I just bought a house with a swimming pool. Although it is only 6 feet deep at the deepest end and all our exterior doors make a beeping sound when opened, I have 8 grandchildren ranging in ages 5 months thru 13 years old, so we are in the market for the best pool alarm money can buy. The pool is literally 15 feet from our back door. Can someone recommend the best pool alarm system for an irregular shaped pool? We back up to a big pond, and occasionally ducks and geese land in our pool despite the fence, so we are unsure which type of alarm would be best. Our grandchildren do NOT live in the same state as we do, so it would only need to be activated on occasion. I am getting so much conflicting advice and information, I don't know who to believe. Thanks for your help.

Being the maid doesn't mean that you are Rosie the Robot, I can only do so much! Can a steam mop really be the answer for 6,000 square feet of marble? Please help!

I recently purchased a shark steam mop and was pleased with it for the most part until the handle snapped in two. It is very flimsy especially when you are trying to clean up those hardened messes by using a little extra pressure. Of course this flaw is not covered by my warranty. The plastic is very brittle and I cannot justify spending that amount of money on a product that lasted less then 4 months.

Dear ConsumerReports.org,
I am the person that brought to yr attention that you had no information on any of the STEAM MOPS. I am wondering if you ever figured out if any of them work. I was going to purchase a SHARK DISPOSABLE STEAM MOP OR A SHARK FLOOR MOP BUT I WAS AWAITING YOUR FINDINGS. Did you find out any info yet?

Linda, check with your local building official for code requirements. He should be able to give you the correct infromation.

Ron

I am waiting for the info on steam mops as well, that is why I subscribed to Consumer Reports!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In looking at comments on other websites about steam mops I have seen that alot of people say the mop results are different between tile and hardwood floors. Specifically they state the mops leave significant about of water on the floors and they had to go back over with a towel. Is it possible to run tests on hardwood floors as well. Thanks

Hi,
You should also test the Euroflex Monstoer Steam Mop. We have one and love it but I would like to see how it compares.

I was disappointed to see that you have not completed testing on steamp mops...They have been out for 2 years or more ..I have been waiting to see what your findings were. I guess, I will try amazon as they have review sections.

I am also in the market for a good steamer & noticed the lab testing video on here. But what were the results???????? Is there any new information?????

So what were the test results/findings on the steam mops? I can't seem to locate that info online!

My first steam mop was one I saw on an infomercial and now I can't remember which one. It might have been Steam Fast but I loved it. It lasted several years and then needed to be replaced. I wanted to replace it with the same one but couldn't find it so I bought a Shark. I strongly dislike it and have just now ordered an H2Omopultra. It has a lot more features but my thought now is that I did not like the Shark at all. It is just plain annoying....compared to the less expensive one that I used to have.

I had a H20 steam mop initially that I had a problem with, when I contacted the company they did replace it. The H20, in my opinion, did a great job on my porcelain tile floors. After that mop died, I purchased a Shark steam mop at Walmart. It is not as good of quality as the H20. I also preferred the cleaning cloth attachments better on the H20. They were actually easier to clean. If I bought another steam mop today, I would go back to the H20.

I purchased the Shark Steam Mop. It does indeed work, but it's not as easy as it looks on the commercial. It takes several steam overs in order to get up stains. It's easier to do a traditional mopping right before using the steam mop. After traditional mopping I just use the steam mop to get the left over dirt that's left behind from dirty mop water. It seems to triple the time of just traditional mopping but,It works better for me this way. I'm 117 lbs. Traditional mopping didn't cause me to break a sweat, but using the Shark Steam Mop I broke a sweat. When I finished, I was completely drained. I hope my comments help.

We need to purchase a new ceiling fan for our family room. Why haven't you tested any. I have searched high and low on this sight and can't find any ratings.

I hope that when testing steam mops, you will have a look at sanitization, not just cleaning.

Sanitization is quite important, no? If these mops are being used on, for example, bathroom floors, then it would be desirable to know they are killing germs and not just spreading them around. You wouldn't clean around your toilet with a simple water-dampened rag, right?

Some brands, such as Hahn, make claims that their steam mops sanitize. Others, such as Shark, make no clams about cleaning capabilities whatsoever.

It is imaginable that steam, possibly at higher than 212 degrees F, could have sanitizing capabilities. But there are many ways it could not. For example, it may cool down before having any germ-killing effect. Or it might (as with the Shark I currently own), only actually steam the center area of the mop, leaving the bulk of the mop-head's surface to clean only through the fact that it is wet.

In addition to the potential sanitization capabilities of steam, there is perhaps also the possibility of using sanitizing chemicals. However, the models I have used, while making no direct statements about using them in conjunction with other chemicals, do say both 1) not to add any chemicals other than water to the reservoir, and 2) not to clean the microfiber heads with bleach. So does that thus mean that bleach should never be used in conjunction with them?

I suggest you look at the claims these products make about using tap water.

As an example, I purchased a Shark steam mop which clearly says on the box that it works with tap water. However, in the manual, it says that to extend the life of the product, use of only distilled water is recommended. Nice, eh?

So I imagine that use of tap water risks clogging the steam vents over time. It would be great if you could test these products' efficacy with tap water over a period of time.

If some products degrade with use of tap water while others do not, then the cost of distilled water should be factored into the cost of operating the more sensitive equipment.

