Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Hello all,

I know this is a vac forum but does anyone recommend a good floor steamer?  I once borrowed a Eureka 300A upright steamer and enjoyed using it.  Thanks for the help!

HOOVER Floormate.  Steam cleaners are discouraged on some tile floors because they are too harsh on the cement and sealers used to install.

Carmine D.

Hi rjg2,

I  have to take the other side of the fence here.  I have owned the FloorMate but now own a Euro-Pro steam cleaner.  Indeed a steam cleaner does use steam vapor that is output usually at around 220 degrees farenheit or higher instead of directly applying solution as the FloorMate does.  Depsite the high heat of the steam dispersed, this should not prove a problem as of course you won't be letting the device just sit in one spot for more than a few seconds.  A good machine should allow you to adjust the steam flow to an amount suitable for the job you're doing thus cleaning with steam vapor should not prove a detriment when cleaning properly installed flooring.  Such devices may even be used on sealed wood flooring. Damage possibilities only rise with the lack of common sense same as it would with any other appliance.

Best of all, there is no measuring or mixing of cleaning solutions.  You simply add the required amount of plain water and let the machine heat up. Heating time varies brand to brand.  Also, it being that no detergent is called for you may save some money.  Clean-up up is merely a matter of emptying your steam mop or cleaner of unused water after has cooled down (this should be done after every use) and putting used special absorbent cleaning cloths or bonnets in the wash. 

Performance wise, I feel my steam cleaner runs rings around the FloorMate I had.  For difficult problems that my FloorMate couldn't fix either, I just drop a nylon scrubbing pad on the floor, place the nozzle on it to get rid of heel marks on vinyl tile.   Flooring dries faster and without having to switch back and forth to apply or suck up standing cleaning solution.  I will note here the one advantage of the FloorMate over a steam mop -- it can be used to suck up spills.  Nonetheless, in average cleaning situations a steam cleaner is a pretty good deal.

What you're interested in is the steam mop, an upright steam vapor device meant for floor cleaning only.  I've attached a link to epinions.com to where you may get an idea of devices currently available plus user opinions.

http://www.epinions.com/search/?submitted_form=searchbar&search_vertical=all&tax_name=&search_string=steam+mop

My only other suggestions are that you sweep or vacuum well before use and also purchase extra special cloths or bonnets so that you're assured of having fresh one's on hand use to use. The FlooraMate also allows use as a vacuum cleaner but the filter in the dust/solution tank can clog quickly.  You will have to be sure that it is perfectly clean after vacuuming as suction for solution pick up may be affected when you get to floor washing.

http://www.hoover.com/pdfs/manuals/H3030.pdf

Good luck,

Venson

I know of the Eureka that you are referring to.

I would suggest that you purchase a cleaner like the Bissell Steam Mop.  It will clean well for you.  Also, the company can be contacted easier than some of these other markers of vapor steam cleaners.

If you have very large areas to clean or want to clean more than floors, I would suggest that you purchase a canister-type vapor steam cleaner.  You will get more use from them, plus they will hold more water.

Tip:  If you are using water w/alot of minerals, I would suggest using distilled water.  Or, use distilled water half the time.  This will prolong mineral build-up.

The drawback of these floor steamers is that they do not get up to the baseboards or in small spaces.  I have found good results w/using a good string-type mophead.  The positive side of a floor steamer is that people sensitive to chemicals have something to use that will not hurt them.