How do you clean your floors?

[justcruisin]

Thinking of buying a Shark Professional Steam Pocket Mop.

I tried a Eureka vacuum/mop combo machine but it is very heavy, loud and leaves streaks on the wood floors. Also, tried another kind of steam device which worked well on the floors but was just awkward to move around the house.

I don't mind vacuuming first but the mop and bucket is just gross and nasty. While I'm not happy about buying something else I need a better way to clean my floors.

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[maggiew]

I sweep first with an old fashioned broom. Then I use the regular Shark Steam mop. I've been really happy with it.

Maggie

 

[4orm]

I'm supposed to clean them???!?!?!

 

[kbheap]

I've got the shark and it is much better than any mop or other device I've purchased to clean my floors. I sweep or vacuum first and then pull out the shark. Its so much easier and cleans the floors so much better I find that I clean my floors now twice as often as I did prior to purchasing the shark.

 

[marie1203]

I use my irobot roomba first once that is done I mop them with Boma stuff you can find it at lowes it works great.

 

[dawson5]

I sweep with a broom and then get on my hands and knees to clean my floors. I use vinegar and water. I have knee pads for when I do this. I change my water often, but I know my floors are clean. It takes maybe 30 minutes and is almost dry right away. I use very hot water and wring my towel out very good. There is no sitting water on my floor.

There is a thread on here with input of some of these steam cleaners. One of the links shows a comparison of the steam cleaners, cost, cord length, temperature of the cleaner, etc. I toyed with the idea of buying one, but almost our whole downstairs is wood. I read mixed reviews on whether or not it is safe to use on them. I really don't want to take the chance on that.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I use the spin mop and LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I never touch the water. It spins extremely dry.

The floors dry in a matter of minutes.

http://www.myspinmop.com/

I got mine from HSN

 

[smokeyblue]

I've put a ton of thought into this subject lately. I just put laminate in my kitchen and I have existing hardwood in my living room, and tile in my large bath. I originally bought a Shark pocket mop because of a previous thread where everyone said how much they love it except for the streaks. Well, Kohl's sent me the cheaper version, so I took it back. In the meanwhile everyone at work said they were using Swiffer or microfiber mops. Also, my mom had been using a Don Aslett microfiber mop on their laminate and tile for years and it is always clean. To try to make this long story short, I ended up ordering a Don Aslett microfiber mop from QVC. I hope to get it by the end of the week.

I think I'm going to be more happy with it because I was thinking what a pain it would be to fill the Shark up and deal with the power cord. There are a lot of microfiber mops on the market. Libman and Scotchbrite have mops that are highly rated on amazon, I saw them in Target for around $10-$11 and about $5-$6 for the refill pads. I went with the Don Aslett because you get multiple pads, and the fact that my mom likes hers so much.

 

[Colleen27]

I use an old fashioned broom and then an Envirosteamer. I love it - no need for any cleaning products and it gets my floors cleaner than any mop/soap combo I've ever tried.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I use an old fashioned broom and then an Envirosteamer. I love it - no need for any cleaning products and it gets my floors cleaner than any mop/soap combo I've ever tried.

This is what I do. I LOVE my Eureka Envirosteamer. I know you mentioned a Eureka vacuum/mop combo that you weren't happy with, but I'd highly recommend the Envirosteamer. I haven't had problems with streaks, and I like it so much, I find myself cleaning my floors more often than when I was doing it with a regular mop.

 

[czycropper]

Which steam mop do you use for hardwood floors?

Right now, I'm just using the old fashion broom, and Swiffer with the wood cleaner recommended by the floor installer.

 

[girli565]

I vacuum then use my Shark deluxe steam mop. I love the way it leaves my floors sparkling clean. I do find that I have some areas that don't vacuum as well and I'll have to either sweep or just pick up the dirt with a wipe after mopping. The steam mop doesn't pick up dirt/hair/dust at all, it just spreads it around.

