Forget steam mops, you have to try this...

15 years ago

I have 1400 sq ft of tile and wood flooring, so after reading all the raves of steam mops on this site I went out and bought the steam shark. I have to say I was sorely disappointed. It left my floors streaky and I felt I was just pushing the dirt around, instead of picking it up. And the steam shark took some elbow grease to use.

I am ecstatic that I found the Hoover Floormate Widepath. I assumed like so many other floor cleaners that I have tried I would be taking it back. NO WAY will I ever be with out my HFW! You will be AMAZED at the dirt this thing picks up. Even in areas you thought were clean! Yes I had to change the dirty water out and add more to the clean tank quite a few times for how much square footage of hard floors I have. But no more so than any other machine I have tried. And I was more than happy to dump out that nasty water! I am actually pleased with how much dirty water there was, that means it is not left on my floor!

It was very easy to assemble, took three minutes and no tools required. It has two sets of brushes, regular, and longer, stiffer brushes for grout. It takes only a minute to switch them (no need to switch if you have only tile, just use the grout brushes).

The dry vac part of it works okay to pick up crumbs prior to using the wet vac. However don't toss out your regular vacuum (or broom and dustpan) just yet. This will not pick up nearly as well for the times in between when you are not using the cleaning mode.

The scrubbers do an amazing job of scrubbing the floor. When I first brought my Floormate Widepath home I had a dried O.J. mess under my 2 year olds chair with food and crumbs stuck in. I thought there was no way that was coming clean easily. Two passes with the floormate and it was gone!

The suction is AMAZING for picking up the water off of the floor. It practically leaves the floor dry, and is dry within one to two minutes.

I use only water to clean my floors. For one I am cheap, and what is cheaper than water? And two, I have alergies to many cleaning products. It is nice to know there is no residue chemical when my kids are playing on the floor. If I feel the floors need to be sanitized I add white vinegar to the clean tank.

The best part is it is as easy to use as a vacuum. I find myself waiting for my kids to spill something or come in with dirty feet just so I can pull out my Floormate!

From reading other reviews I would definatelly get the widepath version.

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Comments (15)

reeree_natural
15 years ago
dxc-
I have had and used the hoover FM for years..( on my 3rd or 4th one) they have a few quirks too. one thing is, they don't last that long. After about a year, they lose suction power and you'll find there is a lot of water on the floor. Years back I called a hoover repair place and they told me they haven't perfected it yet. this last one (wide path) has lasted the longest so far, but that is because I use the steam mop in between, so the hoover isn't in use all the time. the other thing that I find is, the collection bucket fills up fast and I spend a lot of time emptying and refilling, and last after use you have to wash all the parts and dry them. it is time consuming . But...I do agree with you. it really cleans well.. it's amazing how much dirt it picks up.. your floors are really clean for sure. I use it about once a week on all my floors, but I also like having the steam mop.. I use it for follow up cleaning and that keeps the floor clean. The shark is hard to push on some types of flooring but not all, I think it has to do with the micro fiber pad.

