You might already know there are thousands of steam mops on the market. However, Shark Steam Mop is the world’s leading steam mop company that has produced some fantastic products over the years. The Shark Steam Mop is not only used for cleaning the floor but it also sanitizes and leaves a fragrance on the floor as well. Additionally, you won’t have to buy expensive chemicals, or cleaning products as all you will need to buy is the shark steam mop and distilled or demineralized water.
It is super efficient and it can easily clean tough stains. With the Shark Steam Mop, you can clean the floor only in a few minutes without even having to break a sweat. Mopping the floor will be as easy as taking a walk in the park. Moreover, it is affordable and eco-friendly, and it doesn’t produce much noise as well so no more scaring your pets and babies like vacuum cleaners.
However, some users have got issues regarding the shark steam mop not steaming. If you ever decide to buy Shark Steam Mop or you are a new user then you might have to face similar issues so make sure to read this article to the end. Let’s find out the reason behind the issue and the way to fix it. Furthermore, we will tell you the benefits of having steam mops at your houses in this article. So, let’s get started.
What is the reason behind the shark steam mop not steaming? How to fix it?
There can be several reasons behind the shark steam mop not steaming besides malfunctioning. Furthermore, there might not even be a problem and you might forget to check the basics. In this section, we have listed some common reasons behind the shark steam mop not steaming.
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Did not fill the tank with water
Well, it’s a simple mistake that anyone can make. As you might already know, the steam mop required water to work so if you forget to fill the tank with water then the steam won’t be produced. Furthermore, ensure to fill the water above the reservoir’s fill line.
Fix: Just put the water in the reservoir prior to using the device.
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Started using it before the water heats up
Even if you fill the water, you must wait for a few seconds after turning on the device as it requires around 30-60 seconds on average for the mops to heat up and produce steam.
Fix: After plugging the Shark Steam Mop, wait for a few minutes before using it on the floor.
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Not using the proper setting
There is a steam-locking collar in some models of Shark Steam Mops. Also, some models allow the user to spray only without the steam such as the Steam and Spray models. So, make sure you read the user manual and use the proper setting.
Fix: Read the user manual and make sure you have the proper setting for the steam.
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Not checking the water intake tube
The water intake tube in the shark steam mop can get bent or kink. So, you must check the water intake tube and straighten it if needed to make sure that it reaches the bottom of the tank. You can simply check the user manual for the guide.
Fix: Before you start using the steam mop, check the water intake tube if it reaches the bottom of the tank.
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Leakage of water or steam
If you look into the working mechanism of the shark steam mop then you will realize that the steam is produced due to reassure buildup. Thus, if there is a leakage of pressure then the steam won’t simply be produced. So, while you install the device make sure to fit the parts according to the user manual and fit the bottom cap tightly. Moreover, the rubber cap of the water tank is not watertight so there can be leakage if the tank is overfilled.
Fix: Don’t overfill the reservoir and make sure you have fitted every part of the device perfectly. Be extra careful while installing the water tank. If there’s a crack or any damaged parts you should contact Shark customer service immediately and make sure you have got your warranty.
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Due to calcium and magnesium deposits in the nozzle
Well, every Shark Steam Mop recommends you to use distilled or demineralized water. That’s because if you use tap or hard water then the minerals such as calcium and magnesium present in the water can get deposited in the nozzle and block the steam from coming out. You might not notice the slow but gradual decrease in steam production due to the slow formation of mineral deposits on the nozzle and might get surprised when the steam is drastically reduced or stopped.
Fix: The nozzle can be easily unclogged/unblocked by dissolving the calcium deposit. You won’t have to buy expensive chemicals as you can simply make some cleaning solutions at your home. Moreover, you can also buy a CLR liquid from the market if you are tired to make a homemade solution. We will explain in detail the steps to decalcify the shark steam mop in the next subheading.
How do you descale/decalcify the shark steam mop?
Decalcifying/Descaling the shark steam mop might not be as difficult as you might think. Just follow the steps and you will be easily able to decalcify your shark steam mop with ease.
When you receive the package of the shark steam mop, you should have gotten the nozzle cleaner in the package. Before you start cleaning make sure your steam mop is turned off and the nozzle is not hot. To be safe put on safety gloves then go to the manual find where the nozzle is and follow the instruction from the manual to clean the nozzle. Move the nozzle cleaner back and forth on the nozzle tip so that the calcium deposit is removed. After, you have completed the process you can clean the nozzle, water tank, and steam head with white vinegar. Once again check to see if the mop is steaming.
