Well known for its large range of cleaning appliances including upright and canister vacuum cleaners and central vacuum systems, the Eureka brand also include a couple of handy steam mops.
Although now part of Electrolux, the original Eureka company was founded more than 100 years ago with the intention of building vacuum cleaners. After capturing a third of the market, the company branched out and started producing a broad range of other products such as heaters, air conditioners and even school furniture.
Here is a quick summary of the Eureka steam mop range.
Enviro Steamer 313A
This is by far the more popular of the 2 models in the Eureka steam mop range. In fact, it seems to consistently rank as the number one selling steam mop over all of the brands available on Amazon.
The Enviro Steamer has a simple, no-fuss design. It has a tank producing steam built into the base of the unit. This means the steam has less distance to travel and is applied to the floor at a higher temperature than those models with a tank mounted on the handle.
To get going, you just attach one of the supplied cleaning clothes, fill the tank with water then turn it on. Wait about 3 minutes and you're reading to start steaming. There's an on/off switch and and indicator light and that's about it.
The power cord is a generous 25 feet in length. It comes with a measuring cup, funnel and a preheating/cool down tray.
2-in-1 Steamer 150A
While the Enviro Steamer (above) is purely for cleaning your floors, the 2 in 1 steamer is a little more versatile. As well as being able to use it as a steam mop to clean your floors, it also converts into a hand held steamer for cleaning other surfaces.
In addition to the 2 floor cleaning pads, the 2-in-1 Enviro Steamer also comes with a soft scrubbing brush, a counter top pad, a jet nozzle and a window squeegee.
The unit comes with a 20 ft power cord and has a detachable water tank.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Bissell Steam Mops
Bissell, a company perhaps better known for its vacuum cleaners and carpet cleaners, also manufactures and sells a range of steam mops.
Founded in 1883 by Melville Bissell, the company is now the number one manufacturer of floor care products in North America. It has a market share of 20%. The company was formed as a result of Melville's invention of the first carpet sweeper. Apparently Melville and his wife Anna owned a crockery shop and the carpet sweeper was designed to make keeping the shop clean less of a chore.
The Bissell Steam Mop Range
The following is a list of the models currently available along with a brief summary of their features. Where available, a link is provided through to a detailed review of the product.
Bissell Steam Mop 1867 Series
The 1867 series features 30 second heat-up time (the time between when you turn the unit on and when it starts to produce steam), a 360 degree swivel head, a removable water tank and a cleaning path 9 inches wide. This model retails for around $79.
Bissell Steam Mop Deluxe Hard Floor Cleaner - 31N1 Series
The 31N1 or 'Deluxe' model features a removable water tank, swivel head and carpet glide attachment for 'refreshing' carpets. At 10.25 inches, the cleaning path is wider than the 1867 models. The 31N1 sells for around $70.
Bissell Steam Mop Select - 80K6
As well as a swivel head, the Steam Mop Select also features a dual sided cleaning head. To prolong your cleaning time without the need to swap cleaning pads, this model features a cleaning head which you flip over to get a clean surface. However, unlike the Deluxe model, there is no carpet glide attachment. Retails for around $80.
Bissell Steam Mop Max - 21H6 Series
The main selling point of the 'Max' is it's 12.25 inch wide cleaning head. This wider cleaning path means a greater surface area is cleaned with each pass of the cleaning head. This model also features a swivel head but lacks the carpet glide attachment which comes with the deluxe model. The Max sells for around $100.
Bissell Lift Off Steam Mop - 39W7A
The 'Lift-Off' model is a multipurpose cleaner. You can use it to mop the floors using the cleaning power of steam. Then when you want to clean above floor surfaces you simply take out the detachable 'steam pod' which can be used as a hand-held steam cleaner. This 2 in 1 design retails for around $150.
Bissell Steam & Sweep Hard Floor Cleaner - 46B4 Series
The 'Steam & Sweep' is designed to address one of the concerns which some customers have with steam mops - they don't pick up loose debris very well and work best on a floor which has already been swept.
This model works by placing rotating sweeper brushes at the front of the cleaning head. The idea is that any lose dirt will be picked up by the brushes, then the microfiber pad will do its thing. The unit features a swivel head, removable water tank and a detachable dust bin for collecting dirt and other debris from the sweeper brushes. The Steam & Sweep retails for around $130.
Founded in 1883 by Melville Bissell, the company is now the number one manufacturer of floor care products in North America. It has a market share of 20%. The company was formed as a result of Melville's invention of the first carpet sweeper. Apparently Melville and his wife Anna owned a crockery shop and the carpet sweeper was designed to make keeping the shop clean less of a chore.
