I guess this is more home maintenance than repair, but I thought
probably some of you have experience in this realm. I've been trying
out steam mops, and I'm starting to wonder if I'm expecting too much
or just getting a bad luck of the draw.

I started with the Shark steam mop, which I thought was just this side
of worthless. Friends advised me that the problem was that I'd chosen
a gutless model, and that I needed to move up to a better one.

So, I got a Gruene 2-in-1 steam mop, which has all kinds of bells and
whistles, but doesn't seem to do much better at cleaning. I would say
it cleans about as well as any damp mop, whether a run of the mill
sponge map dampened with hot water, a Swiffer Wet Jet, or whatever.

All of the ads seem to show them magically lifting away dirt and grime
that nothing else could touch. Have I just been suckered? Is this
really all the better they perform? Or have I possibly just chosen
two lemons in a row?

Thanks in advance,
Jo Ann

Jo Ann wrote the following:
I guess this is more home maintenance than repair, but I thought
probably some of you have experience in this realm. I've been trying
out steam mops, and I'm starting to wonder if I'm expecting too much
or just getting a bad luck of the draw.

I started with the Shark steam mop, which I thought was just this side
of worthless. Friends advised me that the problem was that I'd chosen
a gutless model, and that I needed to move up to a better one.

So, I got a Gruene 2-in-1 steam mop, which has all kinds of bells and
whistles, but doesn't seem to do much better at cleaning. I would say
it cleans about as well as any damp mop, whether a run of the mill
sponge map dampened with hot water, a Swiffer Wet Jet, or whatever.

All of the ads seem to show them magically lifting away dirt and grime
that nothing else could touch. Have I just been suckered? Is this
really all the better they perform? Or have I possibly just chosen
two lemons in a row?

Thanks in advance,
Jo Ann

If Billy Mays didn't advertise it, it doesn't work. :-)

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

"Jo Ann" wrote

I guess this is more home maintenance than repair, but I thought
probably some of you have experience in this realm. I've been trying
out steam mops, and I'm starting to wonder if I'm expecting too much
or just getting a bad luck of the draw.

I started with the Shark steam mop, which I thought was just this side
of worthless. Friends advised me that the problem was that I'd chosen
a gutless model, and that I needed to move up to a better one.

Jo Ann, I have the shark model and am happy. Perhaps you have a bit too
much for it to handle? Spring mud and such tracked in by the puppies?
Something like that?

In ,
Jo Ann typed:
I guess this is more home maintenance than repair, but I
thought probably some of you have experience in this realm.
I've been trying out steam mops, and I'm starting to wonder
if I'm expecting too much or just getting a bad luck of the
draw.

I started with the Shark steam mop, which I thought was
just this side of worthless. Friends advised me that the
problem was that I'd chosen a gutless model, and that I
needed to move up to a better one.

So, I got a Gruene 2-in-1 steam mop, which has all kinds of
bells and whistles, but doesn't seem to do much better at
cleaning. I would say it cleans about as well as any damp
mop, whether a run of the mill sponge map dampened with hot
water, a Swiffer Wet Jet, or whatever.

All of the ads seem to show them magically lifting away
dirt and grime that nothing else could touch. Have I just
been suckered? Is this really all the better they perform?
Or have I possibly just chosen two lemons in a row?

Thanks in advance,
Jo Ann

Well, probably a little of both; you got suckered but you didn't. If how
those things work is highly dependent on WHAT KIND of dirt they're used on.
For the most part, those things never operate as advertised unless you use
them on the exact same pre-prepared "dirt" exactly as they show you how. And
then it can be iffy.
It can be considered a positive in a way though because now you have
learned something that will be useful in the future; stay away from them,
especially with "fantastic" claims of superiority. Without pressure behind
it, steam is pretty much, well, just steam that floats on top of whatever
your'e cleaning; there's nothing to get the "steam" down into where the dirt
is without something putting pressure behind it, especially with carpet.
There ARE good brands of cleaners. But finding a decent one means for the
most part, buying from a brand name you know from a reputable company name
you have come to trust and not being afraid to return it if it doesn't live
up to what it says it can do.
In our case, my and my wife's mother each had a steam carpet cleaner,
both of which did great jobs. My mother's machine pushed the steam out with
a stream of air and then sucked it up thru the wand and out of the carpet,
leaving it almost dry in the end. Her mother's had brushes on it and
actually massaged the carpet, and did clean a bit better than the other one.
But with that one you had to do the extra work of a rinse and then vacuum up
the water out of the carpet, but at least it was all done with one machine,
no matter which one you chose to use. The machine with the brushes cleaned
better but was more work; and was used in a farming household, so probably
was a good deal. For our less tough use though, the pressurized steam works
fine and is les work and there is only a very short drying time after use
before being able to walk on the carpets. And it'll also do wood floors.
Each one required their own kinds of soap and cleaning liquids and the list
goes on and on.
It's kind of a "you get what you pay for" deal as long as you're dealing
with a reputable company, IMO.

