Households that take care of their flooring
If you have tiles, vinyl, laminate or another hard floor, first check which cleaning methods are permitted in the flooring instructions. Guidance may differ for steam, moisture and cleaning products.
Who are these appliances for?
Households that prefer to use water alone
A steam cleaner meets this need if your flooring is suitable for steam cleaning. You can then choose between an upright, cylinder or handheld model, depending on the surfaces you plan to clean.
Households interested in roller cleaning
A floor washer is designed for wet cleaning hard floors. Before choosing this type of appliance, consider the upkeep involved: cleaning the tanks, rollers or pads and filters, and replacing any consumables required by the model.
How do steam cleaners and roller washers compare?
First check what your flooring can handle, then choose your preferred cleaning method and consider what maintenance you’re prepared to take on.
| Factor | What to check | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Floor compatibility | Compare the flooring instructions with those for the appliance. If steam is permitted only under certain conditions, check the recommended settings and precautions. | When my floor needs special care, I want to know which wet-cleaning methods are allowed before choosing an appliance. Around 42% of consumers put compatibility first. |
| Water alone and the surfaces to be cleaned | For steam cleaning, choose a model suited to floors alone or other washable surfaces, and check which accessories are included. | If I want to avoid adding detergent, I look for a steam cleaner suited to the range of cleaning tasks I have. This is the priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Roller cleaning and maintenance | Check the cleaning steps after use and the types of rollers, filters and detergents approved for the model. | To wash my hard floors with rollers, I’m happy to empty the tanks and maintain the appliance. This is the preferred cleaning method for around 25% of consumers. |
According to UFC-Que Choisir, steam cleaners use water alone, while floor washers generally use cold water mixed with detergent. The flooring manufacturer’s guidance is the deciding factor in whether, and how, to use either type of appliance on your floor.
Mistakes to avoid before you buy
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Assuming all hard floors can be steam-cleaned
Heat, the steam setting and how long the floor is exposed to steam can all matter, as well as the type of flooring. For example, Quick-Step France allows steam cleaning on Alpha Vinyl under specific conditions, but those conditions don’t apply to every floor.
Check the instructions for your flooring and your steam cleaner. If the floor or appliance manufacturer says not to use it on a wooden floor, don’t use it on that floor.
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Expecting a floor washer to handle all dry dirt
UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between the wet cleaning performed by floor washers and the dry vacuuming needed to pick up dust and debris.
Have a suitable way to deal with dry dirt, and check what the model you’re considering can do rather than relying on the term ‘vacuum mop’ alone.
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Forgetting about replacement parts
Rollers, filters and cleaning products may be specific to a particular model. Replacing them is part of the regular upkeep of a floor washer.
Make a note of compatible part numbers and check their availability and recommended replacement frequency before choosing an appliance.
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Adding just any detergent
An unsuitable product may foam, for example, or fail to meet the appliance’s requirements. A product listed as compatible with one model isn’t automatically suitable for other models.
Follow the instructions on which product to use and how much to add. Don’t assume that a standard household detergent will be suitable.
Brands to know
Polti
The Vaporetto range includes steam cleaners in different formats, including convertible steam mops for occasional use.
- Polti describes the SV450_Double as a 2-in-1 steam mop with accessories and an anti-scale filter.
- These features don’t confirm that it’s compatible with your flooring. Check the floor manufacturer’s guidance too.
Rowenta
The X-Clean range includes cordless wet and dry vacuum cleaners designed for hard floors.
- Rowenta describes self-cleaning and drying cycles on the X-Clean 10 and 12.
- A cleaning product listed as compatible with the X-Clean 10 isn’t necessarily suitable for every model in the range.
Kärcher
UFC-Que Choisir’s French comparison archive includes roller-based FC models.
- These models show how a roller floor washer works.
- The models mentioned in the archive are marked as no longer on sale. Check the instructions and consumables for any current model separately.
Bissell
UFC-Que Choisir’s French archive of floor washer reviews includes CrossWave models.
- They’re examples of appliances designed for wet floor cleaning.
- The models listed in the archive are marked as no longer on sale. Check the model and consumables you’re considering today.
Dreame
UFC-Que Choisir names Dreame as one of the brands in the floor washer category.
- The brand is worth considering if you’re comparing roller cleaning systems.
- Check maintenance requirements and replacement parts for each model, rather than assuming that findings for one model apply to the whole range.
A selection of models on Joybuy
These models cover two of the uses discussed here: cleaning hard floors with a cordless floor washer and steam cleaning with a mop that converts into a handheld appliance. For each one, check that it’s compatible with your flooring before use.
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Eureka NEW400 cordless wet and dry vacuum cleaner
For regular cleaning of sealed hard floors, the NEW400 product description lists two tanks, a self-cleaning cycle and up to 30 minutes of runtime. Check that your flooring is suitable for this type of cleaning, and remember to maintain the roller and tanks.
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Tineco iFLOOR 5 Breeze Complete
This cordless floor washer combines wet cleaning with dirt collection on hard floors. Its specifications list up to 35 minutes of runtime, edge cleaning and a self-cleaning cycle. It isn’t designed for carpets. Check your flooring instructions and empty the dirty-water tank as directed.
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Tineco Floor One Stretch S6
Its 180° lie-flat design and stated clearance height of 13 cm may be useful if you need to clean under certain pieces of furniture. The model title lists up to 40 minutes of runtime, while the description mentions roller self-cleaning and drying. Check that it’s suitable for your flooring and find out which consumables it needs.
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ROUNY STEAMO X, 2-in-1 steam mop
This corded steam mop detaches for handheld use, so you can also clean other washable surfaces. Its specifications list a 6 m cord, two steam settings and five accessories. Use it only on surfaces permitted by their instructions and those for the appliance.
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JONR H2 cordless wet and dry vacuum cleaner
The JONR H2 combines a floor-washing function with a cordless design. The product title lists a 180° lie-flat angle, which may be useful if cleaning under furniture is important to you. Check the instructions for both the model and your flooring to confirm which surfaces it can be used on and what maintenance is required.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use a steam cleaner on any hard floor?
No. You need to follow the instructions for both your flooring and the steam cleaner. Quick-Step France allows steam cleaning on its Alpha Vinyl flooring only at a low setting, with a cloth over the steam outlet. You must keep the appliance moving and take care around the joints. These conditions don’t apply to all hard floors.
Do you always need to use detergent from the floor washer’s brand?
Not necessarily: it depends on the model. UFC-Que Choisir says that detergent, often a brand-specific product, is generally used. For example, Rowenta lists Sanytol as compatible with the X-Clean 10. Check the exact instructions before adding a different product.
Can a wet and dry vacuum cleaner replace a dry vacuum?
Don’t assume a floor washer will always replace dry vacuuming for dust and debris. UFC-Que Choisir describes these appliances as being designed primarily for wet cleaning hard floors. Check what the model can handle, based on the type of dirt you need to clean up.
What do you need to maintain after cleaning with rollers?
Follow the instructions to empty the tanks and clean the rollers or pads and filters. An automatic cycle, available on some Rowenta X-Clean models, can take care of some roller cleaning, but you’ll still need to check the dirty water and wear parts.