Now if you are reading this article means that you are probably considering using a detergent with your steam cleaner. And don’t worry there is a safe way that you can use detergents with any brand of steam cleaner or steam mop without risking your warranty.
So in this article, I am gonna guide you step by step on how to correctly and safely use detergents and cleaners with your steam mop and steamer to clean; dirt, grime, and completely sterilize as well.
And I am also gonna share with you the best brands of detergent and cleaners that are recommended to work with your steamer.
Can You Put Detergents in a Steam Mop
Now first let me clarify that you should never add any chemicals or detergents to your steam mop or steamer unless your specific model and brand allows for that.
And if your specific mop allows for adding detergent you should follow their exact instructions so as to not damage your steam cleaner.
How to Correctly Use Detergent with a Steam Mop
- The first thing that you need to do is spray the surface that you are about to steam clean with your detergent or cleaner.
- Do not add the detergent to the tank of the steam mop or cleaner.
- Next, start up your steam cleaner and proceed to clean as you usually would.
The key here is that you apply your detergent or cleaner to the surface that you are about to mop or clean.
Why You Would Want to Use Detergent With a Steam Mop
By applying a detergent to the dirty surface before you steam clean does two things:
1- Helps your steam cleaner to more effectively sterilize the surface that you are cleaning by helping to kill most of the microbes on it.
Now even though most steam mops market themselves as being capable of killing 99.9 percent of all microbes, in reality, a lot of them won’t completely sterilize your floors and surfaces.
This is because for the steam mop or a steamer to actually kill all the microbes you would need to hold the steam mop in place for 10 minutes for it to completely sterilize the surface. And if you do this the prolonged heat can potentially damage your floor. Citation.
Now by applying some detergent before you steam mop would help to kill more germs and microbes.
2- Makes Your Floor and Surfaces Smell Better – If you apply a nice scented detergent before you steam mop it would make your floor smell a lot better than if you just only steam mopped
Best Steam Detergents
The Best Detergents to use with a steam mop or steamer are:
- Windex Multi-Surface & Disinfectant Spray (Works really well with a steam mop or steamer to clean & disinfect your floors & other surfaces)
- Puracy Multi-Surface Spray (A mild cleaner that uses organic & eco-friendly ingredients)
- Good Natured Multi-Surface Spray (A premium brand that has a really great scent)
1- Windex Disinfectant Spray
Windex is one of the most popular and widely used brands of cleaning products on the market.
And their multi-surface cleaning spray is amazingly effective at cleaning and disinfecting most types of surfaces without having an overwhelmingly strong scent. Citation.
Thankfully Windex Multi-Surface spray works really great when used with a steam mop or steamer. All you need to do is spray the surface that you are about to steam clean and then you can proceed to steam clean as you would usually do.
Pros of Windex Multi-Surface Spray
- Works really good with a steam mop or steamer – Windex will help to kill any germs that the steam mop fails to kill and will also leave a nice scent.
- Very Effective Disinfectant – capable of killing 99.9% of germs upon contact.
- Smells really good – Has a nice citrusy scent that isn’t too powerful like most other disinfectants.
- Very Affordable
- Super Popular and widely available
- Can be used on most types of surfaces.
Where to Get Windex Multi-Surface Spray
Amazon usually has Windex Multi-Surface Spray in stock, you can click here to see the current price of a bottle there.
But you can also get it at Walmart and most other major retailers and grocery stores.
2- Puracy Multi-Surface Cleaner
If you are looking for a milder detergent to work with your steam mop or steamer I recommend using Puracy Multi-Surface Spray.
Puracy Spray is a non-toxic natural cleaning spray that can be used to clean most types of surfaces. It is made of natural plant-based ingredients which makes it very safe to be used around your pets, kids, and even around your food. It is also hypoallergenic and made of vegan and cruelty-free ingredients. Citation.
The main drawback with Puracy Cleaning Spray is that it isn’t as strong as Windex or other disinfectants it is more similar to soap rather than a harsh cleaner.
Now to use Puracy Cleaning Spray with a steam mop you just need to apply the spray to the surface and then proceed to steam mop as you would usually do.
Where to Get Puracy Cleaning Spray
You can get the Puracy Cleaning Spray on Amazon, you can click here to see the current price for a bottle there.
3- Good Natured Multi-Surface Spray
Good Natured Cleaning Sprays are also very similar to Puracy in that they are milder cleaners that are natural and very Eco-friendly.
Now the advantage for me that Good Natured Cleaning Sprays have over most other cleaners is that they have a really nice and natural scent that’s not too overbearing or too faint but instead very well balanced.
They also work really well with steam cleaners all you need to do is just spray on the surface before you steam mop.
The Good Natured Brand is a premium brand with a focus on making safe and natural products their sprays are made in Maine, USA.
Where to Get Good Natured Cleaning Sprays
Now Good Natured Sprays are a bit pricey but I think they are worth it, you can click here to see the current price for a bottle on Amazon.
Why You Usually Can’t Add Detergent to Your Steam Mop
If you add any chemicals to the tank of the steamer it can damage the filter and lead to corrosion of the internal parts of the steam mop. You see most steam mops and cleaners are designed to work with just water and aren’t made with parts that can handle the various types of detergents and chemicals.
And there is a good chance that you would also lose any warranty on your steam mop and cleaner if you do add any other chemicals to your steamer.
