How to Use a Steam Mop

Back in the days, it was such a task to get done with the cleaning, especially when it came to Mopping. The hard manual labour it took just to get the Mopping done around the house was surely a daunting task.

From dragging the bucket of water around the house to wringing the head of the Mop and from there on scrubbing the floors, just the thought of it would make us want to be thankful for the invention of Steam Mops.

Steam Mops are household appliances that are meant to make cleaning a hassle-free chore for you. Not only are they convenient, but they also help in sanitizing the place around. Steam Mops generally use a cleaning pad and lots of Steam to help loosen stubborn dust spots so you don’t miss a spot.

These Mops are made to provide you convenience while cleaning the floors efficiently. However, never having to own one before can make your purchase quite intimidating. To be honest, it can easily come as a foreign object that you may think you cannot operate with ease.

There may have been certain questions that you may have had struggle answering them. Therefore, we have prepared this guide for you. Continue reading ahead to know how to use Steam Mops in this step by step guide for you and more.

How To Use A Steam Mop?

First Step – Fill the water tank

You can fill the water tank by using the funnel and the measuring cup. It is preferred that you pour fresh distilled water into the tank.

Avoid overfilling the Steam Mop. Once the water tank is filled properly, place the cap, and secure it tightly.

Second Step – Plug-In Your Steam Mop

Once done with the first step, the second step would be plugging the cord to a 120-volt common household switch. Turn on the Steam Mop and wait for 30 seconds or 1 minute. This will allow the Mop to heat the water.

Third Step – Pump The Lever As You Mop

Now, use the Steam Mop to Mop the floor. All you need to do is pump the lever situated on the handle of the Mop. This will allow the cleaning pad to become damp, enabling you to Mop the floor smoothly.

For best result, move your Steam Mop in back and forth motion.

Fourth Step – Unplug And Put The Mop Away

While Mopping the floor, pump the lever to generate more Steam as needed. Towards the end of your task, it is preferred that you Mop until the water tank empties.

Once done with Mopping, unplug and collect the cord together. Remove the wet cleaning pad from the Steam Mop and put it away for cleaning.

You can reuse the cleaning pads next time you use your Steam Mop.

General Instructions On How Should You Clean Floors Using A Steam Mop?

1)     Sweep Before Using The Mop

This may be a bit of a traditional thing to do before getting started with Mopping. It not only helps get rid of dust and other particles from the ground, but it also helps in preventing the Mop or Mop pads from getting dirty.

Once the surface is nicely swept, it’s time for your Steam Mop to get into action.

2)     Have Extra Mopping Pads Ready

While Mopping using Steam Mops, you might find dirt smearing around the floor if you use the same old Mopping pad. Therefore, it is recommended that you keep a few extra Mopping pads ready, just in case.

These cleaning pads are available easily and come quite in handy. What’s best about them is that they are reusable. All you need to do is put all the previously used cleaning pads in the washer and hang them dry.

3)     Steam The Floor Away

Once the Steam Mop is ready according to the instructions provided in the user manual, you are good to go. However, here are some of the things you should be mindful of while Steam cleaning the floor.

• You need to keep moving while Steam Mopping the floor. You cannot stay idle or at a particular spot for a long time.
• If the dirt builds up on the Mopping pad then you might want to change it. This will help you to avoid smearing the dirt around the floor.
• For through cleaning, you can hover your Steam Mop multiple times over the entire floor.

4)     Clean The Used Mopping Pads

Cleaning the Mopping pads is one of the easiest things to do. You can clean them using your washing machine or while you’re doing your laundry.

Generally, no specific cleaning instructions come along with the Mopping pads. However, just in case, we recommend you to read the manual.

Can You Use Steam Mop On All Kinds Of Floor?

Steam Mop can be used on a variety of surfaces but not all of them. The Mop works best on sealed floors. Linoleum, tiles, and ceramic are the perfect examples of sealed floors.

Sealed floors contain properties that protect them from absorbing excess moisture, therefore, the Steam does not damage the surface. However, unsealed floors like surfaces made out of hardwood end up getting damaged. The Steam can make the wood weak and swell, often resulting in discolouration.

In case you aren’t sure if the surface of your floor is sealed or not, what you can do is conduct a water test. All you need to do is pour water on a small area and observe. If the water gets absorbed then it means the surface is unsealed and Steam Mop should not be used.

Can Steam Mop Clean Carpet Or Other Fabrics?

Although, Steam Mops clean surfaces exceptionally well, however, they shouldn’t be considered as proper fabric or carpet cleaners. A Steam Mop can only help in removing certain stains on the carpet. While a proper carpet cleaner not only removes dirt but also washes the carpet.

Certain multi-purpose Steam Mops come along with the carpet glider. This attachment replaces the Mop head, making it easy for you to clean your carpets.

To make sure if your Steam Mop is suitable for cleaning carpet or other fabric, refer to the user manual that came along with your appliance.

How Often Should You Clean Your Floor Using The Steam Mop?

This honestly depends on household to household. Some people use Steam Mop once a week, while others prefer to Mop twice or thrice a week.

The answer to this question comes down to the fact, that is, how active is your family? If 3-4 family members are quite inactive then you may need to use Steam Mop once a week.

However, If your household is all about the outdoor activity then you just may need to use the Mop quite frequently during the week.

Tips To Use The Steam Mop

Different Steam Mops comes with different features. They may differ in size, specifications, shapes, durability, attachment parts, and their ability to perform. What matters the most is how well you take care of and handle your appliances.

Here are certain tips and practices you can adhere to while cleaning floors with Steam Mop.

Avoid Leaving Water In The Water Tank

After every use, make sure to leave the water tank empty and dry before putting it away.

Do Not Use On Heavily Soiled Floor

You may want to use the traditional way of cleaning the floor before you use the Steam Mop if your floor is heavily soiled. If you choose to use Steam Mop to remove those heavy stains, then chances are that you’d end up making more of a mess than before.

Avoid Using Mineral Water

If the mineral water you pour into the water tank high in mineral content then it may leave a mineral deposit in the machine. Mineral deposits are harmful to electric appliances. Therefore, it is recommended that you use distilled water.

Remove The Unit From Electrical Receptacle

Often people forget to unplug their appliances after use. This can result in damaging the Steam Mop.

Another important thing to be mindful of is to never fill the water tank while the Mop is connected with the electrical receptacle. Always remember to turn it off to avoid mishaps.

Never Leave A Steam Mop Unattended

Steam Mop left unattended for long can damage your floor. If an urgent matter requires your attention, remember to turn off the Mop, unplug it, and put it aside.

Conclusion

Steam Mops are not so bad once you get the hang of using them. Not only does the Steam Mop kill germs, but it also has the ability to sanitize the floors of your home thoroughly.

If you are a person who does not compromise on the cleanliness of your house, then Steam Mop just might be what you’ve been missing out on.