The importance of keeping a clean house is so numerous and critical that it can not be overlooked. So much so that homeowners do not hesitate to invest time, energy, and material resources into keeping their homes clean.
Maintaining a clean and tidy house is not always an easy task, but the sacrifices have always proved to be worth it, nonetheless. A lot of cleaning equipment has been introduced over the years to help lighten the seemingly tricky cleaning task, and one significant introduction is the surface mop.
The mop refers to an alignment of coarse strings, pieces of clothing, or any other absorbent materials attached to a stick or pole to remove dirt and stains off surfaces, especially floors. There are two types of mops used for cleaning, and they are:
– Dry mop (also known as dust mop)
– Wet mop (also known as moist mop)
However, this article centers on a unique type of mop known as the steam mop. It contains a detailed explanation of what a steam mop does and how to use a steam mop.
How To Use A Steam Mop
What Is A Steam Mop?
A steam mop, or hot mop as it is commonly called, is a type of wet mop that is used in homes to eliminate tough stains from surfaces.
The steam mop has a similar working concept to a steam iron, and it is often used to remove stains that are too complex for regular mops.
Steam mops come in several different styles and designs, and the way they are coupled and the amount of power steam they generate are often unique to each brand.
Although the quality of some steam mops supersedes that of others, you can rest assured of satisfactory performance from any steam mop model you get.
How Steam Mops Work
Steam Mops have a reservoir attached to them that stores up the heated water for use. Before use, the water is heated up to a temperature of about 250° F, and the heat is sent down to the mop pad when it is activated.
The steam sent down assists the mop pad to remove sticky stains, and it also helps to desterilize the floor while eliminating the germs and bacteria present on the surfaces.
Here are some valuable tips you should note before you start to use your steam mop:
– Steam mops function better when the surface to be cleaned be rid of loose particles.
– A steam mop is not advisable for heavily soiled floors as it will only spur up more dirt.
– The mop pads can and should be replaced after a specific period of use.
– Sealed and flat surfaces are the best platforms to use steam mops on.
How To Use A Steam Mop
Like every other piece of equipment, there are specific procedures for using a steam mop. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use a steam mop to clean surfaces.
- Prepare the floor to be cleaned: It is essential to remove dirt particles from the floor before steam cleaning. You can use a broom for swimming the floor or a vacuum cleaner to eliminate dust particles before the steam cleaning.
- Fix the pads properly: Leaving part of the mop pad to hang loosely is improper, as they can leave dirt trails on already cleaned surfaces. You are, therefore, advised to fix the pads to the mop stick in an appropriate manner. Keeping spare pads around in cases of necessity will also help you prevent certain unwanted hindrances.
- Steam clean: After you have swept through the surface of the floor and readied your steam mop, the next step is to kick off your cleaning. Carefully read the user manual supplied by the producers and follow the various instructions for use.
- Clean up your steam mop after use: The steam mop is not just a piece of equipment you toss away after use. You are expected to rinse the pads in clean water and leave it to air-dry.
Bottom Line
A steam mop is an advanced type of mop. However, it should not be used as an alternative to traditional mobs but rather as a complementary tool. This way, you will be able to efficiently use your steam mop while also getting the best cleaning results.
Steam mops have many practical benefits, with the most significant ranging from the fact that it is user-friendly and reliable for eliminating tough stains to their ability to kill harmful germs.
These benefits could easily be turned around, nevertheless, if the steam mop is not used rightly. Here is a list of the top mistakes to avoid when using steam mops.
– Avoid skipping the initial sweep
– Avoid plugging in the mop until you are ready to use it
– Avoid leaving the steam mop plugged in for too long
– Avoid putting any other form of liquid aside from water into the reservoir.
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