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Many people like the idea of cutting down on chemical cleaners with a steam mop. These machines use only water and produce steam to help loosen grime on floors. Some come with attachments for cleaning grout and certain fabric, making them an extremely versatile and powerful part of a cleaning routine.
Be aware that steam mops aren't made for every floor or every fabric. Even ones that claim to be gentle enough for hardwood or laminate may damage flooring. Manufacturers say their mops should be safe for ceramic tile and stone floors, but you may still want to spot test before doing a full run.
We tested five steam mops on a variety of stains on several types of flooring. You can find more about our methodology here. We also spoke to cleaning and flooring experts for tips on choosing and using a steam mop.
Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and researches home products.
The best steam mops in 2022
Best steam mop overall: Bissell 1806 PowerFresh Deluxe Steam Mop, $102.99 at Best Buy
The Bissell 1806 PowerFresh Deluxe Steam Mop is a lightweight and powerful cleaner for a good price.
Best steam mop for pets: Bissell 15441 PowerFresh Pet Lift-Off Steam Mop, $144.99 at Target
The Bissell 15441 PowerFresh Pet Lift-Off comes with a bag full of attachments for tackling messes all around the house.
Best steam mop for delicate floors: Shark Steam & Scrub S7001 Steam Mop, $177.99 at Amazon
With three steam levels, the Shark Steam & Scrub S7001 Steam Mop gives you control over how much vapor you introduce to your floors.
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The Bissell 1806 PowerFresh Deluxe Steam Mop is a lightweight and powerful cleaner for a good price.
Pros: Good cleaning capability, attached brush for stubborn stains, power button to start steam, two steam levels, large tank
Cons: No attachments, water tank isn't removable
Lightweight yet powerful, the Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe checks a lot of boxes without being overly pricey. It doesn't come with any attachments, but if you're just looking for a floor cleaner, it's a solid choice.
The PowerFresh Deluxe performed well in most of the cleaning tests, except for the egg yolk, which all the machines struggled with to some extent. However, it did well with the mustard, though it couldn't remove the set-in stains on some surfaces. (No steam mop we tried was able to.) It easily cleaned honey without leaving a sticky residue behind.
Two washable microfiber pads come with the PowerFresh, one of which is nubbier and meant for spills and stains that are harder to clean. But what really improved the cleaning performance was removing the mop head to use a brush that's attached to the body of the mop. It's a bit like a scrub brush with bright orange bristles that you don't have to get on your hands and knees to use. This is a hands-free operation, though you do need to turn the mop off first so you don't release steam while your foot is close by.
There are light and heavy steam outputs that you change with the press of a button. It takes about 30 seconds for the machine to heat up after you press the power button. An accompanying measuring cup is used to fill the generous reservoir. One drawback is that you can't remove the tank to empty it if you have water left over after you're done cleaning. The 19-ounce tank should give you around 25 to 30 minutes of cleaning, so you may not want to fill it up for quick jobs.
The Deluxe is responsive and maneuverable. It also stands on its own for easier storage. If you like scent while you clean, there's a tray for included scent discs that release fragrance while steaming.
Assembly was quick and straightforward, though you do need a screwdriver.
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The Bissell 15441 PowerFresh Pet Lift-Off comes with a bag full of attachments for tackling messes all around the house.
Pros: Lots of attachments, good cleaning abilities, power button to start steam, two steam levels, detachable pod
Cons: Awkwardly placed water tank opening, heavy
Equipped with nearly a dozen attachments, the Bissell PowerFresh Pet Lift-Off has brushes, scrapers, and nozzles aimed at a variety of tasks. While marketed for pets, the tools are useful in animal-free homes too.
An all-around good cleaner, the PowerFresh Pet earned high marks in all our tests, doing the second-best job on egg and mustard. It did leave some traces of sticky residue in our honey tests though. Like the PowerFresh Deluxe, the PowerFresh Pet comes with two reusable microfiber pads, a smooth one for everyday use and a textured one for tougher messes.