HTH,

Twayne`
-
--
Newsgroups are great places to get assistance.
But always verify important information with
other sources to be certain you have a clear
understanding of it and that it is accurate.

"Jo Ann" wrote in message
...
I guess this is more home maintenance than repair, but I thought
probably some of you have experience in this realm. I've been trying
out steam mops, and I'm starting to wonder if I'm expecting too much
or just getting a bad luck of the draw.

I started with the Shark steam mop, which I thought was just this side
of worthless. Friends advised me that the problem was that I'd chosen
a gutless model, and that I needed to move up to a better one.

So, I got a Gruene 2-in-1 steam mop, which has all kinds of bells and
whistles, but doesn't seem to do much better at cleaning. I would say
it cleans about as well as any damp mop, whether a run of the mill
sponge map dampened with hot water, a Swiffer Wet Jet, or whatever.

All of the ads seem to show them magically lifting away dirt and grime
that nothing else could touch. Have I just been suckered? Is this
really all the better they perform? Or have I possibly just chosen
two lemons in a row?

Thanks in advance,
Jo Ann

Heck. I don't even know what one is and I have mopped a lot of floors.

On anything other than hardwood, a good wet mop, allowed to soak, a pick up
and rinse has cleaned everything I have ever needed cleaning. That anything
includes more than you want to know about.

So I guess I am saying the whole thing is a scam.

Elbow grease will win over marketing in the real world test.

--
Colbyt
Please come visit http://www.househomerepair.com

On Mar 14, 6:58*pm, "Colbyt" wrote:
"Jo Ann" wrote in message

...





I guess this is more home maintenance than repair, but I thought
probably some of you have experience in this realm. *I've been trying
out steam mops, and I'm starting to wonder if I'm expecting too much
or just getting a bad luck of the draw.

I started with the Shark steam mop, which I thought was just this side
of worthless. *Friends advised me that the problem was that I'd chosen
a gutless model, and that I needed to move up to a better one.

So, I got a Gruene 2-in-1 steam mop, which has all kinds of bells and
whistles, but doesn't seem to do much better at cleaning. *I would say
it cleans about as well as any damp mop, whether a run of the mill
sponge map dampened with hot water, a Swiffer Wet Jet, or whatever.

All of the ads seem to show them magically lifting away dirt and grime
that nothing else could touch. *Have I just been suckered? *Is this
really all the better they perform? *Or have I possibly just chosen
two lemons in a row?

Thanks in advance,
Jo Ann

Heck. I don't even know what one is and I have mopped a lot of floors.

On anything other than hardwood, a good wet mop, allowed to soak, a pick up
and rinse has cleaned everything I have ever needed cleaning. *That anything
includes *more than you want to know about.

So I guess I am saying the whole thing is a scam.

Elbow grease will win over marketing in the real world test.

--
Colbyt
Please come visithttp://www.househomerepair.com- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

What does Consumer's Reports say? I haven't looked up the latest
index to see when they last reviewed floor cleaners, but I'm sure they
have done them in at least the past 3 years.

On Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:54:31 -0700 (PDT), Jo Ann
wrote:

I guess this is more home maintenance than repair, but I thought
probably some of you have experience in this realm. I've been trying
out steam mops, and I'm starting to wonder if I'm expecting too much
or just getting a bad luck of the draw.


Thanks in advance,
Jo Ann


We got one not long ago. It was meet expectations and we are glad
we got it. Is it magic, like the commercials suggest, no, but for the
floor I have, it works well.

The steam gets the stuff that regular mopping was not getting.

On Mar 14, 8:26*pm, "hr(bob) "
wrote:
On Mar 14, 6:58*pm, "Colbyt" wrote:





"Jo Ann" wrote in message

...

I guess this is more home maintenance than repair, but I thought
probably some of you have experience in this realm. *I've been trying
out steam mops, and I'm starting to wonder if I'm expecting too much
or just getting a bad luck of the draw.

