Mop and vacum combo... Thoughts?

[LaurenLC]

My hardwood floors are driving me up the wall this winter! I am sooooo tired of sweeping, mopping, etc. DAILY! I am really intrigued by the vacuum/mop combo 'things'!

Anyone have one that they really like? Are they worth the money?

Any insight would be appreciated!

 

[LaurenLC]

Anyone?

 

[goodeats]

I'm curious too. I've been using the Shark Steam Mop weekly, and sweeping daily. The sweeping is not cutting it. Either I'm not good at it, or it just doesn't work. I'm thinking about a swifter (the kind with sticky) to actually pick up the stuff. The refills are pricey though.

 

[Heidict]

My Dh and I were thinking about getting the Shark Vac and Steam mop. Does anyone use this one? I have read good reviews on other sites and everyone seems to be happy with it.

 

[Robinrs]

I have the Bissell Steam and Sweep, not a vacuum but a sweeper. It is a life saver. I have all hardwoods and tiles and it just gets rid of one step.

 

[SpecialK]

I have the Shark Vac Then Steam and my floors have never looked better. I used to sweep, then use a dry Swiffer, then use a steam mop. It was a pain and took forever.

The vac on this machine is the best hard surface vac I've ever used. Even when the floor looks clean it picks up an unbelievable amount of dust. The steamer is easy to use and does a great job.The cord is longer than my original steam mop and the handle is adjustable. You don't have to pump the handle for steam.

On the con side, you only get about 20 minutes of steam before you have to refill the reservoir; you have to carry the additional plate to convert to steam separately; and it doesn't come with a stand/pad to put it on when you're waiting for steam or have just finished. (I just move it to my laundry room where I have tile so as not to damage the hardwood with concentrated steam.)

 

[luvmylittleboy2003]

I have the Shark 2-1 Shark and LOVE IT...wish I had bought one soon. Bought mine at BB&B with 20% off coupon.

 

[lovetoscrap]

So happy to see this thread! I think my basic model Shark broke last night -- it stopped producing steam even though it had water. I haven't tried again today.

I would love to have a vac and steam machine.

 

[design_mom]

So happy to see this thread! I think my basic model Shark broke last night -- it stopped producing steam even though it had water. I haven't tried again today.

I would love to have a vac and steam machine.

Does the light still come on? Do you use "distilled water"?

I just used regular tap water in mine until we had something similar happen with our Shark steam mop. I thought we were going to have to buy a new one.

Everything seemed fine, except that it wasn't making steam. I replaced the head on it (ours came with two) and that didn't work at first, but then suddenly there was a pop and a lot of water came out. Hot water! It scared me to death. I think maybe there was a build-up from the minerals in the water on the inside of the machine. We've been using distilled water (as recommended in the manual) since then, and we have not had the problem again... although a vac/steam combo would be awfully nice!

 

[lovetoscrap]

Does the light still come on? Do you use "distilled water"?

I just used regular tap water in mine until we had something similar happen with our Shark steam mop. I thought we were going to have to buy a new one.

Everything seemed fine, except that it wasn't making steam. I replaced the head on it (ours came with two) and that didn't work at first, but then suddenly there was a pop and a lot of water came out. Hot water! It scared me to death. I think maybe there was a build-up from the minerals in the water on the inside of the machine. We've been using distilled water (as recommended in the manual) since then, and we have not had the problem again... although a vac/steam combo would be awfully nice!

I do use tap water. I will check it out later. But I am really hoping it is broken Costco has the Hoover FloorMate and the Shark Vac and Steam and I would love to have one of them. Not sure which yet.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I just used regular tap water in mine until we had something similar happen with our Shark steam mop. I thought we were going to have to buy a new one.

Everything seemed fine, except that it wasn't making steam. I replaced the head on it (ours came with two) and that didn't work at first, but then suddenly there was a pop and a lot of water came out. Hot water! It scared me to death.!

HOLY MOLY! I just plugged mine in and walked away for a minute. I heard the POP! and looked to see steam and water flying from the thing! I am glad I had walked away. I have unplugged it for now. I am assuming that this is the exact same thing you describe so no new mop for me But I will wait and have DH check it when he gets home or he will kill me for plugging it back in after it did that.

 

[design_mom]

HOLY MOLY! I just plugged mine in and walked away for a minute. I heard the POP! and looked to see steam and water flying from the thing! I am glad I had walked away. I have unplugged it for now. I am assuming that this is the exact same thing you describe so no new mop for me But I will wait and have DH check it when he gets home or he will kill me for plugging it back in after it did that.

Yep! That's what happened to mine. I was standing right there, but thankfully I was wearing long pants and shoes (I hardly ever wear shoes in the house.)

LOL about the because there will be no new steam mop. I felt the same way when there was an easy fix for my dishwasher. I certainly am not going to spend $$ if mine is working, but I sure would like a new one. I briefly saw myself with a new one, and it was lovely... and then the dishwasher was fixed!

 

[LaurenLC]

Thank you all so much! I have really been wanting the Shark vac then steam, but really wanted some feedback! My husband has promised we will be getting one in the next couple of weeks! Now off to find the best price! Thanks again!

 

[LaurenLC]

I thought I would update since we purchased a Shark Vac then Steam! I LOVE this product! I ended up finding it on line for $116.00 so I printed the ad and took it to Kohls because they match prices and I had a 30% coupon! I ended up getting it for a little over $80.00!! I highly recommend it!

 

[daemom]

I use the Swiffer Vac first--it sucks up the debris that won't stick to the cloth and the cloth picks up the dust and pet hair on the floor. It's something we get out and use every day it seems--we have no carpet--only tile and hardwood. I use a vinegar and water solution to clean with but I really have been looking at the Shark lately!! Sounds like most of you give it a thumbs up!

 

[arminnie]

My Dh and I were thinking about getting the Shark Vac and Steam mop. Does anyone use this one? I have read good reviews on other sites and everyone seems to be happy with it.

I'm not. It works great if your floors are almost clean. It doesn't work at all on dirty floors.

I had movers bring back all my belongings (after a major remodel) a few days after snow. Lots of mud in the room. I found that I had to mop (with a regular mop) several times BEFORE using the steamer. The vac part did not pick up dried mud on my new hardwood floors. The steamer just smeared the dirt around.

I liked the steamer until I really needed to clean my floors. I tried changing the mop head on the steamer every few feet (I have several). I always wondered where the dirt really goes. Now I know it just gets smeared around the floor.

 

[arminnie]

The Hoover Floormate works better on cleaning floors, but doesn't leave the floors perfect looking as they are still wet.

I think on the dirty floors using the Floormate followed by the steamer would work well but be a real pain. My floormate is in one state and the Shark is in my home in another state so I haven't tried this combo.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I went and looked at the Floormate and the Steam and Vac. I really was convinced I wanted the Floormate but it is just too darn big. It is like just getting another vacuum cleaner/ carpet shampooer. I want something somewhat small that can be stored in my pantry. I need to check at Costco. I want to get it there because of their warranty.

DH tried to save my other steam mop but it is beyond repair.