It should serve you well if you're mainly using it as a floor mop, but the real reason to buy this model is all its attachments. The PowerFresh Pet comes with three brushes, two for the bathroom and one for the kitchen. The bristles are different colors so you don't mix them up, which is a nice touch. You also get a scraper, grout tool, and fabric steamer. There's a bag for all the attachments, which makes them easier to store.
The tools lock firmly into place so they don't twist when you're using them. We were especially impressed with how the grout brush dislodged a fair amount of gunk from under the rim of a supposedly clean sink.
This is the heaviest steam mop we tested. When the pod is separated from the base so you can use the attachments, it weighs about 4.5 pounds. This fatigue some people. We also felt the PowerFresh Pet was a little stiff to maneuver when we used it in its mop form.
The location of the tank's fill hole is a bit awkward because you have to lay the pod on its side to pour water in, using a provided cup. This isn't as cumbersome when the pod is detached, but it's not as easy to fill as the PowerFresh Deluxe when it's on the mopping base. However, the disassembled pod is easier to empty. That's important if you don't want water sitting in the tank between uses.
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With three steam levels, the Shark Steam & Scrub S7001 Steam Mop gives you control over how much vapor you introduce to your floors.
Pros: Three steam levels, good cleaning performance, LED lights
Cons: Expensive, shorter cord length, small tank capacity, hard to clean in corners
While we still wouldn't recommend using the Shark Steam & Scrub S7001 on laminate, wood, or other water-and-heat-adverse floors, we liked the control it offered with its three steam levels. The button lets you select between light, regular, and deep modes depending on what you're cleaning.
The Steam & Scrub was one of the top performers when cleaning egg and honey but was toward the bottom of the pack for mustard. It has a unique design, with two circular pads that spin as you move the mop around the floor. This helps do some of the scrubbing work for you without being overly harsh on the surface underneath.
We did find the spinning could sometimes tug the mop in a different direction than we wanted to go. That made the Steam & Scrub a bit more difficult to maneuver than some of the other mops on our list. Because the pads are round, it was impossible to get fully into corners, leaving small sections uncleaned.
Another distinctive feature of this Shark is its LED headlights. Not only are they useful for when you're cleaning under furniture, they also make any grime you're mopping more visible.
The tank is accessible for filling with the included cup, but it's not removable for emptying afterwards. It holds less than 11 ounces of water, enough for about 15 to 20 minutes of cleaning, depending on the steam level.
The mop can stand independently, and it comes with an extra set of cleaning pads.
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What else we recommend
Shark Genius S6002 Steam Pocket Mop: This Shark steam mop did a fine job cleaning, but there were a few things that kept it from making the cut. First, it was the only mop we tested that couldn't stand on its own. That makes it more of a pain to store and to pause while cleaning. It only has a single level of steam, though you can get an extra burst by flipping the mop head over. The smaller triangular head was a great addition but not enough to make up for a pricey mop without a ton of features.
What we don't recommend
Shark S1000 Steam Mop: While this is by far the cheapest steam mop we tested and it cleaned about as well as its other Shark counterparts, there was a lot to be desired. There's no way to control the steam output beyond the pumping action required to operate the mop. There's also no standby mode for when you power the mop on or need to pause. It also has the shortest cord of any steam mop we tested, making it likely you'll need to unplug and replug it in throughout your cleaning.
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|
Mop |
Cleaning performance |
Ease of use |
Storability |
|
Bissell 1806 PowerFresh Deluxe |
7/10 |
8/10 |
9/10 |
|
Bissell 1544 PowerFresh Pet |
7/10 |
7/10 |
8/10 |
|
Shark Steam & Scrub S7001 |
6/10 |
8/10 |
9/10 |
|
Shark Genius S6002 |
6/10 |
7/10 |
7/10 |
|
Shark S1000 |
6/10 |
5/10 |
9/10 |
In order to see how steam mops compare in cleaning capabilities, we saw how well each cleaned dried-on egg, mustard, and honey on a variety of surfaces, including tile, wood, and laminate (though we don't recommend using steam mops on laminate or wood floors).
