You see them every day on television.  The latest and greatest steam mop being advertised as better than the one you just saw on the previous commercial.  However, not all steam mops are built the same and the different features that are offered need to be known before you rush out and make a purchase.  Anyone can say that they have the top rated steam mops; however, knowing which one is right for you is what actually makes the best steam mop.

Steam mops are also known as hard floor steam cleaners.  Their purpose is to heat up water that is poured into the machine’s reservoir (similar to a clothes iron), and then emit steam on a cleaning head which is designed to glide across hardwood floors, tiles, and other hard surfaces.  The benefits of top rated steam mops is that they use less water than ordinary mops, they emit hot steam which can kill bacteria, and they are easier to use than an ordinary mop.

If you purchase the best steam mop, you can literally wipe out germs and bacteria from your floor.  Hard surfaces like to collect grit such as allergens, pet dander, and dust.  These are health hazards and can be dangerous to anyone who has allergies or asthma.  Having the best steam mop can help combat allergies, reduce unnecessary ware to your floor, and give your hard surface that overall new feeling.

Clean and/or Sanitize:

When looking for the best steam mop, you first need to decide what you are looking to accomplish.  There are two main things that the top rated steam mops can do for you; clean and/or sanitize. Steam mops have a reservoir tank for filling with water.  Some steam mops also have a location where you can put a cleaner or sanitizer.  It is important to note if the steam mop you are looking at cleans with water or sanitizes with cleaner.  This is important as you do not want to use a sanitizer on certain hard surfaces (e.g., hardwood floors) as it could ruin the finish.  That is why it is best to choose a steam mop that emits only steam if you are using it for hardwood; however, purchasing a steam mop that sanitizes is probably better if you plan to use it on tile such as in bathrooms or kitchens.

 Cleaning Head:

There are a few important things that you need to look for in a cleaning head.  The first is the size. If you are going to be using your steam mop in a large area, it is a good idea to purchase a steam mop with a larger cleaning head.

If you have many corners or tight spaces in your house, make sure that the cleaning head on your cleaner swivels.  This will make it easier for you to get at hard to reach places such as under furniture and around corners.

Finally, decide how many sides you want on your cleaning head.  Some top rated steam mops come with a cleaning head that is only one sided while others come with a dual side cleaning head that will allow you to flip it over when one side becomes dirty.  This saves you time as you do not have to change the pad on the cleaning head as often.

Floor Types:

You will want to know what type of floor you plan to use your steam mop on before you make your purchase.  This is because some steam mops will actually tell you not to use them on specific surfaces.  This is mainly for hardwood floors as certain hardwood floors will not stand up to steam cleaners.  While most steam cleaners will work on hardwood floors, you can ruin hardwood floors if they are not “sealed” hardwood as the moisture from even the best steam mop will warp the wood.

Some of the top rated steam mops also come with an attachment that allows you to use them on carpet.  This is a great additional feature for those who want to sanitize their carpet with steam instead of using an industrial size carpet shampooer.

Warm Up Time:

As you are putting room temperature water in the steam mop reservoir, it will take time to heat up to a temperature that produces steam.  Some steam mops take longer to heat up than others.  If it is important that your steam mop comes to temperature quickly, make sure that this is a feature of the steam mop that you choose.

Things To Keep In Mind:

Steam mops are not designed to clean up large messes.  They are designed to clean up stuck on dirt, dust, and allergens.  As such, you will be disappointed if you attempt to clean up the bottle of wine that you just spilled on the floor.  You will need to wipe up the majority of the mess with paper towels before you use the steam cleaner.

Cleaning heads are removable and you will need to clean them regularly in the washing machine.  If not, they will simply spread dirt over your floor when you go to use your steam mop.  A clean cleaning head is important to make the steam mop work at the optimal level.  If your steamer does not come with two cleaning heads, it is advised that you purchase an extra one so that you do not have to wait for the first one to be cleaned before finishing your floors.

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