Steam mop vs regular mop: which is worth buying

Verdict: for most homes, a regular mop wins on cost and safety. A steam mop is worth it if you have sealed tile or vinyl, want less liquid cleaner, and will use it often. Check the floor maker first.

Which wins on

Caution

Use one cleaner at a time in a bucket. Do not mix bleach and other cleaners. Keep children and pets away from hot steam. After mopping, open a window so the floor dries.

For a stained floor edge, see how to clean grout between tiles.

Where the answer flips

On sealed tile, steam is fast and needs no cleaner. On vinyl, check the maker, because some warn against heat. On laminate and wood, steam can force moisture into joints, so a barely damp mop is safer. On a small flat with one hard floor, a mop and bucket will do. On a large home with children and sticky floors, the steam mop starts to make sense.

Worked example

A 20 square metre kitchen has sealed tiles. Round numbers: a regular mop takes about 15 minutes including fetching the bucket and emptying it. A steam mop takes about 10 minutes plus 1 minute to heat, and you skip the bucket. The machine costs more, and it needs descaling in hard water. If you mop once a week, the time saved is small. If you mop daily, it adds up.

Common mistakes

• Mopping a dusty floor. Sweep first.
• Using too much cleaner. It leaves a film.
• Leaving the steam in one spot. Keep it moving.
• Not washing the pad. A dirty pad spreads dirt.

What to buy

If you buy a regular mop, a flat microfibre mop with washable pads is easy to keep clean. If you buy a steam mop, look for one that says it is suitable for your floor type and has a water tank you can fill easily.

What each really costs over a year

A regular mop and bucket costs a few dollars and lasts for a year or more, with pads or heads replaced. A steam mop costs more at the start, uses power, and needs pads, and may need descaling. If you mop twice a month, the saving in chemicals will not repay the price. If you mop three times a week with strong sprays, you may feel it pays back sooner.

Safety

Steam is very hot. Keep it off bare feet, pets and children. Do not hold the mop still on one spot. Let it cool before you empty the tank. Follow the manual.

Hard water

In hard water areas, a steam mop's tank gathers scale. Many makers suggest using the water type they advise. If you do descale, use one product at a time and follow the maker's guide. The basics are the same as for a kettle, see vinegar vs citric acid for limescale.

A middle path

A flat microfibre mop with washable pads, a spray bottle of plain water and a dab of floor cleaner is light and fast. For most floors, that is plenty. Buy a steam mop only if you have a clear need.