We Used A Steam Mop on Hardwood Floors and THIS Happened

READ THE COMMENTS & UPDATES BELOW FOR MORE EXPERIENCES! There are many people saying they use steam on hardwood without issues, and a few saying they did experience issues with steam on hardwood. The more testimonies the better! Thank you to everyone who has been adult-enough to contribute their experience with class. As always, rude, sarcastic, or self-promoting commenters will be blocked. More info in blog post & UPDATES below!

INSTAGRAM: @oak_abode

Music: Audio Network

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Disclaimer: We're not professionals or experts on this topic, so all we can do is share our own personal experience in hopes that it helps you in your journey! We're not recommending any particular cleaning technique, but we do recommend consulting with the pros directly. This post contains affiliate links which may lead to a commission if purchased. This comes at no extra cost to you. Thanks!
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Update 3/21 - Still using & loving our steam mop! Thinking about posting an update video with close-ups of our still-solid finish/sealer. Leave a comment below if that would be helpful to you!
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UPDATE 5/20 - Hey guys! After receiving a threat for posting this video (yes, actually), I just want to reiterate that we are not professionals -- we can only share our own personal experience, and recommend that you follow manufacturer instructions. Thus far, we are still happy with how the mop is performing. Though it was only one, threatening comments will always be blocked. 🙄We do, however, encourage sharing your own experience using adult dialogue. If you have personally used a steam mop on hardwood floors and either HAVE or HAVE NOT experienced damage, PLEASE leave a comment below so we can all have an accurate representation of real users' experiences.

[knightlykin]

I work as a janitor and can say, you're likely fine. Steam is probably safer than wet mopping because it evaporates and dries way faster. And it kills many types of bacteria. Most bacteria die at around 140°F and most steam mops heat up to 200°F making your house sanitary as well as clean.

[daledorch]

I own a commercial & residential cleaning biz & have NEVER had any issues with my steam mop, whether on tile, laminate or 100 year old wood! My clients are amazed that no harmful chemicals are ever used & likewise delighted that their pets & babies are safe. Girl, you need a shark genius mop though! Double sided head & no touching the dirty pad! Love it!

[OakAbode]

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UPDATE 5/20 - Hey guys! After receiving a threat for posting this video (yes, actually), I just want to reiterate that we are not professionals -- we can only share our own personal experience, and recommend that you follow manufacturer instructions. Thus far, we are still happy with how the mop is performing. Though it was only one, threatening comments will always be blocked. 🙄We do, however, encourage sharing your own experience using adult dialogue. If you have personally used a steam mop on hardwood floors and either HAVE or HAVE NOT experienced damage, PLEASE leave a comment below so we can all have an accurate representation of real users' experiences.

[yeahwhatever]

This was the best review I’ve seen, straight to the point, addressing any possible challenges, and research done to support or disprove any claims, plus the yearly updates. THANK YOU.
Now I can buy a steam mop in peace .

[kimberlynester]

I have used this exact same stem mop on the low setting for 4 years now. I have bamboo hardwood and they still look beautiful.

[jasonlykens]

I used a steam mop, next day the house was destroyed by a tornado. The steam mop ruined my house.

[gwmattos]

Excellent Review. I put full plank bamboo floors in my 3 story home in 1990. Before doing that I took a 10 centimeter by 10 centimeter piece of the bamboo plank and soaked it in water for 6 months. After that I examined the damage or lack of damage. Oh, the plank was approx 2.5 centimeters in depth. I have steamed those planks quarterly over the past 34 years and
I do not see any damage but I do see that the surface is not as shiny as day 1. I am going to get a Brava M6 made by iRobot/Roomba an American Company. My floors have had a robot clean them every other day for the past 34 years. I hand clean the corners and the base boards when I feel ambitious. I will be 80 years old and these "GRASS" floors will outlive me. No trees were harmed by cutting the bamboo and no animals live off of the 50 feet tall grass where they are grown. I too, do not use chemicals in my home. Bona has reported that their product is safe for animal life and is not tested on animals. I will follow your story as I was raised on an organic farm and chemicals were not used on the farm except for the tractors that used gas and oil.
My father and grandfather did not spray chemicals and the neighbors could not spray within 50-100 feet of the boundaries which was rare in the 1940's to the 1970's. We had dogs but they had their own houses. We had 3 black labs. We had horses, cattle, chickens, ducks, cats to eat mice, no pigs, goats or sheep. However, when the kids entered the house the shoes came off in the porch and back on going out. My mother was the sheriff and enforced the law. Today, I still do not wear shoes in the house and all visitors leave their shoes at the front or back door. In the winter my feet are covered with socks starting in EARLY December to the end of March. Your floors should last your lifetime and beyond. I shall try to watch your channel and check in once per month. Excellent Professional Review on this Topic.

