How to Clean Floors Efficiently With a Steam Mop

Steam cleaning your floors helps sanitize them by eliminating bacteria

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 30 mins - 1 hr
  • Total Time: 30 mins - 1 hr, 30 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $50 to 100

The steam mop is a wonderful and convenient cleaning tool, but how you use it makes a world of difference in cleaning efficiency.

Steam mops work by heating water from a reservoir inside the mop to a temperature of nearly 250 degrees Fahrenheit and sending a jet of steam down into a mop pad covering the head.

Steam mopping floors can save time but some prep work is necessary if you want to do a thorough job. Read on to learn how to use a steam mop properly to clean your floors.

steam floor cleaner

The Spruce / Olivia Inman

Steam Mopping vs. Traditional Mopping

There are pros and cons to steam mopping vs. traditional mopping. Here are the pros to steam mopping:

  • The heat of steam mops kills most of the bacteria and dust mites on the floor.
  • Steam mopping is faster and easier than traditional mopping since you don't have the additional steps of using a heavy bucket of water and bending down to wring out the mop.
  • Steam mops are convenient since you can quickly pull it out for quick touch-ups versus pulling out a bucket of water.
  • Steam mops are more sanitary than traditional mopping because you are not reusing water from a bucket.

Here are the cons to steam mopping:

  • Steam mops can cost quite a bit more than traditional mops.
  • Steam mops need to be plugged into a power source to boil the water.
  • Steam mops can become very hot and can cause accidents and injuries.
  • They cannot be used on every type of floor, although the same is true for traditional mops that use water for cleaning surfaces.

Tips for Steam Mopping Floors

Steam mops come in a variety of styles, sizes, dual or wet/dry functions, ways to attach the mop head, and amounts of power or steam generated. But features aside, any model steam mop requires that you follow certain practices.

  • Prepping the floor is key: Steam mops work best if all loose dirt and grit are removed. For best results, sweep or vacuum before you begin.
  • A steam mop is for maintenance cleaning: If your floors are heavily soiled, you will be smearing dirt all over the floor with hot steam. A deep cleaning by traditional methods is necessary for heavily soiled floors.
  • Use multiple mop pads: Keep several clean mop pads on hand, and change them as soon as they get dirty.
  • Use only on sealed floors: Make sure your flooring material is suitable for steam cleaning. Some flooring materials can be damaged by steam cleaning.

How Often to Steam Mop Floors

Steam cleaning a floor should be your option for all routine maintenance washing. For most people, this means using it once a week, though it might need to be done more frequently in active families or during certain times of the year when more outdoor grime is carried in. Every month or so, augment the steam cleaning with a deep floor scrubbing using a traditional mop.

Types of Flooring You Can Steam Mop

Steam mops should only be used on sealed floors because excess moisture can damage some surfaces. Here are the types of floors you can or should not steam mop and why.

Floors Safe to Steam Mop

  • Linoleum: Sheets of linoleum are fine to steam mop but avoid any damaged or cracked areas that can trap water and lead to mold issues.
  • Ceramic and porcelain tile: Steam mopping grout lines can help clean them, as well, but be sure to reseal steam-cleaned grout frequently.
  • Laminate: Use on water-resistant laminate floors only. Water-resistant laminates are typically made with special waterproof resins in the core layer.
  • Sealed hardwood: It's advisable to steam hardwood infrequently, if at all. If you do steam mop a sealed hardwood floor, use the lightest steam setting possible.

Floors Unsafe to Steam Mop

  • Luxury vinyl planks/vinyl: Steam can seep through the joints and seams, causing the vinyl to melt, bubble, and discolor. It's best to use a barely dampened traditional mop to clean vinyl flooring.
  • Traditional laminate: Steam cleaners might drive steam down through joints between laminate planks and damage the core layer. Instead, consider using mops for cleaning laminate floors.
  • Unsealed hardwood: While a properly sealed wood floor might accept light steam cleaning, most wood floor manufacturers caution against the use of any cleaning methods that rely on water or steam, which can discolor or warp wood. It may be best to clean hardwood with a quality vacuum and a dry microfiber mop.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Broom or vacuum cleaner

Materials

  • Steam floor cleaner
  • Mop pads

Instructions

materials needed for steam cleaning floors

The Spruce / Olivia Inman

How to Clean a Floor Using a Steam Mop

  1. Sweep and Vacuum

    You must vacuum or sweep the floor before steaming. Good suction pulls lint, dust, and other debris from the cracks to prevent all of that from dirtying the mop pad.

    vacuuming the floor prior to steam cleaning

    The Spruce / Olivia Inman

  2. Prepare the Pads

    To avoid trailing or smearing dirt around as you steam your floors, have several mop pads on hand so you can change them as required. Changing the pad whenever it becomes dirty ensures a clean steam mopping.

    having extra steam pads handy

    The Spruce / Olivia Inman

  3. Test the Surface

    Plan to test an inconspicuous section of the floor with the mop before you begin cleaning the entire floor. Consult the manufacturer's instructions for the correct settings for the surface you plan to clean.

    evaluating the floor surface

    The Spruce / Olivia Inman

  4. Prepare the Mop

    Attach a mop pad to the foot of the steam cleaner while the mop is unplugged.

    Fill the reservoir tank with water. Plug in the mop (this should be the last step in preparation). Wait for the water to boil. Most steam mops require only water to create the steam. Check your user's manual to see if you can add a specific cleaner to the reservoir.

    Warning

    Always keep the mop unplugged when filling the reservoir with water.

  5. Steam Clean the Floor

    Once you have tested and verified that the floor surface is safe to clean, go ahead and wash the rest of the floor with your steam cleaner.

    Keep the steam mop moving constantly as you wash, and don't allow it to idle on any given spot. Make multiple light passes over the entire floor.

    Change the pad as it grows dirty as you don't want to simply spread dirt around the floor. Change the pad on the mop when it is not plugged in.

    Warning

    Never leave a steam mop plugged in and unattended. Moisture can accumulate in the pad and could mar the floor surface.

    steam cleaning the floor

    The Spruce / Olivia Inman

  6. Wash the Pads

    Read the care recommendations that came with your steam cleaner on how to launder the pads. Most pads are machine washable and can be hung to dry.

    Keep a good supply of clean pads on hand, so you are ready to go the next time you wash floors.

    laundering the steam cleaner pads

    The Spruce / Olivia Inman

FAQ
  • What types of flooring can a steam mop be used on?

    Several types of flooring can be steam mopped, including tile, linoleum, and some vinyl. Always check with the flooring manufacturer to see whether a steam mop can be used on the hardwood and laminate you have in the home.

  • How often should I use a steam mop on my floors?

    You can use a steam mop on your floors as many times as you'd like. Many people use a steam mop once a week. However, if you are using it on hardwood, use caution when it comes to frequency.

  • How should I clean the pads for a steam mop?

    Clean pads for your steam mop by washing them. Several steam cleaners have pads that can be washed in the washing machine, while some might require handwashing. Check the user's manual for care instructions.