Invest In The Best Laminate Floor Cleaner Machine For A Spotless Home

Best Laminate Floor Cleaner Machines: Best Products for in 2024

Best Laminate Floor Cleaner Machines: Best Products for in 2024

Reviewed by:
Richard Kozak
Nov 15, 2023
16373
Laminate flooring has gained popularity recently, surpassing traditional hardwood floors. Not only does it offer the same cozy charm, but laminate floors are also less expensive to install, more durable, and hygienic.
If you want to preserve your floor's beauty for a long time, it's essential to know how to maintain and care for it properly.

Besides using the correct techniques, you also need the right equipment for the job. In today's buying guide, we'll focus on the best laminate floor cleaner machines to help you maintain your flooring.

Later in the article, I'll share some useful information every laminate floor owner should know.

Reviews of the best Laminate Flooring Cleaning Machines

Before we begin, it's important to address one concern: although laminate floors are technically sealed, they're still highly susceptible to high heat and moisture. As I'll be mentioning steam mops frequently in this article, keep in mind that the type of laminate floor I'm mainly referring to is the sealed type.

In other words, the floor has been treated with a layer of waterproof coating that protects the floor from being infiltrated by moisture or quickly damaged by heat. This is the sole type of floor that can be steam cleaned. If you do not have this specific type of floor, we recommend either mopping by hand or using spray mops.

With that said, let's dive into the reviews!

In a Hurry? The test winner after 25 hrs of research

Best Overall: Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop, 1940

Why is it better?

≫ Relatively affordable

≫ Versatile performance with multiple steam modes

≫ Quick boiling time

≫ Has a small brush to help with agitating stubborn stains

≫ Compact

≫ Decently-sized water tank

≫ Excellent maneuverability

95/100
our score
25
Researched Sources
500
Reviews Considered
25
Hours Researching
18
Products Evaluated
Picture Products Rating/Shop
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Products

Best Overall: Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop, 1940

Rating
95
Filtration
97%
Maneuverability
96%
Durability
95%
Features
93%
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Products

Best Runner Up: Bissell PowerFresh Slim 2075A

Rating
93
Filtration
94%
Maneuverability
96%
Durability
93%
Features
90%
Image
Products

Best Budget: Shark Steam Pocket Mop S3501

Rating
94
Filtration
96%
Maneuverability
94%
Durability
93%
Features
92%
Image
Products

Best Spray Mop For Laminate Floor: Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop

Rating
94
Filtration
97%
Maneuverability
93%
Durability
94%
Features
91%
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Products

Best For Stairs And Multi-Story Homes: Bissell PowerFresh Lift-Off 1544A

Rating
95
Filtration
98%
Maneuverability
93%
Durability
95%
Features
94%
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Products

Best Shark Laminate Floor Cleaner: Shark Genius Steam Pocket Mop System S5003D

Rating
96
Filtration
98%
Maneuverability
96%
Durability
93%
Features
95%
Image
Products

Best Premium Laminate Floor Cleaner: Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop S3973D

Rating
95
Filtration
97%
Maneuverability
95%
Durability
94%
Features
92%
Image
Products

Best Vacuum Cleaner For Laminate Floor: Miele Compact C3 Alize PowerLine

Rating
94
Filtration
97%
Maneuverability
95%
Durability
93%
Features
92%

Best Overall: Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop, 1940

95 %
Filtration
97%
Maneuverability
96%
Durability
95%
Features
93%

Pros:

 Relatively affordable

≫ Versatile performance with multiple steam modes

≫ Quick boiling time

≫ Has a small brush to help with agitating stubborn stains

≫ Compact

≫ Decently-sized water tank

≫ Excellent maneuverability

Cons:

 Power cord is quite short for cleaning large houses

Bissell, one of the best laminate floor cleaner machine manufacturers, has earned a stellar reputation in the floor cleaning industry thanks to their high-quality vacuum cleaner products. So it doesn’t really come as a surprise when they have expanded their portfolio to also include steam mops.

Their offering - the Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop 1940 — is one of the top rated steam mops online at the moment. It packs quite a punch in terms of cleaning power with multiple steam modes. The overall design is excellent with a lightweight design and high mobility thanks to a number of maneuverability-enhancing features.

