subject: Choosing A Steam Floor Cleaner - Do You Know What To Look For? [print this page] When choosing a steam floor cleaner, the choice of available models can be quite overwhelming. This article aims to give the reader the key features to look out for. Later in this article I will reveal my favorite model of hand-held steam cleaner.
Here are the most important features of an efficient steam mop.
1. The temperature of the steam must be high enough to clean the dirt and grime on the floor. Not so hot that you risk damaging the floor, nor too low, which simply is not hot enough to clean efficiently. I look for a temperature somewhere around 220C. The big advantage of a steam mop is the absence of chemicals needed to sanitize the floor, as the steam alone does this, and without leaving the tell tale signs often left by a floor cloth.
2. Check the steam cleaner you want to buy is alright to use on the type of floor you have. The last thing you want to do is damage your floor. Hand held steam cleaners will clean a range of different surfaces including wood, granite, laminate, marble, and other hard, sealed surfaces.
3. The amount of water the steamer holds. Look for a model which will give you a long enough period of time actually using the steamer, without the need to stop and refill the tank. I would choose a model that lets me use it non stop for at least fifteen minutes.
4. A steamer which is well made and strong, but not too heavy to move around. I also prefer floor steamers which have the tank lower down, near the floor, as there seems less scrubbing to do and the mop is easier to move around.
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5. It is my personal choice, but I like the steamers which give a steady flow of steam rather than you having to push a handle every time you want more steam.
Choosing A Steam Floor Cleaner - Do You Know What To Look For?