we found it easy to use and compared its maneuverability to the latest stick vacuums. We especially liked the fingertip controls that were easy to access and the soft-grip handle that made it comfortable to hold. It did an impressive job removing stubborn shoe scuffs from our ceramic tile and vinyl lab flooring, and the extension pole works for both tall and short users. And we've never seen a steamer with a mini mop head for counters and tiled walls. Genius!
Well-made and built to handle tough jobs, the Euroflex has a built-in boiler to produce hot, dry and pressurized steam for heavy-duty cleaning jobs. Remove the two wands and it converts into an easy-to-carry handheld steamer for cleaning grills, grout and more.
In our tests, we found it cleaned very well and the front steam jets gave it a head start dissolving stuck-on soils. Because the steam is drier than with non-boiler models, floors dried quickly, too. The heated bottom plate boosts cleaning power, and the controls on the handle can be set for continuous or on-demand steam output. The parking pad is a great place to rest the steamer while it cools, and it comes with a bevy of useful attachments.
We found the Dupray Neat Steamer very intuitive to use and the attachments were easy to put on and take off. We like its modern design that's, dare we say, fun to use, and its built-in, retractable carry handle. And at just 9 pounds, we found it manageable to tote around, even once filled with water.
The tank holds 54 ounces and gave us an impressive 53 minutes of steaming time in our tests. It did a great job cleaning grout and even removing crayon and ink stains from a ceramic tile floor and a quartz countertop. Some online reviewers don’t like that the hose is not detachable which makes it a bit more challenging to store.
When we test steam mops in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we allow stubborn stains to set and dry for 14 hours, then pass the mops across them until the stains are clean or we reach a maximum of 30 strokes, whichever comes first. In our last test of 17 steam mops, that added up to over 1,000 forward and backward mopping strokes! Since then, we’ve tested new and newly introduced steam mops from four brands.
We base our tests on industry-standard protocols established by ASTM International, an industry group of appliance engineers and technical experts. For steam mops, we time how quickly they heat up, measure how much steam they produce and assess how thoroughly they remove dried-on sticky foods and beverages like orange juice, cola and spaghetti sauce, and greasy messes like salad oil, along with regular dust and dirt, from ceramic tile and vinyl test floors. We time how quickly the floors dry and how easy the mops are to fill, use, clean and store.
Instead of traditional chemical cleaners, steam mops turn plain water into hot steam to dissolve grime, remove tough, dried-on stains and zap everyday dust and dirt with the help of washable, reusable microfiber pads, so there's nothing to toss. We launder the reusable pads multiple times to gauge durability and we check extra parts, like brushes or attachments. Any special features, like scrubbing brushes or handheld attachments, are also evaluated.
In our tests, we've found they do a great job deep cleaning certain types of floors without cleaning products, a lot of work or a big mess. When you shop, be aware of your steaming options:
✔️ On-demand steam mops have a trigger or button that dispenses steam on cue. These require a bit more effort, but it is nice to have some control over the steam output and to be able to give an extra burst of steam when you come across a stubborn stain or scuff.
✔️ Continuous steam mops keep pumping steam. These require less effort but may require extra passes on particularly grimy spots.
✔️ Adjustable steam mops offer low, medium and high steam levels to suit the cleaning job at hand.
A steam mop has more power than a regular mop and could be a dream helper in a busy household with lots of foot traffic, where you wash floors often. It can streamline your routine and save you from having to buy bottle after bottle of floor cleaner. If you just want to cut down or eliminate some products in your home, switching to a steam mop is an easy fix.
Unlike just about every other type of floor mop, steam mops reach temperatures high enough to kill germs and bacteria on hard surfaces. Just pass them slowly over areas to sanitize — for 20 seconds or 15 passes — so the steam has time to do its job. The powered mops can also provide a deeper clean in rooms where kids or pets play and lie on the floors. Because the steam kills germs, you gain peace of mind.
A steam mop is an all-in-one system. No cleaners to store or heavy buckets to fill and empty. Steam mops have a reusable microfiber pad or disposable cloth attached to the head that helps disperse the steam. As the steam penetrates and softens grime, the pad picks it up and traps it. Then you either toss the cloth or wash the pad, so these mops are neater and easier to store than messy, drippy string or sponge mops.
It may be, especially if you want to clean without chemicals. But consider these factors:
✔️ The type of floor you're cleaning. Steam mops are generally safe to use on sheet vinyl, ceramic and porcelain tile floors, but it is always a good idea to check with your flooring brand to be sure using steam won't void your floor's warranty. (Do not use on peeling or glued vinyl tile.) And keep in mind that most steam mops alone likely won't whiten dirty or stained grout lines. You'll need a powerful steam blast or a brush or scrubber for that. ✔️ The mop's design. Look for removable, easy-to-fill water tanks with large openings, a swivel head to more capably navigate around corners and table legs, a low profile design to maneuver under cabinet toe-kicks and low furniture, an extra-long cord for extended reach and multiple cleaning pads so you always have a fresh one. ✔️ The power cord and outlet required. To heat to the high temperatures needed to produce steam clean and sanitize, these mops need a cord and electricity. Don't be fooled by online reviews that claim to compare cordless steam mops: Once you read them, you'll find out that cordless mops don't produce steam and steam mops all have cords.
Even though mop manufacturers claim it is safe, we do not recommend using steam mops on wood and laminate floors, even on the lowest steam settings. Few wood floors are completely sealed and in the pristine condition needed to keep the steam from penetrating the finish and warping the wood. Never use a steam mop on waxed or unfinished wood floors.
After spending more than 20 years on the ASTM vacuum cleaner committee, Carolyn Forté is a floor cleaning expert. She heads up Good Housekeeping's Cleaning Lab and has tested and written about every type of floor-cleaning appliance imaginable, including steam mops. And she practices what she preaches. All she uses to clean the vinyl and ceramic tile floors in her home is steam (and she never lets it get near her hardwood floors).
Alice Garbarini Hurley most recently updated this article. She has written about homes, house cleaning and interior design for decades.
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
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