 

[maggiew]

I've put a ton of thought into this subject lately. I just put laminate in my kitchen and I have existing hardwood in my living room, and tile in my large bath. I originally bought a Shark pocket mop because of a previous thread where everyone said how much they love it except for the streaks. Well, Kohl's sent me the cheaper version, so I took it back. In the meanwhile everyone at work said they were using Swiffer or microfiber mops. Also, my mom had been using a Don Aslett microfiber mop on their laminate and tile for years and it is always clean. To try to make this long story short, I ended up ordering a Don Aslett microfiber mop from QVC. I hope to get it by the end of the week.

I think I'm going to be more happy with it because I was thinking what a pain it would be to fill the Shark up and deal with the power cord. There are a lot of microfiber mops on the market. Libman and Scotchbrite have mops that are highly rated on amazon, I saw them in Target for around $10-$11 and about $5-$6 for the refill pads. I went with the Don Aslett because you get multiple pads, and the fact that my mom likes hers so much.

I only have to fill my tank every couple times. I use it on my kitchen floor (fairly large space) and 3 smallish bathrooms plus the master bath.

Maggie

 

[jjsmom]

I have a Shark steamer. I like it allright, I can't say I'm overwhelmed. The cord is short (I attached an extension). I can't stand that pressurized cap (I have arthritis in both hands. It takes 2 fillups to "do" my floor which includes a kitchen, greatroom, and 2 hallways. It takes about 7-8 mins. for the water to heat up. As long as the water is in and very hot and steamy, it works great. I also switch back and forth with Libman mop & Murphys, and water, and the Libman & white vinegar, water.

In 2003 when the floor was installed, the co. recommended just vinegar and water. But I love the smell of Murphys!

 

[Millermom0606]

you also need to take into account which Shark you are using b/c there is one that you can use both sides of the 'head' and it has about a 30 foot cord, the other one you can only use one side and the cord is much shorter.

FWIW I have the deluxe pocket mop which I can use both sides of the head, it has about 5 different 'heads' to use and has a 30 foot cord..... I love it!! My son can follow me around the room and by the time he gets to the area its already clean

 

[TeaForTulips]

Can anyone recommend a mop for tile floors with grout? I have not tried a Shark mop, but the other steam mops I have tried are horrible. I pretty much have to clean my floors with my hands to get the grout clean. I would pay almost anything for a mop that would clean my tiles. I live in a condo with all tile (living room, kitchen, bedroom, walk in closet, bathroom, etc). At first I thought oh this will be great... Not so much.

 

[ceecee]

I have the Shark pocket and love it. I would like to get the one that vacumns as well as mops.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I'm sorry but I don't have grout to clean so I'm no help there.



I like the Swiffer products. We dry Swiffer often to get solids and hair and dust off the floors. Then, we wet Swiffer afterwards.

Time and again, I use the vacuum on the "bare floor" setting. I just don't care for the noise so it isn't often.

We do have another combo wet-dry vacuum. It is so big and cumbersome, but when we do use it, the soapy water is so dirty when we are done, I think it does a good job. We do this about 3-4 times a year though. It is so heavy! I can do without the streaks, so if we have having a "thing" at our house, I'll wet Swiffer after the ginormous machine is done.

Anyone have a Scooba? We're looking into that next.

I can't imagine getting on my hands and knees to do them by hand. I already have a job, thank you!

 

[humalexis]

I have laminate and vinyl flooring. I used to use the swiffer wetjet but the cleaners and pads were getting too expensive. Rubbermaid has a mop with reusuable microfiber pads and a refillable bottle. You can fill it up with super hot water and a very small amount of pinesol and it does the job well. No complaints so far.

Oh and I use the swiffer vac before I mop so that it gets the dust up with the swiffer cloths (I buy the generic kind) and the vacuum picks up crumbs etc...

 

[fakereadhed]

Swifter Wet Jet. Love it and live the orange Febreze scent!

Grout. Ugh! I have white grout in the only bathroom, first floor, shared by 5. Really wish I had not gone with white!!! Several things work, but what is easiest for upkeep is cleaning by hand with Scotch grout scrubbing tool, and covering with a grout paint pen that includes a waterproof sealer. It only has to be done once a year. The scrubbing end of my swifter wet jet gets into the grout line for reg mopping.

Oh, and the above post reminded me that I use the rubbemaid pad on my swifter and toss it in the wash. I have the dry mop and the wet mop extra pads. They aren't a perfect fit, but they do the job!