The Bissell Steam Mop Range
The following is a list of the models currently available along with a brief summary of their features. Where available, a link is provided through to a detailed review of the product.
Bissell Steam Mop 1867 Series
The 1867 series features 30 second heat-up time (the time between when you turn the unit on and when it starts to produce steam), a 360 degree swivel head, a removable water tank and a cleaning path 9 inches wide. This model retails for around $79.
Bissell Steam Mop Deluxe Hard Floor Cleaner - 31N1 Series
The 31N1 or 'Deluxe' model features a removable water tank, swivel head and carpet glide attachment for 'refreshing' carpets. At 10.25 inches, the cleaning path is wider than the 1867 models. The 31N1 sells for around $70.
Bissell Steam Mop Select - 80K6
As well as a swivel head, the Steam Mop Select also features a dual sided cleaning head. To prolong your cleaning time without the need to swap cleaning pads, this model features a cleaning head which you flip over to get a clean surface. However, unlike the Deluxe model, there is no carpet glide attachment. Retails for around $80.
Bissell Steam Mop Max - 21H6 Series
The main selling point of the 'Max' is it's 12.25 inch wide cleaning head. This wider cleaning path means a greater surface area is cleaned with each pass of the cleaning head. This model also features a swivel head but lacks the carpet glide attachment which comes with the deluxe model. The Max sells for around $100.
Bissell Lift Off Steam Mop - 39W7A
The 'Lift-Off' model is a multipurpose cleaner. You can use it to mop the floors using the cleaning power of steam. Then when you want to clean above floor surfaces you simply take out the detachable 'steam pod' which can be used as a hand-held steam cleaner. This 2 in 1 design retails for around $150.
Bissell Steam & Sweep Hard Floor Cleaner - 46B4 Series
The 'Steam & Sweep' is designed to address one of the concerns which some customers have with steam mops - they don't pick up loose debris very well and work best on a floor which has already been swept.
This model works by placing rotating sweeper brushes at the front of the cleaning head. The idea is that any lose dirt will be picked up by the brushes, then the microfiber pad will do its thing. The unit features a swivel head, removable water tank and a detachable dust bin for collecting dirt and other debris from the sweeper brushes. The Steam & Sweep retails for around $130.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Haan SI-35 Slim And Light Steam Mop
Features At A Glance
- 15 steam jets in the cleaning head
- 30 second heat-up time
- 20 minute operating time between water refills
- Steam temperature of 212 degrees
- Carpet Glide attacment
- 19.5 ft power cord
Product Assembly
Assembly for this unit is relatively straight forward - no tools required. You simply slide the pistol grip onto the top end of the aluminum tubing handle shaft, then slide the aluminum tube of the handle shaft into the top of the water tank housing. The pieces are held in place by spring-loaded locking pins
Operation
The unit has a detachable water tank (13.5 oz.) - this gives you an operating time of around 20 minutes. When you run out of steam, you can remove the water tank again to refill it (the user manual advises turning the unit off and unplugging it before you detach the water tank). While the detachable water tank is a reasonably common feature on newer steam mops, it is still a nice feature to have. One of the benefits is that you are able to empty the excess water very easily when you are finished cleaning. Some models require you to keep steaming until the built-in tank is empty.
The microfiber pads (the unit comes with 2) each have a cleaning side and 'hook and loop' side. The hook and loop side is designed to attach to the underside of the mop head. After allowing the unit to heat up (resting on the floor protector - provided) you place a microfiber pad on the floor - hook and loop side up - then gently press the mop head down onto the pad. This will attach the pad to the cleaning head. Now you're ready to clean.
The SI-35 also comes with a 'Glide Attachment'. This attachment resembles a tray with a slot cut out of the middle (see image below). The attachment clips onto the bottom of the steam head. The cut-out slot aligns with the steam heads so the steam is directed to the carpet while the body of the tray provides a suitable surface to allow the mop to slide easily. The glide attachment allows you to use the unit on carpets, upholstery and other soft furnishings.
 |
| Glide Attachment |
The mops head is indeed slim. This low profile means it's easier to to reach under furniture where there's relatively low clearance. It's worth noting that while the head tilts backwards and forwards, it does not swivel (from side to side). For this you would need to move up to the next model in Haan's range - the SI40 'Agile'. The swivel action can be useful for reaching into and around tight corners.
What's In The Box?
- Floor-protector
- 2 Washable Microfiber Cleaning Pads
- Carpet Glide Attachment
- Lime and Scale Remover
- User Manual
The Haan SI-35 Slim And Light Steam Mop is available for around $100 online and comes with a 1 year limited warranty.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Bissell Lift Off Steam Mop - Model 39W7
I really like the 2-in-1 design of this type of mop. Having the one appliance to clean floors as well as above-floor surfaces is really very useful.