When you first turn on the mop, you have to wait around 30 seconds for the steam mop’s 1,500W heating element to kick in, boil the water, and produce steam. This is a process that every steam mop has to go through before it can be used and 30 seconds is the average time it takes.

You can adjust the amount of steam created using the three available steam modes: Low, Medium, or High. The “higher” the mode, the more water the mop will draw to create steam. With more dry steam and heat at your disposal, you will find it much easier to take out stubborn stains.

With these three modes, the Bissell 1940 can handle a decent number of tasks according to independent tests and users’ accounts. It is able to sweep up every trace of mud, dust, and dirt. It is also capable of dealing with tougher messes like honey.

The mop can also clean up liquid spills, such as water or soda. Its larger cleaning pad can soak up a lot of water in one go. Nonetheless, as the pad saturates, the liquid pick-up rate becomes significantly reduced, so keep that in mind.

Besides the conventional steam mopping mode, the Bissell 1940 also features a small scrubbing brush tool.

Steam alone will not be able to clean all stains 100% of the time. Some especially stubborn stains will require you to apply some force to be fully cleaned. That’s where this deployable brush comes in, further agitating and ultimately lifting the stain once the hot steam has weakened its sticking force.

Now, let’s talk design; the entire machine weighs six pounds, so it’s not all that heavy. Most people will be able to wield it easily without experiencing too many issues. It’s also quite tall (46 inches) and slim (11.6 inches wide). Thus, this mop would be able to reach into pretty tight, difficult spots to clean up.

This is a corded unit, so it comes with a 23-foot power cord. While it cannot be considered long, the cord length will be sufficient for small to medium houses. Expect to have to move the cord to multiple power outlets occasionally if you have a large house or room to clean.

The water tank can hold around 0.12 gallons of water, which will be enough to last through a whole-house mopping session. Make sure to refill the tank after every use. Without water, the steam mop will not be able to work at all.

Maneuverability is excellent. The mop has a swivel steering mechanism on the floorhead, which allows the user to rotate the handle 90° in either direction. You can weave between obstacles and furniture more accurately and with less effort thanks to it.

In addition to side-to-side swiveling, the mop can also lay flat against the ground to reach into places with a low ceiling like underneath furniture.

In the box, you will find a microfiber mopping pad. The soft microfiber pad is ideal for day-to-day cleaning on a variety of surfaces, not just laminate floors alone. You can attach the pad to your mop via an elastic band. And if you want to use scented tablets, there is a small pocket inside of the pad that you can slide the pill into.

Other than the soft microfiber pad, the steam mop also has an extra “scrubby” mopping pad. This one is built less soft with tougher fabric. Use this pad when you have to deal with stubborn dirt and stains on your floor. Despite this, it’s still sensitive floor-friendly and won’t damage your laminate floors.

The pad can be washed and reused several times, but you should replace it once every year. The pads aren’t expensive, so don’t worry too much about the potential costs.

Speaking of scented tablets, Bissell gives you two Spring Breeze tablets in the box. These scented tablets will deodorize your floors in place of detergent (I’ve already explained how they aren’t good pals with laminate floors.) They’re totally optional.

Aside from the mopping pad, the Bissell 1940 also comes with what’s called a carpet glider. It’s an optional attachment that you can install to the bottom of the mop if you have some carpets and rugs you need to clean. The glider can make movements across the fiber significantly smoother.

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Best Runner Up: Bissell PowerFresh Slim 2075A

93 %
Filtration
94%
Maneuverability
96%
Durability
93%
Features
90%

Pros:

 Slimmer, more compact design

≫ Convertible

≫ Quick boiling time

≫ Highly adaptable and can handle many jobs

≫ Comes with many accessories

Cons:

≫ Small water tank

Though pricier than the base model PowerFresh 1940, it still has the same capable steam-cleaning performance of the 1940. However, there are many changes that warrant a higher price, too. The first is the slimmer, more compact design (hence the “Slim” designation). Second, and most significantly, it has a highly versatile 3-in-1 design.

