Bissell is one of the oldest and most trusted companies which has a long history in the world of producing products. It has been around since 1876 and to this day it is quite famous and leading the market.
Over the years it has developed some great steam mops for floors. You probably have various kinds of floors in your houses and office. One of the floor types which is quite famous for centuries is hardwood floors.
This type of floor makes you feel like you are in nature and you can customize its design in whatever way you like. It helps to maintain the temperature of your house relatively even temperatures throughout the entire year as it is moderately warm.
Moreover, it is quite durable and requires less maintenance. However, you still have to take care of your hardwood floor and regularly clean the floor so that it will last longer.
The steam mop has lots of benefits as you can sanitize and mop the floor at the same time. Moreover, you won’t have to buy expensive chemicals and cleaning agents as it uses only water to work.
It saves you a lot of time and effort. Bissell steam mops are very great for steam cleaning your hardwood floors. As there are many versions of the Bissell steam mop, finding the perfect Bissell steam mop for cleaning your hardwood floors as per your requirement might be difficult. Thus, we have made a list of the best Bissell steam mops for cleaning your hardwood floors.
Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop
Bissell Powerfresh steam mop is the best steam mop among other steam mops of the same brand. It allows the user to control the intensity and amount of steam with its three modes Low, Medium, and High.
You can use this mode according to the type of floor you are cleaning. The low steam mode is mostly for delicate surfaces such as vinyl, laminate, hardwood, and marble. Whereas the medium and high modes are for tougher surfaces such as ceramic, tile, marble, granite, grout, stone, etc.
It uses microfiber mop pads which are of two types; soft and scrubby. The soft microfiber mop pad is for cleaning delicate surfaces such that it won’t scratch or damage the floor. On the other hand, the scrubby microfiber mop pad is for cleaning tougher surfaces and removing tough stains and stuck-on gunks.
The microfiber mop pads are machine washable and can be reused for future use. However, you are recommended to replace the mop -pads once every three months because they lose their efficiency over time.
The water tank of the steam mop can hold up to 16 ounces of water so you won’t have to worry about refilling your steam mop in the middle of cleaning your steam mop. You are recommended to use distilled or demineralized water only because normal tap water can contain minerals like calcium and magnesium which can get deposited in the nozzle and clog up the steam mop.
One thing you must always remember is to never use expensive chemicals, cleaning solutions, or any other kinds of liquid besides demineralized or distilled water because it can damage the steam mop and the floor as well.
The power cord is 23 feet long so you can cover significantly larger areas. You won’t have to buy an extension cord because the length of the cord is more than enough for many households. It is very comfortable to use and can be maneuvered easily.
It doesn’t weigh much as it is only 6 lbs. So, you won’t be putting a lot of strain on your body while using this steam mop, and can work for hours without getting tired.
You might have to be careful while removing the mop pads after you have completed cleaning the floor because it has to be manually removed and if you don’t wait for it to cool then you can seriously burn your hands.
Pros
- It can be easily maneuvered due to its swivel steering.
- It has a steam control feature so it can be used on multiple surfaces.
- It can stand on its own so you won’t have to worry about placing the steam mop if you want to take a break during cleaning the floors.
- The microfiber mop pads are machine washable and can be reused for future use.
- It can hold up to 16 ounces of water in the water tank so you won’t have to time refilling the steam mop in the middle of cleaning.
- The water tank is removable so it is easy to fill the water.
- The power cord is quite long so the steam mop can steam clean larger areas without the use of an extension cord.
- You can also add fragrance while steam cleaning the surface as the steam mop supports the use of fragrance discs.
Cons
- It is not very durable as many customers had to utilize their two-year warranty after purchasing the equipment only for one year.
- The mop pads need to be manually changed so the user might get burnt if they aren’t careful.
Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe Steam Mop
Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe steam mop is very easy to use and has a SmartSet Steam control feature. This feature allows the user to control the amount and intensity of the steam mop.
Thus, you can clean various types of surfaces such as tile, linoleum, marble, stones, sealed wood floors, etc. Furthermore, you won’t have to hold down a button or trigger like many other steam mops for producing the steam which makes cleaning easier and faster. It has a comfortable design and the handle is also ergonomically designed.
The steam mop comes with two microfiber mop pads which are essential in cleaning delicate surfaces such as vinyl, laminate, marble, hardwood, etc. It also comes with a scrubby mop pad which is great for cleaning tougher surfaces and stains. The mop pads are machine washable and can be air-dried before reusing them for future use.
