Best Steam Mop for Laminate Floors: Reviews And Guide

If your laminate floors are stickier than a beehive, it’s no wonder you’re looking for the best steam mop for laminate floors. Cleaning with steam eliminates germs, dirt, and scuff marks from laminate floors without using harsh chemicals, but finding the best steam mop for your place is no simple task. 

As a busy parent of three robust and often grotty boys, finding the best steam cleaner for laminate floors was fast becoming a necessity for me!

Depending on your needs, there is a quality steam mop to suit everyone. You might be looking for a multi-function steam mop for laminate flooring, or a budget steam mop that is simple and easy to use. Or maybe you’ll be taking your steam cleaning beyond the laminate floors with a multi-function steam mop? 

Whatever your requirements, I’ve got you covered here with my review of six of the best steam cleaners and multi-function steam mops for laminate flooring.

1. BISSELL PowerFresh Steam Mop 1940: Best Overall

When I tested this steam mop, I could see why this is one of the best steam mops for laminate flooring; but did you know that this model is suitable for sealed hardwood floors, tiles, linoleum, marble, and granite too? 

The BISSELL PowerFresh Steam Mop 1940 also comes with 2 washable cleaning pads, one for general and moderate cleaning, and the other one for more stubborn marks and scuffs. For extra stubborn dirt and stickiness, there is a flip-down scrubber that lifts grime with ease.

With three pairs of footy boots regularly traipsing in and out of my place, this scrubber definitely gets a workout down my hallway! You can also customize the level of steam you require with 3 different levels. Operation is super simple, with a large display, easy water tank filling and quick heat up. The mop head is quite flat and easy to maneuver into corners and around appliances like dishwashers and fridges.

What I Love :

More and more people are turning to natural cleaning alternatives in our homes. Whether you have kids, pets, or even just a concern for the environment, most people understand that chemicals within our homes are not a good mix. 

BUT. I do love the lovely scents and clean fresh smells that come with traditional cleaners and detergents. The BISSELL PowerFresh Steam Mop 1940 means that you don’t have to choose. You can clean with the natural power of steam AND get that “just mopped” smell with Bissell’s range of Scented Waters and Fragrance Discs. Try the scent range in ‘Spring Breeze’, you won't regret it!

Quiet Concern :

This is not a huge deal, but the BISSELL PowerFresh Steam Mop 1940 supplies steam continuously; this is actually a feature I like and would recommend to others, however, I thought I'd mention it in case someone is looking specifically for a model where the steam is delivered “on demand.”

2. McCulloch MC1275 Heavy-Duty Cleaner

The McCulloch MC1275 Heavy-Duty Cleaner is a serious cleaning power house. This model comes with a range of specialized accessories, so if you’re looking for a steam cleaner that can go beyond your laminate flooring, this might be the model for you. It comes with a mop attachment, steam jet nozzle, squeegee, triangle head and much, much more. I can see this being incredibly helpful in cleaning bathrooms, tile grout, and even your oven and patio furniture.

What I Love:

This heavy-duty steam cleaner comes with 18 attachments meaning it will dominant a variety of tasks, so if you're looking for a multipurpose steam cleaner that will do your floors and your BBQ grill plate, this one will meet your needs. Having that flexibility would be great for big families that regularly clean boats, bikes, and outdoor areas.

Quiet Concern:

Is this the best steam cleaner for laminate floors? My short answer is no, to be honest! You’re not able to vary the steam levels on this model and it might be a little too "industrial" for just regular household cleaning.

Also, keep in mind that all this power and large water tank can add up in weight. Even though it comes with little wheels to pull around, weighing at approx. 12 pounds, this is a little heavy for me to lug around day in and day out.

3. Steam Mop LIGHT ‘N’ EASY S3101: Best Budget Steam Mop For Laminate Floors

This little pocket rocket is a great budget steam mop option for the home. It's lightweight, easy to use and works brilliantly on laminate floors. It comes with 1 reusable cleaning pad and has a super quick 20-second heat up time.

What I Love:

The Light ‘N' Easy Steam mop has a carpet attachment that can be purchased separately. This would great to refresh carpets and rugs in high traffic areas! This would also be a great option for those who can’t manage larger, heavier machines, weighing just 4 pounds. The lightweight feel will cost you in time though, with only 10 mins running time. This makes the S3101 perfect for smaller homes with less floor area, or daily touch-ups.