In its first form, the Bissell 2075A is an ordinary floor mop similar to the Bissell 1940, functioning as a laminate floor cleaning machine.

But the kicker here is that you can remove the standard floor cleaning base. This second mode will make it easier to clean elevated places such as the ceiling or the walls.

In the third and last mode, the entire metal wand can be removed, reducing the whole mop down to a handheld steam cleaning unit for cleaning furniture and the likes.

As you can see, the Bissell 2075A can be flexibly adapted for a variety of different steam-cleaning jobs. Because of this, I think the higher price for this model is fully justified. And since it combines the functions of three different types of steam cleaners, the value points toward a great return on investment if you decide to go for this model.

So how does this laminate wood floor cleaning machine perform?

Great! Before cleaning begins, you’re required to wait 30 seconds for the 1,500W heating element to kick in and boil the water into usable dry steam.

From both independent tests and customer reviews, this steam mop looks like it is capable of cleaning up both mud, dirt, oils, and other kinds of sticky and clingy substances like honey and ketchup on bare floors just fine. Sure, it’s not amazing and you would still be able to spot some residues here and there, but overall, it’s satisfactory.

The Bissell 2075A has also been found to be relatively effective against grouting, making this 3-in-1 steam mop a useful piece of gear for cleaning up newly-renovated homes. There is a specialized tile grout brush in the box to help you with this.

On other surfaces like ceramic and tiles, the mop comes with a scraper tool to help with dislodging limescale and dirty residues from grease.

That’s not all that the Bissell 2075A can do, though. It actually comes with a variety of different tools, each of which can adapt the mop for a different job. The clothes steamer tool, for example, can freshen up your fabrics and remove wrinkles quickly. There’s also a flat surface tool, bristle brush, and an angle concentrator tool (basically an angled nozzle for you to accurately shoot steam into hard-to-reach places.)

One of the best things, in my opinion, about the Bissell 2075A is the integrated accessory holder. There is actually a cut-out on top of the mop where you can put all of the tools inside. It makes storage much easier and less complicated. Plus, if you’re like me and prone to misplacing things around the house, the holder would make it more difficult for an accessory piece to go AWOL all of a sudden.

As for the design, surprisingly, despite having a slimmer body than the Bissell 1940, the 2075A is a tad bit heavier at 6.4 pounds. Nonetheless, it is still a very lightweight steam mop and shouldn’t impede the user’s movements or ease of use.

It is a corded steam mop and comes with a 25-foot power cord.

Due to its smaller design, the water tank has a smaller capacity of only 0.09 gallons. You may have to refill the tank fairly often as a result, especially if you use it regularly for heavy tasks.

All of the maneuverability-enhancing features found on the Bissell 1940 is available here, too. From the swivel steering to the ability to lay flat against the ground, this steam mop is regarded as highly nimble, capable of navigating deftly into tighter spaces than its sibling.

The Bissell 2075A comes with washable microfiber mopping pads. It comes with both the soft pad for daily cleaning and the scrubby pad for tough stains. The pads are the same models as the ones used on the Bissell 1940, so I’ll spare you further details. But one thing worth reiterating is that replacement pads are quite inexpensive, so recurring costs can be kept very low depending on how often and how heavily you use the mop.

This model is also compatible with scented tablets. Slip one into the sewn pocket inside of the mopping pad and you’re ready to go.

But other than scented tablets, you can choose to buy the steam mop alongside Bissell’s demineralized water. This solution acts more or less like detergent and deodorizes your floor with a nice scent, but it neither leaves residues nor is it caustic to your laminate floor. According to Bissell, the liquid also improves the steam mop’s performance and lengthens its service life.

Two scents are available as of the time of writing: Eucalyptus Mint and Spring Breeze (floral.)

