August 20, 2019October 22, 2019 Jamie Price

The Best Hardwood Floor Steamer / Cleaner 2020

steamers

Hardwood flooring is extremely popular among homeowners because of it’s durability and appealing looks. However, like any kind of flooring, hardwood is prone to accumulating dust, dirt & grime that a light hardwood broom or “Swiffer” isn’t going to clean.  This is where steam cleaning with a quality hardwood floor steamer does the best job. The best hardwood floor cleaners are known to be environment-friendly since they generally don’t use any harsh chemicals in the cleaning process.  They use steam to pull the dirt from your floors, leaving a beautiful shine that makes floors look new again.

Before purchasing a steam cleaner, you should be familiar with the three types of  cleaners on the market.  It is divided into mop, handheld and cylinder steamers. Handheld steam cleaners are very portable. You can store them easily and use it on small flooring areas. On the other hand, mops generally have long handles and usually upright. These are utilized in cleaning larger floors. Lastly is the cylinder type. In fact, this is the heaviest among the three.  It carries more water, which is why you don’t need to refill them every now and then. Through the combination of hose attachments and nozzle, you may use it as often as you want in steam cleaning different surfaces such as hardwood floors & even tile flooring.

Hardwood Floor Steamer Comparison Table

• A good steamer for hardwood must be safe on the wood surface

• Models with replaceable pads are a preferred option

• Find a model with multiple levels steam & heat controls

• Steamer / vacuum combos are a bonus but carry a higher price tag

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Which Hardwood Flooring Steamer Is Right For Your Home?

There’s a lot of different styles and steam cleaner options available, but the following are among my top steamer recommendations:

#1 Bissell Symphony Steam Mop / Vacuum

If you’re looking for a professional grade floor model that not only sanitizes your floors without chemicals, but also vacuums debris at the same time, the Bissell Symphony steam mop/vacuum is the perfect model for you. The easy touch digital controls make switching between vacuum and steaming functions a breeze and like the Shark Genius model above, this Bissell has a quick release feature for the mop head, so you never have to touch dirty mop pads again.  Perfect for small or large hard floor areas, the Bissell Symphony is an amazing steam cleaner that will have you enjoying your barefoot ready floors again.

Great features of the Bissell Symphony Steam Mop 1132A:

• High & Low Steam Control
• Adjustable Handle
• Steam mop + cyclonic vacuum
• 2 year limited warranty
• Easy touch controls
• 4 microfiber mop pads
• No chemicals
• Quick release mop pad tray
• 99.9% germ elimination
• 11″ floor path width

This steamer also cleans very nicely ceramic tile and bamboo floor. If floors are heavily soiled, there may be some streaking, but go over them again and they’re sure to come out shiny. This steam mop is a real money saver.

Here’s what one of the owners had to say about this Bissell Steam Cleaner:

Nothing would clean your floor better than good old Cinderella-style scrubbing. But considering that I have around 1800 square feet of hard flooring, 3 kids, and four dogs – my knees just can’t take that kind of action cleaning something that is just going to be puked on, spilled on, or smeared with banana in a matter of minutes. I have some experience with all the other leading brands of hard floor cleaners, and this one is really the simplest to use and completes a decent enough job that it’s a regular in my household cleaning routine.

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#2 Shark Genius Steam Pocket Mop System

The Shark Genius Steam Pocket mop is one of the latest, next generation solid surface steamers on the market that’s great for nearly all solid surfaces that may need cleaning in your home.  What I really like about this particular model is that it’s packed with some nifty features.  The dirt grip pads really grab stuck on dirt and grime on hardwood floors and tile.  The touch free technology feature let’s you release the dirty pad from the mop without having to physically touch the pad.  Simply press the release button and the pad falls away so you can insert a new one.  No more getting your hands dirty trying to replace that scummy mop pad.  LOVE THIS!.  The dual sided dirt grip pads are washable, so you can use them over and over again.

The direct steam channeling system puts the moist air right on the stains, making it super easy to pull them up without having to scrub back and forth.  There are three settings as well, which let you dial in the amount of heated air you want to use for the surface you’re cleaning.

The great part about using steam to sanitize your floors is that it can remove up to 99% of bacteria and it won’t leave any residual chemicals behind.

The steamer works with ease, it glides on the hard floor with ease and with little effort. The micro pad is probably the reason for this. The adjustable handle helps in area where space is limited and the mop going side to side instead of forward and backward motions can be used.

Great features of the Shark Genius Steam Mop:

• Clean and sanitize* sealed hard floors with washable, dual-sided Dirt Grip pads
• Touch-Free Technology: never touch a dirty pad again
• Steam Blaster attacks tough, greasy, stuck-on messes
• 3-setting Intelligent Steam Control lets you customize the amount of steam for each cleaning task

In case of kids, and animals at home dropping food and then eating it off the floor, there’s no worry about chemicals with this cleaner. The steam pads are super easy to clean and reuse.

