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!

Acerone wrote:

Acerone:  Good and productive exchange.  I just might have to buy one and try it out for myself.

Carmine D.

I have the Eureka steam mop and like it very much.  One of the things I will say against it is you have to use their mop pads whereas some of the others you can use a folded towel or microfiber cloth.  A word about the pads, they are machine washable, but don't put them in the dryer they will shrink.  Also don't use fabric softner in the load you wash your floor pads in as the softner will hinder absorbtion and will leave streaks.   However, with those pads you get a lot of cleaning.  I could clean the entire kitchen and bath with little difficulty.  Now since I have moved  my bathroom is the only room that isn't carpeted so even though I only use the steam mop once a week or so, it's still worth the three minutes warm up time as it really cuts the stuff on the floor, and I have some assurance that it is disinfected.

I have  a co-worker that has the Shark steam mop and she really likes it as well.  Again you have to use their pads, but she loves it.

So new for 2009 its still not on the ORECK Web Site.  The ORECK Steam It!  Heats in under 30 seconds.  Steam clean windows.  Clean any hard surface.  Target tough upholstery stains.  6 piece attachment kit.  $169  Can use upside down without spillage. 

Carmine D.

Has anyone used the Oreck Steam-It on tile floors? I am unable to find any reviews. I have the Hoover Floormate. 90% of my home is dark grey tile. Unless I immediately dry the floor with towels, they are streaked. Help!

Hello Simonette:

I have 70 percent Mohawk ceramic tile floors and use the HOOVER Floormate for cleaning and drying.  Works very well.  I'm in the market for the ORECK Steam-It but not for the ceramic floors.  Steam heat is not recommended on these floors.  The HOOVER FM, without the liquid cleaning solutions, is.  I have found that the HOOVER FM leaves my floors almost completely dry after using the dirty water pick up mode.  And a good thing.  I have a lab that likes to help with the job and walks over the floor as soon as I clean an area.   The lab and the 3 grand daughters are the main reasons for the FM.  So far so good.  Over 3 years of use with the HOOVER FM and still going strong.  One difference is that I use an ORECK XL upright to completely vacuum the tile floors before using the FM.  I found using the dry vacuum mode of the FM is not as good as the ORECK.

Carmine D.

Simonette wrote:
Hi Simonette,

A good steam cleaner should do a fine job on tile. Floors with well-sealed grout should be easy to care for. Vacuum thoroughly before cleaning (fill and allow your steam cleaner to heat while your sweeping). Ceramic tile wiht properly sealed grout is generally tough but use your device's brush or only a non-metallic scouring pad or very mild cleanser to get up hard to rout scuff marks.

Please note a good steam cleaner only produces steam when triggered and its steam rate is adjustable.

Following is a link to Oreck's user guide page. Look for and click on "Steamer 100":

http://www.oreck.com/customer-service/owners-guides.cfm#

Venson

Hi again Simonette,

Here is a URL for a PDF of the less expensive Bissell Steam Mop's user guide. Click on the link at teh right side of the page:

http://www.bissell.com/Products/c/bare+floor+solutions/p/1867-7/product.aspx

Best,

Venson

Hello Venson, Simonette:

Before moving into our new home, my son-in-law was gracious enough to seal the ceramic tile flooring [we were out-of state].  It's a one time occurence.  Unlike the granite counters which require sealing yearly with a liquid especially for the purpose.

Converstions with the contractor who installed the Mohawk floor advised against steam and cleaning solvents, recommending instead just likewarm tap water.  I've followed his advice and so far so good.  Tho, I note that some homeowners have had somee issues with cracks developing in the grout and tile. 

Question: Do you think the floor contractor was being overly cautious with his advice and my ceramic tile floor? 

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
Hi Carmine,

Definitely yes, as I have a strong feeling the contractor spends more time building than cleaning. As well, though long in use in Europe, steam cleaners and the way they work are not well-known here despite the sudden burst of advertising. The following URL is for ceramic tile dos and don'ts and no caveats for steam cleaners are offered.

http://www.mohawkflooring.com/ceramic-tile/care/dosanddonts.aspx

The next is part also about tile care but note that there is mention of semi-annual treatment of grout:

http://www.mohawkflooring.com/ceramic-tile/care/default.aspx

Venson

Venson wrote:

Thanks Venson.  Looks like I have some additional work to do every 6 months not to mention my new steam cleaner, whatever it ends up to be, is going to get more than the workout I thought.  Who said retirement is the life of Riley?

Carmine D.