There’s something satisfying about the way your home smells after cleaning.
We’ve all got our favourite products with favourite scents: maybe a lemony floor cleaner or a lavender detergent.
For steam mops, you may think you’ll only get the scent of hot water. But there are ways to leave a fresh scent on your floors and other surfaces while steam mopping.
What can you put in a steam mop to make it smell nice?
Some popular hacks from pro cleaners include:
If you want to use a steam cleaner or mop to remove bad smells, you can use white vinegar.
Floors that are clean and smell good? It’s a steam – or rather, dream come true.
Why Does My Floor Smell After Steam Mopping?
If you notice a funky odour on your floor or steam mop after use, the prime culprits are mould, bacteria, or leftover water.
When using a steam mop, the pads absorb plenty of dirty water. If you don’t clean the pads and allow them to fully dry afterwards, things can quickly become unhygienic.
A damp mop pad can easily become a breeding ground for bacteria or mould, which causes a bad smell.
Besides the pads, you should also clean and dry the water reservoir/tank! Stale water or lingering dampness in the tank also leaves a musty smell.
What to Put in a Steam Mop
You should only put water in a steam mop, unless the manufacturer’s instructions say otherwise.
A steam cleaner or mop uses plain hot water to clean floors. Adding other cleaners can clog the internal mechanisms or leave a residue on the surfaces.
Certain brands like Bissell have products to make the steam mop smell nice, but these are specific to their models.
How to Add Scent to a Steam Mop
You generally shouldn’t add anything to steam mop water, but there are other ways to make your house smell good with a steam mop!
Essential oils
First up – no, you cannot put essential oils in your steam mop. They’ll leave an oily residue in your tank that could clog your machine and reduce its efficiency.
To use an essential oil with your steam mop, add a few drops on the mop pad before attaching it to the head.
The heat and steam will diffuse the oil as you clean the floor, leaving a pleasant scent behind. Be sure to clean the steam mop pads thoroughly afterwards to remove any residue.
You can also mix a scent solution in a spray bottle! Combine 20-30 drops of your chosen essential oil, 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol, and 1 cup of warm water.
There are popular essential oils for fresh smells and antimicrobial properties, such as:
- Lavender oil
- Eucalyptus oil
- Tea tree oil
- Lemon oil
Spray the solution onto the dirty surfaces, then follow your usual steam mop routine.
Lemon juice
Lemon juice is a natural cleaning agent with a refreshing scent. It also has stain-removing and antimicrobial properties.
Mix equal parts lemon juice and distilled water in a large bowl, then soak the mop pads in the solution. Wring them out so they’re just damp, then attach a pad to the mop.
The heat should help diffuse that lemony fresh scent while cleaning.
It’s possible to add lemon juice to the steam mop water reservoir, but check your owner’s manual first. If allowable, use diluted lemon juice to prevent potential damage from the acidity.
Add equal parts lemon juice and distilled water to the reservoir. Use your steam mop as usual, then rinse the reservoir and dry it afterwards.
Preferred floor cleaner
You can’t add commercial cleaners to steam mops, but you can use them directly on the floor as part of your cleaning routine!
Apply your preferred cleaner to the floor before mopping. Make sure to use a cleaner that’s appropriate for your floor type, such as hardwood or tile.
Mop the surfaces as usual, then wash the pads thoroughly to remove any residue.
NOTE: Never use bleach or a bleach-based product with a steam cleaner or mop! The steam from bleach can cause serious health hazards.
Commercial scent solutions
These are specific to Bissell steam mop models, as there are currently no other brands with scent additives for their steam cleaners and mops.
What to put in a Bissell steam mop? If you want to add scent directly to the tank, Bissell has Demineralized Steam Mop Water – scented water formulated for steam cleaners and mops.
You can use the demineralized water with any Bissell steam mop, and it works on all sealed hard floors.
For specific Bissell PowerFresh and Symphony models, you can use products like steam mop scent discs. The discs are inserted into a pocket in the mop head and diffuse a scent when heated.
For non-Bissell models, savvy homeowners on the internet suggest placing a scent disc between the mop pad and the bottom of the machine. It should work similarly to a dab of essential oil.
Just make sure you remove the disc afterwards!
How to Remove Odours from Floors with a Steam Mop
If you want to remove strong odours from your floors, white vinegar is the way to go!
It’ll produce a funky smell while it’s heated, but that will dissipate quickly – while getting rid of other odours, too. (Pro tip: people swear by its effectiveness on pet urine.)
First, make sure that white vinegar is compatible with your steam mop and floor material. Work in a well-ventilated room and/or wear a face mask while cleaning.
Always dilute the white vinegar! Many people mix equal parts vinegar and water in the reservoir, but you can lower that to 1 part vinegar and 4 parts water.
Use your steam mop as usual, with constant movement and overlapping strokes. Make sure to thoroughly wash and dry the reservoir to prevent any stale vinegar smells.
Can You Put Cleaner in a Steam Mop?
No, you cannot put any commercial cleaner in your steam mop.
Steam cleaners and mops are designed to use just water when cleaning. Adding other products can clog or damage the machine and leave unwanted residue.
How to Keep Your Steam Mop Smelling Fresh
Even the best steam mops need proper maintenance to keep your floors smelling nice and clean.
Rinse and empty the water tank after every use, then let all parts of the steam mop air dry completely. This helps prevent mould, mildew, and bacteria from developing.
Wash the steam mop pads after every use and let them fully dry. Otherwise, the dirt and grime they absorb during mopping will lead to an unpleasant funk.
Use distilled water if possible, especially if you live in a hard water area. Mineral deposits can lead to unpleasant odours or prevent the machine from working properly.