   ➜ RELATED: Looking For The Best Bissell Vacuum? Here’s A Complete Review Of 20 Bissell’s

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Best Budget: Shark Steam Pocket Mop S3501

94 %
Filtration
96%
Maneuverability
94%
Durability
93%
Features
92%

Pros:

 Affordable

≫ Quick boiling time

≫ Decent performance

≫ Lightweight and maneuverable

 Good ease of use

≫ Cheap replacement mopping pads

Cons:

 Only one steam mode

≫ Has a tendency to spill liquids rather than soaking them up

If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, the Shark Steam Pocket Mop S3501 is a pretty decent choice. It costs around $60 and has very low recurring costs. Despite its low price, this laminate floor cleaner machine offers solid cleaning performance. While it might not be as powerful as full-size, full-price steam mops like the Bissell 1940, it works well for small-scale, quick-mopping tasks. Its compact design further contributes to this advantage.

Unlike the multi-mode Bissell 1940, the Shark S3501 only has a single steam mode. Though it makes the mop less flexible, on the bright side, you won’t have to go through the complicated process of determining the correct steam level. Plus, according to some reviews, the single mode is good for both hardwood and laminate floors.

This model performs very well against solid particles like mud and dirt. Tests also showed that it has good results when dealing with more complicated debris like honey.

The liquid-cleaning performance is good although not outstanding. The mopping pad is able to soak up a good amount of liquid on your floor, but for especially large spills, there will be some puddles remaining.

Some users have noticed that the Shark S3501 has an annoying tendency of pushing and smearing liquids around the floor while cleaning. Some of the tests I’ve seen also corroborated this claim.

Specifically, while the mopping pad can soak up most of the liquid, it comes into contact with, a small portion is merely pushed across the floor by the mop. This just makes the spills you’re dealing with messier and more labor-intensive to clean up. This is certainly a notable flaw.

Heating time is fairly decent for the Shark S3501. With the 1,200W heating element, it only takes 30 seconds for the mop to produce steam.

The thing I like most about this steam mop (other than the affordable price) is its lightweight and surprisingly navigating design. It weighs only 4.87 pounds, so most people will be able to use and maneuver this steam mop without experiencing difficulties. In fact, it’s light enough that I’m fairly certain that even teens will be able to use it with minimal supervision.

The most notable feature of the design is the round-shaped handle. It offers a firm and comfortable grip on the mop, allowing you to clean for a longer period of time without experiencing fatigue.

As this is a corded steam mop, it has a 25-foot power cord. This is just about average for most steam mops on the market and is enough to satisfy most small to medium-sized homeowners. If you have a large home, though, you may have to use multiple power outlets from time to time.

The water tank has a capacity of around 0.11 gallons. This isn't a lot, but it should be enough for the occasional small tasks that this compact steam mop is designed to handle.

Along with the steam mop, Shark also ships a small water flask/pitcher. There's no need to take the whole mop to the bathroom for a fill-up. Instead, just use the flask to transport the tap water and pour it in.

Maneuverability is aided by a swivel steering mechanism. It’s somewhat clunky and doesn’t turn as sharply as some people might hope, but overall, it makes navigating around obstacles and furniture a little easier. The Shark S3501 is also capable of laying flat against the ground for cleaning beneath furniture and other places with low clearance.

The mopping pad, of course, is made from microfiber to minimize possible damage to your floor. Instead of an elastic band strapping the pad to the mop like in the Bissell 1940, the pad of the S3501 is secured using velcro strips. It’s a bit flimsier, but so far, I haven’t heard of any reports of incidents where the pad suddenly comes off of the mop while cleaning.

You can wash and reuse the pad for a fairly long time, but it has to be replaced once worn down. Fortunately, it’s not at all expensive (around $16 per pack of 4.) From what I’ve heard, each pad can last around half a year with good maintenance. So each pad replacement kit could potentially give you as much as 2 years of use. With this in mind, the recurring costs of this steam mop aren’t all that much.

   ➜ RELATED: Best Laminate Floor Polishes To Make Your Floor Shine Like New Again

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Best Spray Mop For Laminate Floor: Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop

94 %
Filtration
97%
Maneuverability
93%
Durability
94%
Features
91%

Pros:

 Affordable

≫ Lightweight and can be used by anyone

≫ Fairly large water bottle

≫ Washable and reusable mopping pads

Cons:

≫ Mopping pads are thin and prone to being damaged

Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop is a good choice if you have unsealed or untreated laminate floors that are vulnerable to the heat and moisture of a steam mop. As one of the best rated models on the market, this is one of the best spray mops for laminate floors you can possibly purchase.