Here’s what one of the owners had to say about the Shark Genius Steam Mop:

I’ve been absolutely delighted with how well the steam mop has worked getting my floors clean. We have kitchen tile that is moderately textured and this mop cleaned the low areas much better than wet mopping did. Also, I also love the touch free feature so I don’t have to touch the nasty pads with my hands.  (Roamingator)

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#3 Hoover FloorMate SteamScrub 2-in-1 Hard Floor Steamer

I was just recently offered the chance to check out the brand-new Hoover Floor Mate SteamScrub  2-IN-1. This steam mop has the ability to not just steam tidy both wood floors and carpet however it has the ability to deal with other family surface areas to get rid of persistent and set-in discolorations and even sterilizes. This is all due to the fact that of Hoover’s SteamStream ™ Innovation.

• Sterilizes, Eliminates & eliminates 99.9% of hazardous germs on sealed hard floors
• Steam stream innovation supplies a direct steam spray for hard discolorations while the scrub brush enclosed in the foot cuts through the heaviest discolorations
• Twin tank innovation separates tidy water and service tanks to provide you the alternative to clean up with or without option
• Removable cleaner lets you steam anywhere with hand-held benefit
• Steam tool set consists of 12 tools and Devices to steam tidy whatever with ease

Included Features

• Steam Port + Tube
• XS & XL Plastic Brush
• Steel Wire Brush
• Grout Brush
• Tough Surface Area Squeegee
• Upholstery Fabric
• Angled Crevice Tool
• Steam & Scrape Tool
• Carpet Glider
• 2 Mop Pads
• Tool Storage Bag

Overall Thoughts

Given that I do have 2 young kids that like to do things like make huge messes all over the floors it is essential that floors are tidy and devoid of germs, mold, mildew, and other hazardous products. Utilizing the FloorMate SteamScrub  2-IN-1 will eliminate 99% of damaging germs on sealed hard floorings, simply something less to fret about! With Twin Tank Innovation, the maker separates tidy water from the service, offering you the choice to clean up with or without option.

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#4 Euro-Pro Shark S3501N Deluxe Steam Pocket Mop

A powerful weapon against ground-in dirt, dust, and dried spills, it also kills harmful germs including e-coli, then leaves the floor virtually dry behind it. 2 Interchangeable steam mop heads are included, the standard and triangle heads. Also included, the carpet glider to refresh and deodorize area rugs and carpeting and 5 patented two-sided steam pockets. Additional features include an extra-large 15-ounce water tank, a long 30-foot power cord, and a deodorizing carpet glider. This may be perhaps the best floor steam cleaner available.

These steam cleaners are available on Amazon at over 42% off retail price!

Pros; good size water tank, long cord, two sided mop head, price , extendable handle for different heights, no chemicals when cleaning, weight
Cons – if you extend handle all the way it is a bit flimsy so if you are 5’8″ or taller you will want to watch this.

Here are some great features of the Euro-Pro Shark Steam Mop:

• Lightweight steam mop cleans and sanitizes all sealed hard floor surfaces
• Ready in 30 seconds; releases steam with push-forward motion of mopping; leaves floors virtually dry
• Includes 2 interchangeable mop heads and 4 washable microfiber cleaning pads
• Carpet glider attachment also included
• Measures 7 inches by 13 inches by 51-1/2 inches; 1-year limited warranty

This Shark Steam Mop is a lot better than the first model made by shark. After cleaning, there is no film left behind. For the price this mop does its job easily and effectively while not breaking the bank. It’s certainly a choice to consider for your household and your home.

Here’s what one of the owners had to say about Shark Steam Mop:

The steam evaporates leaving no streaks behind. I use no chemicals and leave no chemical residue behind–very important to me as I have 4 very young children, including a crawler. A lot of thought was put into this item With the x-long cord, I only have to plug it in once so I don’t have to lug the transformer all over my house. This is the best my floors have ever looked. (G&B Mom)

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#5 SteamFast SF-275 Multi-Purpose Handheld Steam Cleaner

It offers a new way of paying due respect to your floors, fabrics, and more. It is a compact steam cleaner that also converts from upright floor steam-mop to a handheld steam cleaner, fabric steamer and window/mirror squeegee very quickly.

Pros –  especially suitable for cleaning kitchen and bathroom floors, highest level of operation is pretty powerful and effective, cleans tiles perfectly, by removing the long handle it functions great as a handheld steamer.

Cons – the pads that come with it are thin, but old thick towels will work great and help to get into the grout lines and seams in floors. The cord’s holder on the handle should hold cord in place very well, so that the cord would much harder come out and get in your way.

Here are some great features of this multi-purpose and hand held steamer:

• Lightweight, and easy to use, portable
• Cleans with steam and sanitize floors effectively and quickly
• Works great with tile, marble, ceramic, vinyl, and sealed hardwood
• Water tank is continuous-fill. No need to put power off – just refill and keep the steam flowing
• 30 seconds needed for the steam cleaner to heat up
• 3 basic modes of operation – convert quickly from steam mop to fabric steamer, to a handheld steam cleaner and window squeegee
• You can adjusts steam for a variety of floor surfaces – from marble to hardwood , and more
• It works as natural as possible and disinfects without harsh chemicals
• Allows hands-free and continuous steam – no need for manual triggering in order to pump, or pressing button

I use the machine on low and still wipe up excess moisture with a towel at times, but all in all, this mop does a really good job without costing a fortune. The fact that it converts to a hand-held steamer and a clothing steamer makes it an even better buy. It would be a good thing if this cleaner came with a glide attachment to make it easy to use on carpeting; some steam mops do.

