You might expect a steam mop to be more convenient than an ordinary squeeze mop, with no squeegee to squeeze and no pail of water to deal with. You might also expect the steam to loosen dried food spills effectively, and perhaps even sanitize floors and other surfaces. But not all of these expectations matched the reality when we last tested these products. Vapor Caper: Testing Steam Mops We coated vinyl flooring with catsup, hair spray, toothpaste, pasta sauce, olive oil, cat food, pancake syrup, mustard, barbecue sauce, and other sticky household stuff and let the goop harden overnight. Admittedly, this was a much tougher test than the typical small kitchen spill. Some spills were almost gone after two passes of the steam mop; others, such as mustard, clung tenaciously. We judged two models very good overall in cleaning up the small individual messes. The rest were middling. Cleaning up a larger mess—the entire row of spills—proved much more challenging. Eventually even the best performers pushed aside more grime than they were picking up.

The results looked like a lawn where the mower had missed narrow strips along its path. And the entire floor looked dull from the partial cleanup of so many messes. We repeated our tests with an ordinary $15 squeeze mop, using hot tap water with some mild detergent. best vacuum for cleaning carpet edgesThe squeeze mop cleaned our floors at least as well as the steam mops, if not better. best leather cleaner for dirty car seatsOf course, we had to scrub more vigorously and allow extra time to refresh the mop repeatedly in a pail of hot water. best way to clean sticky wooden chairsDespite that, our testers found the squeeze mop strangely more satisfying.good vacuum cleaner for bed bugs

Boiler Alert—What to Know About Steam Mops The cartons of all but one steam mop promise to sanitize floors and other surfaces. Those claims may well be true, at least to some extent, because all the tested models produced steam that was hotter than 200° F. (With a typical home heating system's hot water set to 120° F, the hottest you can make an ordinary squeeze mop is about 100° F.)where to rent air duct cleaning equipment Manufacturers indicate that their steam mops can be used on various hard floors, including vinyl, tile, and sealed wood. air duct cleaning equipment ukBut all the tested models left residual moisture, some more than others. A wood floor that appears sealed might have crevices where water can seep in and cause damage. Also, some wood finishes or older waxes might haze over.

Check with the manufacturer of your flooring to make sure using a steam mop wouldn't void the warranty. The removable pad at the bottom of each steam mop can hold only so much grime before it just pushes the excess material along. Before upending the mop to replace the dirty pad underneath, you have to drain the reservoir or run the mop until it's empty. You may be able to remove the pad without upending the steam mop. But the heavier models—up to 10 pounds with full reservoir—can make that inconvenient. The instructions we saw suggest cleaning the pad in a washing machine, but we wouldn't want to toss a grungy pad in the same load with the bed linens and kids' school clothes. Running an entire washing-machine cycle just for one or two pads is wasteful. And hand washing the pads in a sink isn't all that appealing, either. Steam Mop Features—Tough on Grime Reservoir Capacity: One model steamed continuously at its highest setting for about 45 minutes. Some models ran out of water in less than 10 minutes, limiting their convenience to small spills.

Steam Control: This feature, found in most models we tested, lets you control the amount of steam delivered. Add-Water Indicator: A light in some steam mops warns you when it's time to refill the reservoir. On-Off Control: Half the models we tested let you flick a switch, rather than pull the plug, to turn off the steam mop. Swivel Head: In some steam mops, this feature may ease maneuvering in tight spaces. Detachable Steam Generator: One model lets you detach the working end from the base so you can use it as a handheld steamer. Power Cord: Cord lengths on the models we last tested ranged from 16 to 30 feet. A short cord may limit you to a small cleanup job in a small room. And an extension cord may be unsafe with these high-wattage appliances. Additional Cleaning Accessories: Some models come with extra tools for cleaning carpets, windows, blinds, drapes, countertops, car upholstery, and more. What's behind our steam mop Ratings? Residual water left on floor