Six months ago I purchased a Shark Steam Mop which I thought was well worth the investment... UNTIL THE HANDLE BROKE! The mop is only used about every two weeks to clean two rooms that have hard wood floors... In other words it did not get a lot of use. I called their customer service, they did not even ask how long I had owned it before I was advised that I could purchase a new handle. The handle by the way has odd shaped screw heads which means that I would also have to find a tool to fit. Therefore, I will take it back to Target and will never purchase another of their products. The handle is made from a flimsy and brittle material.

Any research on the Smart Living Steam Mop?

purchased the shark steam mop, it works wonderfully ! well all three times it worked anyway... proceed with caution, and keep your receipt if you buy it ! ps. you will choose to return it to the store vrs the maker... they wanted me to pay to ship it there, plus pay them to ship it back to me... bye bye shark ! waiting to hear the review on which one to replace it with.

what's up with the steam mop testing. haven't heard a word from u since u started. can u give us any updates? we are waiting patiently because we want to purchase one but are awaiting your results.

This is quite unbelieveable! I also am looking for your take on the various steam mops on the market. I'm moving into a flat with hardood floors and would like to have a machine to use on them. What's taking so long to test them and report your findings???

I am very interested in a steam mop but the ones I see advertised on TV don't seem to hold up for long periods, or rough work (I bought the Hann and a friend bought the Shark). could you please throw in to your testing one that would sell for $400, $600, $800, and/or $1000. I am serious about cleaning but I want my money worth. Thank you.

You can start doing research at http://www.allergybuyersclub.com/vapor-steam-cleaners.html
They have units from $60 up to about $2,500 and a lot in between

I did some testing and found that the H2oflo is a great steam mop for the money. At first i was looking more towards the shark but after seeing just how many are sold and the good feedback I gave it a try. After the first month. Make sure you see the cord length and the tank capacity as the H2oflo is perfect as I have a large amount of hard wood and tile. Then look at how much steam it generates and last look for the mop head size. I did my research and the H2oflo was my nest choice.

What about including the Haan foor steam cleaner. Seems popular.

After looking again I see you are testing the Haan, so please disregard.

Please get on with your review of steam mops.

Still no results on the steam mop testing?

where are your reviews of steam cleaners? this last message was from May 17. Please advise

We purchased a Shark steam mop and loved it at first. We were surprised by its poor quality construction, but liked the idea of santizing with steam and the floors looked great. But what concerned me at first turned out to be the serious drawback of this appliance. The handle has a pumping action... you activate the steam as you push the mop around. As a moving part on a flimsily constructed tool, this concerned me. One day I was cleaning our floors and in the middle of a push of the mop, the handle just split apart. Pieces of sharp plastic went in several directions including one that made a small cut on my neck. I was okay but you can imagine that it completely freaked me out. I'd estimate we cleaned our floors less than six times with this thing before it broke and then it broke in such a dangerous way. I thought maybe it was a freak thing but then I read other posts saying their handle broke, so I thought it was important to post my experience as well.

I have about 2000 square feet of marble floors in my house. I am looking for a steam mop to clean them with.

I am very interested in purchasing a steam floor cleaner. My home has over half if floors in textured like tile and difficult to clean, especially the gout lines. A freind highly recommended one by Bissell that works great on her tiel floors. I checed with local WalMart and all they had was Shark, a new one with 3 attachments for $119 and the orginal is now priced at $59....but after reading about so may other reports here, I am leary of purchasing the Shark. I am disspointed that Consumer Reports has nothing to help us out.

i have a shark steam mop, i like it, i like how the floors smell after i clean them. its is physically a work out to use it and there's always water left behind, but that doesnt bother me as much as the UNANSWERED QUESTION: do these steam mops actually kill germs?

I have had two Bissel Green Tea steam mops. I used nothing but distilled water, even putting a little vinegar into it. When the first quit working after 6 uses, I tried to get the company to replace it; instead, they sent a part that wasn't the problem. So, thinking I just had a lemon, I bought my second Bissell (I think they have a number, like 1867-7) Green Tea. It, too, quit working after 10 uses. It was OK while it was working, but $140 later, I still don't have mop and the company will do nothing!

Check out Amazon.com for consumer feedback. Whenever I am looking at purchasing a product I check Consumer Reports and Amazon because often times there are people who do "at home tests" and provide a lot of great detail and feedback. If there is more than one item posted on Amazon (for example maybe from different distributers) check them all out; sometimes the consumer feedback is only on one post. The comments are all the way at the bottom of the page. I found a really good start (until Consumer Reports finishes their testing) on floor steamers by looking up the "Eureka 313A Enviro Hard-Surface Floor Steamer.t3"

Bought Europro steam mop on sale and was satisfied with results on vinyl and tile floors. However, handle snaped off on third use. Returned it and was told my sales person it happens all the time. Spent more and bought the Shark with two heads, extra pads, etc. Not at all happy. Can't control annoying pumping action of handle. Most important, where's the on/off switch? Manager at store and I checked the instructions and the Shark steam mop - there was NONE! This means you have to plug/unplug to start/stop it. HOW SAFE IS THIS? Really would like a recommendation on which one to try next.

I purchased a steam mop called Smart Living Steam Mop at our local home show. I paid a little more than a lot of the above but I love it. I use it on my tiles floors, hardwood floors and carpet. It has a slider you sit it in on carpets therefore the steam portion does not sit directly on the carpet where it could melt the fabrics. I love it. Use Distilled water. I noticed when i searched steam mops out of the 15 pages listed the Smart Living Steam mop was not listed. WHY?

How does the Dirt Devil Steam Mop compare to the H20 Steam mop?