I don’t think I can give an exact “performance rating” for this spray mop, considering how well it performs solely depends on how vigorously you can scrub the floor with it.

What I can tell you, though, is that this spray mop is very lightweight. At 3.59 pounds, it can be used by pretty much anyone.

The Rubbermaid 1892663

The spray mop has a 0.17 gallons refillable water bottle. You can mix your own solution into the bottle and use the spray trigger on the handle to dispense it to the floor.

The microfiber mop can catch and lift dirt and debris, as well as erase stains pretty effectively. According to the company, the mopping pad can be washed and reused up to 100 times before having to be replaced. Even then, the cost of replacement pads is pretty low.

However, there’s one common complaint regarding the pads: they’re a bit too thin. As a result, they’re more prone to being damaged or can tear apart inside of the washer.

Other than that, though, this is an excellent spray mop.

   ➜ RELATED: The Best Way to Clean Laminate Floors to Protect Its Shiny Finish

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Best For Stairs And Multi-Story Homes: Bissell PowerFresh Lift-Off 1544A

95 %
Filtration
98%
Maneuverability
93%
Durability
95%
Features
94%

Pros:

 Great mobility with convertible design

≫ Highly adaptable and can be used for a variety of other tasks besides floor cleaning

≫ Quick heating time

≫ Comes with a wide range of accessories

Cons:

 Heavier and bulkier than other Bissell PowerFresh mops

≫ Water tank may be too small for large homes

Homes with multiple levels and stairs are notoriously difficult to clean. They require you to have a cleaning machine that isn’t just capable but also lightweight and mobile enough that you can easily traverse the stairs with it.

Well, if this is the exact dilemma you’re currently facing, you should seriously consider the Bissell PowerFresh Lift-Off 1544A.

Just like the Bissell 2075A, the Bissell 1544A is a convertible. Other than being an upright steam mop, with the detachable Lift-Off pod, you have the choice to quickly turn the Bissell 1544A into a “canister” steam mop when needed.

It’s much easier to transport the vacuum up and down the stairs in this smaller, more compact form. And if you need to clean up the stairs while you’re at it, the job would be easier with the less cumbersome form factor.

In terms of performance, one of the best laminate floor cleaner machines can do a very good job of eliminating dirt, mud, and other common particles. It showed good effect against tough stains and debris like grout, as well.

You can flexibly adjust the steam mop’s performance in accordance with the task you need it to do, using the wide selection of accessories it comes with.

There’s a grout tool, a bristle brush, a fabric steamer, scraping tools, and an angle concentrator tool. You will also get a flexible extension hose, which would be immensely helpful for stair cleaning. And especially this model has a window squeegee tool, which will help you remove dirty stains and marks from glass windows and doors.

The water heating time of this model is considered great by the majority of reviews. Its 1,500W heater can bring the room-temperature water inside of the tank to boiling temperature in only 30 seconds. There is an indicator light on the steam mop that will tell you immediately when the temperature has reached a good level to begin cleaning.

Bissell also gives you the ability to change the steam mode with a Low and a High mode. The Low mode should be adequate for day-to-day cleaning. You can enlist the High mode’s help while dealing with especially stubborn debris and stains.

Out of all of the Bissell PowerFresh steam mops that I’ve reviewed, this one is the heaviest yet at 10 pounds. The extra weight is most likely due to the extra bulk of the Lift-Off pod.

As previously mentioned, the Lift-Off pod is a canister that you can detach fully from the rest of the mop’s upright frame. It is more or less the “heart” of the Bissell 1544A, considering how it contains all of the essential electronics, the heater, and the water tank. So when you detach the pod, no critical functions or features are lost other than the weight and support of the full upright body frame.

A power cord is connected directly to the pod, measuring 25 feet long.

The water tank of this model holds exactly 0.1 gallons, which is average. For day-to-day cleaning, the tank will suffice. But for large homes and heavy-duty cleaning, it may require frequent refills.

The Bissell 1544A uses the same soft and scrubby microfiber mop pads as the 1940 and 2075A. This model is compatible with scented tablets as well as Bissell’s demineralized water.

