A steam mop is a mop that uses steam to clean all types of floors and carpets. Most steam mops have a small water tank that can generally hold about 750 mL of water. The water is then heated to temperatures of about 120 degrees Celsius and the steam is often dry steam. A microfibre pad is often placed right underneath the jet where the steam is blasted out and when it is activated by steam, it will begin locking in dirt. In most steam mops, the dirt goes deep into the pad so that it will not get saturated quickly. Unlike a regular mop, which uses chemicals such as bleach, the steam mop uses the heat from the steam to disinfect the floors. However, many people have received burns from using steam mops.
How a steam mop works
A steam mop works by heating up the water inside the reservoir to temperatures of about 120 degrees Celsius. Many steam mops have one jet that blasts dry steam out (though some may have as many as 15 smaller jets) which activates a microfibre pad placed right underneath. The steam helps soak the pad and dirt is drawn out of the ground. Unlike regular mops though, steam mops do not leave a residue on the floor and often clean through the dirt. (Harsh chemicals that regular mops use can actually give an impression that the wooden floor is dull.) Some steam mops can also remove residues, restoring the floor's shine (though not usually to the degree of a brand new floor) and are designed to disinfect the floor. Most steam mops kill about 99 percent of the bacteria and household dust mites in the area mopped via intense direct heat. The weak steam mops can disinfect floors and restore shine and kill dust mites on carpets and they remove some stains. The stronger professional ones are used by many professionals to steam-clean carpets in other people's homes, and these mops are the one that remove most stains in one use, and if a stain is not removable, it will gradually disappear after extended use.
Advantages
- Steam mops can disinfect without the use of harsh chemicals.
- The microfibre steam pad can be reused.
- Steam mops often restore wooden floors by breaking through any residue left behind from a user's previous mop's harsh chemicals.
- Steam mops can be used to steam clean carpets.
- When cleaning carpets, a steam mop kills the dust mites on the carpet.
- Steam mops can remove stains on floors and carpets.
- Unlike sponge mops, the pads do not harden after about 6 months, allowing one to reuse the steam mop over and over again.
Disadvantages
- If not used properly, a user can burn him/herself.
- The microfibre pad eventually wears down, causing a user having to buy more, which is expensive.
- A steam mop is more expensive than a regular mop (About $99 on average).
- Steam mops can be a risk of fire, especially when one is steam cleaning carpets, as the heat left behind can cause the carpet to catch fire, such as when attempting to remove a stain. (one must keep the steam mop in the same position for about 30 seconds and then go over the stain area, which can leave behind a large amount of heat)
- If one is attempting to clean their entire house, (for example if they are cleaning a mansion)the user must unplug and replug the steam mop in multiple electrical outlets in order to finish the job, which is potentially time consuming.
- Steam mops waste a large amount of electrical power.
- When removing the plug from a power socket, one can potentially get a serious electric shock because the plugs used for steam mops are large and often get stuck.
Safety
While steam mops have enjoyed huge advantages, the heat from the steam and electricity are many issues in the safety of steam mops. Because a steam mop is plugged into a power outlet, and because the plugs are the large ones that are used in many large electrical appliances to make sure it can't be removed easily, some people have had serious electric shocks by accidentally touching the metal parts when a majority of the plug is still plugged in. Another major safety issue is the heat from the steam. Most people often get second-degree burns from the steam by rushing to remove the microfibre pad from the mop, (the user should wait for a minute to allow the pad to cool down) and ultimately receiving burns on hands. Also, a fire safety issue is for cleaning carpets, as the heat from the steam might ignite a fire on the carpet if one accidentally leaves the mop on while pausing to do personal functions such as going to the bathroom, or washing their hands.
How To Remove Carpet Stains
Step-by-step instructions for removing most types of carpet stains. Also has tips on general carpet cleaning and carpet care.
Carpet Stain Removal Guide
A carpet stain removal guide for most common carpet stains. Step-by-step instructions.
Barefoot Lass's Carpet Stain Removal Page!
Filled with hints and tips to remove carpet stains! Saves you time and money! ... Below are some of the best carpet stain removing hints and tips that I have collected through ...
Carpet.net - Wholesale Carpet Direct - Dalton, GA: Removing Difficult ...
« Removing Spots from Your Carpet | Main | Pet Stains » Removing Difficult Carpet Stains. Acid Substances Strong acids, such as battery acids and some tile cleaning compounds, if ...
Removing Carpet Stains and more decorating ideas, organizing tips, and ...
Make your home beautiful and smart with ideas from Martha Stewart on marthastewart.com. Organizing solutions, decorating and painting projects and ideas, solutions for cleaning and ...
Removing Dog Urine Stain from Carpet
Removing Dog Urine Stain from Carpet. What is the best thing to remove dog urine from carpet, using household products?
Removing Ketchup Stains from Carpet | Aqualux Carpet Cleaning Dallas ...
Ketchup! Talk about a true American dynasty! This stuff is devoured by Americans everyday by the truckload! Hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries are all
Removing Ink Stains From Carpet - Carpet Ink RemovalStain
Tips on Removing Ink stains from carpet ... Removing Ink Stains. Removing ink stains from carpet may seem difficult, but there are a few ways to clean it out without damaging the ...
Best Carpet Stain Remover For Carpet Stain Removal On Any Carpet Stain
Remove Coffee Carpet Stain Removing Coffee Carpet Stain. Ink Carpet Stain Remover Ink Carpet Stain Removal Remove Ink Carpet Stain Removing Ink Carpet Stain
Removing Ink Stains From Carpet
Removing Ink Stains From Carpet. How do I get ink out of carpeting?