Any cleaning enthusiast knows that a good mop is one of the most important items to have in your cleaning arsenal, whether you're looking for cleaning efficacy for your carpets cleaning, hard floors cleaning, upholstery cleaning, or just a cleaner that will deal with those stubborn messes, a steam mop is the cleaning solution you need.

These easy-to-use tools are household must-haves because they tackle almost every mess you can come across in your home, from sticky spills, to stain removal on your carpet. They do all this without using harsh chemicals that other mops would require to do a good job. With a steam cleaner mop, all you need is water for the steam and all your surfaces will be sanitized and any germs eliminated.

With the various steam mops available in the market, choosing the right one for your home can be rather daunting. We’re here to help, with this steam mop buying guide you get all the information you need before buying a steam mop.

Types of Steam Mops

Steam mops come in different styles, each designed to suit your cleaning surface or need. Here are a few types to consider when shopping for one, remember it all depends on your unique cleaning needs.

Multi-purpose steam cleaners

These are powerful devices, well-liked for their versatility. It comes as a main unit connected to a hose and is capable of cleaning a range of surfaces. The hose connects to a variety of attachments that cater to different cleaning needs. You can use them to clean your walls, floors or for your upholstery cleaning. Some models, like the Aspiron steam cleaner, have crevice tools for cleaning those hard-to-reach spaces.

Steam Mops

These are traditional models designed for cleaning hard floors like hardwood, tile, vinyl, or laminate flooring. Most have a water tank and rectangular head design for steam delivery

Steam Mop And Vacuum Combo

These offer a 2 in 1 cleaning solution, the 2 cleaning modes provide you with the choice of a powerful suction when using the vacuum cleaning option or steam vapor cleaning when using the detachable steam mop head. The two cleaning modes can also be used simultaneously for a deep clean.

Hand Held Steam Cleaners

As their name suggests, these are more compact for easy maneuverability, making them ideal for small quick cleaning jobs. They can clean different surfaces like bathrooms, widows, upholstery, or countertops.

Cordless Steam Mops

These are cordless designs that were mainly battery-powered until some cordless electric models came into play. They offer the convenience of mobility and are often lighter than traditional models.

Carpet Steam Cleaners

These are specially designed to clean soft floors or surfaces like carpet fibers. They use steam vapor to gently clean carpets or upholstered furniture.

Steam Pressure Cleaners

These cleaners use the power of steam and pressurized water to clean vehicles and outdoor surfaces like driveways. They can also be used as industrial cleaners because of their tough cleaning abilities, they are effective at removing grease or melting animal fat, and are famed for their durability.

Feature Checklist

When deciding which steam mop to buy you have to assess your cleaning preference and needs. However, there are a few general factors to keep in mind when choosing a steam cleaner. Below is a feature checklist to guide you as you pick the perfect steam mop for your needs.

Cleaning Surface

This is the number one factor to consider when shopping for any cleaning device. Do you want to clean a hard floor or is your floor carpeted or do you need a solution for both? Choosing the perfect cleaner depends on the intended use. Then you can pick an option that is compatible with your surface. This Aspiron steam cleaner is a multi-purpose cleaner armed with 21 accessories for all your home cleaning needs. So, whether you’re cleaning tiles or curtains, it has a suitable accessory you can use.

Water Tank Capacity

The tank capacity determines how much cleaning time you have before you need to refill the tank. Therefore, a larger tank means longer cleaning time without stops, which is ideal if you have a large space. The Aspiron CA019 steam cleaner has a 50-ounce capacity water tank that provides up to 50 minutes of continuous steam, for an uninterrupted cleaning time.

Operational Efficiency

The ideal steam mop should let you vary the steam delivery as per your cleaning needs or the amount of dust, dirt, or grime you need to clean. The 4-bar steam pressure on the Aspiron steam mop allows you to deep clean as needed. It also saves you cleaning time with its ability to preheat within 4-6 minutes and heat up to 293°F in just 8 minutes.

Maneuverability

Any cleaning tool should ideally make your cleaning easier, or lessen your cleaning time. A long power cord would mean you can cover more cleaning space without stopping to change connection points. An Aspiron model with 360°easy-rolling wheels makes it easier to move your steam mop around.

Safety

In a home with children or pets, safety cannot be underestimated. So, make sure you pick a steam mop with safety features such as the built-in child lock function in the Aspiron canister steam cleaner which protects your child or pet from accidental injury. It also has a functional temperature control system that releases steam whenever steam pressure in the boiler is too high.

Size

This is another important feature to look out for in your steam mop shopping, it’s an especially important consideration if you live in an apartment or don’t have much storage space in your home. A model that easily detaches from the accessories like the Aspiron steam cleaner makes for easy storage, this model also comes with a storage bag for the accessories.

Price & Warranty

Price is the final determinant of whether you buy a particular steam mop or not. Consider your budget as well as your cleaning needs and preferences then go for a steam mop that offers this at a reasonable price point. A warranty is also an important factor in your purchase, you need a that will safeguard your investment from any defects or issues that may arise. Aspiron offers a 12-month warranty as well as a 30-day return and refund service.

If you are in the market for an eco-friendly cleaning approach, a steam mop is an effective and efficient cleaning solution.