In operation...
The 39W7 has a built-in water purification system. This means that you can use normal tap water and the filter will remove minerals and other impurities from the water. This should help prevent the build-up of mineral deposits and lime scale that tends to occur with appliances such as steam mops and irons.
According to the user manual, the purification system will need to be replaced once the grains inside turn from a bright green to a blue color. However, it also says you can use distilled water instead of tap water and this will maximize the performance of the filter.
Once you've added your water and turned on the power, the unit warms up in around 30 seconds. The ready light will come on to tell you that the unit is warmed up and ready to go.
The power cord is 28 feet long. This seems adequate but it will depend on your needs. In my opinion, longer is always better. It's a pain having to change power outlets halfway through mopping the floors.
As with most steam mops, this model from Bissell is suitable on most hard surfaces. These include sealed timber, ceramic tiles, vinyl and laminate.
Once you're finished cleaning the floors, the steam pod can be detached and used as a hand held steam cleaner. It comes with a 4 foot hose which should provide reasonable reach and is useful for getting into hard to reach places. And there are a number of attachments designed for cleaning different surfaces.
The grout brush attachment is for use on those tough to clean spots between tiles in the bathroom or kitchen. There are also a couple of small circular brushes of different bristle-stiffness for cleaning things like stove tops and sinks. Lastly, it comes with a microfiber flat surface cleaning attachment. This is kind of like a small mop head, but for use in 'portable steam cleaner' mode.
Variable control
Befitting the versatile nature of this mop / steam cleaner is the variable flow control. On the side of the detachable steam pod is a knob which you can turn to control the amount (or pressure) of the steam coming out. There is a light setting for delicate surfaces, medium for normal everyday use and a tough setting for heavy duty cleaning jobs. There's also a trigger for controlling the flow of steam - pull the trigger to start the flow and release it to stop.
What's in the box?
The Lift Off Steam Mop comes with the following:
- the mop handle, body and head
- the detatchable 'steam pod' with 4 ft hose
- 3 washable microfiber pads (this number may vary depending on where you buy - so make sure you check)
- a flat surface microfiber cleaning tool
- a grout brush
- 2 circular brushes
- 39W7 Series User Guide
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Haan Steam Mops
Haan engineer and manufacture a range of household appliances which employ the use of steam technology - mainly for cleaning.
Haan, the company, was founded in South Korea in 1999 by Romi Haan - a housewife and mother. Then in 2007, the company commenced operations in the US. The company now sells more than a dozen different models of steam mops, hand-held, multi-purpose and garment steamers.
The Haan Steam Mop Range
Classic FS20, Classic Plus FS20+ and Pet Plus FS30P+
These are the older models. Rather than having the "Machine Powered Steam Pump" of the newer models, they rely on a boiler system to heat and disperse steam. This means the heat up time (the time you need to wait before you start mopping) is around 3 minutes, rather than the 30 seconds of the newer models.
Slim and Light - SI35
The Slim and Light is the first of the newer models. The newer models feature faster heat up times because it is only an element heating up rather than all of the water in the boiler. The SI35 has a slim mop head for getting in under furniture and appliances and a removable water tank. You can read more about the features in our review.
Read our review of the Haan SI35 steam mop.
Agile - SI40
The next step up in the range is the Agile SI40. With this model you get a swivelling mop head instead of the tilt-only head of the lower model.
Select - SI60
The SI60 adds a steam output selector and a telescopic handle to its feature list.
Multi - SI70
Next up, the Multi SI70 is a 2 in 1 model. It has a removeable hand held steamer.
Total - HD60
One of the complaints people have about steam mops is that you need to sweep before you mop. This is to remove the courser debris from the floor which steam mops aren't very good at picking up. However, the Total HD60 has a motorized brush roll. It sweeps and steams in one action.
Complete - MS30
If you're looking for a more versatile steam cleaning solution, the Complete MS30 might be for you. It's a canister design complete with hose and on-board accessory kit. As well as floors, it has tools for cleaning grout, glass and soft furnishings among others.
Comparison Table
The following table summarizes the main features of each model in the Haan range. Operating Time refers to the length of time a given unit will operate for on one tank of water.
Haan, the company, was founded in South Korea in 1999 by Romi Haan - a housewife and mother. Then in 2007, the company commenced operations in the US. The company now sells more than a dozen different models of steam mops, hand-held, multi-purpose and garment steamers.