Additionally, it supports the use of fragrance discs so you will be adding fragrance while using the steam mop for cleaning. It is lightweight as it weighs only 6.2 lbs, making it very easy to maneuver and handle.
The power cord is 25 feet long so you can clean larger areas without the need for an extension cord. It can hold up to 19 ounces of water in the water tank which is more than enough for your day-to-day household use.
The water can be filled with ease in the water tank and as the water tank is transparent you can easily monitor the amount of water in your tank. Thus, You won’t have to waste your time checking your water tank and refilling it time and again while cleaning. Make sure to use only distilled or demineralized water so that the life span of your steam mop remains long. You can also use scented demineralized water manufactured by the company.
It takes only 30 seconds to heat up so you can start cleaning without any delay. It also comes with a spot boost brush which is very useful in cleaning tougher stains, stuck-on gunks, and reach cracks and crevices.
This steam mop is quite inexpensive and performs really well. The attachments and accessories are also good for cleaning various above-floor surfaces. You won’t even break a sweat even if you use the steam mop for a longer period of time as it is lightweight and very comfortable to use.
Pros
- It is lightweight and easy to maneuver.
- The mop pads are machine washable and reusable.
- It has a steam control feature so you can use the steam mop on various surfaces.
- It can store a decent amount of water.
- The power cord is quite long so you can clean larger areas.
- The spot boost brush is built into the steam mop.
- It supports the use of fragrance discs so you can add fragrance while cleaning.
Cons
- It doesn’t have many attachments and accessories as compared to other models.
- The water tank isn’t removable.
Bissell PowerFresh Slim Steam Mop
Bissell PowerFresh Slim steam mop is the lightest steam mop among the Bissell steam mops. This steam mop can be converted into a handheld device and does a decent job steam cleaning various surfaces.
Similarly, it offers two steam control options; Low steam and Hi steam. As you can guess, the steam mop produces low amounts of heat in the low steam mode and can be used for delicate surfaces such as vinyl, laminate, hardwood, etc. The Hi steam mode is for steam cleaning tougher surfaces such as tile, grout, granite, stone, ceramic, etc.
It comes with a lot of useful attachments and accessories which can help you clean various areas and surfaces easily. The steam mop comes with microfiber mop pads which are very good for cleaning delicate surfaces.
You won’t have to worry about scratching or damaging the floors and it is machine washable and reusable so you will be saving a lot of money. However, we recommend you replace the microfiber mop pads once every three months as they lose their efficiency over time. If you have to replace the microfiber mop pads, you can easily buy them at the market at a cheap price.
The water tank can hold up to 11.8 ounces of water which is enough for household use. You only require distilled or demineralized water in order to use the steam mop.
Never add any other expensive chemicals, cleaning solutions, or liquid besides water in the water tank because it can seriously damage the steam mop and ruin the floor as well. It has a unique dual-mode configuration and can be converted into a handheld steamer just by removing the extension ward.
The power cord is 25 feet long so you can use the steam mop in larger areas without having to use an extension cord. It weighs about 6 lbs so you won’t have to apply much force in order to use the steam mop.
Moreover, it is quite tall so it won’t put any strain on your back. Thus, you can use the steam mop for a longer period of time without getting tired.
With the help of attachments and accessories, you will be able to clean various surfaces like glasses, grout, sinks, countertops, curtains, etc. While washing the mop pads always be careful not to wash the mop pads with fabric softeners or bleach as it can ruin the mop pads.
Pros
- It can be easily maneuvered due to its swivel steering.
- It is very easy to assemble and can be used to clean various surfaces.
- It has a steam control feature so that you can clean delicate as well as tougher surfaces.
- The microfiber mop pads are machine washable and can be reused for future use.
- It can hold a decent amount of water in its water tank so you won’t have to waste time refilling the steam mop in the middle of cleaning.
- It allows the user to control the steam with the on-demand steam trigger so it’s quite versatile as well.
- It is very easy to assemble and has a very comfortable design.
Cons
- It doesn’t stand up on its own so you have to be careful while placing the steam mop.
- It doesn’t have a power on/off button so you have to completely unplug the device to turn it off.
- The water tank isn’t removable so it filling the water can consume some time.
- The attachments and accessories aren’t of the highest quality and other cheap steam cleaners might do a better job cleaning various objects besides the floor.
Bissell Symphony Pet Steam Mop and Steam Vacuum Cleaner
Bissell Symphony Pet Steam Mop and Steam Vacuum Cleaner is a hybrid of steam mop and vacuum cleaners. It has good suction power but it is designed only for laminate and tile floors.