Quiet Concern:

I only used this once, and it’s when my kids had been at school for the day. I did wonder how this budget steam mop would manage cleaning up after a full weekend of kids rough and tumble play, dirty boots and muddy bath times; that’s not to say that it wouldn’t cope, but the Light ‘N’ Easy felt a little “delicate” for my robust family!

4. SKG 1500W Steam Mop

The first thing that strikes me with the SKG Steam Mop is it’s cool looking black and lime design. The triangle head pivots 180 degrees, which will make it easy to maneuver into corners and around furniture. This is a great sized multi-function steam mop for families, with the generous 15oz. water tank. One microfiber pad is included, it’s machine washable and reusable.

Things I Love:

The SKG Steam Mop comes with an accessory pack that allows you to take your steam cleaning beyond your laminate flooring. There is a carpet glider to freshen mats, rugs, and carpets as well as several different cleaning heads, and a strap to make bathroom cleaning a breeze.

The digital setting means you can control the amount of steam that is released which is important when cleaning laminate flooring so as not to get them too wet and damp. If you're moving onto cleaning soap scum from shower screens or moldy tile grout, you can ramp up the power to MAX to tackle those stubborn areas with ease.

Quiet Concern:

Although the triangle head pivots well and is easy to move about, the head is quite thick. Some users may have trouble getting the mop head into low spaces and tight corners.

5. Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner

The Dupray Heavy Duty Neat steam cleaner look like something you’d find in an Apple Store! The design is sleek, modern and uber cool. You can just tell that this steam mop is ready to rock and completely sanitize your entire home… Why you might ask? 

The 18 piece accessory kit that comes with it means you’ll have the right tool for any cleaning job; from laminate floors, upholstery, and bathroom grout, windows and shower screens.

What I Love:

This is some serious muscle for sanitizing your home and beyond. This steam mop has the largest tank of all the products I'm reviewing here, and it is no joke! A massive 50 mins run time means you could do your floors, bathrooms and outdoor furniture in one hit. I also love the integrated funnel. No more mess, drips, and leaks all over your floor.

Quiet Concern:

Even though the look of the Dupray Steam Mop is cool, it is quite big and boxy. I would imagine depending on the space you have available in your home, it's going to be difficult to store. This is not the steam mop for the budget-conscious. While it's cleaning abilities and accessories pack a powerful punch, so does the price tag.

6. BISSELL Steam Mop 1806

I absolutely loved the BISSELL 1940 at the beginning of this review, so I had high hopes for this BISSELL 1806 budget steam mop; I was not disappointed! 

Fast warm-up of only approx. 30 seconds meant I was off and racing with the BISSELL 1806 in no time at all. The swivel head had me whizzing around furniture, into corners and around appliances. The deluxe mop pad pack comes with 2 washable and reusable cleaning pads. One can be used for light to general cleaning in low traffic areas, but messy high traffic areas might need the scrubby mop pad to get the results you desire.

This is seriously one of the best budget steam mops on the market for laminate flooring.

What I Love:

The SpotBoost Brush! This little scrubber is attached to the actual steam mop so you've got it on hand for stubborn marks and mess. So what do I encounter on my laminate floors in the entry foyer? Amongst the grotty footprints was dried up crusty chocolate that’s what! I can forgive my little monsters given that we’ve just finished with Halloween! One pass over the dried chocolate was enough to loosen it, but not completely remove it. But it was no problem for the SpotBoost Brush, just a quick little scrub, and another pass over with the BISSELL 1806 and it was completely gone.

Not only does this have the SpotBoost Brush attached to the actual appliance, but the water cup that comes with this budget steam mop also attaches to the main body as well! No more rummaging through kitchen drawers and cupboards looking for that cup!

Quiet Concern:

But for now, let's check out some important information that's going to help you make the right decision about the best steam mop for the laminate floors in your home.

The best steam mops allow us to keep our homes clean without the use of harsh chemicals and ‘over the top’ fragrances; this great for our families, pets and the environment.

However, there is a ton of information on the Internet that states Steam Mops shouldn’t be used on timber laminate flooring. Most of these websites are cleaning companies that suggest you should leave steam cleaning to the professionals… hmmm, I wonder why.

While manufacturers and producers of commercial and budget steam mops proudly state that their products can be used on laminate floors, it's usually followed by careful instructions and information on best practices.

The reason they go into so many details is that laminate flooring was a little unpredictable in the past. But as with most products and technology, manufacturing methods improve, products become more cost-effective, user-friendly and durable.

So what is Laminate flooring?

To create laminate flooring, several layers of thin wooden planks are glued together with the grain running parallel to each other. Once at the desired thickness, the next layer is paper with a photographic image of wood printed on it. The last layer is a sheet of laminating plastic.

