topic Re: ? Steamers for floor cleaning in Home

? Steamers for floor cleaning

homedecor1 — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 04:20:17 GMT

I had new ceramic plank tiles installed (the type that resemble hardwood flooring) & have been using my Don Aslett microfiber mop w/water & vinegar to clean.

My friend told me best way to clean floors is with micro-steamer like a Shark.

I borrowed hers today. Perhaps I'm doing something wrong BUT I had to re-clean it as all it seemed to do is move around anything on the floor (re:cat hair, crumbs, etc) -- I did run vacumn & sweep before. The floor just doesn't seem to be "clean" or look any better than when I used the microfiber cloth except got into grout lines better.

Am I doing something wrong? Plus, I sweep floor every nite after we eat & wipe up anything that spills so it's really not that dirty. ( I don't want to invest $100 for something I don't need)

Thank you

Re: ? Steamers for floor cleaning

Desertdi — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 03:09:19 GMT

Pergo: I don't use anything but the vac ......wipe up spills immediately with a "spray cleaner" ........and make sure it's completely dry afterwards.

Re: ? Steamers for floor cleaning

ccassaday — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 04:00:11 GMT

What kind of plank flooring. We have resilient viynl planks and were told no steam cleaning them. Real Hardwood must b sealed if your going to use a steamer. I wouldn’t use one on laminate either. We just have been using warm water on our new viynl planks.

Re: ? Steamers for floor cleaning

homedecor1 — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 04:18:52 GMT

@ccassaday

ceramic plank tiles - the ones that look like hardwood flooring. Mfg recommends just vinegar & water to clean.

Bathrooms, foyer have same type of tiles.

Re: ? Steamers for floor cleaning

Lilysmom — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 08:52:08 GMT

@homedecor1, I have the Hoover steam vac. I use that on all my tile floors and always have. It has a separate dirty water tank. I am not sure it would work on your floors.

Whatever you use, check with your manufacturer to make sure it is ok. LM

Re: ? Steamers for floor cleaning

FranandZoe — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 10:39:41 GMT

I used my Haan steamer on my laminate floors even tho wasn't supposed to. Installer recommended vinegar &water. Now I have vinyl planks in the kitchen/dining and I use Swiffer wet cloths to clean - recommended by the installer. I thought the steam mop left my laminate rather streaky at times. Since using the Swiffer wet I started using it on my ceramic in the up and downstairs entryways and my bathrooms too.

Re: ? Steamers for floor cleaning

SilleeMee — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 12:12:38 GMT

Sometimes steam mop pads get old and do not clean like they are intended. Mop pads need to be replaced periodically...they do not last forever even though they may still look new. Another thing is the water tank needs to be emptied out completely and rinsed with vinegar periodically to prevent sediment build-up and to help keep that part of the steam mop clean. Anything, other than water or vinegar, inside the tank can end up onto the floor making it get a film on it. I suggest starting with a new mop pad with fresh water. You can also add vinegar to the water in the steam mop tank and this will give you more cleaning power.

Re: ? Steamers for floor cleaning

Abrowneyegirl — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 14:47:15 GMT

I have many hard floor surfaces and I have a HAAN and I love it. I use vinger water for quick cleaning and dusting. But for real dirt and germs I use the Haan once a week. During cold and flu season a few times a week.

I tried the Shark but I found it did not hold temp and left the floors too wet.

Re: ? Steamers for floor cleaning

henderson — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 15:00:11 GMT

I also use a Haan steam cleaner on our laminate floors. The floors are 16 years old.

@Abrowneyegirlwrote:
I have many hard floor surfaces and I have a HAAN and I love it. I use vinger water for quick cleaning and dusting. But for real dirt and germs I use the Haan once a week. During cold and flu season a few times a week.

I tried the Shark but I found it did not hold temp and left the floors too wet.

Re: ? Steamers for floor cleaning

Fressa — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 15:40:37 GMT

I have a variety of floor surfaces which include ones like you describe. Here's what I use:

I use my Don astlett dry mop with the dusting pad weekly. I clean up spills as they happen. I have a Hahn floor steamer that I Love. It is steam not water so my floors are dried instantly. You don't want any water to touch those floors. This I'll bring out monthly or more depending on the season and the dogs paws. I'll do the same with "mopping" with the Don Astlett mop. My mop has the option of filling it with water or not.

I was on a quest for the correct type of mop/whatever for a long time before I decided on what I have. Everything else in the stores seems to either streak the floors or leave a cast on them. The I was trying to buff out the haze. I'm a cleaning "nut" but even this was too much for me. I hope this helps you.

Re: ? Steamers for floor cleaning

Tigriss — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 21:32:03 GMT

I have a Haan. I use it on my vinyl and my carpets, as it has a carpet slide. It dries so quickly. Maybe her's didn't come up to temp as much. I always sweep beforehand. I haven't had issues with cat hair being pushed around. I have four cats, so I have plenty of hair, plus my hair. My sister also uses steam on her ceramic and laminate floors. She has one that vacuums and steams at the same time. I don't remember the name. There is a Bissel one out there that I know does it; I just saw it at Sam's. It is for hard floors only. I have carpet and steam it to fresh it from the cats.

Re: ? Steamers for floor cleaning

faeriemoon — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 19:56:03 GMT

@homedecor1 I have a steamer but seldom use it. I prefer the mop and vinegar method. The steamer does not allow you to get in corners, and nothing cleanes as well as a mop does.

Re: ? Steamers for floor cleaning

jannabelle1 — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 00:08:21 GMT

@homedecor1, I have ceramic planks also that look like hardwood. I also have 4 cats, so I always use my dry Swiffer before using a steam cleaner. That seems to get all the cat fur/fluff off the floor before I steam clean. I'm sure the Aslett microfiber works well, but I wouldn't be without the Swiffer dry on my floors to pick up all cat fur. The steam cleaners will never pick up anything while using them.

Re: ? Steamers for floor cleaning

homedecor1 — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 01:53:54 GMT

thanks everyone. i borrowed the Bissell crossover model today from a friend. wow did a great job...vacumn & steams. i'm on the fence about buying any steamer but at least i have good feedback!

thanks again😊

Re: ? Steamers for floor cleaning

homedecor1 — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 01:57:57 GMT

@Fressa

that's what i've been using Don Aslett microfiber mop pads. I'm like you...a cleaning "nut" and the floor gets wiped up after a spill & swept (dry mopped) every night. Not much "dirt" on floors (what i saw on the pad) i used the bissell crosswave (crossover) vacumn/steamer today it was OK but i liked the floors were almost instantly dry!

Re: ? Steamers for floor cleaning

homedecor1 — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 02:08:02 GMT

@jannabelle1

the installer told me never to use the swiffer on the floors, just water & vinegar or clear water steamer.