Steam Mops, Steam Vacuums, Carpet Shampooers

Last time, I recommended steam vacuums in home of enticing some readers to think deeply about the many benefits of steam. They are natural sources of cleaning without chemicals and best of all, the solution is free! Steam also makes an effective germ-killer, as it hits temperatures that are simply too hot for some micro-organisms to live. However, I’ve been receiving a few inquiries elsewhere that there is a huge confusion between steam mops, steam vacuums, and carpet shampooers. Allow me to break it down:

Steam Mops

Mops are meant to be used on hard floors, such as hardwood, tile, marble, and others. These appliances allow you to steam the floor and use its power to lift dirt and grime away from its pores. It typically has a sponge or microfiber pad to pick up any impurities.

Steam Vacuums

As mentioned before, they are vacuums that heat up your carpet. Some steam vacuums do double as a steam mop. That is, some steam vacuums are capable of running on hard floors, although most steam mops cannot run onto carpeted floors. Another tricky note, steam vacuums also may be carpet shampooers. Some models offer a steaming and shampooing option.

Carpet Shampooer

These machines are typically the heaviest of the three, and most expensive. These units are also called carpet extractors, and they both shampoo, clean, and dry carpet in one go. These vacuums are powerful and should be used sparingly, unless you have a lot of foot traffic.