The steam mop enables you to vacuum and steam clean the surface simultaneously. It has a steam control feature as well as it has two modes low steam mode and high steam mode.
As you might already know, low mode is for delicate surfaces which are quite sensitive to heat and moisture and high mode is for tougher surfaces that can withstand high amounts of heat and moisture.
You just have to wait for 15-20 seconds for the steam mop to heat up. One good feature of this steam mop is that it has got Dry Tank technology. It means that the humidity isn’t able to infiltrate into the vacuum part.
It uses disposable mop pads which are very useful in cleaning your pet’s messes and stains. This steam mop also supports the use of fragrance discs so you will be adding the fragrance to your floor as well.
The microfiber mop pads are machine washable and can be reused for future use. You get altogether four mop pads; two soft and two scrubby. Soft mop pads are for cleaning delicate surfaces and scrubby mop pads are for cleaning tougher surfaces and removing tough stains.
It can hold 13.5 ounces of water in the water tank. But make sure to only use distilled or demineralized water because other kinds of chemicals, cleaning solutions, oils, or liquid can damage the steam mop and the floor as well. The power cord of the steam mop is 25 feet long which is quite decent and you will be able to clean larger areas with ease.
This steam mop is quite heavy as compared to other steam mops because it weighs about 10.1 lbs when the tank is fully filled with water. Thus, you might get tired of using this steam mop for a longer period of time.
Pros
- You can vacuum and steam clean at the same time.
- The microfiber mop pads are machine washable and can be reused for future use.
- It has a steam control feature so you can steam clean delicate as well as tougher surfaces.
- The length of the power cord is quite decent so you won’t have to buy an extension cord for cleaning larger areas.
- It can vacuum the floor quite well and can remove tough stains with ease.
- It is very easy to assemble and use.
Cons
- It doesn’t have a swivel mechanism so it is not maneuverable as compared to other models.
- It is quite heavy and has to apply greater force to use a steam mop as compared to other models and steam mops.
- It doesn’t have any attachments or accessories.
- It doesn’t have an on/off button so the user has to manually unplug the device to turn it off.
How to buy a good Bissell steam mop for hardwood floors?
There are various versions and models of Bissell steam mop with varying features. Even though the Bissell steam mops do an outstanding job at cleaning various surfaces, the quality of the result might be different depending on the model and its features. Thus, you must be careful while buying the steam mop.
Buying a good Bissell steam mop for your hardwood floors is essential as it can make your cleaning experience fun and enjoyable. To make your life easier, we have included some of the points down below that you must look for when buying a Bissell steam mop.
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Steam control feature
As you might know, the hardwood floor can withstand temperatures up to 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Thus, if the steam mop doesn’t have a steam control feature then the amount of heat produced from the steam might be too much for your hardwood floor.
However, if you are able to adjust the intensity and amount of steam as per your need then you can use this steam mop on various surfaces and you won’t be damaging your floor by controlling the amount of heat produced from the steam mop. You will be able to clean various types of floors besides hardwood floors such as laminate, vinyl, marble, stone, linoleum, ceramic, etc.
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Water tank capacity
Make sure the steam mop that you buy can hold a decent amount of water. That’s because the amount of water that it can hold is directly proportional to the work time of the steam mop i.e. the steam mop can be used for a longer period of time when it can hold large amounts of water.
You should always buy a steam mop that can at least hold 12 ounces of water in its water tank/reservoir. Moreover, you won’t have to waste your time refilling your water tank while cleaning the floor. The Bissell steam mop manufacturers recommend using only distilled or demineralized water so that you can maintain the efficiency of the steam mop for a long time and increase its longevity as well.
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Height and weight
Another key feature that you must look at while buying a steam mop is its height and weight. Make sure that the height and weight of the steam mop are suitable for you because if you do not buy a steam mop of a suitable size then it can ruin your cleaning experience.
For example, if you buy a steam mop that is very short and heavy then it can put a lot of strain on your back and you would have to put a lot of effort into moving the steam mop. You will quickly get tired and exhausted.
However, if you buy a steam mop that has a suitable height and doesn’t weigh more then you won’t have to put a lot of strain on your body and you can easily maneuver the steam mop on your floors. Thus, choosing a steam mop with a suitable height and weight is very important to save a lot of effort and time.
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Heat up time
One of the reasons why many people buy a steam mop is to save time. Thus, you must check the heat-up time of the steam mop because no matter how efficient the steam mop might be converting water into steam can still take some time.
