Do steam mops damage tile floors? This was the exact question the popped up when I was about to buy a steam mop. Compared to a mop and bucket cleaning system, a steam mop can be an efficient cleaning tool which doesn’t only save time but penetrates all nooks, crannies, and crevices of your tile floor. We’ve got different varieties and sizes of steam mops and each variety determines how well it cleans.
That being said, we are conscious of our floors when using these steam mops and that’s where the big question pops in; Do steam mops damage tile floors?
Read: How to stop tile floor from cracking
Do Steam Mops Damage Tile Floors?
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Yes! Steam mops does damage tile floors. Not to worry, I’ll give reasons for my answers as well as how this can be avoided.
With lots of adverts popping up on TV and online platforms, steam mops are taking the world by storm. You might be planning on getting one, already have one or you just want to make an inquiry for a friend, either way, we’ve got you covered.
While a tile floor can be the best type of floor to use a steam mop on due to its sturdy nature, this doesn’t make it indestructible. Much consideration must be put in place due to the aggressive cleaning characteristics of a steam mop.
How Can A Steam Mop Damage My Tile Floor?
Using Chemical Cleaners
Yes, using a chemical cleaner with a steam mop can damage your tile floor. Unless the chemical is approved by the manufacturer, don’t go near one. Using these chemicals can also cause clog in your steam mop, this can lead to the problem of your shark steam mop not steaming.
Regardless of your tile floors being strongly built, these chemicals can weaken your tile floor. A Steam mop as the name implies is best used with water only, the heat of the steam is enough to kill bacteria and dust mites on the floor.
Steam cleaning more frequently
Do not overdo it. It’s obvious steam mops have very powerful functionalities, don’t underestimate it. Exposing your tile floor to a lot of heat and moisture isn’t an advisable approach.
You might get inclined and enjoy cleaning your tiles more often than usual, this isn’t a good approach. To reduce risk, you can minimize steam cleaning to once a week while you go for vacuuming or use of a standard mop for your frequent cleaning activities.
Leaving water to stand
Leaving water puddles on your tile floor tends to weaken it as the tiles absorb the water through its grout. This doesn’t only apply when you are steam mopping. There are some tips on how to prevent water damage to tile flooring.
If you spill water on your tile floor, do not hesitate to clean it up immediately with a dry and absorbent towel or mop. Poddles will loosen the corners of the tile which weakens the adhesive.
As simple as this might seem, don’t be tempted to overlook these necessary guidances. The steam mop is a convenient cleaning tool but how you use it matters a lot.
To achieve the best cleaning efficiency on your tile floor, follow these basic tips. With these procedures well followed, rest assured you will have an awesome cleaning experience.
How To Wash A Tile Floor With A Steam Mop
Preparing the floor
Before you begin, it is important to vacuum the floor. If you don’t have a vacuum cleaner then sweeping the floor isn’t a bad alternative either.
Doing this first hand will get rid of dirt and other unwanted things which could make your steamer dirty. It has a lot of advantages such as giving your steam mop a longer life span.
Use multiple mop pads
This keeps your steam mop clean at all times thereby saving stress. Ensure to change them as soon as they get dirty. This keeps your tile floor shiny without steaming dirt all over the place.
Use steam mops on sealed floors only
Using steam mobs on non-sealed floor tends to deteriorate the floor. Some floors can be damaged as a result of too much exposure to steam and moisture.
That said, We’ve written a complete guide on the best steam mop for a perfect shiny tile floor. Check it out and make your choice based on the feature that suits your need.
Conclusion
As a result of the high demand for steam mops, a lot of companies copied the concept and manufactured replicas of these mops. Getting a quality, name-brand floor cleaner can be quite overwhelming due to a sea of steam mop from different brands out there. We’ve got you covered.