   ➜ RELATED: 10 Best Vacuums For Stairs, From Handheld To Stick Models

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Best Shark Laminate Floor Cleaner: Shark Genius Steam Pocket Mop System S5003D

96 %
Filtration
98%
Maneuverability
96%
Durability
93%
Features
95%

Pros:

 More premium, aesthetically pleasing design

≫ Quick heating time

≫ Capable of dealing with many kinds of debris on various floor types

≫ Steam Blaster-equipped

≫ Lightweight and comfortable to use

≫ Excellent maneuverability

≫ Well-designed mopping pad

Cons:

 Shorter than average power cord

≫ Small water tank

≫ Costly mopping pads

Unlike the Shark S3501, which was built to be as affordable as possible, Shark was less reserved with the S5003D.

Although the overall form factor is largely the same as the S3501, this best laminate floor cleaner machine is visibly more premium with gleaming, expensive-looking outer details. Other than an upgrade to the aesthetic, the Shark S5003D most definitely received a performance upgrade. In addition, it performed better in independent tests and received more favorable ratings in customer reviews compared to its budget-level counterpart.

Delving deeper into the performance level, the 1,200W heater can release steam in around 30 seconds. While the more affordable Shark S3501 can virtually do the same thing, the differentiating factor here is that you also get to control the amount of steam released with this model.

From the control panel on the mop’s body, you can set the steam mode at either Low, Medium, or High. The higher the clean mode, the greater the ability of this Shark laminate floor cleaner to deal with tough stains and debris.

According to the vast majority of customers, the Shark S5003D is able to work on all common floor types, from bare floors (laminate, hardwood, and tiles, among others) to carpets, mats, and rugs. Overall performance against many types of debris and substances is also good enough with this steam mop that reviews are nearly 100% positive regarding its cleaning power.

A unique feature found on the S5003D is the Steam Blaster. Basically, it is a high-pressure steam nozzle at the end of the steam mop, near the mopping pad. Point the blaster at a particularly tough stain and shoot a jet of steam or two onto it. The hot steam will loosen the stain and make it easier for you to dislodge it with the mopping pad.

The Shark S5003D

The Shark S5003D weighs approximately 5.7 pounds, which is 1 pound heavier than the Shark S3501. Nonetheless, this is still very lightweight for a steam mop, and the majority of users find it easy to wield. With the circular gripping handle, it also has a good reputation for being comfortable to use.

For power, it uses a 22-foot power cord. While this isn’t the ideal cord length, it is still long enough that it shouldn’t require frequent power outlet changes while vacuuming large rooms and spaces.

The water tank capacity is quite disappointing. The Shark S5003D’s tank can only hold 0.09 gallons of water, which is a downgrade from the S3501’s 0.11 gallons.

Presumably, the smaller water tank is due to the slimmer body design of the S5003D. When compared side by side, the more affordable S3501 has a more rounded, bulbous body that can house a more spacious water tank.

This brings me to my next point: maneuverability.

Although the slimmer profile of the Shark S5003D is achieved by sacrificing the water tank’s capacity, for many people, it’s a worthwhile trade-off due to the extra mobility that can be gleaned from this. The thinner profile makes it much easier for you to maneuver the S5003D into tight spots and crevices. Combined with the swivel steering mechanism and the ability to lay flat, the S5003D is doubtlessly a very maneuverable floor cleaning machine.

The Shark S5003D uses Shark’s proprietary Dirt Grip Pads. Made from microfiber, they’re well-suited for cleaning sensitive floor types. What separates these mopping pads from the rest is the special “sandwich mesh lining” at the back of the pad. Supposedly, it helps accelerate the flow of hot steam from the mop outward and assists with loosening and lifting locked-in dirt. From all of the reviews I’ve read, this feature does work and works well at that.

Interestingly, the mopping pad is double-sided. The whole pad is folded in half when it’s attached to the steam mop. When one side of the pad becomes too dirty or worn out, you can flip the pad over and use the clean side. This can lengthen the usability of each pad by two times, more or less.

