Cleaning laminate floors with an ordinary mop isn’t the best way to remove grime and bacteria. It’s a lot of effort and leaves the surface coated with dirty water.
If you want floors that are clean and safe, steam mops are the way to go. Not only are they much quicker and a lot easier, but they also sanitize using hot steam. Not sure which one to choose? These are the 7 best options out there.
Why it’s great: If you’re looking for a straightforward steam mop at a lower price, this is probably your best bet. The brand name says it all: lightweight and easy to operate, you’ll love the affordable simplicity and quality.
A 200-foot cable allows for cleaning multiple rooms without needing to unplug. The manual pump gives you excellent control when it comes to steam output. It’s also compact, so it’s easy to store no matter the size of your cleaning closet.
Keep in mind: The mop head doesn’t swivel, so it can be tricky to get into really tight spaces.
Good for: Those on a budget and people who just need a great clean without frills or excessive features.
Why it’s great: If you’ve got kids, pets, or live an active lifestyle, you’re familiar with tough floor filth. Whether it’s mud or peanut butter, wet animal food or trail dust, you need a powerful ally when it comes to getting those floors clean again.
The Bissell Power Fresh Steam Mop has 3 modes to accommodate your specific needs and features a flip-down scrubbing mechanism to defeat your most persistent grime.
It’s a great choice if you’re also looking to deep clean grout and tile.
Keep in mind: It’s best to use the lowest steam setting for laminate floors if you’re not sure if they are sealed or waterproof to avoid damage.
Good for: High traffic areas that are prone to stains, spills, and dirt.
Why it’s great: This model features a 360 degree swivel head, making it super easy to reach every tough-to-reach spot in your home. That feature also makes it more ergonomic, reducing the need to twist your wrist or maneuver with your arm.
212-degree steam sanitizes 99.9% of germs, and the larger water tank allows for longer use than many competitors. It only takes about 20 seconds to heat up and be ready to go.
An included measuring cup makes filling the tank convenient and easy.
Keep in mind: This steam device does clean carpet if needed, but you’ll have to order that head attachment separately.
Good for: Spaces with a lot of corners and nooks, people who need a quick way to clean, and those on a budget.
Why it’s great: Shark is a trusted brand for home cleaning products, because their products deliver. This steam mop is no exception, with immediate steam that eliminates waiting for the mop to warm up.
The mop pads can be flipped for use on both sides, doubling the cleaning power of each one. Two mop pads are included, making it a great choice as-is for bigger surface areas without the need to purchase additional parts.
Keep in mind: The water tank isn’t detachable, so some consumers feel like that is inconvenient. It’s still easy to fill, and shouldn’t present too much of a problem if this product is right for you in other ways.
Good for: The extra-large water tank and 18 foot cord make it ideal for tackling large surface areas without needing to refill or unplug frequently.
Why it’s great: The PowerFresh Slim gets you the most versatility at a great price. It’s a steam mop for floors, but can clean an incredible variety of surfaces with the included attachments.
The tank detaches to become a handheld steamer, which can be converted for steaming clothing or scrubbing and sanitizing surfaces like furniture, upholstery, kitchen appliances, countertops, and bathrooms.
This is one of the few steam mop brands that makes fragrances waters available, made specifically for this product. Scents include eucalyptus mint and spring breeze, which can help freshen the smell of your home while you clean.
Keep in mind: All of the parts are located on the top part of this model, so it can become a little heavy with extended use. But that’s the feature that makes the Bissell PowerFresh Slim so versatile.
Good for: Cleaning pretty much anything anywhere in the home. There are hundreds of possibilities.
Why it’s great: This Shark model works a little differently, sending steam directly in front of the mop head for a wider reach. It’s really effective for tackling tough, sticky spills.
3 steam settings allow you to control output, and the mop heads are reversible (so you get double the cleaning power out of one pad). Users consistently praise the Shark Genius for the deep clean it provides, and are shocked at how much dirt it picks up.
Keep in mind: This one tends to use more water than other options, however, it provides an amazing clean and is easy to refill with the included cup.
Good for: Getting a deep clean, large spaces, high traffic areas and families with young children.
Why it’s great: If you’re looking for an economical product that can clean multiple ways throughout your house, this one’s for you. For the mid-range price point, you get a lot of bang for your buck.
Sure, you can steam clean and sanitize laminate floors. But in the event you also have carpet, the PurSteam ThermaPro does that too. You can also clean glass surfaces such as mirrors and tabletops, as well as steam wrinkles out of your favorite garments (possibly eliminating the need for professional garment cleaning services).
Keep in mind: This product isn’t stellar when it comes to the deep, porous grooves in grout and tile. But if you’re looking for a steam mop for laminate floors, this is an amazing and affordable option.
Good for: Fully laminate floored homes, sanitizing carpet, reducing wrinkles in clothing after washing or travel.
The LIGHT ‘N’ EASY 7618ANW is our overall top recommendation. It's the highest quality product we have found with the most affordable price making it the best value on our list..
Laminate floors are made of layers, including fiberboard, a moisture barrier, a wood-like image, and a few other materials like wood composite. The layers are topped with resin and sealed, which is called lamination. It looks like wood but can be more forgiving, durable, and affordable.
It’s important to consider features and your personal needs. If you’ll be using your steam mop just to clean flooring, you may not need to opt for a model with all the bells and whistles.
But if you’d like to get more out of your purchase, many great options can sanitize other surfaces too. When comparing prices, be sure to check whether or not the attachments you’ll need are included and take the added cost into account if you’ll need to buy them separately.
Steam mops use only water to produce hot steam that in most cases sanitizes floors 99% or more. That eliminates the need to use harsh chemicals or cleaning products that might be harmful to your loved ones’ health.
Additionally, steam mops are more effective when it comes to picking up dirt and grime, so your floors are as clean as they possibly can be. They’re easy to use, so you can clean more often in less time.
Most manufacturers do not recommend use on laminate flooring that’s older. You can always test out your steam mop on a small area that won’t be seen often, such as the space underneath furniture.
Never add chemicals like cleaners or bleach to the tank. Steam mops are only intended to use with water, and you could damage your unit or produce harmful fumes if you try anything else.
It’s a good idea to steer clear of the edges where your floor meets the wall, to avoid getting water under the surface. See the next section for best practices.
Make sure to fully sweep or vacuum floors to get loose particles off before you attempt to steam, just like you would if using a regular mop.
Steam mops are usually made to clean different types of flooring differently: you’ll most likely want to use the lowest steam setting to avoid damage or causing bubbles in your laminate floors.
That’s because too much steam could cause water to pool underneath the surface when water sits on the floor too long. A lower steam setting means it will dry more quickly and avoid such issues.
When water pools under your floor, it might cause mold and mildew. For this reason, always stay away from the edge of the floor where it meets the wall, as water could seep through the crack.
But always read what the manufacturer of your steam mop suggests, as they might have specific instructions. It’s also a good idea to review information about the specific type of laminate you have in your home and how to clean it safely.
There are so many perks when you upgrade to a steam mop.
First, most of them are really affordable, even at the higher end of the price range. Second, they save you time and reduce the amount of effort required to get your floors sparkling clean. As mentioned before, steam mops are more effective than chemical products and much safer for your health.
If you’re on the fence, go for it. You won’t regret the switch!
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