I started with the Shark steam mop, which I thought was just this side
of worthless. *Friends advised me that the problem was that I'd chosen
a gutless model, and that I needed to move up to a better one.

So, I got a Gruene 2-in-1 steam mop, which has all kinds of bells and
whistles, but doesn't seem to do much better at cleaning. *I would say
it cleans about as well as any damp mop, whether a run of the mill
sponge map dampened with hot water, a Swiffer Wet Jet, or whatever.

All of the ads seem to show them magically lifting away dirt and grime
that nothing else could touch. *Have I just been suckered? *Is this
really all the better they perform? *Or have I possibly just chosen
two lemons in a row?

Thanks in advance,
Jo Ann

Heck. I don't even know what one is and I have mopped a lot of floors.

On anything other than hardwood, a good wet mop, allowed to soak, a pick up
and rinse has cleaned everything I have ever needed cleaning. *That anything
includes *more than you want to know about.

So I guess I am saying the whole thing is a scam.

Elbow grease will win over marketing in the real world test.

--
Colbyt
Please come visithttp://www.househomerepair.com-Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

What does Consumer's Reports say? * I haven't looked up the latest
index to see when they last reviewed floor cleaners, but I'm sure they
have done them in at least the past 3 years.

Actually, no, they don't appear to have reviewed them ever. I'm a
subscriber to their website, and lots of users there are finding it
hard to believe, but there's nothing. Maybe I should have taken that
as my first hint....

Jo Ann

On Mar 14, 7:32*pm, "cshenk" wrote:
"Jo Ann" wrote

I guess this is more home maintenance than repair, but I thought
probably some of you have experience in this realm. *I've been trying
out steam mops, and I'm starting to wonder if I'm expecting too much
or just getting a bad luck of the draw.

I started with the Shark steam mop, which I thought was just this side
of worthless. *Friends advised me that the problem was that I'd chosen
a gutless model, and that I needed to move up to a better one.

Jo Ann, I have the shark model and am happy. *Perhaps you have a bit too
much for it to handle? *Spring mud and such tracked in by the puppies?
Something like that?

Yep, that's pretty close. Not only spring mud tracked in, but onto
lots and lots of white tile (no, I didn't pick the tile). I guess I
need to adjust my expectations. It's disappointing; I was really
looking forward to having something grab 'n' go that would really do
the job.

Jo Ann

Jo Ann wrote:

I guess this is more home maintenance than repair, but I thought
probably some of you have experience in this realm. I've been trying
out steam mops, and I'm starting to wonder if I'm expecting too much
or just getting a bad luck of the draw.

I started with the Shark steam mop, which I thought was just this side
of worthless. Friends advised me that the problem was that I'd chosen
a gutless model, and that I needed to move up to a better one.

So, I got a Gruene 2-in-1 steam mop, which has all kinds of bells and
whistles, but doesn't seem to do much better at cleaning. I would say
it cleans about as well as any damp mop, whether a run of the mill
sponge map dampened with hot water, a Swiffer Wet Jet, or whatever.

All of the ads seem to show them magically lifting away dirt and grime
that nothing else could touch. Have I just been suckered? Is this
really all the better they perform? Or have I possibly just chosen
two lemons in a row?

Pieces of garbage designed to separate you from your money without
giving anything useful in return. As someone else said you need some
power behind the steam to do any effective cleaning but then we run
into several problems:

- they're too expensive

- they're too dangerous for the average householder

- they're too big, requiring their own garage to keep them in

- they're no better than the Swiffer (or a generic Swiffer) for the
type of household cleaning you'd be doing; in fact, much worse.

If you want to see a worthwhile steamer look up the restaurant supply
houses - the ones that supply hotel kitchens - and search for a
machine to clean the stove. I think Northern Hydraulics also used to
sell one. $10,000+; too heavy to carry; puts out a blast of steam that
will strip paint; think of what it would do to your hand or the dog;
but does a wonderful job on that grease-encrusted range. Oh, and you'd
better have a solid surface (like tile) on the floor and a drain hole
to hose the crud into. The building code will probably insist on a
grease trap too.

Mind you, it'll also do a wonderful job on the underneath of the car
and it's a much more practical investment than (say) a cathedral
ceiling!