The Haan Steam Mop Range
Classic FS20, Classic Plus FS20+ and Pet Plus FS30P+
These are the older models. Rather than having the "Machine Powered Steam Pump" of the newer models, they rely on a boiler system to heat and disperse steam. This means the heat up time (the time you need to wait before you start mopping) is around 3 minutes, rather than the 30 seconds of the newer models.
Slim and Light - SI35
The Slim and Light is the first of the newer models. The newer models feature faster heat up times because it is only an element heating up rather than all of the water in the boiler. The SI35 has a slim mop head for getting in under furniture and appliances and a removable water tank. You can read more about the features in our review.
Read our review of the Haan SI35 steam mop.
Agile - SI40
The next step up in the range is the Agile SI40. With this model you get a swivelling mop head instead of the tilt-only head of the lower model.
Select - SI60
The SI60 adds a steam output selector and a telescopic handle to its feature list.
Multi - SI70
Next up, the Multi SI70 is a 2 in 1 model. It has a removeable hand held steamer.
Total - HD60
One of the complaints people have about steam mops is that you need to sweep before you mop. This is to remove the courser debris from the floor which steam mops aren't very good at picking up. However, the Total HD60 has a motorized brush roll. It sweeps and steams in one action.
Complete - MS30
If you're looking for a more versatile steam cleaning solution, the Complete MS30 might be for you. It's a canister design complete with hose and on-board accessory kit. As well as floors, it has tools for cleaning grout, glass and soft furnishings among others.
Comparison Table
The following table summarizes the main features of each model in the Haan range. Operating Time refers to the length of time a given unit will operate for on one tank of water.
| Model | Heat Up Time | Operating Time (in minutes) | Features | Price (RRP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic (FS20) | 3 minutes | 20 | Telescopic handle | $89.95 |
| Classic Plus (FS20+) | 3 minutes | 20 | Telescopic handle | $99.95 |
| Pet Plus (FS30P+) | 3 minutes | 20 | Easy-grip Handle Ergonomic Pole Pet Friendly accessories | $89.99 |
| Slim and Light (SI35) | 30 seconds | 20 | Removable Water Tank Low Profile Head Ergonomic Handle | $119.95 |
| Agile (SI40) | 30 seconds | 20 | Removable Water Tank Swiveling low profile head Ergonomic Handle | $119.95 |
| Select (SI60) | 30 seconds | 20 | Removable Water Tank Swiveling low profile head Ergonomic Handle Steam-output Selector Telescopic Pole | $129.95 |
| Multi (SI70) | 30 seconds | 20 | Removable Hand-held Steamer Swiveling low profile head Ergonomic Handle Telescopic Pole | $139.95 |
| Total (HD60) | 30 seconds | 20 | Motorized Brush Roll | $149.95 |
| Complete (MS30) | 30 seconds | 30 | Canister Design Steam Trigger and Steam Lock Switch Flexible Steam Hose Storage Compartment | $179.95 |
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Euro-Pro Shark S3501 Deluxe Steam Pocket Mop
The Shark S3501 Steam Pocket Mop from Euro-Pro offers a number of improvements over its predecessor. The unit gets its name from the cleaning pad on this model which looks like a pocket and is one of the advances over the older model, along with a longer cord and larger surface area of the cleaning head.
The S3501 contains a rapid water heating system which the Shark marketing material claims will begin generating steam within 30 seconds. However some customers are reporting that two to three minutes is a more realistic wait time.
The capacity of the water tank is 15 oz. While this is fairly generous, I noticed the owner's guide says you need to turn off the unit before refilling the tank. This is in contrast to the Bissell 31N1 Steam Mop Deluxe which allows you to refill then be on your way immediately.
The Shark S3501 comes with two interchangeable cleaning heads - one rectangular and one triangular. The rectangular head is intended for normal cleaning while the rectangular head is designed to get into corners and other tight spots.
One of the new features on this model is the double-sided reversible cleaning head. The idea is that when one side of the cleaning pad becomes too dirty, you can turn it over and keep going - no need to change the cleaning pad for a new one.
Other notable features of the Shark Steam Pocket Mop are the adjustable length handle, the pivoting head and the 30 foot long power cord.
The S3501 normally comes with 2 each of the rectangular and triangular cleaning pads, a steam duster, a carpet glider and a filling flask. I say normally because I think some retailers sell packages with slightly different contents. I think if you buy online you will also receive and extra large rectangular cleaning head.
The Shark S3501 Deluxe Steam Pocket Mop comes with a 1 year limited warranty and is available for around $125.
The S3501 contains a rapid water heating system which the Shark marketing material claims will begin generating steam within 30 seconds. However some customers are reporting that two to three minutes is a more realistic wait time.