[amyhebsch]

I have the same mop and I use it on our hardwood floors. It’s so satisfying seeing that much dirt on the mop.

[WillLeingang]

We have the same steam mop. We use distilled water exclusively and make sure to use the lightest steam setting. We are in San Diego, our entire house is covered in Lauzon Ambiance glue down hardwood floor. We were told to never use a steam mop on our floor by the company who installed it but we steam mop it anyway and we haven’t had a problem in over a year.

[mariahchill]

I am a flooring sales woman, we never recommend using steam mops for anything OTHER THAN ceramic/porcelain tiles.
The heat of the steam will ruin the finish on your hardwood or luxury vinyl tiles or planks, after a while the finish gets pulled off your hardwood floors. We had a customer recently call us and send photos of her hardwood and almost all her finish on her hardwood was gone unfortunately.. Using a steam mop usually will always void your warranty for hardwood or luxury vinyl planks and tiles.
The "dirt" you see on the mop head is actually the finish and stain on the wood, im not just saying this because "i think i know all", I work flooring sales, I talk to sales reps from Armstrong, Casabella, MastersCraft, All Tile, etc etc. And they all say no steam mops.
You can use water and vinegar, but you do need a mineral cleaning product for hardwood (like bona or woodpecker cleaners) which restore that mineral in your wood, making it stronger over time.
Steam mops are marketed for every floor, but their end game is just to wow you with the infomercials and get your money but after a year of continual use, you will see a change..
Lots of people will say "ive used steam mops for X amount of years and no problems at all" but im sure that isnt the case if you took a picture when you first got your floors to X amount of years later, there will be a change. And BTW you most definitely can use water on your hardwood, just dont let spills sit on your hardwood because your hardwood will suck it up like a sponge. Just be mindful.
Just thought id put my two cents in.

[abcxyz-qp]

I like that the floor is more sanitized, too. I like that the pads can be washed and used again and again.
I start mopping in less used areas (cleaner), then move on to more traveled areas.

[m.t.cronin]

I've been using a steam mop on our oak floors for 4 years now and no issues.

[kerryf]

I've been using my steam mop on our hardwood floors since day one (9 years ago) and they look great... no issues at all.

[lobojackful]

I always steam our hardwood floors. A neighbor just this morning told me that I'm not supposed to. I panicked thinking that eventually they will buckle however, after watching yr blog I feel confident that it's fine. I've been doing it for about two years without noticing any damage so I'm going to continue because we also have a dog and he's a bit of a slob:) Thank you for taking the time to inform others of yr results.

[sandygentry]

On my second steam mop, first one shark, second a bissel, have really liked them both. Floors feel so clean. I’ve used it tile, and on laminate at the low setting. No issues thus far. 10 yr user.

[candacescavone]

We have hardwood floor. Not only do I use a steam mop, I also add a few drops of Murphy Oil makes my floor shines and smells good. Been doing this about 20 years. No problems.

[aimeechas]

I've heard that the moisture can actually be good for the wood floor. The dry swiffer cloths dry it out and that's what causes them to separate.

[shirlthomas]

Laminate floors are much tougher than people think. Before we installed laminate in our home, we got a sample and put it in a bucket of water out on the picnic table for over a month. When we fished it out and dried it out, by laying it on the picnic table in the sum, it was still in very good condition. We were amazed and had it installed. What we did to the sample was more mistreatment than any floor would get in a life time, so a steam mop would be great because it leaves very little water on the floor. Thanks for you info.

[toosense]

I've used a steam mop on high for years. I like the sanitization. No issues at all.

[misstracey]

Have been using that same mop on my hardwood floors for three years now with no problems whatsoever. I use it on full steam too.