How to Ruin Your Steam Mop

What could be easier than using the best steam mops? Add a little water, plug them in, and turn it on. Unless you have a cordless steam mop, then you don’t even need to plug it in just turn it on and go. Once your steam mop is heated up, its time to go on a cleaning streak and sanitize some floors. Sounds to good to be true doesn’t it, well for the most part steam mops are super simple and easy to do. However there are some things you might want to avoid with your fancy new steam mop. We cover the intricate details of several steam mops in our steam mop reviews.

Time to learn what not do to do with your steam mop!

Bare Unsealed Wood Floors

Now don’t go believing those people who tell you steam mops are okay to use on any floor surface. Bare wood floors that haven’t been sealed are not okay for use with a steam mop. I know I know, you see all the reviews on amazon and articles on the net that say, “steam mops are safe to use on hardwood floors” or “I have been using my trusty steam mop on hardwood floors for years without any issues.” All of this may be true but I would hazard to guess that these folks don’t know what kind of hardwood floors they are actually cleaning with their steam mops.

Not all hardwood floors are created equal. Sealed hardwood floors are typical safe to use a steam mop on, unsealed hardwood floors are not, why you ask? Because the heat from your steam mop will actually cause your beautiful floors to warp and bend. That is not good at all. Be sure to check with your flooring manufacturer before going hog wild with your steam-cleaning machine, or just to be safe test a small area in the pantry or hallway first.

Delicate Fabrics

Remember the article where I told you you could use your steam mop to clean your sofa?? Well even though the best steam mops can be used for a variety of things, there are some fabrics you will won’t to shy away from. Yes you can steam mop your drapes or sofa, but make sure first that the fabric isn’t delicate and doesn’t contain or have lace, vintage linen, or leather. The heat from your steam mop could destroy these fabrics.

Waxed Floors

Here is the biggest no no of them all. Waxed floors. What happens when you melt the wax in a candle? It turns into a liquid. Now imagine that your floors had wax on them. If you heat them up with your steam mop, what is going to happen? Bingo hot wax all over your floor and your steam mop. Not only are you going to ruin your floors, but your precious steam mop will be ruined too. Stay away from waxed floors.

Keep Moving

Here is a simple tip for you before we are done with this article. When you focus extreme heat and steam on a single area for a long period of time, bad things can happen. So don’t stay in one spot for too long with your steam mop, keep moving. There is no extra benefit to keep your steam mop in one location for long periods of time, none, and so don’t do it. All of the bacteria will be killed instantaneously and your floors and house will be forever grateful.