However, good steam mops require only about half a minute time to heat up. So, make sure that the steam mop you are going to buy doesn’t require much time to heat up.
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Drying time
As you might know, the steam mop is a water-based cleaner so the amount of water that accumulates on the surface of the floor might require some time to dissipate/dry.
The steam transfers its heat to the floor and converts it into water which requires some time to dry. However, it doesn’t require much time for the floor to dry after steam mopping as the water quickly evaporates due to the heat.
The shorter the drying time the faster you will be able to use the floor so make sure the drying time of the steam mop is quite short. The floor should be dry within some minutes.
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Performance and durability
The steam mop is generally capable of removing tough stains with ease. Make sure the steam mop that you buy gives a consistent performance for more than a year. Usually, a normal steam mop lasts for three to eight years.
Always check the quality of the steam mop and we recommend you buy a steam mop that has a good reputation. One of the ways to check for quality is the warranty provided by the manufacturers as it assures the quality of the product.
You should also read the user manual and follow each instruction carefully so that you can maintain the performance of the steam mop for many years. Bissell steam mops are quite versatile and should be able to perform well on multiple surfaces such as glasses, cloth, sinks, curtains, appliances, etc.
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Attachments and accessories
Generally, there are lots of attachments and accessories that you get together with the steam mop which are quite essential for cleaning various surfaces.
There are various attachments and accessories such as carpet gliders, microfiber mop pads, nylon brushes, brass brushes, bristle brushes, etc. You should read the user manual carefully and know how to properly use each attachment and accessory.
Can you use Bissell steam mop on hardwood floors?
Heat and moisture are the two things that hardwood floors are not designed for. As you might know, hardwood floors can easily absorb water due to the porous nature of wood. You must never use a steam mop on an unsealed or newly sealed hardwood floor. However, you can use a Bissell steam mop on properly sealed hardwood.
As mentioned earlier, a hardwood floor can withstand heat up to 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. So, you must always use the steam mop in a low steam setting. You must never let your steam mop sit idle because a lot of heat and water can accumulate in one place and can easily damage the hardwood floors.
Thus, you must constantly move your steam mop in a back-and-forth motion slowly but continuously. If you need to take a break in the middle of cleaning then you must turn off the steam mop or simply unplug it.
Always use the steam mop in an inconspicuous area before using the steam mop in a visible area because you can check whether the steam setting is suitable for the hardwood floors and you can avoid greater damage as well.
Only use distilled or demineralized water only on your steam mop because using other chemicals and cleaning solutions can damage your hardwood floors and the equipment as well. Usually, the steam mop is designed to work only on water so adding additional liquid, oil, or other chemicals isn’t necessary.
Additionally, always make sure to use a dry and clean microfiber steam mop so that it can absorb moisture properly and doesn’t damage the floor.
Sweeping or vacuuming the floor is also necessary because the dust, dirt, or grimes can get attached to the mop pads and decrease their efficiency, and the floor can also get scratched or damaged. make sure you pre-treat the stains and stuck-on gunks as well so that the stem mop can easily clean the floor without any issues.
The best way to clean your hardwood floors with a Bissell steam mop
As you already know, hardwood floors are quite sensitive to heat and moisture. Also, using various kinds of chemicals and cleaning solutions can also damage your hardwood floors.
Thus, you can easily damage your hardwood floors with a Bissell steam mop if you are not careful and don’t know how to use the steam mop. But to make your life easier we have included some steps that you must follow in order to properly clean your hardwood floors.
Step 1: Preparation is key
Your first step should be identifying the hardwood floor. Make sure it is sealed because if you use the steam mop on an unsealed hardwood then you can damage the floor.
To check whether your floor is sealed or not, you can simply put a few drops of water on the floor and see if the floor absorbs the water or not. If the floor absorbs the water after some time then it is not a sealed floor and you shouldn’t use a steam mop on unsealed floors.
Step 2: Sweep or vacuum the floor before using the steam mop
The steam mop may be good at cleaning the floor but it is not good at vacuuming and particles like, dust, dirt, sand, hair, and crumbs can get stuck into the steam mop and decrease its efficiency.
Just like traditional moping, sweeping or vacuuming the floor before applying a steam mop is a good idea. Additionally, the loose particles could also scratch or damage the floor when a steam mop is applied so it’s safe to remove the loose particles before starting to use a steam mop on your floor.
Step 3: Inspect and prepare the steam mop
After you sweep or vacuum the floor, you might want to plug in the steam mop and start using it immediately. However, you mustn’t do so because the steam mop gets quickly hot so if you haven’t attached the mop pads or cloth then you might get burnt while attaching it as the mop foot gets hot too quickly. Furthermore, you can also get an electric shock while handling the wet mop.
