I was wondering if anyone has a shark floor steamer. I like the idea that it only uses steam to clean the floors and that it can be used on tile and wood floors. I have WHITE tile in my kitchen and it never looks clean even after cleaning it. Does this steam cleaner really do a good job cleaning? I don't want to spend that kind of money if it only does a so-so job, it's not that cheap. I would love to hear everyone opinions on this product or possibly something else that you of that works well. Thanks so much!
M.
Hi Ladies, Thanks so much for the responses. It sounds like a good purchase and I may take the advice to buy from Bed BAth & Beyond with hte 20% coupon. It will save a few bucks over Costco. Someone mentioned that they wished it worked on carpets and BB&B has the deluxe Shark stemer which apparently has a carpet roller for freshining up carpet. Don't know if that's helpful but though I would throw that out to everyone. I can't wait to get one of these babys since my white kitchen floor is so gross from the kids coming in and out of back yard with dirty shoes. What are these home builders thinking putting white tile in a kitchen off of a yard???
Thanks again everyone.
M.
I have one and LOVE it! I use it on my hard wood floors and its GREAT. I have a floor mate too but compared to the shark, its way too much work to deal with. Good luck!
I have white tile in the basement and I love the shark steam cleaner. I personally like the floor mate by bissell better but they keep breaking down and I don't have the 100.00 to keep buying them. I have had the shark for about 6 months and not one single problem!! The tile in the basement always looks clean after I run the shark. We have kids and a dog coming in the door in the basement and there is always mud and dirt on the floor, but run the shark and it is clean.
M., I got one for Christmas and I LOVE IT. Our floor was nasty, all the dirt and gime in it the steam cleaner really works more and more each time I use the steam cleaner I notice it gets more and more of the dirt and gime. The only thing I don't care for is that you can't use it on carpet or furniture. But it was a gift and it was a great gift.
Good luck on what ever you decide.Oh don't forget you can wash the pads, I love that I don't have water sitting around and I don't have to buy replacement pads.
B.
Maybe a silly question here- Do you have to vacuum before using the floor steamer? My hardwoods could really use some cleaning and the steamer sounds like a great idea.
My father in law brought his Shark when he came to live with us for a while and I fell in love with it. I was amazed at the job it did. He took it with him when he moved back out and I miss it. The only issue I have is when I used it in the laundry room and didn't notice the microscopic lent particals on the floor (thought I'd swept them all up first). When they got damp because of the steam, they collected and were pushed against the wall. I'd make sure to vac. first from now on.
I purchased a higher priced version ($136.00) at the Dulles Home & Expo center, but am returning it as I type because it didn't do as well as the Shark and cost so much more. I did find the Shark available at Costco in Manassas for $69.99 which is less than online and at Target/Walmart etc. I'll be making a new purchase as soon as I get my money back from the other one.
I received a Shark for Christmas. I have three children of varying ages, two large dogs and a cat--so you can just imagine the dirt and fur we deal with daily. I love the Shark. It cleans the tile floors as well or better than a traditional mop and bucket, and it is much better on the wood floors.
It does take a little getting used to, however. You have to use a bit more pressure to move it across the floor than a sponge mop or a string mop; if you are doing a large room, you will need to refill the tank. You will want extra pads as the mop only comes with two. They are available by mail order or at shops like Bed Bath and Beyond. I do know people who have made their own with success.
You do have to prep the floors just as you would before you wash with a traditional mop.
I haven't ever tried a Floor Mate so I can't make any comparison to that model.
I just got one for Christmas and really like it but WARNING. . .. . DO NOT PROP IT UP AND LEAVE IT SITTING ON THE HARDWOOD FLOOR! It will make a white spot. I now have two ugly spots that I don't know what to do to fix it. Note: I went back and read in the troubleshooting and saw where it said this, but I wish there had been a BIG WARNING in the directions before I used it. Anyone else had this problem?
we have had this product for the last 3 years. We have 2 large kitchens 1 with ceramic tile and 1 with hardwood, 4 bathrooms all with tile floors, living room and dining room with hardwood, this product is excellent, cleans the grout on the tile and does not damage the hardwood. i recomend this product. fyi keeps carpets and mattress dust mite free
I was able to get one on my local Freecycle list. I have white tile floors in my bathroom. It did pretty well, but it was not as easy and quick as they make it look on TV. If I had paid money for this I probably would have been disappointed. Also, I used it on the tiles inside my shower. It did well on some hard water stains. But I ended up using chemical cleaner on the soap scum. It did not do so great on my carpet, either. If you do decide to try this out, try Freecycle or Craigslist instead of new. Just my two cents...
As I told Kelly last week, I have a Shark and it works very well. I have white marble tile in my kitchen. You do need to vacuum first, just as you would to clean a floor with a bucket and mop. The shark gets it clean with no streaks or filmy look.
Hi there! I have the Shark Steamer and love it! I keep a clean house but have very high-grade wood floors that need constant cleaning. I got the steamer at Costco for $69 and just love it. It's really fun, and super easy to use and you just feel like it MUST be deep cleaning. The proof is actually in the washable, reusable pads! I just did my floors and the pad was literally black, and this is after sweeping and shop-vaccing the whole space.
Thanks for posting all of this - I've been wondering about the Shark also, as I'm looking for a more 'green' way to clean the floors (not to mention, this sounds like it's going to be A LOT cheaper, as my whole house is hard wood). I trust more what you guys have to say then all the 'reviews' the other websites. Sounds like all the complaints from those sources are do to misuse.
I'll take the advice for getting extra mop heads... Sounds like I'm going to need them.
Thanks, M. for starting this tread and all the ladies who gave their two cents! I'm off to Costco (hopefully my Costco carries them) today!
I have the shark and I love it. My mother-in-law recommended it and she doesn't usually recommend things that cost more than $15-20. I use it on my hardwood floors mostly and I think it does a wonderful job. The first time I used it it was really hard to push and I was really disappointed, then I realized it was ungluing all the old detergents that I'd used before which left a residue. I think it's a wonderful choice and I hope it works well on your tile. I've used it on my tile but my tile is beige with dark grout so it's a very different situation.
Good luck (and consider getting it at Bed Bath and Beyond when you have a 20% off coupon).
Liz
