"Oh, how many wonderful discoveries the enlightenment of the age is preparing for us…". However, we are not talking about Pushkin at all, but about a new device for the home that makes it easier to clean the room. In this article, we will look at what a steam mop is. Customer reviews about her are not entirely positive, more even negative, but is it worth being so categorical?
Lazybone Steam
So, a mop, in the common people "lazy", is nothing more than a banal T-shaped stick, on which a rag is put on, designed for washing the floor. By hand, it is, of course, more reliable and cleaner, but with the help of an old fixture, it is definitely easier. What does "steam" mean? This is where the highlight lies, allowing you to realize the full power and beauty of progress. The designers combined a mop and … boiling water. The floor is not washed with boiling water, of course, but something very close to this.
So what is a steam mop? Feedback and expert opinionunequivocal - an environmentally friendly and practical device for cleaning flat surfaces.
Operation principle
In a small closed tank, placed on the handle of the device, water boils, turning (according to the laws of physics) into hot steam. It is in this state that it is served on a mop rag. As a result, you clean the floor without the use of chemicals, and get an excellent result, since hot water (even if its condition at that time is very conditional) has the ability to dissolve fats and kill germs. The properties of hot steam are fantastic. These are the characteristics of a steam mop.
Customer reviews on this score, however, are not so rosy. Weird? Perhaps, and yet it is. And the reason is banal. Those who are engaged in the promotion of new items on the market, slightly overzealous with an advertising PR campaign. As a result, consumers are misled on many counts.
Promotion Myth 1
For example, advertising brochures declare the ability of the device to collect spilled liquid. However, only an ordinary rag can cope with such a problem at the proper level. After all, the device does not have a reservoir for collecting water. Although, in fairness, it must be said that steam vacuum cleaners have already appeared in the product lines of some large appliance companies that can simultaneously remove dirt and collect the remaining liquid. In particular, the Karcher company offers for sale the Karcher SV 1902 model - this is both a washing vacuum cleaner and a steam mop. consumer reviews,who have tested this unit in action are excellent: only cumbersomeness can be noted among the shortcomings.
Myth 2
The next myth created by advertisers is the ability to collect dirt, wool and other debris. There is some truth in this statement. By rubbing a damp cloth over any surface, we can collect garbage, but not all, but partially. For example, we wipe the kitchen table after dinner with a damp cloth, but we pour the crumbs that have gathered around it onto our hands. The same is true with the device in question. If you want to scrub the floor to a shine, then you will need to collect dirt and small crumbs in advance. Then the result will be excellent. But once the debris has been picked up first, a regular mop will do the job brilliantly.
Myth 3
Exactly the same situation with the stains that the unit, according to advertisers, is able to clean. If something is spilled on the carpet that cannot leave stains, but only requires cleaning with a damp cloth (kefir, soup, etc.), then it will undoubtedly help you. But it will be very difficult to wipe off stains from coloring liquids (tea, coffee, wine, etc.)
So where are we? In principle, to what has been known for a long time: to believe is good, but to think is better. Before you trust the sellers, think, remember what you studied at school. Banal knowledge of physics and chemistry will help you separate the wheat from the chaff.
Claims
The next complaint made by buyers to sellers is the fragility of devices. Those who have already purchased the units,argue with one voice about too fragile appearance. The answer to this statement is obscenely simple: demand creates supply. As a result, a huge number of fakes appeared on the market, captivating with their cheapness, but not meeting any standards. Only one piece of advice can be given here: trust trusted suppliers. And remember: the miser pays twice!
Reality
Now consider the models that are in the greatest demand. The most popular, thanks to the TV store, was the steam mop H2O Mop X5. If you treat the purchase adequately, that is, do not expect from it what it is, in principle, not capable of, you can safely say that the device is an ideal combination of price, quality and design. A stylish device that allows, if necessary, to separate the heating tank with water (steam generator) and clean other surfaces (for example, a sink or window sill).
Perfect windows and floors
By the way, window seams are the "horse" of these units. White plastic windows look completely unattractive when black deposits and dirt remain in the corners and joints. The steam generator can handle this without difficulty. You just have to collect a dirty puddle with a dry, clean rag. It is also easy for the unit to clean the glass itself. Without chemistry and rubbing, you can easily achieve a fantastic shine, and the H2O Mop steam mop will help you with this.
The customer reviews we analyzed are very diverse. But the main reason for the appearance of unflattering comments, full of indignation and indignation, lies ininadequate perception of the most common device. He is not capable of miracles! Unless the mistress herself is a sorceress. This device is compact and ideal for cleaning small spaces.
If you have a large family, small children, and, in addition, shaggy pets, it is better to give preference to powerful units. However, if everyone at home is accustomed to keeping order, then a steam mop is ideal for light cleaning of the apartment.
To be fair, I would like to say one more thing. Many steam generators produced by venerable manufacturers are equipped with steam mops. Visually, this device resembles a vacuum cleaner, only it does not suck, but steams the floor and rubs it with a rag. Due to this mechanism of work, the surface acquires an ideal appearance - without streaks and smudges.
Sustainable and economical
Remember the positives. During the cleaning process, you do not use chemicals (they are simply not needed) - this is one time, the procedure requires a small amount of water - two. But there is one nuance here. Despite the claims of the manufacturers, plain tap water is not suitable for these units. They wear out very soon. Use only distilled water. Moreover, its consumption is not so great, and it will not hit you on your pocket.