The pads are washable and reusable, so if you keep the pads well-maintained, they can last for an incredibly long time before requiring a replacement.

Replacement mop pads are quite costly, with a pack of two being retailed for around $15. But considering the fact that each mop can easily last for half a year to a full year, depending on the frequency and intensity of use, it shouldn’t matter all that much.

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Best Premium Laminate Floor Cleaner: Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop S3973D

95 %
Filtration
97%
Maneuverability
95%
Durability
94%
Features
92%

Pros:

 Premium design

≫ Lightweight and comfortable to use

≫ Lift-Away Pod

Quick heating time

≫ Decent performance against multiple debris types

Can work on many floor types

 Steam Blaster-equipped

Excellent maneuverability

Large water tank

Well-designed mopping pad

Cons:

 Costly

Too short power cord for the price

Expensive mopping pads

The Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop S3973D is the most premium steam mop in Shark’s portfolio. Reflecting its higher price point than the rest of the Steam Pocket Mop line-up, the S3973D comes with every feature and technology that Shark has to offer. For this reason, if money isn’t too much of a concern for you and you want the best steam mop there is, this model is worth putting on the list.

The performance power of this steam mop is quite similar to the other Steam Pocket Mops like the S3501 and S5003D. The 1,200W motor takes 30 seconds to start producing steam for cleaning. You also get the 3-mode steam control with this model: Low, Medium, and High.

S3973D shows good results on bare floors, including laminate floors. Dust, mud, and other debris—regardless of how stubborn—can be swept up in short order by the mop. Just make sure to set the machine to the correct steam mode.

I’ve also seen some reports that this model is also capable of steaming carpets and rugs. Plus, with the garment steamer attachment, it can also be used to tidy up your clothes.

Other than the standard cleaning head that uses triangular-shaped mopping pads, the Shark S3973D also comes with a triangle scrubber head. Its peculiar shape allows the scrubber head to reach awkward spots such as crevices that the standard head cannot hope to reach.

You will also find the Steam Blaster on this laminate wood floor cleaning machine. Spray steam onto locked-in dirt and debris to loosen them and you can subsequently scrub them off of the floor afterward.

the Shark S3973D

The Shark S3973D weighs around 4.8 pounds, which is a very good weight, all things considered. I’m fairly confident that most people will not find it challenging to wield or maneuver this vacuum.

What I like most about this steam mop is the Lift-Away pod. It is similar to the one found on the Bissell Lift-Off 1544A. The pod holds all of the mop’s most essential equipment and components. You can detach it from its full frame and still use it as you normally would without losing functions. This lends the Shark S3973D excellent versatility and allows the user to clean places that would’ve been impractical for a full-size steam mop to clean.

The power cord for this steam mop measures around 22 feet, which is hugely disappointing for a premium steam mop that’s nearly $160. Granted, this is enough for most homes, but for such a steam mop that claims to be “Pro,” it should get at least a 25-foot cord.

The water tank capacity is fairly good at 0.13 gallons. This is the model with the largest water tank among all of Shark’s steam mops. And to make filling the tank or measuring demineralized water better, the Shark S5003D comes with a filling flask.

As for the mopping pad, it is the same one found on the Shark S5003D. With a special design that facilitates a better flow of hot steam, the pad’s quality is no doubt high. Its value is high, too, in my opinion. With two sides and the fact that it can be washed 20-30 times each, the pad can last for an incredibly long time before having to be replaced.

As previously mentioned, the pads are relatively expensive, which is the only “flaw” I found for the pads.

Aside from the standard rectangular-shaped mopping pads, you will also find a triangular scrubber pad in the box for use with the triangle head. The quality, material, and performance of this pad and the standard pad is the same. They just have different shapes.

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Best Vacuum Cleaner For Laminate Floor: Miele Compact C3 Alize PowerLine

94 %
Filtration
97%
Maneuverability
95%
Durability
93%
Features
92%

Pros:

 High suction performance

Multiple cleaning modes are available

Maneuverable and compact

≫ High-quality dust bags

≫ Solid HEPA filtration

Cons:

 Costly

 Quite heavy

Dust bags are fairly expensive

A steam mop, combined with a good vacuum cleaner, would create an awesome dynamic duo on any kind of floor, including laminated ones. For those looking for a decent vacuum cleaner to use on laminate floors, I heartily recommend the Miele Compact C3 Alize PowerLine.

