What is a steam mop

This miracle of technological progress is called a mop only because of the similarity of its shape to that of a tool designed to make cleaning floors easier. But this technology has much more possibilities. She will become a faithful assistant, capable of coping with many tasks that make up the concept of “maintaining cleanliness.” However, you shouldn’t expect miracles - steam can do a lot, but it can’t do everything.

What is a steam mop?

If you need a device that can clean, wash and disinfect without the use of special products, this is exactly what you need. A steam mop perfectly copes with the following tasks:

• cleaning smooth surfaces;
• cleaning hard-to-reach places;
• eliminates mold and fungi;
• destroys insects.

Wet cleaning indoors with such equipment becomes much easier. Owners of this tool can safely refuse most of the household chemicals previously used in the process of putting things in order.

The high temperature of steam supplied under pressure is detrimental to most microorganisms. Mold and fungi are not just “scalded”, they are also washed off from the surface being treated. And penetrating through the fabric, hot steam kills almost all types of living creatures that love to settle in seams and fillers. Neither linen mites nor bedbugs at any stage of development are able to survive high-temperature treatment.

Main advantages of the device

The versatility of the steam mop is achieved thanks to its design features. A large number of attachments and several operating modes allow you to efficiently remove dust and simple dirt on almost any surface. The only limitation is vinyl and wax. They can become deformed when exposed to high temperatures.

Multifunctionality is achieved due to the features of steam processing. The fabric fibers straighten out, microorganisms die - after cleaning, the product is not only sterile, but also looks much better. You can also forget about dark stripes on window frames or between tiles - the dirt is washed away, leaving behind only a puddle.

Convenience and maneuverability are also achieved due to design features. The long handle and movable head make it easy to clean under furniture. And thanks to the removable steam generator, cleaning the upper tiers is also quite easy.

Safety, environmental friendliness and cost-effectiveness come with the ability to eliminate cleaning products. Water and electricity to convert it into steam are enough to combat most common types of pollution.

Flaws

There are not as many advantages as there are. And all of them are associated with the inflated demands of buyers who are guided by advertising slogans. A steam mop is not omnipotent. Garbage collection is beyond her capabilities. Yes, some dirt will stick to the cleaning part of the head. But since there is neither a built-in garbage container nor a suction option, pre-treatment with a vacuum cleaner is indispensable.

It's the same story with spots. Sticky dirt, spilled milk and similar problems can be dealt with by a steam mop.But you won’t be able to remove stubborn stains without cleaning products and effort.

It is believed that a steam mop completely collects water, but even here buyers will be disappointed. Any fabric has a saturation threshold, after which it is no longer able to absorb moisture. If at the beginning of work the mop does not leave marks or streaks, then towards the end of cleaning their appearance is inevitable.

Short heating element life is the most common complaint. It’s easy to avoid the problem - don’t fill the tank with tap water and rely on the capabilities of the built-in filter. It doesn't save you from scale. But if you use distilled water, the equipment will last much longer.

When looking for budget options, buyers often encounter fakes that are indistinguishable from the original. The following stream of angry responses, talking about the low quality of performance, is also quite natural. Careful familiarization with the information about the manufacturer and its products will help you avoid encountering such a disadvantage.