Speaking of restaurant supply houses (generally they supply
professionals not homeowners) you can get some idea of the potential
of steam for general cleaning (not the range) by looking at what is
used by the people who clean for a living. For example: Powerflite.
They sell to cleaning contractors but I don't think they have any
steam machines. Their carpet cleaners are all hot water maximum and
for things like bathrooms, they use the old fashioned mops.

On Mar 14, 5:54*pm, Jo Ann wrote:
I guess this is more home maintenance than repair, but I thought
probably some of you have experience in this realm. *I've been trying
out steam mops, and I'm starting to wonder if I'm expecting too much
or just getting a bad luck of the draw.

I started with the Shark steam mop, which I thought was just this side
of worthless. *Friends advised me that the problem was that I'd chosen
a gutless model, and that I needed to move up to a better one.

So, I got a Gruene 2-in-1 steam mop, which has all kinds of bells and
whistles, but doesn't seem to do much better at cleaning. *I would say
it cleans about as well as any damp mop, whether a run of the mill
sponge map dampened with hot water, a Swiffer Wet Jet, or whatever.

All of the ads seem to show them magically lifting away dirt and grime
that nothing else could touch. *Have I just been suckered? *Is this
really all the better they perform? *Or have I possibly just chosen
two lemons in a row?

Thanks in advance,
Jo Ann

Just another idea of a half assed un needed product to get consumers
to spend more money, is my opinion of steam mops, and how long do you
think it will last, with mineralised tap water not long in hours, and
by design less than 10 years. And the temp of the steam by the time it
hits the floor, its water vapor and sucks up electricity. You need
proof, Billy Mays comes to mind.

"Jo Ann" wrote
"cshenk" wrote:

Jo Ann, I have the shark model and am happy. Perhaps you have a bit too
much for it to handle? Spring mud and such tracked in by the puppies?
Something like that?

Yep, that's pretty close. Not only spring mud tracked in, but onto
lots and lots of white tile (no, I didn't pick the tile). I guess I
need to adjust my expectations. It's disappointing; I was really
looking forward to having something grab 'n' go that would really do
the job.

Grin, our expectations were totally different. I was replacing a mop level
device.

There's some disability and arthritis involved here. Bending over and
things like that have become a trial. The simple shark model is easier for
us to handle, works a bit better than a regular mop and no need to wring it
out (just shift pads and drop dirty one in washing machine after rinsing at
the sink where we can stand up as we do it). In a light dirt situation
(kitchen and we are fairly neat), it removed needing to get on hands and
knees which is difficult for us, or wringing out a mop which no matter what
model you have is painful if you have elbow and wrist problems.

We knew it was a light weight model when we got it for cleaning, and the
heavier models that do your need aren't sold under the name of 'steam mops'.
You need something more in the line of a full floor cleaner with brushes and
all that.

On Mar 17, 6:08*pm, "cshenk" wrote:
"Jo Ann" wrote

"cshenk" wrote:
Jo Ann, I have the shark model and am happy. Perhaps you have a bit too
much for it to handle? Spring mud and such tracked in by the puppies?
Something like that?
Yep, that's pretty close. *Not only spring mud tracked in, but onto
lots and lots of white tile (no, I didn't pick the tile). *I guess I
need to adjust my expectations. *It's disappointing; I was really
looking forward to having something grab 'n' go that would really do
the job.

Grin, our expectations were totally different. *I was replacing a mop level
device.

There's some disability and arthritis involved here. *Bending over and
things like that have become a trial. The simple shark model is easier for
us to handle, works a bit better than a regular mop and no need to wring it
out (just shift pads and drop dirty one in washing machine after rinsing at
the sink where we can stand up as we do it). *In a light dirt situation
(kitchen and we are fairly neat), it removed needing to get on hands and
knees which is difficult for us, or wringing out a mop which no matter what
model you have is painful if you have elbow and wrist problems.

We knew it was a light weight model when we got it for cleaning, and the
heavier models that do your need aren't sold under the name of 'steam mops'.
You need something more in the line of a full floor cleaner with brushes and
all that.

It's like you're reading my mind, LOL! I actually *do* have a full
floor cleaner, a Koblenz with brushes for tile, hardwood, and carpet,
as well as buffing pads for hardwood. It does do a great job. I was
hoping a steam mop might fill in between full-out scrubbings, but I
think between white tile and numerous pets, I'm expecting too much.

By the way, I highly recommend the Koblenz for anyone who wants to get
off their knees for floor scrubbing! I've been very happy with it,
and since I have a variety of flooring, it's great to have all the
options with the interchangeable brushes.

Jo Ann