What is a steam mop: device, principle of operation, advantages

Women try in every possible way to reduce housework to a minimum amount of time. At the same time, the issue of cleanliness still remains in the first place. Therefore, all new home care products are of great interest. The use of special cleaning equipment increases its efficiency and achieving cleanliness in the house becomes much easier and faster.

It is not necessary to buy all the equipment. Choose only the necessary devices that are most suitable for cleaning your home. Therefore, you need to approach the choice rationally. It is important to have a clear understanding of the functionality of the device. We invite you to learn more about the operating principle of a steam mop.

How does a steam mop work?

A steam mop treats the surface with hot steam. It comes out through holes in the sole. To ensure a sufficient volume of steam, the device has a water tank and a heating element that converts this water into steam. This device operates from the mains. Turning on the steam mop activates the heating of the water until it boils and steam appears. It accumulates, creating some pressure, and is released through the steam brush.

Processing (cleaning) using hot steam has a number of advantages; a steam mop:

removes old, persistent stains;
copes with different types of pollution;
kills microorganisms, including dust mites (the strongest allergen);
removes unpleasant odors;
disinfects surfaces;
refreshes appearance, color, moisturizes.

Design Features

A steam mop takes simple cleaning to the next level. Equipped with the technical ability to clean with steam, it tackles the toughest problems faster and easier. For many situations, a steam mop is the best solution.

The device is quite lightweight, weighing about 3 kilograms, which makes it easy to move around the apartment.
Powered by electricity, but consumes only 5 kW/hour.
Equipped with a handle, depending on the model, it can be adjusted in height or be solid.
The set includes several attachments designed for different surfaces.
Some models are equipped with a steam power and intensity regulator, which allows you to wash the most difficult stains without using any chemicals.
In the latest models, the steam generator can be disconnected from the mop itself and can be used to disinfect household appliances (for example, a stove, microwave oven) or the interior of the car.

Steam mop H2O 5in1

Read the review of the H2O Mop X5 steam mop.

How to use a steam mop

The functionality of a steam mop is similar to that of several devices, including a steam cleaner. Using this device is not difficult, although it has its own specifics. In general, this is how you should work with a mop.

The reservoir, which is usually located on the handle, must be filled with water. In most models, you can use any water, including tap water.
Connect the device to the network. Typically, the wire allows cleaning over a large area, its length is up to 9 m.
In a few minutes, the water boils and the mop is ready for use: steam begins to flow from the brush.

The steam from the working nozzle comes out hot, about 100 degrees, and under pressure. The impact of such factors leads to the disappearance of bacterial contaminants and microorganisms. The mop creates a hygienically safe, clean space.

Attention: not all surfaces can be washed with hot steam. Laminate flooring may swell if it is not designed for wet cleaning. Even a good laminate should have joints sealed. Parquet boards also do not like hot steam. You can treat parquet with such a mop only in case of emergency.

Read more: can you wash laminate flooring with a steam mop?

Steam mops can be used for other purposes than their intended purpose. Many models support additional options.

Vertical steaming of clothes. Suitable for delicate fabrics, silk, natural thin fabrics, as well as clothes with a complex cut that are inconvenient to iron on a board. Attention: the steam mop is not suitable for steaming synthetics and heavy fabrics.
Sterilization of various objects and surfaces. You can use a mop to “walk” through the toy box and not be afraid that the child will put them in his mouth. Hot steam kills all pathogenic bacteria.
Washing windows, mirrors and tiles. Steam removes dirt well, including in corners and tile seams. All that remains is to wipe the surface dry to remove any stains.