The capacity of the water tank is 15 oz. While this is fairly generous, I noticed the owner's guide says you need to turn off the unit before refilling the tank. This is in contrast to the Bissell 31N1 Steam Mop Deluxe which allows you to refill then be on your way immediately.
The Shark S3501 comes with two interchangeable cleaning heads - one rectangular and one triangular. The rectangular head is intended for normal cleaning while the rectangular head is designed to get into corners and other tight spots.
One of the new features on this model is the double-sided reversible cleaning head. The idea is that when one side of the cleaning pad becomes too dirty, you can turn it over and keep going - no need to change the cleaning pad for a new one.
Other notable features of the Shark Steam Pocket Mop are the adjustable length handle, the pivoting head and the 30 foot long power cord.
The S3501 normally comes with 2 each of the rectangular and triangular cleaning pads, a steam duster, a carpet glider and a filling flask. I say normally because I think some retailers sell packages with slightly different contents. I think if you buy online you will also receive and extra large rectangular cleaning head.
The Shark S3501 Deluxe Steam Pocket Mop comes with a 1 year limited warranty and is available for around $125.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Bissell 31N1 Series Steam Mop Deluxe
Bissell's Steam Mop Deluxe is one of the most recent additions to the product range of the company which invented the carpet sweeper over 130 years ago. Incidentally, Bissell had the first female corporate CEO - perhaps not relevant to the topic at hand, but an interesting fact none the less.
The 31N1 Steam Mop Deluxe is designed to work on most hard floor surfaces. The company is at pains to point out that cleaning instructions provided by the manufacturer of your flooring should take precedence, but in general this product should be safe to use on the following flooring surfaces:
The unit uses a detachable mop pad which is attached to the swivel head of the mop with an elastic cord. Steam is delivered by pulling the "steam on demand" trigger located near the top of the handle.
The water tank is detachable and holds enough water for about 15 minutes normal use. A nice feature with the water tank is that you can refill it without needing to wait for the unit to cool down or warm up again. Just refill and continue cleaning straight away. I like this feature as my old steam mop didn't quite hold enough water to do the whole house so I had to refill it then wait for the unit to heat up again before I could be on my way again.
The Steam Mop Deluxe also has a built in water purification system. This idea is that it protects the inner workings of the mop by removing any minerals and other impurities that exist in most people's tap water. The filter should be checked regularly and replaced when the grains (which are normally green) turn blue.
A quick word of warning. Some basic assembly is required when you first get your mop. There's only a couple of screws to fasten though. You will need a phillips head screwdriver to complete the job.
Along with the actual cleaner, you also get 2 machine-washable microfiber cleaning pads, a carpet refresher attachment and eucalyptus-mint fragrance water. I can't quite work out the carpet refresher. It's not intended for actually cleaning your carpet, but rather just for refreshing it (whatever that means).
The Bissell 31N1 Steam Mop Deluxe comes with a one year limited warranty. You can expect to pay around $100 at online retailers.
The 31N1 Steam Mop Deluxe is designed to work on most hard floor surfaces. The company is at pains to point out that cleaning instructions provided by the manufacturer of your flooring should take precedence, but in general this product should be safe to use on the following flooring surfaces:
- marble
- ceramic
- stone
- vinyl
- laminate
- linoleum
- sealed hardwood (but not unsealed)
The unit uses a detachable mop pad which is attached to the swivel head of the mop with an elastic cord. Steam is delivered by pulling the "steam on demand" trigger located near the top of the handle.
The water tank is detachable and holds enough water for about 15 minutes normal use. A nice feature with the water tank is that you can refill it without needing to wait for the unit to cool down or warm up again. Just refill and continue cleaning straight away. I like this feature as my old steam mop didn't quite hold enough water to do the whole house so I had to refill it then wait for the unit to heat up again before I could be on my way again.
The Steam Mop Deluxe also has a built in water purification system. This idea is that it protects the inner workings of the mop by removing any minerals and other impurities that exist in most people's tap water. The filter should be checked regularly and replaced when the grains (which are normally green) turn blue.
A quick word of warning. Some basic assembly is required when you first get your mop. There's only a couple of screws to fasten though. You will need a phillips head screwdriver to complete the job.
Along with the actual cleaner, you also get 2 machine-washable microfiber cleaning pads, a carpet refresher attachment and eucalyptus-mint fragrance water. I can't quite work out the carpet refresher. It's not intended for actually cleaning your carpet, but rather just for refreshing it (whatever that means).
The Bissell 31N1 Steam Mop Deluxe comes with a one year limited warranty. You can expect to pay around $100 at online retailers.
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