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The 4 Best Steam Mops For Pets
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If your pet causes messes at home, and you need to quickly and easily clean them up, a steam mop is a great tool to have handy. While all steam mops are more efficient than traditional mops (steaming-hot water is a natural sanitizer that also breaks up crusty messes much better than room-temperature water), there are some that are better for pet messes. Available in a range of prices, the best steam mops for pets boast features that make cleaning a breeze, like scrubbing attachments or angled heads for reaching into tight spaces. Plus, some convert into handheld steam cleaners while others double as vacuums. Here are some things to know:
- The mop should have a scrubber or an added attachment designed to scrub messes. These scrubbers are critical when you’re attempting to lift dried, caked-on messes.
- Look for models with high heat to sanitize, or scented microfiber pads to eliminate smells. Because so many of your pet’s messes result from them either getting sick, or not being able to wait to do their business, germs and bacteria will definitely be an issue.
- If you’re working in tight spaces, get a steam mop with an angled head. For hard-to-reach corners, get a mop with a triangular head, or one that can be detached from its arm and used as a handheld steam mop.
- If you want to save time, look for an option that also vacuums. A two-in-one steam mop and vacuum can do both jobs at once, and they’re also suitable for use on carpets and rugs (you can even wash rugs with the mopping function).
One last thing you should note is your flooring. Laminate and hardwood floors, can be damaged by steam mops if they are unsealed, so be sure to double check that your flooring is sealed. With all those factors considered, I sifted through tons of floor steam cleaner reviews to find the best. Here are the best steam mops for pets that’ll bring your floors from grimy to gleaming — and they sanitize, too.
1The Best, All Things Considered
- Also available on Walmart, $145
This two-in-one steam mop has all the bells and whistles to take care of just about any mess, and it even transforms from a traditional standing steam mop to a handheld device to tackle stubborn stains and dirt, no matter where you find them. This system comes with 13 different tools, including a grout-cleaning tool that pulls up caked-on messes from between tiles, a fabric extension to steam pet beds and blankets, a flat scraping tool to lift heavy-duty messes, an angle tool to clean pet toys, various brushes and hoses, and even a window squeegee.
Plus, this 10-pound mop also features a flip-down scrubber, microfiber pads, and multiple heat settings, so you can clean different floor surfaces without worrying about damage. Although it’s a little pricey, this system is so comprehensive, it’s well worth the cost.
According to a pet owner: “Love this system!! I have 4 kids and 2 dogs in a large hard wood floor house. Cleans floors amazingly!! You get about 2 and a half rooms on low pressure steam. I have a large sectional and got about half way thru before refilling on high steam. Super easy for even the kids to operate I love it!!!”
2The Runner-Up: A Cheaper Option With Fewer Bells & Whistles
Coming in a close second, this powerful steam mop still does the trick, but doesn’t include a handheld option or extensions like the overall best option on this list. The standing mop features multiple heat settings and a flip-down scrubber pad to zero in on messes. And for those particularly difficult pet stains, there’s also a scrubby microfiber pad to tackle caked-on messes without scratching your floor. The microfiber pads can also be used to buff and polish floors when you’re finished steaming. As an added perk, this 6-pound steam mop includes two spring breeze fragrance discs to leave behind a fresh, clean scent.
According to a pet owner: “With 5 people (2-7 year olds), plus three dogs walking in and out of the kitchen and hallways constantly, I never seemed to find the time to get the floors done […] Just sweep up the floors, plug it in and you’re ready to go. Does an excellent job (you won’t believe the dirt it steams off). I espechially like the three temperature settings for the steam. Uses no harsh chemicals or detergent. Makes my life a whole lot easier. No more buckets or mops.”
3The Best For Tight Spaces
- Also available on Walmart, $89
This microfiber steam mop also features multiple heat settings, and is designed with triangular head to get deep into corners where hard-to-reach stains lurk. At only 5 pounds, this mop is super easy to guide into any space, and the snap-on glider is easy to remove when you’re ready to throw the microfiber pad in the wash. It also comes with an extra pad, so you don’t have to wait for the pad to dry before you’re ready to mop again. It may not come tricked out with a lot of extras, but it’s an excellent basic option that will still get the job done.
According to a pet owner: “Quick to set up and heat. The fact that you use ONLY WATER is GREAT! You use no solutions other that water with a scent additive so its not going to need rinsing to protect our dog. Heats up quickly and there was more dirt coming up than we thought was on our floor!”
4The Best Investment: A Vacuum & Mop Combo That Also Works On Rugs
If you don’t mind spending some extra money, it’s worth investing in the Bissell Crosswave that vacuums as it mops and can be used to steam clean hard surfaces as well as carpets and rugs. This time- and effort-saving option weighs 11.5 pounds and includes a pet hair strainer and brush roll, so you never have to pause to work out any fur tangles. While you clean, large debris is automatically separated from liquid, so you don’t have to worry about clogging your sink when you dump the tank out. Speaking of tanks, there are two: one for clean water and cleaning formula and one for dirty water and debris. The fingertip controls allow you to seamlessly switch between hard-surface floors and rugs, and the on-demand trigger releases just the right amount of cleaning formula every time. And while you might think a machine that does so much at once might sacrifice on performance, this pick has earned an impressive 4.5-star overall rating after more than 16,500 reviews.
According to a pet owner: “I use it on every floor in my house. I own three dogs and there are four people in my house. it cleans EVERYTHING. Better than any mop or vacuum I have ever owned. I love it! Can’t recommend it high enough!”
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