With health-consciousness on the rise, hardwood floors and steam cleaners are rapidly gaining popularity. Hardwood floors don't trap allergens the way carpets tend to, and steam cleaners are gentle, effective machines that sanitize floors using only heated tap water. The question that often comes up is whether or not steam cleaners can be used to clean hardwood floors. Some homeowners are wary of steam cleaners because, understandably, they don't want to see their floors get warped. We checked with some of the top steam cleaner manufacturers-- namely Bissell, Haan, and Shark-- for their input on this question.
We found that all three of these manufacturers agree: steam cleaners are safe for use on any sealed hard surface, including vinyl, ceramic, laminate, granite, and hard wood. Steamers use only heated tap water to clean, so there's no need to worry about finding the right cleaning solution for your surfaces. These machines emit steam through a microfiber cleaning pad and do not leave pools of water-- the nemeses of hardwood floors-- behind. Plus, because they do not use any harsh chemicals to clean, they are completely safe to use around children and pets.
Using a steam cleaner on your hardwood floors will yield benefits that you can see and feel. Not only will your floors be gleaming, but they'll also be sanitized and deodorized. These steamers are capable of removing up to 99.9% of bacteria and allergens that are lurking on your floors so you and your family can breathe easy. For the best results, we recommend using a steam mop (we're partial to this lightweight model) after sweeping or vacuuming to sanitize your floors after dust and dirt have been removed.
However, we find that there's no job these steam cleaners can't handle. Use them to clean, deodorize, and sanitize pet mess spots, or scrub away the mud that gets tracked in on rainy days. Because there are no harsh chemicals to contend with, these steamers can be used all over the house. We also carry handheld models that can be used to clean above the floor. With these, you can sanitize your pet's favorite hangouts, children's toys, kitchen surfaces, and more.
For more information about these or any of the steam cleaners we carry, please check out the our handy comparison charts. If you'd like additional assistance in choosing the steam cleaner that's right for you, or if you would like to place an order over the phone, please call (866) 972-8227.
