These are not ordinary mops, these are steam mops and they are known to be able to blast stubborn stains and grime off the tiles and even clean the grout to make it look like it is new.We have taken into account the different reasons people choose particular products like price, quality and ease of use. But first let us share a bit of useful information about steam mops.
Why you should consider a steam mop?
Steam mops are the modern thing for people on the go, they save you from wasting time waiting for a bucket to fill, then carrying it around as you mop and from time to time you need to wring the mop.
With a steam mop you simply have to fill a small tank with water and then fix it on the steam mop and once you turn on the power, the mop will start heating up and produce steam which quickly gets rid of dirt on the floor.
Another very important reason to use a steam mop is the fact that they are quite effective at killing germs and bacteria on the floor. If you have a dog or cat, chances are they are often bringing in bacteria as well as bugs like fleas and ticks.
The heat from a steam mop is very strong and it will sanitize the floor as well as get rid of whatever parasites your pet may have left on the floor.If you are concern about the environment and the general health of people living in your house, you will be happy with a steam mop because with most of the good ones, there is no need for strong chemicals to get rid of stains.
The burst of steam is sufficient enough to get off any stain, grime and grease off the floor.With a steam mop, you will not need to wait for very long for the floor to dry, you do not even need to pass over the floor with a dry cloth because the steam will evaporate really fast and in no time you will be able to walk about over the floor.
Some models even will give you the option of adapting them for other spaces in the house like kitchen worktops, windows and carpets so you are getting a lot more than just a mop for tiles.
How to Operate a Steam Mop
Operating a steam mop is really easy and straight forward. First of all you will need to fill up the tank with water. Some mops will require distilled water and others can do with ordinary water from the tap.
When you fix the tank back on the mop, you simply turn it on and it will begin to heat up, in a few seconds or minutes, it will be hot enough to produce steam.
As you move the mop back and forth over the floor, it will produce steam either automatically or you may have to pump out the steam when you need it.
What to Consider When Buying a Mop for Tiles
Size of the tank:
It is important to know how big the tank is because this will determine how often you will have to make trips to the tap to fill it up. If you have a large house, you may want a bigger tanks. Steam cleaners though do not have very big tanks, some are even as small as that of a steam iron but they are still able to produce steam for about 15 minutes. At times what may matter most actually is the amount of time it can produce steam for before it needs refilling.
Drying time:
Not all mops will produce the same amount of steam and therefore they may not take the same amount of time to dry. Some mops actually will leave behind droplets of water and this will take longer to dry. The best mops regulate the steam efficiently so that they can dry fast as well. Sometimes though when cleaning strong stains, you may need to go over the same place a bit more or leave the mop over the stain for sometime and this may result in some droplets being left behind. This does not mean the mop is not good enough.
Price:
You will need to find a mop that fits into your budget. Below, you will find the mops we have recommended and we believe that they are within a reasonable price range and yet they perform just as well or even better than some more expensive models.
Performance:
This even matters more than the price of a mop. You need a mop that will actually do what you want it to do. For example it is supposed to clean while saving time so that means you shouldn’t have to make so many back and forth movements over the same spot before it gets clean. A good mop for tiles will remove dirt and stains with ease and with the least number of back and forth movements.
.Accessories:
Accessories can determine the performance of a mop. The cleaning pad for example needs to be of a material that will remove marks and not spread them over the tiles. You may want to have different cleaning heads for example a triangular one which you can use to mop corners and rectangular one for the edges.
Versatility:
It is always good to have a tool that can be used for more than just one purpose. If you find a mop that can be used for other tasks, that is a plus. For example some can also be altered and used as steam irons which will give you 2 for the price of 1.
Warranty:
Like with any product you buy, you will need to have a warranty. This will ensure that if there is any defect, you will be able to return it and either get a new one or have it fixed. the warranty period can also help you determine how much confidence the manufacturer has in their product.
How To Clean Tile Floors
Tile floors are quite durable but if you do not care for them well, they will look ugly for a very long time. Cleaning the tiles the right way is important and you would be happy to know that it is also easy. Here are the steps you would need to follow to get it done right.
1-Get rid of dirt
This is a very simple process that you can do using a broom or a vacuum cleaner. Dirt usually mixes up with water or other liquids and when they dry, you will have stains. It is, therefore, a good idea to get rid of dirt as often as possible or at least every day. With tiles, there is always the space between the tiles that collects a lot of dirt so particular attention needs to be paid there. Vacuuming or sweeping ensures that when you are doing the mopping you do not end up rubbing the dirt or sand into the tiles which usually will result in a cloudy appearance of the tiles. Make sure you get all the dirt off the tiles. (A vacuum cleaner will be more effective than a broom and will get the job done faster)
2-Mop the floor
A bucket of warm water and a mop are what you will need and then you can add a cleaning product depending on how dirty the tiles are. For a normal cleanup, you can simply add vinegar and lemon to the water and then mop.When mopping, it is best to focus on smaller areas and then move on to the next, this will ensure that you will be able to see areas that need more attention say if they have stains. Speaking of stains, you can find effective cleaning detergents in a supermarket.
3-Scrub the grout
This step is necessary if the space between the tiles has not been cleaned in a while and may have collected dirt and sludge. It may be a bit tedious too but if you want to have a clean floor, it is necessary. Now the tiles should not be scrubbed because this will create scratches on them so it is best to use a toothbrush for this step. Using a toothbrush and some water mixed with vinegar, scrub between the tiles to get rid of any dirt that may have remained in there, you can put some of the water in a spray bottle and spray on the area you are scrubbing. You can alternatively use a cloth to clean the grout, especially if the dirt is not stubborn
.4-Rinse
When the mopping and scrubbing is done, you MUST rinse the floor to get rid of the detergent and water used for mopping. Use a fresh mop and clean water to rinse the floor until it is nice and clean. Living the floor without a rinse is the reason many people’s tile floors lose the glossy look. You also should rinse the grout, it is a good idea to let water run through those lines and wash away any residue detergent.
5-Dry
If you used a lot of water, you may need to use a wet vac to suck up the water before you dry it, alternatively, you could use a rubber squeezer to push the water away. When this is done you can follow it up with a clean lint free cloth which you will use to buff the floor to remove any extra water left behind. Do not rub the water, just buff it.The grout again will need special attention because it is a part that can hide water and dirt so buff the grout separately to ensure it is dry.
Cleaning spills and stains
Sometimes you may just have to deal with a spill or a stain caused by your pet’s urine. First of all, treat all spills as an emergency. Do not leave it there as you do other things unless the house is on fire. Clean up spills immediately.
The idea is to try as much as possible to avoid it spreading so immediately cove it up with a dry cloth and let it suck up the liquid, when that is done, spray disinfectant on the area of the spill and wipe it off with a dry but soft cloth.
If it is a stain, put a mixture of vinegar and water into a spray bottle, spray it onto the stain and wait 5 minutes then brush it off with a soft brush. Wipe the area with a warm damp cloth and then dry it.
For easier cleaning, it is recommended that you vacuum the tile floor every day and mop it at least once a week.