enjoy your new FM!
Ree
dxcspilk
Original Author
15 years ago
For how well this works and the amount of hard floors I have to cover, I would be willing to buy a new one every year! Haha, I hope I won't have to though.
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just can not get steam mop pads clean - help
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This is long, but important, so please read all the way through. My personal theory as to WHY the dirt in these pads do not like to come clean in the first place is because they are all made out of synthetic microfiber blends. This is NOT a rant about doing everything in your life all-natural so please stay with me. In the beginning of my Cosmetology education, I learned that synthetic fibers (such as those used on wigs and cosmetology tools and brushes, do Not like hot water. Only cold or at least tepid water could be used unless you enjoy having your brushes, cloths and wig hairs get all tangled and matted up in an instant, melted in some cases, or hairs/fibers fused together. It’s synthetic. It can’t take the heat. With that said, I suspect these companies insisting on using microfiber steam mop pads are setting us all up for failure from the beginning. Steam is insanely hot and WILL melt and fuse the little fibers together during use (this is why they say not to put them in the dryer). Steam blows open the fibers in an intense way which is something else I learned in Cosmo school. Steam always works better than hot water in opening up skin pores for instance. Material fibers are no different… unless that material blows up but then breaks down with said heat. Polyester and Nylon just can’t take the heat. You might ask why the heck these companies would make their pads with microfiber if that were true. I’m glad you asked - I suspect the mop companies use these materials anyway, because it’s much cheaper than cotton and will slide nicely across the floor. They know if their customers feel they have to push too hard, they won’t want to use it and will go with the other company that does use microfiber. Let’s be honest, “microfiber” is like some positive buzz word in the retail industry when actually many of us avoid it like Covid. It only has a few good qualities, none of which are involved with mop heads. Microfiber, is good only for scrubbing, acting as a water repellent in some cases, and behaving somewhat like Velcro when used for dry sweeping. Have you ever tried to remove things that stuck to microfiber material after being in the wash or dryer? It’s not fun is it? When microfiber is used in wet cleaning applications however, that synthetic material DOES NOT ABSORB. It just doesn’t. It’s synthetic. Synthetics don’t absorb like a natural fiber (e.g. Cotton) does. Try wiping dry your kitchen countertop with a microfiber wash cloth, and then try again with an all cotton and you will see what it is I’m saying. All of this to share that I finally found a solution to not only keep my microfiber pads from getting too dirty (or worse than they already are), but to also pick up dirt far better than what the pads were originally doing (I have one of the Bissell Power Fresh Pet steam mops for reference). SOLUTION: I take a damp, wrung out steam mop pad, flip it inside out (I also cut off the scent disk pocket), place it on my steam mop, then place the mop down on top of a 100% cotton shop towel and click down the flip scrubber piece in the back of my mop so that it grabs my towel. At this point, I use the mop as usual on the highest steam output setting. Why do I flip the mop pad inside out? Because I discovered that it allows the towel underneath to stay put a little better and glides across the floor better as well. I have also only ever done this with a damp, completely wrung out mop pad in place, but with a dry shop towel. After the towel gets dirty, I rinse out the mop pad and wring it out again as much as possible before placing back on my mop and grabbing another clean, dry shop towel. The benefit here, is not only are my floors getting that much more clean, but I can buy cotton shop towels by the mass for much cheaper than those mop pads AND they clean up white so much easier! If you want to bleach, then bleach. If you want to use your usual make-em-white method, then do that instead. The world is your oyster. Cheaper Works better Cleans up Whiter Easy It’s what has finally worked for me and my mop. I hope it helps some of you too.
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Hi BW Thanks for the links.. I had already read everything about it when I first saw the postÂ.I donÂt let grass grow under my feet when something new and natural comes out. .lol! I am definitely considering it, but I am a little concerned with all the returns and defective units. Sounds confusing with all the error codes, priming etc. but does spark an interest.. The only thing that I donÂt like, is the water lasts for only 15 minutes before you have to recharge. I also fear that once I buy it, they will make a new and improved one (isnÂt that always the way??) that already happened with one product , as followsÂ.. Long ago I bought the EcoQuest Laundry Pure. It was similar in technology. Worked on oxygen, UV lights and silver technology. It was expensive @ 750.00 (now the units have been reduced) The idea was to clean clothes and sanitize them with sterile, sanitized water, much like the Lotus. At first , I thought it was great, clothes were clean.. Then when I had towels that my kids wiped their hands on and it had surface dirt, it didnÂt come out. After 6 weeks of use, clothes started stretching out.. it was a fight, but I returned it.. there was no way I was losing that kind of money on something that truly didnÂt work and damaged our clothes. I do like the technology of this type of cleaning and I do believe in it, but being this new, they have to work the kinks out. I want to find the Lotus locally, so if I am having the problems as some, I can take it back with out having to do the shipping and waiting game. I am hoping it works like they claim, for this will be truly wonderful! I am willing to give it a try. I called the local stores who are authorized to sell it, but none in stock..so I will wait and call again. If you beat me to it, please let me know what you think! In any event, I will always have my Shaklee under my sink! (how are you doing with Charlies??) Ree
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They are both good, but you may like the bissel better. I have the shark mop, had the first one they made and I loved it..they made a new and 'improved' one, and even though it is a good mop, powerful, and lots of steam, you have to push the mop forward for the steam to be released. They designed it this way as a saftey precaution. It's a personal choice in how the mops function, both are good mops. I personally like continuous steam.. probably because that is what I have been use to for a few years...that is my disappointment with shark. Either way, steam is a great, easy, fast way to clean, does a great job. Ree
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I agree with having to use the Shark steam mop a few times before the pads don't come out black! I just mopped the floor this evening after preparing for Thanksgiving. With all of the dripping today and splashes onto the floor, i was amazed that the pads were blacker! One thing I struggle with are streak marks. I have travertine throughout the kitchen, hall and foyer, bathroom and laundry room. It is sealed but I don't think sealants last all that long; we had it resealed a year ago and my friends who have this mop and use it on ceramic tile, never have streaks. Anyone have problems with streaking? I mop in a forward/backward motion, just like I would if I had to vacuum. The rest of the floors in the house, except the bathrooms, are all hardwood..dark maple, Virginia Vintage. i can't bring myself to use it on the wood even though the product says it's ok!
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reeree_natural
15 years ago
dx..
I am sure they have been improved..( I don't want to buy another one myself..4 is enough..LOL)

so true, it really scrubs the floors clean..isn't is gross what comes out of the collection bucket?? I always wonder where the heck did the dirt come from, I do think most of it is dust, I wash my floors a lot and we do not wear shoes in the house.. it is a really good feeling of clean when you witness what is being dumped out..amazing!
enjoy it!!!
Ree
oceanna
15 years ago
Hmmmm... thanks for the report, folks. You're making me want one of these.

