This post is not sponsored and all opinions are my own.
Until recently, I’ve just used my Swiffer WetJet to clean up spills. Old faithful, that Swiffer. But I always felt like it was doing the most basic surface cleaning, not actually deep cleaning my floors (is it just me?). When I really thought about it, that led to an “ick” factor that I haven’t been able to shake since. Especially since we wear shoes in the house!
I started researching steam mops just to see what was out there and found a lot on Amazon in a similar price range, but couldn’t really find a great comparison on which was best. (You know I love a good product test — see nugget ice makers, knife sharpeners, can openers and hair towel wraps!) So I wanted to take you along for a little product test as I find out which one of these mops can handle the heat (and the mess and the dirt and the grime).
Important disclaimer: Please check with your flooring manufacturer before using a steam mop on your floors. Some types of floors are better suited to steam mops than others!
To make my test more “scientific” (I use that term loosely), I decided to mop up blue crayon, pink soda, chocolate syrup, and some mud. The test was on our Stuga engineered wood flooring in the office, and I went across each substance a max of five times (up and back counts as one) to see if it would get the messes out. I also looked at other details, from how hard it was to fill the reservoirs, to how they handled, to how loud they were. I even washed the mop heads with OxiClean to see how hard they were to get “clean” again. Spoiler: Let’s just say that the differences there were staggering!
Without further ado, here is my roundup of the best steam mops!
Reservoir: This was the only steam mop that had both a pouring device and a funnel — the opening is that small. You have to lay the mop flat to fill it, which wasn’t ideal. I also felt like the latch didn't close quite as well.
Clean test: Ok, wow, now I’m impressed. The crayon was entirely gone in five swipes. It had no trouble with the soda and it also cleaned up chocolate and mud in four swipes each.
Mop head: Again, wow. I washed the mop head once and it came out looking almost brand new. Also they're velcro-attached, which is my favorite.
Overall impressions: I love that the mop head could rotate ¾ of the way around so you can get into tight spaces. The steam was really coming off of this one, and I really felt like it was doing its job. While filling the reservoir was a little fiddly, it was so nice that the mop head got completely clean in the wash. There are attachments that allow this to switch to a handheld machine for cleaning grout and more, which is a plus. It’s also one of the least expensive options, and I can’t get over how it took out the crayon. While it's not the most aesthetic, this one is the winner to me: 1st place out of 7!
Reservoir: An angled opening makes it easy to fill while the mop is standing straight up. Gotta love that.
Test: The crayon was just barely visible after five swipes. The chocolate and soda were taken care of in two and three swipes respectively, but any pieces of dirt in the mud were “dispersed” and took some extra coverage to clean.
Mop head: This uses velcro mop pieces that are easy to remove with one hand. After two washes with OxiClean, there still were stains on the mop heads, but they were faint.
Overall impressions: This one is a little more weighty, but because the mop heads are spinning it kind of propels itself so there’s not as much pressure needed to move it. While waiting a minute for the water to heat, make sure you have it in its "locked and upright" position, otherwise it starts spinning, so you have to keep a handle on it. It’s fun to use; I feel like my floors are getting really clean. There are also cool little spotlights on it that brighten up those dark corners. I would use this with liquids, nothing with particles. I’ll put this in 2nd place out of 7.
Reservoir: A little latch opens for filling the reservoir, but the mop needs to be at an angle in order to fill it with water or it spills out. That was a little frustrating.
Test: This one got crayon almost out at five swipes, soda was done in three and chocolate and dirt only took four.
Mop head: This has a velcro for easy-on, easy-off cleaning. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the stains came out easily in the wash! The mop head looks practically new.
Overall impressions: There’s a toggle on the front to select the type of floor you're mopping, but it's kind of cheap-looking and feels like a kid’s toy. This one is hard to stand straight upright. I do like that you can control the steam based on the floor type, and it was pretty effective. Lots of attachments so you can get into crevices. This was also the quietest one we tested. This one landed 3rd out of 7.
