Never put disinfectant or any other additives into a steam mop. Of course, the only exception to this rule is if the specific steam mop was manufactured to use specific additives.
The main purpose of a steam mop is to clean and disinfect by using only water and no harsh chemicals. If you add disinfectant to the steam mop, you risk damaging the machine and voiding the warranty.
How do Steam Mops Work?
The truth is that most steam mop manufacturers recommend using only water. And, they go a step further. They recommend using only distilled or filtered water, and avoiding surfaces like hardwood if they aren’t sealed correctly.
The reason for this is that even water contains minerals that can cling to the inner workings of the steam mop or cleaner and cause damage to the mop.
Steam mops have a water tank, heating elements, and a soft mop head attached to a slim handle that makes it easy to direct to the needed spots while mopping.
The water in the tank is heated until it turns to steam vapor. The steam vapor is then released out of the mop through a pad that won’t damage the floor.
Steam mops work best with water, especially if the water is filtered or distilled. Steam mops are designed to operate by heating up water to form steam. Steam works as an excellent cleaner and disinfectant in and of itself with no need for chemical disinfectants.
The steam mop heats water to higher than a boiling point. It creates low moisture that does not need chemicals to clean or disinfect.
High-Pressure v. Low-Pressure Steam Cleaners
There are high-pressure steam cleaners and low-pressure steam cleaners. To determine which one you have, check the manufacturer’s instructions.
If you don’t have the paperwork it came with, look at how the steam is coming out of it. If it is coming out in a powerful jet-like fashion, it is a high-pressure machine. If it billows out, it is a low-pressure machine.
Steam is a Disinfectant
It might seem like in order to spotlessly clean anything, you need to apply a chemical disinfectant. At the very least, it tends to be instilled in us that things are not properly cleaned unless soap or some kind of cleaner is involved.
The truth is that steam works very well as a disinfectant and as a cleaner.
When water is heated at a high temperature, it kills 99% of the germs and helps to remove stubborn set-in dirt and debris. It removes dirt by adding hot moisture that lifts it up and away from the surface of the floor.
The hot water released under pressure through the steam mop dissolves grease and oil to thoroughly and completely clean whatever it touches.
The mixture of clean water with high temperatures works great as a disinfectant. Steam disinfects by killing most germs and bacteria using water that is heated to beyond boiling temperatures. Steam kills pathogens and viruses that are on the surface of the floor.
Steam mops also combine the use of pressure with steam. The pressure that the steam comes out of the mop removes mites, bacteria, and external agents that have accumulated on the surface of the floor.
Potential Problems Caused by Adding Disinfectant to a Steam Mop
If you add anything besides water to a steam mop, you pose the risk of damaging the machine. Of course, there are some manufacturers of specific brands and models that allow you to add chemicals and other cleaning solutions to the steam mop.
However, generally speaking, there are potential problems that will occur if you add disinfectants or other additives to a steam mop.
The only possible exception to putting disinfectant or other additives into a steam mop is if the manufacturer designed the specific steam mop for additives. Also, a couple of brands sell specific additives that leave behind a nice, clean scent and are safe to use in most steam mops.
These additives include one by Bissel called Eucalyptus Mint Demineralized Water, and Hoover Steam Plus 4X Hard Floor Solution that leaves behind a fresh linen aroma. Both of these products are considered safe to use with all steam mops or steam cleaners.
Some potential problems caused by adding disinfectants to a steam mop include:
- Leave floors sticky or damaged
- Cause mineral build-up inside the steam mop
- Clog the steam mop
- Give off toxic fumes when heated
- Create a fire or explosion hazard within the steam mop
- Damages the heating element inside the machine
- Manufacturers will void a warranty even if you use vinegar
- Degrade the plastic and rubber components in the machine
- Damage to internal components of the steam mop
Adding some disinfectants to a steam mop cleaner water tank can not only give off toxic fumes when heated but also could cause the mop to break, catch fire, or even explode. If the mop is a high-pressure machine, the likelihood of a fire or explosion is greater than with a low-pressure machine.
Do Not Use Pine-Sol in a Steam Cleaner
If you add cleaning solutions like Pine-Sol or Mr. Clean to a steam mop, it could cause clogging or mineral build-up.
Even though the name of the product sounds natural, Pine-Sol is actually not considered to be a green-certified cleaner by the Environmental Working Group. Pine-Sol could also leave your floors sticky.
Do Not Use Zoflora in a Steam Cleaner
While Zoflora is a fantastic disinfectant in general, killing almost 100% of bacteria and viruses, if you use it inside a steam mop, it could give off toxic fumes. The reason for this is because of the heat that a steam mop creates.
When some disinfectants are heated, they produce an unsafe aroma. When heated, this disinfectant may even cause damage to the heating element and create a potential fire hazard.
Do Not Use Essential Oils in a Steam Mop
Many people love to clean with the pleasant aroma of essential oils. However, never add them to a steam mop. Their oil base tends to rise to the top of the water inside the tank leaving them to cling to the surfaces inside the machine and can cause damage. Some oils can build up and clog the machine.
Do Not Use Dish or Laundry Detergent in a Steam Mop
While many insist on cleaning with soap of some kind, never put any dish or laundry detergent into a steam mop machine.
It has the potential of posing hazards to human health and to the environment with the dangerous chemicals it leaves behind.
Do Not Use Vinegar in a Steam Mop
Vinegar is an excellent disinfectant – we wouldn’t recommend it for so many other things if it weren’t – but it should not be used inside a steam mop.
It is a descaling agent and can damage the mop and void the warranty.
Do Not Use Bleach in a Steam Mop
Never use bleach inside a steam mop. It will degrade the plastic and rubber components inside the machine. It can also damage your floors.
Alternatives to Using Disinfectants on Floors
Using a steam mop in and of itself is usually the alternative to using harsh chemicals or disinfectants on floors. But, if you feel the need for more deep-down cleaning alongside your steam mop, consider disinfecting the floor before and after you use the steam mop on it instead of adding the solution to the mop.
To safely use a disinfectant with a steam mop, do not add it to the water. Instead, follow this six-step process:
- Spray a disinfectant onto the surface of the floor
- Leave it for 10 minutes
- Steam clean the area
- After a steam cleaning is done, spray the disinfectant again
- Wait another 10 minutes
- Wipe or rinse it clean leaving the floor completely dry
Steam is a disinfectant, so often that is all you will truly need to disinfect that floor. If the floor is porous, use the steam cleaner twice to disinfect it.
Final Thoughts
You may feel like you want to add an extra cleaning touch by pouring in disinfectant, but the truth is that you should never add anything to a steam mop besides water.
The only exception is if the manufacturer specifically recommends adding a disinfectant. Otherwise, you could damage the machine and void the warranty.