So, make sure everything is prepared before plugging in the steam mop such as attaching the mop pads, filling the water in the tank, and managing the cord.
Some steam mops do have on/off buttons so you might not have to worry about such issues but still make sure the steam mop is ready to clean before you plug in the equipment.
Step 4: Don’t idle your steam mop and use the steam mop in the low steam mode only
As you might already know, the steam mops produce an incredible amount of heat through the steam and if you decide to sit idle with the steam mop on the same surface for a longer period then it accumulates a lot of heat in that one area and the area on your floor can get damaged. The hardwood floors are quite sensitive to heat and moisture so make sure to use the steam mop only on low steam mode.
Get rid of the things that distract you and focus on cleaning the floor with your steam mop. If your steam mop has an on/off button then you can press the off button if you have some works to do besides steam mopping the floor. Otherwise, you have to completely unplug the device to turn it off.
Step 5: Only use distilled or demineralized water in the steam mop
Except for a few most of the steam mops only require water and nothing else. Even without expensive chemicals or cleaning solutions, you can still sanitize and clean your floor with the steam mop.
Furthermore, it’s quite dangerous if you put other kinds of liquid or chemicals in the steam mop as it can be very dangerous and damage your equipment and floor as well.
Most steam mops recommend using distilled or demineralized water over regular tap water because it increases the longevity of your steam mop. Regular tap water contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium that can clog up the system.
Step 6: Use clean and dry mop pads
The mop pads can get dirty while cleaning your floor so always carry around extra clean mop pads so that you can clean your floor effectively.
The dirty mop pads will simply push the dirt from one place to another place instead of cleaning the area. After the cleaning is done make sure you properly clean the mop pads as per the guidance from the manual.
Step 7: Make sure the equipment is taken care of and stored in a proper place after use
After you have completed steam moping, make sure to inspect the equipment thoroughly and clean them properly. Never store the steam mops and mop pad in cold and damp places and without drying.
Always store the steam mop in an upright position and make sure the steam mop is cooled and the steam has been released. Don’t use the steam mop on your hardwood floors quite often as it can damage the floor. You can steam clean the hardwood once a month.
Things you must do to increase the longevity of your hardwood floor
We all want our floors to last long and look beautiful. To do that, you must take care of your floor and avoid any risk that can damage your floor.
‘Similarly, hardwood floor also needs a lot of care so that the floor won’t get damaged quickly and last forever. There are some points that you must know in order to increase the longevity of your hardwood floor.
The first thing you must remember is to quickly remove the spills and debris. Immediately sweep or mop the spills because using wet or steam mops quite often is not ideal for your hardwood floor because it is quite sensitive to heat and moisture.
Also, don’t let dirt and debris build up as it can damage the floor so make sure to sweep or vacuum the hardwood floor two or three times a week.
Another thing you can do to increase the longevity of the steam mop is by adding protective pads to your furniture. As you might already know, heavy furniture can cause serious damage or issues on the floor if you are not carefully moving the furniture.
Adding protective pads to the furniture such as chairs, tables, bookcases, sofas, etc, can keep your floor safe from scratch and damage. Replace the protective pads if grit becomes embedded in the floor. Always vacuum or sweep the floor before moving the furniture.
You can also make the area no shoe zone as shoes can also scratch the floors easily. If you have pets such as cats and dogs then make sure to trim their nails because their nails can scratch the floor quite easily and remove the seal as well.
When you buy the chemicals for your hardwood floor, make sure to use the chemicals in an inconspicuous area to minimize the damage if the chemical is too harsh for your floor. Never buy chemicals that state it’s going to shine, polish, revitalize, or rejuvenate the hardwood floor.
As mentioned earlier, the hardwood floor is quite sensitive to water so quickly dry the floor with a piece of cloth or microfiber mop. Properly read the user manual for the hardwood floor and follow all the instructions accordingly to increase the longevity of your floor.
Furthermore, you can also cover your hardwood floor with carpets and rugs, especially in high-traffic areas. It will help in keeping your floor clean and prevent damage as well. There are some great wood floor cleaners that you can use to clean the hardwood floor.
However, make sure to use the chemicals once a month only and you should renew the coating of your sealed hardwood floor once every three to five years because the coating starts to lose its efficiency over time. Adding a new coating to your hardwood floor can increase the longevity of your hardwood floor quite a lot.