We know that photographs and paper shouldn't get wet, but it's that last layer of laminating plastic that will protect the paper layer from moisture. This plastic layer is thin and will protect thin wooden components from moisture, spills, steam, and dampness in moderation.

If you're washing machine was to overflow and completely drench your laminate floorboards, it will most definitely cause damage. Common sense should also tell you that using a copious amount of steam would cause laminate floorboards to become wet, rather than just damp, and this is no good either.

Cleaning laminate floors with the best steam mop shouldn’t be stressful. These steam cleaners are designed to take the hassle out of keeping your laminate floors spick and span!

I would recommend purchasing a steam mop that has adjustable steam settings and beginning with the lowest heat setting. If you're concerned with trying a new steam cleaner, it might be worth testing your new steam mop on a nondescript area such as under the fridge or where your washing machine would normally sit.

Follow the tips for clean laminate floors courtesy of the best steam mop.

• Be sure to read the manufacturers instructions carefully and completely.

• Vacuum or sweep the area first to remove dust and debris. ( We also reviewed the best vacuum for laminate floors. )

• Wait for the steam mop to heat.

• Move the steam mop head continuously, do not allow the steam mop to be idle in one place as too much heat and moisture to build up in one place.

• If your laminate floor were particularly soiled, it would be preferable to steam mop over an area twice in a quick motion, rather than one thorough and slow mop.

While the best steam mops get great results with just water and the power of steam, some steam mop users like the fragrance that can come from that “just mopped feeling.”

If you’d like to freshen your home with a sweet scent while you steam mop, adding a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil to the cleaning pad will do the trick. Alternatively, reputable and trusted steam mop companies such as BISSELL sell a range of scented waters and scent discs to use in conjunction with the majority of their products.

You can also watch the following video for more insight about steam cleaning hardwood floor:

Buying the best steam mop for laminate floors is an investment for your home, but that doesn’t mean you need to spend the big bucks to get brilliant results. Here are four things to consider when choosing the best steam cleaner for laminate floors.

1. Tank Size:

How much water your steam cleaner can hold will directly affect how long it runs for. If you have a larger home or wide-open living spaces with laminate flooring, you might consider a steam mop with a larger tank than those that have smaller homes. 

As a general rule, you can expect approx. 45-50 minutes running time from a 50-ounce water tank, and approx. 20-25 minutes of running time from a 16-ounce water tank.

2. Steam Settings:

For steam mops that will be used on laminate floors, I would suggest that the best steam mop would have adjustable heat/steam settings. This will ensure you have greater control over the amount of steam, moisture, and heat that comes from your steam cleaner.

3. Weight:

There is no point buying the best steam cleaner for laminate floors if you're not able to push it about with ease! To get a lighter steam mop, you may have to sacrifice some water tank size, as this will all contribute to the overall weight when in use.

4. Price & Budget:

Most of us have an idea about what we'd like to spend when looking for new appliances for our homes. Price is not always an indicator of the best quality steam mop, and nor should you be swayed by a bucket of accessories and attachments for multi-function steam mops if you're not going to use them.

If you're looking for the best budget steam mop, and you're only wanting to clean and sanitize your laminate floors it stands to reason to stick to the mop itself. Alternatively, if you’re looking for the best steam mop that can help you clean and sanitize beyond your laminate flooring, comparing accessory packs and large water tanks should be considered too.

My Final Verdict:

Having the right tool for the job is imperative if you want good results. You wouldn’t take a spoon into a sword fight; it’s just not the right tool for the job!

Get rid of that dirty, sloppy mop and filthy bucket and replace them with the powerful cleaning prowess that can only be achieved with the best steam cleaner for laminate floors. We all want products that do what they say they’re going to do and avoid those budget steam mops that won’t go the distance in your home.

For my money, for general household laminate floor cleaning, I would hands down take the BISSELL PowerFresh 1940. Life is messy with three kids, and this machine is a joy to use. It’s light enough that I can use and store with ease; this is important as I’m usually steam mopping every second day. The scented waters and scent discs from BISSELL also freshen the air in my home despite my boy's dirty gym socks and football gear.

My super close second is the BISSELL 1806 and this is because of the only slightly smaller water tank. BISSELL has really established itself as a front runner within the industry with two of the best steam mops for laminate flooring.

I don’t know many people that actually enjoy cleaning and mopping floors, do you!? But at the very least, having the best steam mop for laminate floors will make the job a little more enjoyable at the very least!