Reservoir: Hmmm…you have to put pressure on either side and lift it up to remove the reservoir, which can be tricky as there’s very little grip. Not satisfying and a little frustrating.
Clean test: The crayon was slightly visible after five swipes. The soda, chocolate, and mud mixtures were absorbed in four swipes each.
Mop head: The elastic band shower cap mop piece is pretty easy to remove/replace. But what I don't love? The fact that the mop head still looks almost as stained as it did before washing.
Overall impression: This one has the widest surface area, and it uniformly steams the floor. I like the three levels of steam you can choose from (I tested with the strongest level). It’s quieter than some, but a little stickier to push. I’ll give this one 4th place out of 7 for the sizable surface area and steaming qualities.
Reservoir: This one is very easy to fill, and the lid almost feels like a pressurized close, which feels secure and more expensive.
Test: Unfortunately the crayon is still very visible after five swipes. Soda and chocolate were handled in four swipes, but the dirt was not up in five.
Mop head cleaning: You have to thread the mopping piece through both sides so the install is not as easy as the others — downright a pain to put back on. Also the chocolate and mud did not come out in two washes with the OxiClean.
Overall impressions: It was nice that you get two-sided cleaning action so you don’t have to clean the mop head as often, and the mop head rotates a good 360 degrees for easy maneuvering. However, it was kind of “sticky” to push — I had to use some muscle — and it was one of the louder ones we tested. I also didn’t love that the mop head was a little more fiddly to install, and it is still stained after washing twice. I’ll have to put this one in 5th place out of 7.
Reservoir: There’s a little opening that makes it easy to fill, but the steam mop needs to be leaning against a wall or latched into its wall-mounted position, which makes it more awkward.
Test: The crayon was almost all the way gone after five swipes, just a faint outline. It also felt like it pushed the soda, chocolate syrup and mud more than soaked it up, so I had to circle around the mess more.
Mop head: This one is an elastic band shower cap mop piece, so it’s pretty easy to install. But it did not wash out well so it’s still stained.
Overall impressions. It’s not the heaviest steam mop, but it almost feels like it is because it’s so top-heavy. Plus it's more taxing on the hand and wrist, as you’re pushing the steam with a button the whole time. There were no clear hooks to wrap up the cord so it was kind of a mess, and it was one of the loudest we handled. I rated this one in 6th place out of 7.
Reservoir: You need to remove the reservoir, unscrew the cap, fill the reservoir, tighten the cap and replace the reservoir. I guess that will make it easy to clean later (if you need to), but I think I prefer filling the tank on the machine itself.
Clean test: The crayon was still prominent after five swipes. The soda was taken care of in three swipes and the chocolate in five. The mud didn’t fare as well with dirt particles left behind.
Mop head: This has a velcro mop head, which I’ve found to be the easiest to work with. But unfortunately after washing it twice, it’s still quite stained.
Overall impressions: I couldn’t tell if it was working, even though the light was on. Then I realized that you have to push the handle down to emit the steam, but it comes out in quick puffs. I didn’t like how little steam actually seemed to come out and how much effort it took. This one was in last place for me: 7th out of 7.
The winner is...
Hats off to the PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop for the most efficient clean! I could tell the steam was really powerful on this one, and it truly did get every mess up (at a great price point). But don't shy away from the runner-up, the Shark S7001 Rotating Steam Mop. It's like a personal Zamboni for your kitchen and so much fun to use. Hope this helps you in your quest to have a cleaner home!
Julia's picture with the Pursteam 10 in 1 looks different than the model in the Amazon link. Did you test the one in the link or photo. Ready to buy...just want to make sure I get the right one. Thank you!!
I've been seeing steam cleaners on tictok and have been wondering about whether I should get one, because I feel the same way about my swiffer/bona - they only get things a surface level clean. Thanks for sharing this info!
Would you test cordless vacuums? I like to use one to get the dog hair off the floor quickly. I had one but it just broke so now I’m shopping again. I would ideally like one that you switch on so that you don’t have to hold down the button to keep it on. Any suggestions or recommendations would be so helpful!