Here’s what another owner had to say about SteamFast Steam Cleaner:

My sister-in-law recommended Haan steam mop, but I leaned towards Steamfast. I took the plunge and ordered it. Like some of the other people stated, we had some problems getting the handle to extend but my husband finally used his pipe wrench and got it loosened up enough to extend the handle to full length. I then used it for cleaning the kitchen floors and it ended up looking and feeling nice and clean. Had no problem with using and to storing it afterward. I even found the hissing sound of the air coming out somehow relaxing.

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Steam Cleaner Buyers Guide

When іt comes to steam cleaning, one of the moѕt effective machines to consider іѕ a steam cleaner. However, one misconception many users fall prey to іѕ that аnу cleaner wіll ensure a thorough cleaning job. Thіѕ isn’t completely true – while steam cleaners themselves аrе ехсеƖƖеnt cleaning tools, they come іn many different models wіth a range of different features. Some machines mіght not bе the best option for сеrtаіn surfaces. It’s best to know a ƖіttƖе bit аbout these machines before deciding on one for your cleaning project.

What Iѕ A Steam Cleaner?

First of аƖƖ, іt’s іmportаnt to understand what mаkеѕ these cleaners different from other steam cleaning machines. Steam cleaners use the power of high temperatures аnԁ super-heated water іn order to lift off tough deposits аnԁ stains from surfaces. Unlike pressure washers, which uѕе high pressure to blast dirt off the surfaces, steam cleaners remove dirt bу dissolving them, mаkіng tough sedimentation аnԁ stains much easier to remove. However, ѕіnсе very high temperatures аrе used, these  cleaners аrе not recommended for cleaning surfaces Ɩіkе soft plastic or аnу other surface that could bе ԁаmaged by high heat

Thе steam used іn these machines іѕ аƖѕo known аѕ dry vapor. Thіѕ іѕ very effective іn removing a range of deposits Ɩіkе dirt, food residues, oil or grime deposits. Thеѕе machines аrе аƖѕo a grеаt tool for spot-cleaning carpets or upholstery. Sіnсе the high temperatures аnԁ dry vapor аrе such powerful steam cleaning tools, steam cleaners аrе аƖѕo effective ways to sanitize аnԁ disinfect surfaces. Depending on your steam cleaning needs, there іѕ a range of different  units to сhooѕе from.

Bіg or Small

These steam cleaners саn bе used for domestic, commercial, аnԁ industrial applications. Industrial steam cleaners need to reach temperatures of up to 360°F аnԁ pressure levels of up to 150 psi. Thеѕе аrе the ideal pressure аnԁ temperature levels for rugged cleaning jobs. Apart from that, commercial steam cleaners ѕhouƖԁ bе versatile аnԁ flexible enough to deal wіth different consumer needs. For instance, these machines ѕhouƖԁ bе equipped to allow continuous uѕе through direct water feed or a refill chamber.

When opting for steam cleaners, іt’s іmportаnt to look for units that have specialized technologies that wіll protect the boiler from calcium аnԁ scale build up. You shouldn’t have to uѕе harmful chemicals to gеt rid of these kinds of build-up, ѕіnсе they саn weaken аnԁ corrode the components of the machine.

Thеѕе steam machines generally don’t require the uѕе of cleaning agents but іf you ԁo сhooѕе to uѕе one, mаkе sure you opt for green chemicals, which won’t harm the environment or your floor. However, іt’s best to go for units that hаave technology which саn kіƖƖ moѕt bacteria аnԁ molds. It’s аƖѕo a good іԁеа to opt for machines that саn filter out allergens аnԁ other elements from the water.

Given the many different kinds of steam cleaners that аrе out there, іt’s best to know which machine wіƖƖ best suit your individual cleaning needs.

Other good floor cleaning options:

Shark Light & Easy Steam Mop (S3501)

If you want something light to use, then Shark Light & Easy Steam Mop (S3101) is the perfect steam cleaner you are looking for. This is not just an ordinary steam cleaner since it doesn’t need any kind of bucket or mop. Plus, you are rest assured that it will virtually leave your hardwood floor dry.  Read Details & Reviews

Hoover FloorMate SteamScrub 2-in-1 Hard Floor Steamer, WH20440PC

What makes it different? The answer is simple.  It uses Hoover Disinfectant Solution so it can kill right away bacteria and other harmful microorganisms, which can cause health problems in your family.  It has also this so-called two tank system which allows cleaning through steam alone or disinfectant solution by means of pressing a button. Its tank can be also removed which makes filling as well as cleaning much easier than you could imagine. Read Details & Reviews