Steam Mop Buying Guide

In our series of cleaning tests, we apply a measured amount of mustard—one of the tougher food stains to clean—to the surface of a ceramic tile. After the mustard dries, we photograph the soiled tile. We then make several passes over it while controlling the speed and back-and-forth strokes of the mop. Because most steam mops are designed to be used only with water, that’s what we use in our tests. (Many manufacturers encourage consumers to use distilled water for their steam mops because tap water contains minerals that will build up in the mop over time.) After cleaning the tile and letting it air-dry, we take another photo to see how much mustard was removed and how much remains.

For our steam-rate test, we fill the steam mop’s water tank, give the water 30 seconds to heat up, and then clean the floor with the mop for 5 minutes. We measure the amount of water left in the tank and use it to estimate the amount of steam produced. The less water left in the tank means the more steam the mop was able to create.

Our tests have shown that a steam mop’s pad affects how effectively it cleans up stains. A pad with a rougher, more bristly texture is better at removing soil than a softer pad. To be fair in our evaluation, we test steam mops with the mop pads they come with. If the mop has more than one style of mop pad, we clean the tile using the pad with the coarser texture.

Not sure whether a steam mop is the right cleaning tool for your kitchen or bathroom? Though it isn’t recommended for every floor type, a steam mop might be just the ticket for people who get frequent spills on ceramic floors or for pet owners who regularly wipe up muddy paw prints.

Germ-Killing Claims
Some steam mops come with claims that they sanitize floors and other surfaces under controlled test settings. But whether or not they’re actually effective in killing germs depends on several factors, including the temperature of the steam the mop produces and how long it’s in contact with the floor.

Floor Damage Risks
Many manufacturers indicate that their steam mops can be used on various hard floors, including laminate, tile, and sealed wood. But the National Wood Flooring Association warns against using wet mops or steam mops on wood floors, so think twice before doing so. All the models we tested left some residual moisture, and a wood floor that appears sealed might have crevices where water can seep in and cause damage. If your flooring is still under warranty, check with the manufacturer to make sure that using a steam mop won’t void it.

Mop Pad Cleanup
The removable pad at the bottom of a steam mop can hold only so much grime before it just pushes the excess debris along. Before removing a dirty pad, place the unit on a horizontal surface, such as a countertop or floor, to prevent any water in the tank from dripping out. If you have to raise the mophead above the height of the tank, empty the water tank first.

Some manufacturers suggest cleaning the pad in a washing machine, but you wouldn’t want to toss a grungy one in the same load with bed linens or school clothes. That said, running an entire washing machine cycle just for one or two pads seems wasteful. Instead, you can wash pads in a sink using hot water and soap, then rinse and hang them to air-dry.

Steam control: This feature, found in most models we’ve tested, lets you control the amount of steam delivered.

Ready indicator light: This light on some steam mops shows when the water is heated and the mop is ready to be used.

Empty-reservoir indicator: This light on some steam mops warns you when it’s time to refill the water reservoir.

Swivel head: On some steam mops, this feature may ease maneuvering in tight spaces.

Detachable steam generator: Some models let you detach the working end from the base so that you can use it as a handheld steamer.

Power cord: Cord lengths on the models we’ve tested range from 20 to 25 feet. A short cord may limit you to a small cleanup job in a small room. Note that an extension cord may be unsafe with these high-wattage appliances.

Additional cleaning accessories: Some models come with extra tools for cleaning windowsills, kitchen appliances, countertops, sinks, grout, carpets, curtains, clothes, and more.