Do you vacuum the floor first?

Does this thing put water down, scrub, then vacuum the water back up?

Is it hard to assemble/disassemble, like if you're getting arthritic in your hands?

Is it hard/easy to clean the parts after?

TIA
reeree_natural
15 years ago
Hi Oceanna!
no need to vacuum! it washes, sucks up the dirt and water..leaves floors just a little wet..not much at all.

the thing I find, the collection bucket fills up fast and you also have to refill the water and cleaning solution container often..I do not use their cleaning products..I add a few drops of my own with very hot water. After use, you have to wash all the parts and filter..then I dry them so they do not smell musty...(never put it away wet)

there is an up side...lol! Your floors are really clean. I can't tell you how gross the collection bucket is when you empty it..black! So it's instant gratification (smile) give it a try, you can always return it if you are not happy with it..let us know!
Ree
dxcspilk
Original Author
15 years ago
Oceanna~ I don't think it is difficult at all to fill the clean tank and empty the dirty. Also to clean the filter is simple. Way easier than my scoobas. If you have a Target you can go and try pulling out the clean and dirty tanks and filter to see if it will work for you.

Ree~ I can't blieve the dirt it picks up! We have no pets, and don't wear shoes in the house either. I am amazed at how dirty the water is. I love the feeling of clean this gives.

I wonder why this thing has been kept secret for so long! Most people I talk to have never heard of it. I think it should be a staple in every house, just like a vacuum!
sue36
15 years ago
Are there any concerns with using this on hardwood floors? Do you dry the floors after you use it?
reeree_natural
15 years ago
sue
it is made for wood floors..no need to dry the floors at all..they are nearly dry from the FM. It sucks up all the water..it's a great machine..
Ree

dx
they have been around for a while now..I am on 7 years! where have you been?? LOL!!!
also, I didn't mean that it was 'hard' to remove the parts or wash them..I just find I have to stop a lot to empty and fill and it is a little time consuming..believe me, if I had one for years and keep buying them..gotta tell you something :) and yes, it amazes me everytime I empty the bucket and see how dirty it is.. I still can't figure it out..I think a lot of it is dust.... probably the same for you!
enjoy your clean floors!!
Ree
jannie
15 years ago
I had a Hoover Floormate that worked well the first couple of times, then just crapped out. It wouldn't spray solution AND it wouldn't pick it up. For $175, I was able to clean my floor twice, that works out to about $90 per use. I junked that sucker and I would never buy another.
ebear1271
15 years ago
I have the Bissell Flip It with Heat. Same idea, different brand. I've have problems with mine also, after a few months it wouldn't spray any cleaner onto the floor. I finally figured it's because I use vinegar and water, not cleaning solution, and maybe it was messing something up. Now I store the clean solution tank separately so it dries completely and it's worked out fine. I would definitely recommend one of these if you have laminate floors. Mine had to be dried by hand no matter how I washed it and believe me, I tried everything! With one of these modern day wonders, it sucks the water back up so there's nothing left to streak.
dxcspilk
Original Author
15 years ago
ebear~ I don't know how vinegar and water would cause a problem over cleaning solution. If anything the vinegar would leave the mop free of residue and plugging over a cleaning solution. I bet what fixed the problem was drying the tank completely between use. Glad you like your Flip It. I can't imagine cleaning floors with out these marvels anymore!
reeree_natural
15 years ago
I use vinegar & water in my FM, or a few drops of H2..and sometimes Charlies all purpose cleaner..very low suds if any at all and I never had a problem...
Ree
newtoremodeling
15 years ago
those of you who own HFM. can you tell me what model you have? i went to amazon and there is a bunch of different models there. which is it that works so well?
dxcspilk
Original Author
15 years ago
newtoremodeling~ I have the widepath model. From all the reviews I have read, the widepath is the way to go. Good luck! You will love it if you decide to get one.
sduck2
15 years ago
I love this machine!! I have wide grout lines on the kitchen floor. The dirty water would settle into the grout when mopping (like it wasn't staining enough). The HFM sucks the dirty water right out of there and you can just spot clean stubborn grout stains if needed. I had a cleaning lady who swore by those rope mops (yuck) and I'd come home and go over the floor to get rid of the rope swirls and get that dirt out of my grout. It's very rewarding dumping the dirty water tank and seeing just how much dirt you got rid of.

And now I'm into the Dyson vacume for my rugs. So rewarding when checking out what you have in that cylander. And I thought my rugs were clean, HA!

Forget steam mops, you have to try this...

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