Main selection criteria

Before choosing your favorite steam mop model, you need to pay attention to its main characteristics, which determine the ease of use and the result obtained after cleaning. The main characteristics include:

power, which determines the intensity of steam supply and the heating time of the device from the moment it is turned on until it can be used for its intended purpose. The greater the power, the steam will be supplied with greater force, and the readiness for work will occur faster. So, a device with a power of 1200 W can be used after 1-2 minutes after switching on, while with 1500 W - after 30 seconds;
volume of the water tank. The larger its capacity, the longer you can use the mop without having to add a new portion of water. Typically, this parameter is selected based on the area where the mop will be used. So for small apartments with an area of several tens of square meters, a tank with a capacity of 250 to 350 ml will be sufficient. If you need to clean in a large house, then you can think about buying a steam mop with a water tank capacity of up to 600 ml. It should be taken into account that the more capacious the container, the greater the weight of the device as a whole, especially at the very beginning of cleaning, when it is completely filled;
duration of continuous use. Most often, such a device can be used continuously for 15-20 minutes. After this time has passed, it must be allowed to rest so that all elements of the device cool down to avoid overheating. More powerful devices, the construction materials of which have increased heat resistance, can operate continuously for 45 minutes or even 1 hour;
quality of water used. If the device does not have special filters installed for water purification, then only distilled water is suitable for use in it, which may not be in the house at the most necessary moment. Therefore, it is best to choose a steam mop with an active filter that will purify water before it heats up, even poured from the tap. It is worth considering that sooner or later this filter will need to be replaced and when purchasing, you need to check its availability for sale.

The presence of an active filter in a steam mop will allow you to use water of various qualities

Advantages of the invention

Having learned what a steam mop is, you need to familiarize yourself with its advantages.

The device has wide functionality and additional capabilities.
It is convenient to use, as the rotating head allows you to clean even the most difficult to reach places.
There is no need to use chemicals when cleaning, which makes it environmentally friendly. Plus, you can save on purchasing detergents.
Due to the fact that the steam temperature reaches 100 degrees, the surface is disinfected.
Excellent for cleaning plastic windows.

Steam mop kit

Principle of operation

A steam mop works identically to a steam cleaner. There are only some differences in functionality.

Operating principle of the device:

Reservoirs in this technique, as a rule, are no more than 0.5 liters. Running water is poured into them.
When the equipment is connected to the network, the liquid is heated to the boiling point and turns into steam.
It has holes at the bottom designed to allow steam to escape.

Due to the fact that the water inside boils, it destroys harmful microorganisms, cleans the floor efficiently and eliminates unpleasant odors.

In expensive models, the lower part is detached, the steam mop turns into a portable sterilizer.

You can use it to clean children's toys, fur clothes, and even a microwave oven.

A steam mop is a necessary item for the home. When choosing between it and a vacuum cleaner, cast all doubts aside. This is the best thing that humanity has come up with to make cleaning the apartment easier.

Disadvantages of Steam Mops

Unfortunately, high expectations do not come out of thin air. Advertisers are to blame for this, they greatly overpraised the device, introducing unrealistic parameters into the minds of buyers. Of course, no one likes serious discrepancies between expectations and reality.

Advertising campaigns talked about the device’s amazing ability to collect liquid. And that's a lie. Of course, the nozzle can absorb some amount of moisture, but very little, since the device simply has nowhere to put the accumulated liquid. This option is not provided.
The second exaggeration is the device’s ability to collect all the dirt. But what is a mop compared to a vacuum cleaner? It may remove some dust or debris, but there will still be debris that gathers around it or hides in a corner. Really high-quality cleaning is only possible if you first sweep away large dirt or vacuum the floor.
And the third misconception that buyers were misled into is the ability of the mop to remove any stains. Of course, if you spill juice or milk on the carpet, it will do the job. But stains from paint or brilliant green will be difficult to wipe off unless you use cleaning products.
And the last thing that buyers were dissatisfied with was the unreliability of the design. True, this does not apply to branded models; we are talking about fakes, with which the market is teeming.

If you decide to purchase a steam mop, then choose a model from a trusted manufacturer. It costs more, but will also last you longer.

Pros and cons of the device

So that you can finally decide whether a steam mop is needed in your home and whether it is worth buying, we will list the main strengths and weaknesses of this device.

