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Microfiber Steam Mop Heads. White and Blue.

How To Clean Steam Mop Pads

by | Dec 15, 2022 | Cleaning Tips

Have you ever been using your steam mop, then looked down to see grey streaks instead of clean floors? That’s a sign that your steam mop pads need washing – they’re not cleaning the surface anymore.

Yes, you do need to wash steam mop pads! And thankfully, it’s a simple process. You can machine wash most mop pads, but they’re also easy to hand wash. Simply soak them in a mixture of laundry detergent, baking soda, and hot water, then scrub them clean and rinse.

Don’t clean your floors with a dirty mop head! Here’s how to clean steam mop pads.

 

 

How Steam Mops Work

Cleaning the floor with a steam mop cleaner

A steam mop will heat up water into steam, which it expels through the mop head. The hot steam will loosen dirt and grime, which the mop pad then wipes away. You can use steam mops on a variety of surfaces, including tile or hardwood floors.

The best steam mops will leave your floor sparkling clean, and will make the job easier for you. Of course, you can always leave the job of steam mopping your floor to a cleaning professional!

 

 

Can You Wash Steam Mop Pads?

Yes – you should! While cleaning, the steam mop head absorbs the dust and grime from the floor. If you don’t wash steam mop pads, you’ll just end up pushing the dirt around the floor instead of cleaning it.

 

 

How Often to Clean Steam Mop Pads

You’ll need to clean the steam mop pad after every time you use your steam cleaner. Leaving it dirty will reduce its cleaning efficiency. It could also develop mould and mildew if not cleaned properly.

 

 

Before Cleaning Steam Mop Pads

Always disconnect your steam mop from the power outlet and let it cool before touching any part other than the handle. Otherwise, you’ll risk an accident since steam mops heat water to about 150ºC – way too hot for any person.

Next, empty the water reservoir. Leaving water inside could damage your steam mop and cause corrosion or mould. Even if it’s just a tiny bit, always toss out the water once you’re finished cleaning.

After that, it’s time to answer the question – how do you clean steam mop pads?

 

 

How to Clean Steam Mop Pads

Microfiber Steam Mop Heads. White and Blue.

Want to know how to clean Bissell steam mop pads? Or how to clean Shark mop pads? Worry not – the cleaning methods are similar across most brands. There are two ways to clean steam mop pads: by machine wash or by hand wash.

 

 

Cleaning steam mop pads by hand

You can hand wash the mop pad after you finish using the steam cleaner. For this cleaning process, you’ll need:

  • Hot water
  • Laundry detergent or another mild liquid detergent
  • Baking soda

 

Mix a teaspoon of laundry detergent and baking soda into 1–2 litres of hot water. Soak the mop heads in the cleaning solution for 30 minutes to an hour, then scrub them clean. Rinse them in clean water.

 

 

Cleaning steam mop pads in a washing machine

Many steam mop models come with mop pads that are machine-washable. This is great for when you need to wash multiple mop pads, since you can just toss them into the washing machine on a delicate cycle.

 

 

Drying steam mop pads

No need for anything fancy – just let your steam mop pad air dry before storing it away. Avoid using a dryer, but if it’s necessary, use the lowest setting and add some dryer sheets so you don’t damage the mop pad.

 

 

What not to do when cleaning steam mop pads

Do not use fabric softener or bleach. Fabric softeners will leave a residue, which will hamper your steam mop’s ability to clean properly. Meanwhile, bleach can weaken the fabric and make it wear out faster.

 

 

How Often to Change Steam Mop Pads

Wet cleaning fabric sofa. Steam mop.

You’ll need to swap out your steam mop pad after every use in order to clean the used one. Then replace your steam mop pads every 3–4 months – but if they wear out sooner, don’t wait!

If you need to replace your Bissell mop pads or Shark mop pads, we’ve got you covered!

 

 

Maintaining A Steam Mop

Always use clean or distilled water in the water tank – and only that. Adding things like commercial cleaners or vinegar can damage the internal mechanisms and make the steam malfunction.

Sweep or vacuum before using the steam mop for the best results.

Clean the nozzles periodically to prevent limestone and mineral build-up. Take a cotton pad to wipe away any residue, or use a pin to pry it out. Some steam mops will come with a nozzle cleaner to make this easier.

Don’t let your steam mop idle – this could cause heat to build up very quickly, damaging both the floor and your mop.

 

About Author

Sophie Franklin

Sophie is the subject matter expert within Maid2Match. Most importantly though she is our biggest fan girl and generous in sharing what she knows.

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About Author

Sophie Franklin

Sophie is the subject matter expert within Maid2Match. Most importantly though she is our biggest fan girl and generous in sharing what she knows.

Share