Hard surface floor steam vacuums are not actually a vacuum cleaner per se, but if you have pets or wear your shoes indoors, this handheld machine is a powerful tool for cleaning bacteria. Despite its name, the steam vacuum cleaner is more like a hot "mop". Due to the high temperature and wet sanitizing action, steam mops are not safe for all types of floors.

Hardwood flooring

The hardwood flooring ranges from non-waterproof options, such as unfinished (or bare), varnished lacquer, and varnish to oiled or sealed water-resistant finishes. Regularly waxed wood floors should withstand the occasional use of a low flow steam steam mop at elevated temperatures. Review the manual or consult with the hardwood flooring manufacturer for the go-ahead of using a steam cleaner on your valuable flooring investment.

Manufacturers of steam cleaners

Steam moping hardwood floors is safe and effective, claims cleaning product maker Bissell for its on-demand chemical-free steam cleaning tool, the "Bissell Steam Mop Hard Floor Cleaner." Oreck's anti-chemical "Steam It" wood floor surface cleaner is safe on almost any hard floor surface, including sealed wood floors, according to Oreck, a manufacturer of floor cleaning machines. As with all cleaning products, always follow the company's instruction manual for the proper use of any steam cleaner.

Benefits

Steam cleaning provides a cost-effective, chemical-free, germ-killing solution to aggressive sprays and disinfectants to rid your floors of bacteria like e-coli, staph, and salmonella. The highly heated water vapor disinfects without leaving residues or giving off odors. Due to the high temperature and little water used, the floors dry faster than with a conventional mop. Many steam cleaning machines have washable pads for reuse and accessories available for upholstery and carpet cleaning.

Alternatives

Bare or lightly finished hardwood floors have rustic beauty as well as specific cleaning needs. The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) suggests removing marks from all laminate and hardwood floors with a soft, damp cloth, wood-proof oil, and ammonia-free soap. To remove normal dust, use a broom-style rotating towel or a vacuum cleaner without a mixer bar. Clean up spills right away, never wash floors with too wet a mop and provide a dirt mat on every door. When the time comes, protecting and bringing back the shine of your hardwood floors, grinding the top layer of wood and applying a new layer of polyurethane, rejuvenates the splendor of one of the most valuable assets in your home.