Let's start with the pros:

Functionality. Some of the models on the market can wash not only various floor coverings, but also windows, and also do an excellent job of cleaning furniture and interior items;
Environmentally friendly. High temperature perfectly fights germs without any detergents;
Maneuverability. Choose options with a triangular-shaped swivel head to reach the most difficult to reach places;
Compact size and light weight. The steam assistant will not require much storage space, unlike bulky buckets and basins;
Elimination of unpleasant odors. Select models even come with a built-in fragrance;
Does not leave streaks even on dark floors and mirror surfaces;
Saves water. Start using your steam mop on a regular basis and you'll quickly notice how much less water it uses.

However, there are also some downsides:

Does not cope with small debris (except for models with an electric broom). A steam mop does not have a suction function, so you will still have to go over the floor with a vacuum cleaner or broom before washing;
Does not collect liquid. A small microfiber nozzle will not be able to overcome even a small puddle;
Some models are not suitable for regular tap water.

pixabay.com/mohamed Hassan

The best steam mops

As a result of analyzing the characteristics of devices and reviews from real users, a selection of the best models was compiled that you can focus on when choosing a mop for your home.

Kitfort KT-1010

This is a combined device that combines the functions of a steam mop and an electric broom. The nozzle has a complex design that combines a turbo brush and a nozzle for wet cleaning. The brush has a rotating shaft with long bristles arranged in a spiral. It perfectly collects not only simple garbage, but also pet fur and hair. The mop comes with a frame attachment for cleaning carpets and a glass with a spout for easy filling of the reservoir.

Water container 0.35 l. This is enough to clean a small apartment or studio. The water quality can be any, because... There are built-in filters. The power of the mop is good - 1.3 kW. Preparing the device for operation takes 0.5 minutes.

The mop is light and comfortable. The 5 m cord allows you to clean the room without changing the connection point. Kitfort KT-1010 allows you to clean in one pass, without first sweeping up the debris. It is suitable for use with most floor coverings.

Endever Odyssey Q 604

This mop is intended only for wet cleaning of surfaces suitable for this type of care. It washes, disinfects and refreshes linoleum, parquet, tiles and other hard surfaces. The mop head is triangular in shape and rotates around the attachment point, so there are no inaccessible places or corners where it cannot reach.

The water container holds 0.55 liters, and a 0.9 W heating element heats this volume of liquid in 1 minute. One fill of the mop with water is enough to thoroughly clean the house.

For economy, as well as ease of use, the steam supply can be stopped if you need to stop for a while. The mop is inexpensive, almost the same as a simple non-electric model, and the quality and speed of cleaning is incomparably better.

Tefal VP6555RH

This is a powerful mop (1.2 kW) with a large water tank and a 7 m cord. The tank volume is 0.6 liters. All this allows you to quickly and efficiently clean a large apartment without refueling or changing the power point. Tefal VP6555RH is ready for use 30 seconds after switching on. Water can be taken from the tap, because... There is a protection system against water hardness.

Unlike budget models, the Tefal VP6555RH has the ability to select steam power, which allows it to be used for cleaning any surfaces, including “delicate” ones. The minimum steam pressure is suitable even for laminate, and under high pressure you can clean even old plaque from tiles.

Inexpensive

Budget options for devices do their job well, but are not functional enough and will not last long.

The best inexpensive steam mops:

ENDEVER Odyssey Q-606 is suitable for any surface. The device is easy to disassemble and simple to maintain. It releases a powerful jet with a temperature of up to 103 degrees, which kills negative microflora. Among the shortcomings, users highlighted the poor quality of the material and the difficulty in finding a replacement rag.
Kitfort KT-1002 is convenient because the water tank can be removed with light pressure. It can be washed and soaked in citric acid if scale has accumulated inside from using tap water. This model is easy to assemble and has a function for adjusting the steam power, which is important if you need to clean parquet, linoleum or tiles. The only significant drawback is that the device cannot be used in a horizontal position, that is, it will not be possible to clean the tiles on the wall or even the area just above the baseboard. The steam supply simply stops.

Such devices will last for many years if you handle them carefully. Budget options tend to wear out quickly.