Steam mop user reviews and provide valuable feedback to other members and our testers. Steam mop buying guide Start by determining the best vacuum for the type of cleaning you do. If you have wall-to-wall carpet, or just lots of rugs, uprights, especially with a bag, do best overall. But if you have lots of stairs—or hardwood, laminate, or tile floors—canisters can be easier to maneuver. Stick and hand-held vacuums are great for lighter tasks that need quick attention; a robotic device is an option for the set-it-and-go crowd. And central vacuums could be an option if you're ready for that installation commitment. (But we don't test that type.) For the best vacuums in all categories at a price that's right for you, go to our Vacuum Cleaner Ratings. Pros: Uprights tend to cost less than canister vacuums and offer a wider cleaning swath. They are generally better at deep-cleaning carpets—particularly the bagged models. Most are easy to store. Cons: Pushing and pulling the weight of the machine.

Some top performers weigh 20 pounds or more, although lighter models can still do the job. Uprights tend to be noisier than canisters. Upright Vacuum Cleaner Ratings Pros: Canisters are better than uprights for cleaning bare floors, stairs, drapes, and upholstery, and under furniture – and some are as good as uprights at cleaning carpets. Most are quieter, and the separate power head makes them seem lighter as well. Cons: Overall, these vacuums are bulkier than their upright brethren. The hose and wand make a canister harder to squeeze into a closet. Canister Vacuum Cleaner Ratings Pros: Like uprights, they have tall bodies and handles, and a powerhead. They're lightweight and convenient when you need to quickly clean up a mess. They also eliminate having to bend over to clean a dirty floor. Cons: Most don't perform as well on carpet as full-size vacuums. They are mainly suited for picking up surface litter and aren't a replacement for a conventional vacuum.

The capacity of their dirt bin is typically small. Most are fairly noisy. Stick Vacuum Cleaner Ratings Pros: These miniature electric models come corded or cordless. They're handy for light, quick surface cleaning on short-pile carpets and bare floors; some can handle pet hair on upholstery. They're also useful for cleaning up your car's interior. Cons: They lack the power and capacity of full-sized upright or canister models. Hand-Held Vacuum Cleaner Ratings Pros: Robotic vacuums do the grunge work while you relax. In uncluttered rooms, a robotic can touch up between regular, manual vacuuming sessions. The better models can find their way out of tight spots and around extension cords. A few of the newest models can even be controlled by an app on your smartphone. Cons: No robotic vacuum can match the deep cleaning you'll get from the best uprights and canisters. Not the ideal choice if you have shag carpeting or area rugs. Robotic Vacuum Cleaner Ratings

Pros: They're easier to use than a canister. With no vacuum body to pull along, you carry only the hose and powerhead. Central vacuums tend to be relatively quiet, and their dirt chambers need to be emptied infrequently. Cons: Central vacuums are pricey and can require professional installation. Their 30-foot hoses can be cumbersome and take up storage space. And there's no in-unit place to store cleaning tools while you work. We don't currently test central vacuum cleaners. Interactive Video Buying Guide Watch our interactive video below. You can skip to different chapters on types, features, robotic vacuums, and stick vacuums. What to Consider While Shopping Modern vacuums come in a range of designs, sleek shapes, and cool colors. But what matters most is how well they clean. Remember that one type of vacuum might have features that appeal to you, but it should also fit your cleaning needs. Pet owners, take note: Upright and canister vacuum cleaners that excel at regular jobs tested best in show for picking up pet hair.

A vacuum cleaner with a motorized brush cleans carpets better than one powered only by suction. A switch that can deactivate the brush will help protect the finish of bare floors and avoid scattering debris. Consider models with a manual carpet pile-height adjustment control, along with suction control for cleaning draperies and other delicate fabrics. Bagless vacuum cleaners save on the cost of purchasing bags but they also require more filters that need periodic cleaning or—for HEPA filters—replacing. The dust and mess of emptying their bins can be a concern if you have asthma or allergies. Even if you order online, go to a store first. Push, pull, turn, and lift the vacuum cleaners you're considering. Check out the controls and features. If an online price is low, see if the store will match it. Keep an Ear Out for Noise No vacuum cleaner reached the level at which we recommend hearing protection, but any vacuum will seem louder in a room with a lot of echo, such as a tiled bathroom.