Steam mop - wood floors

[MeridaAndAngus]

Does anyone have experience using a steam cleaner on wood floors? I've always thought that'd be a bad idea since water damages wood floors (generally). However we were recently at a neighbor's house and despite having a large dog he had the cleanest, best looking wood floors I've seen in a long time. He uses a steam cleaner & sweats by it. We have only tile & wood floors in our house so I'm wondering if a steam cleaner would be a good option for us.

Has anyone used a steamer on wood floors long term? Any issues with damaging the varnish? Any other issues?

We have oak floors that we refinished with a medium brown finish and a matte varnish about a year ago. We also have dogs so keeping the floors clean is a challenge.

 

[tvguy]

I am not aware of any manufacturer who approves of steam cleaning a wood floor. I would void my warranty on my Shaw floor.

 

[brooke789]

The steam mops all say they're safe for wood floors, laminate, etc. We have laminate and they also list them as being good for laminate. I've used it on our laminate floors everyday for the last 5-6 years. Steam mops are the best and easiest way to clean hard floors in my opinion.
Incidentally, we replaced our linoleum with some sort of sheet tile (can't think of what it was called) last year and the manufacturer did say not to use a steam mop. During our demo I told DH that was a deal breaker for me. I'm not having a floor I can't steam and the sales women said everyones uses one and although "it voids the warranty" it doesn't hurt the floors.

 

[Gracie09]

I've used a steam mop in two houses. First on brand new out of the box cherry floors. Now on older wood. No issues at all. In fact they dry much faster than using traditional mop and bucket or spray stuff. Pretty much the only thing that doesn't "void the warranty" on new floors is if you only use the expensive cleaning products they tell you to use. That you can only buy from them. Get the steam mop. Use it. Love it.

 

[tvguy]

I've used a steam mop in two houses. First on brand new out of the box cherry floors. Now on older wood. No issues at all. In fact they dry much faster than using traditional mop and bucket or spray stuff. Pretty much the only thing that doesn't "void the warranty" on new floors is if you only use the expensive cleaning products they tell you to use. That you can only buy from them. Get the steam mop. Use it. Love it.

LOL.

 

[North of Mouse]

Does anyone have experience using a steam cleaner on wood floors? I've always thought that'd be a bad idea since water damages wood floors (generally). However we were recently at a neighbor's house and despite having a large dog he had the cleanest, best looking wood floors I've seen in a long time. He uses a steam cleaner & sweats by it. We have only tile & wood floors in our house so I'm wondering if a steam cleaner would be a good option for us.

Has anyone used a steamer on wood floors long term? Any issues with damaging the varnish? Any other issues?

We have oak floors that we refinished with a medium brown finish and a matte varnish about a year ago. We also have dogs so keeping the floors clean is a challenge.

We have the Bissel steam cleaner and dh always cleans our cherry/ash wood floors with it. I, too, questioned this, but the instructions say it's for wood floors. Dh always uses the 'lightest' setting for this and we have had no issues.

 

[tvguy]

We have the Bissel steam cleaner and dh always cleans our cherry/ash wood floors with it. I, too, questioned this, but the instructions say it's for wood floors. Dh always uses the 'lightest' setting for this and we have had no issues.

Yup, all the steam cleaner makers say they are safe on wood floors, and none of the wood floor makers agree.

 

[brekin67]

I use a steam mop weekly on my wood floors. After the first round, I do a second round and spray wood oil directly onto the wood floor and steam a second time.

 

[North of Mouse]

Yup, all the steam cleaner makers say they are safe on wood floors, and none of the wood floor makers agree.

Seriously wonder why?? Ours have shown no ill effects - granted, dh uses 'low' steam. Have not used what was given to us to use by 'floor installers' as we have heard it is 'very' hard on wood floors - our floors now 15 years old.

 

[morgan98]

I too steam clean my wood floors and have now in for several years in two different houses. I think manufacturers and installers tell you not to do this because yes, if you were to pour a bucket of water on your hardwood floor and leave it without trying to mop it up or dry it, it would cause damage. These newer steam cleaner are just that are the floors do not remain "wet" at all.

I just think this is an over-reaction to the water sitting on hardwood floors is always bad advice. For me my floors would never be clean enough if I did not use very hot water with some kind of cleaning solution.

 

[Debbie]

Thank you for all of the positive responses. I have struggled with how to clean the floors for 4 years. Guess who will be steam cleaning next week.

 

[tvguy]

Seriously wonder why?? Ours have shown no ill effects - granted, dh uses 'low' steam. Have not used what was given to us to use by 'floor installers' as we have heard it is 'very' hard on wood floors - our floors now 15 years old.

I don't know the why. We did a complete remodel 2 years ago, and everything we put in has a list of how to care for it.
The one that stumps me is are the water saver expensive Kohler toilets we put in. The "super slippery" finish on the inside of the bowl, that is part of the reason they need less water to flush stuff down, is delicate. You can't use Comet/Ajax/Dutch Cleanser/Bar Keepers friend or any other abrasive cleaner on it. None of the non-abrasive cleaners I has tried (and I have tried a bunch) does a very good job.
Yet, the el cheapo toilets we took out were scrubbed with comet for 35 years and THEIR finish never came off.

 

[Gorechick]

We have pre-finished engineered hardwood in our new home and I am hesitant to use my Shark steamer. This is the first time I have had wood floors. I bought a Libbman microfiber mop and Bona hardwood cleaner this evening. I'll test a small area tomorrow.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

When we replaced our prefinished hardwood floors in our house a couple years ago, I stopped using my steam mop, and now I just vacuum and mop with Bona. I was worried about using the steam mop on the new floors. I have found Bona to be a good product.

 

[morgan98]

We also have a Boma mop in addition to the steam cleaner I have mentioned above. We use the Boma for more regular cleanings and maintenance, I have a lot of hardwood and I bring the steamer out for what I would consider my bigger cleanings.

 

[ldo]

which steam mop does everyone really like, and what do you use in it for HW floors and what for tile?

 

[CandleontheWater]

We have been using this hard floor cleaner in our new house with engineered wood floors and it has been working great! I was nervous about the steam mop, but this literally leaves no water on the floor because it sucks it right back up. I'm sure it voids the warranty, but I just couldn't get my kitchen floors clean with just a spray and microfiber cloth. It was a total joke. This does a great job, and its been a year now with no damage!

 

[tvguy]

Thank you for all of the positive responses. I have struggled with how to clean the floors for 4 years. Guess who will be steam cleaning next week.

Try the Bona, like everyone says, it works great, and you don't have to mess with a steamer, or any potential long term damage.

 

[ellie05]

My father in law is a carpenter and he has seen damaged on wood floors from steam mopping. We have 3 dogs and I vacuum everyday day and use bona hardwood cleaner after and my floors look great. I do steam mop my tile.

 

[Gracie09]

Try the Bona, like everyone says, it works great, and you don't have to mess with a steamer, or any potential long term damage.

Read the reviews on the bona. Not so great