Updated: 20 Aug 2010

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Introduction

Only 1 of our tested steam mops was better than a cheap and traditional sponge mop.  

Steam mops are heavily advertised on TV as a chemical-free and “sanitary” way to clean floors.  But with prices as high as $300 they’re an expensive alternative to the conventional sponge mop, bucket and a bit of elbow grease.

We tested 6 steam mops with a traditional sponge mop for comparison.

Watch the behind-the-scenes video of our steam mops testing.

Models we tested

This report contains test results and recommendations for the following models of steam mop:

How they work

Steam mops create their own steam with a built-in water container and an electric heater. The steam is pushed through a washable cloth pad on the cleaning head to loosen grime for the pad to wipe away. 

The mops plug into the wall like a vacuum cleaner, but they don’t have suction to suck up spills so floors must still be vacuumed or swept before steam mopping.

Steam mops don't use chemicals for cleaning so may be useful for people with allergies.

Where to use them

Steam mops can be used on most hard-floor surfaces – but not on cork tiles and unsealed or waxed wooden floors. Most manufacturers suggest testing on an “inconspicuous area” first.

Some models come with a carpet attachment. We found these fine for “refreshing” carpet but unsuitable for heavy soiling or stains.

Some steam mops can also be used on sofas, beds and soft toys.

Hot-water traps

Leaving a hot mop for too long in one place can mark a floor – especially on varnished or polished wood which may be damaged by the steam.

To avoid this problem while the mop’s heating up, the Hoover, Kenwood and Wertheim mops we tested come with a "pre heating pad" that the mop sits on. The Wertheim has an additional safeguard during cleaning: its handle grip is designed to release steam only when the grip is squeezed.

However, some manufacturers recommend holding their mop in one spot to “disinfect and sanitise”. Take care not to do this for too long – check the instructions carefully.
 

Checklist

If you’re thinking of buying a steam mop, here's what to consider.

Swivel head
Helps with manoeuvrability and prevents the mop catching on corners or tipping over when it’s stored.

Head size
A manageable head size makes it easier to get into small corners.

Cord length
Make sure the cord is long enough to reach from the power point to the furthest corner of the room you want to mop. Cords for the models in our test ranged from 5 to 7.3 metres.

Weight
Choose a model with a weight you can easily manage. The design and weight distribution of the mop can affect how heavy it feels when in use, so try it in a shop first if you can.

Height adjustable
Useful if you are taller or shorter than average, or suffer from back pain.

Tumble dryable cleaning pads
Cleaning pads are machine washable and while most pads can be tumbled dried, manufacturers don't recommend it as it reduces the life of the pad. It can take several days to dry a pad without using a dryer. All the mops in our test came with two pads.

Turbo steam button
Sprays a strong burst of steam onto difficult-to-remove stains. The button is on the handle and may be difficult to press while moving the steam mop.

Pre heating pad
This is a landing pad on which to park the hot steam mop without damaging the floor. Useful while the mop is heating or if the phone rings in the middle of your cleaning session.

Carpet attachment
Some steam mops claim to "refresh" carpets and come with attachments that fit under the pad, pushing the steam into the carpet.

Water tank
A removable water tank is easier to fill than one that’s attached to the mop head requiring the use of a cup. Cups are supplied if they’re needed.

Cord storage
Most mops have clips for winding the cord around when stowing it away. They can also be handy for keeping a long cord out of the way when the mop’s in use.