We also timed how long it takes each mop to heat up, looked at how maneuverable they are, payed attention to how easy they are to fill up and empty, and noted which can stand up on their own. If there were extra tools or features, we evaluated how useful they are.
We also spoke to Leanne Stapf, COO of The Cleaning Authority, and Brett Miller, vice president of Technical Standards, Training, and Certification for the National Wood Flooring Association, for advice on using steam mops.
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Can I use a steam mop on a wood floor?
"We recommend never using a steam mop on any real wood floor," said Brett Miller, vice president of Technical Standards, Training, and Certification for the National Wood Flooring Association.
He said steam can travel between the cracks and into the cells of the wood itself. "This can permanently damage the wood and the floor's finish," he said. Even a traditional mop and bucket may introduce too much water. Instead, Miller suggests using a broom or microfiber mop daily, a vacuum weekly, and cleaning with a professional wood floor cleaning product monthly.
Can I use a steam mop on other types of floors?
As a general rule, "avoid using steam mops on any flooring that is unsealed," said Leanne Stapf, COO of The Cleaning Authority. Engineered wood and bamboo can suffer from the same issues as hardwood. Laminate flooring is also susceptible to warping from steam, and excessive heat can damage vinyl.
Bissell also warns that the use of a steam mop could reduce a floor's glossiness.
While manufacturers generally say tile and linoleum flooring are safe for steam mops, keep in mind that excessive heat or water could still cause problems. Don't leave the steam mop in one place for too long, and it's a good idea to test the mop in a hidden area before cleaning your whole floor. You may also want to limit the frequency of your steam mopping.
Will a steam mop sanitize a floor?
Technically, yes but not without some effort. Temperatures of between 140 and 150 degrees Fahrenheit are often enough to kill bacteria and viruses, though it's not instantaneous. Water boils and produces steam and 212 degrees Fahrenheit, and some steam mops get even hotter.
While that's technically hot enough to kill germs, the manuals for the Bissell machines instruct you to slowly pass the mop back and forth over a spot three times, while the Shark Steam & Scrub S7001 requires 15 passes on the highest setting. Keep in mind that sanitizing reduces the number of bacteria while disinifecting kills most of them. There are less intensive ways to disinfect surfaces.
How do you use a steam mop?
Stapf recommends sweeping or vacuuming first to get rid of dust, dirt, crumbs, and other debris on the floor. You'll need to fill the reservoir with water and attach a mop cloth.
Start with a clean cloth, Stapf said. "You may need to replace the cloth as you mop, depending on the size of the room you're cleaning," she said. You'll also want to wait until the mop is producing steam before you start cleaning, usually between 30 seconds and a minute.
"It's helpful to work your way from one side of the room to the other, to make sure you clean the entire floor and avoid missing any areas as you go," said Stapf.
What should I look for in a steam mop?
"Hot water is pivotal for an effective steam mop," said Stapf. She recommended steam mops that can reach water's boiling point of 212 degrees Fahrenheit.
Stapf also said it's a good idea to consider the size and weight of the mop so you can ensure it's comfortable to use.
Can you put vinegar in a steam mop?
"When it comes to steam mops, it's best to stick to the basics," said Stapf. "Regular warm water should do the trick." Most manufacturers warn against putting anything other than water in the machines' tanks.
Do I need to use distilled water in my steam mop?
Many manufacturers suggest using distilled or demineralized water, especially if you have hard water, to avoid mineral buildup and prolong the life of your steam mop.
Why does my steam mop leave my floors streaky or cloudy?
First, check the mop pad you're cleaning with. If it's dirty, you may be redepositing grime back onto your floor. If the cloth is clean, you may be trying to clean a waxed or oiled floor.
Steam mops can decrease the glossiness of polishes and waxes, leaving floors looking streaked or cloudy.
Connie Chen/Insider
The 3 best steam mops we tested in 2022
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