Hi. I searched but can’t seem to find what would you used for your gorgeous floors. The front entry does not look like it so the Stuga Faye. Thank you!
Quick question: one your number 1 steam mop, the picture is for another item in the same Amazon listing for $69.99. Just want to make sure I’m ordering the right one:)
Great info! I’ve been looking at these. Would you use them on your traditional hardwoods? (Not engineered.) Wondering about wood expansion with the steam.
I use them sparingly on my hardwoods when I really need to get something out. I love how they make my tile floors shine! Make sure to check with your flooring manufacturer for best results.
Looking for our favorite things? A place to shop our home room by room, or just catch up on what Julia's wearing / loving right now? Browse the CLJ shop
Last year, we launched a line with Pottery Barn Kids that was really a dream come true. We were so inspired by our own experiences as parents AND home renovators. With the team at Pottery Barn Kids, we got to dream up pieces that we always *wished* existed for kids' rooms. The result was a […]
I woke up today, and it felt like Christmas morning! You get to see our first-ever holiday pieces we designed for Pottery Barn Kids!! Shop the CLJ + Pottery Barn Kids Collection The "-ber" months are my favorite time of year, and when Pottery Barn asked if we would create some holiday pieces for decorating […]
Our NEW Pottery Barn Teen collection builds off of a couple of our favorite Pottery Barn Kids pieces from the last collection and introduces entirely new pieces that I'm SO excited about. (Spoiler: The turned wood bed you all loved from Pottery Barn Kids is now available in a queen size for teens!!) Turned Wood […]
It is a DREAM. COME. TRUE. to get to share the newest pieces we co-designed with Pottery Barn Kids. When it comes to the inspiration for this collection, we were really thoughtful about creating timeless pieces that will be the backdrop for your family memories. It's also important to me that the pieces we have […]
Another way for us to stay in touch! Joining our weekly newsletter gives you access to exclusive content, never-before-seen photos, your questions answered, and our favorite DIYs. Sign up below!
Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations
Julia's picture with the Pursteam 10 in 1 looks different than the model in the Amazon link. Did you test the one in the link or photo. Ready to buy...just want to make sure I get the right one. Thank you!!
We tested the 10-in-1 from PurSteam. The photos are updated!
Found the answer below. Thank you anyway!
I've been seeing steam cleaners on tictok and have been wondering about whether I should get one, because I feel the same way about my swiffer/bona - they only get things a surface level clean. Thanks for sharing this info!
I wonder if this can be used on hard wood floors.
I love this post so much!! But! We have 3/4 solid hardwood white oak floors. I would love to know if any of these are recommended for solid hardwood?
Hardwoods are sometimes more delicate. Definitely check with your flooring manufacturer and test an inconspicuous area before using!
Would you test cordless vacuums? I like to use one to get the dog hair off the floor quickly. I had one but it just broke so now I’m shopping again. I would ideally like one that you switch on so that you don’t have to hold down the button to keep it on. Any suggestions or recommendations would be so helpful!
Hi. I searched but can’t seem to find what would you used for your gorgeous floors. The front entry does not look like it so the Stuga Faye. Thank you!
We went with 5¾-inch engineered white oak floor. Here are all the details about it! https://www.chrislovesjulia.com/all-the-inspiration-and-thought-process-for-choosing-a-stain-for-the-white-oak-floors-in-our-nc-home/
Quick question: one your number 1 steam mop, the picture is for another item in the same Amazon listing for $69.99. Just want to make sure I’m ordering the right one:)
You can toggle to the one we tested — listing should show PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop and it's $79.99 right now.
Great info! I’ve been looking at these. Would you use them on your traditional hardwoods? (Not engineered.) Wondering about wood expansion with the steam.
I use them sparingly on my hardwoods when I really need to get something out. I love how they make my tile floors shine! Make sure to check with your flooring manufacturer for best results.
The professional who refinished our floors said never steam them, no water, ever.