However, if that doesn’t work then you must prepare a solution of vinegar and distilled water in the ratio of 1:1 and fill it into the water tank. The process is slow and requires a lot of time so you must let the solution sit in the water tank overnight. After the process is completed, plug in the steam mop and take it into the sink and make sure to set the setting to the highest. You should see a lot of steam coming out and hear a loud noise. But you don’t have to worry because the calcium deposit has been removed and you can just clean the water tank and use it again.
If you don’t have vinegar at home you can use a commercial-grade cleaner called CLR. It is very effective and it will surely unclog the nozzle by removing the calcium deposit. Just like vinegar solution, fill the water reservoir with half water and half CLR. Similarly, it will take quite some time for the process to complete so better let it sit in the water reservoir overnight. After that, you should plug in the steam mop and once again turn the setting to the highest. You should see a big burst of steam flowing out of the steam mop and use it for a few minutes. Now, you can take out the CLR and water solution and simply rinse the water reservoir. Your problem should be fixed and you are good to use the steam mop again.
Can you prevent such issues in the future?
The Shark Steam mop is one of the best steam mops in the world but it doesn’t mean that you don’t have to take care of the device. For the maximum utility and longevity of the shark steam mop, you should always be careful while using the steam mop and follow the instructions from the manuals. You must know the correct way to use a shark mop correctly.
For the longevity of your shark steam mop, you must handle the steam mop with care and use the device according to the manual. Sweeping or Vacuuming the floor helps increase the longevity of your steam mop and pads. The Shark mop does an incredible job at mopping and sanitizing the floor but vacuuming and sweeping is not the one. Moreover, your sealed for such as laminate, tiles, stones, and hardwood floors won’t get damaged or scratched.
Make sure you always keep your steam mop in the upright position while storing. Some of the versions of the shark steam mop don’t stand in an upright position on their own so make sure you don’t drop the steam mop on the floor. The best way to prevent your nozzle from clogging is by using distilled or demineralized water. Also, you should clean your steam mop with the vinegar-water solution and air dry the mop after every session if possible. Cleaning the mop once every one to two weeks also helps a lot as it relieves a lot of pressure on the heating element and other components in the unit.
Furthermore, never use the steam mop in a hurry or carelessly, and always make sure to check your steam mop every time before you start cleaning. Make sure to wait for a few seconds after plugging it in as it takes some to heat up. You shouldn’t use the steam mop on high steam mode for too long as it decreases the longevity of your steam mop. Be careful not to put other liquids, chemicals, or cleaning agents in the water tank besides distilled or demineralized water as it can cause health hazards and serious damage to the floor and equipment as well.
Is it worth getting a steam mop?
After reading this article, you might think that it is such a hassle to buy a steam mop as the nozzle can get laughed and you need to take care of it. However, one thing you should remember is that mopping the floors with traditional mops could be quite tiresome as it takes a lot of effort. It is heavy and you have to put a lot of effort and time into cleaning the floor. You might get backache as you have to bend which causes a lot of strain on your back. Don’t forget about how painful it is wriggling your mop when it is drenched. Additionally, the chemical solutions that you use in traditional mop generally consist of harmful or toxic chemicals that can affect your health.
But if you decide to buy a steam mop instead, you get a lot of benefits from it as mopping and sanitizing the floor won’t require much time and effort. The steam mop does an excellent job at cleaning tough stains so no more scrubbing for hours. Also, the steam mops are generally tall so you can easily use them without having to bend and you won’t get a backache. Moreover, you won’t have to buy expensive chemicals or cleaning solutions as all you will ever need is distilled or demineralized water.
Most of the steam mop kills 99.99% of the germs on your floor with its steam so you won’t have to worry about sanitation. Furthermore, if you are worried about the smell of your floor, you don’t have to anymore as some of the steam mops use “fragrance discs’ or the scented distilled/demineralized water which spreads fragrance all over the floor while cleaning. It’s super efficient and you won’t have to put any effort into cleaning the floors as the steam mops will do the job for you. The steam mops are eco-friendly so you won’t have to worry about any health hazards.
Talking about its price, it is quite affordable and cost-effective. The steam mops are quite durable and some customers have used their steam mops for 5-8 years as well. You should probably buy a shark steam mop as traditional mopping consumes a lot of time and effort. In addition to that, you will be saving a lot of your valuable time and effort as well.
