I've been using a Shark steam mop for a year now on my vinyl kitchen floor. I've been pleased with the fast steam production and quick drying, but I recently realized that after I'd been over an area with the mop, if I wiped the floor with a damp paper towel it was still dirty! Here I'd been patting myself on the back for doing a good job cleaning the floor, and come to find out it's not really clean. Is there such a thing as a steam mop that has a brush? My floor is a dark, multi-colored brick pattern that hides dirt excellently.

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

I have the Haan and have now used it on vinyl, ceramic tile and hardwood. It definitely worked well on the really old vinyl in our old house. It never looked clean, but it definitely felt much cleaner when I was done mopping with it. Our new house has ceramic tile in the kitchen and bathroom and recently refinished 50 year old red oak floors throughout the rest. I do think that I can do a more thorough job on my hands and knees with a bucket and microfiber towels, but the Haan does a pretty good job of cleaning the floors well enough to put my crawling baby on them and not cringe. The aforementioned crawling baby doesn't often give me enough time to get down on my knees with the bucket anyway, so the Haan is a good compromise for us. I really need a bunch of extra pads for it, though, as it only comes with 2. My only other complaint about it is that the head is rather tall which makes it hard to slide under furniture or cabinets.

I have used a shark mop in an older apartment with not so nice hardwood floors. I also tend to add a capful of pinesol into the shark cleaner. The floor weren't disastrous, but I wouldn't call them great shape either. Additionally I have used various products that most people would be shocked. And I have used a large amount of water on them. When things were starting to look dull I would use a quick shine on them. Despite the fact that I was doing it "all wrong" my landlord was always happy with the way my floors looked. All this being said, I also have 5 cats and I would rather have to redo my floors more often if the trade off is knowing I have a clean floor. (I am getting ready to redo the floors on a house that I am buying) and will at the very least use a steam mop on my floors then too. DISCLAIMER: just because I said this is the way I do it does not mean it won't have an effect. Let me add that I cleaned my brothers house with a steam mop as well that he had redone with no I'll effects.