Its performance is almost universally praised by both customers and industry pundits alike. This best laminate floor cleaner machine can suck up dust and debris on both bare floors (hardwood, vinyl, tile, and laminate) and carpets (low-pile to high-pile) alike.

Suction power is regarded as reliable by most, as well as surprisingly strong. This is how it achieves high ratings on bare floors. On carpeting, the vacuum’s performance is enhanced thanks to the AllTeq Combination Floorhead (SBD 285-3).

However, the key selling point of the Compact C3 Alize lies in the adjustability of its suction power.

Using a foot pedal on the canister, you can choose from six available cleaning modes tailored for different surfaces and cleaning tasks. There is a special mode for bare floors, another one for carpets, one for upholstery, curtains, and so on. Thus, the Miele Compact C3 Alize isn’t just one of the best vacuum cleaners for laminate floor, it’s also one of the best vacuum cleaners periods.

The whole canister weighs 15.87 pounds, which is quite heavy. Nonetheless, it’s designed to be used while laid on the ground, so the weight isn’t really that big of a deal. But if you have to carry the canister by hand, there’s a comfy handgrip molded onto the canister.

Relatively compact (compared to other Miele vacuums,) it is also highly maneuverable on its smooth-rolling wheels. It has a 25-foot power cord, which is merely adequate.

The Miele Compact C3 is a bagged vacuum and uses Miele’s AirClean Type-GN dust bags to store all of the debris it picks up. Each bag has an advertised volume of 4 quarts and is incorporated with a multitude of technologies. The most notable of these is the Auto-Seal collar that automatically snaps shut when the bag is removed from the vacuum, effectively preventing leakage of all the dirt inside. The durability of the Type GN dust bags is also excellent with 9-layer construction, thus minimizing tears and damage.

However, because of their high-quality construction, these dust bags are a bit costly. It’s mostly because of the cost of these bags that Miele’s vacuums have had a reputation for being expensive to maintain.

The filtration system of the Compact C3 Alize is solid, consisting of a pre-motor filter and a HEPA filter. With every four dust bags, the pre-motor filter has to be changed once. Meanwhile, the HEPA filter has a color time strip on it to tell you exactly when you have to change it out.

There are plenty of accessories included with the vacuum. Other than the main head, you get a crevice tool, an upholstery tool, and a soft brush.

For many people, a Miele vacuum is the best vacuum cleaner in the world. And from what I’ve seen, if you’re looking for a dependable laminate floor vacuum, this could very likely be yours.

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How Do Steam Mops Work, Exactly?

Steam mops are built with an internal water reservoir and a heater. When powered on, the mop draws water from the reservoir and into the heater. It is there that the water is heated to a boiling 212°F (around 100°C). At this temperature, the water is going to evaporate into hot steam.

The mop will proceed to redirect this hot, dry steam downward and onto a microfiber mopping pad. Moving this pad across your dirty floor will be able to scrub out stubborn dirt and stains considerably quicker than cold water mopping. The science is complicated and tedious, but in short, the hot mopping pad can dissolve dirt and break chemical bonds (in stains) more quickly.

Some other benefits of having a steam mop include better hygiene (hot temperature kills bacteria very effectively) and restoring the shine to your floors.

On laminate floors, steam mops are also considered by some to be a better choice in comparison to manual wet-mop cleaning. When cleaned manually, some moisture may linger on the surface and damage the floor in the long run. The benefit of steam mops is that whatever moisture exists is instantaneously vaporized. Therefore, so long as your laminate floors are sealed tight, and you set your steam mop to as low as possible, it’s not a bad way to clean.

   ➜ RELATED: How to Shine Laminate Floors: The Best Practical Way

Things to Know Before You Steam Mop Your Laminate Floor

First things first, you should vacuum or sweep the floor before you use your steam mop. While steam mops are capable of picking up a decent amount of dirt and debris, they’re not meant to handle large messes. If a piece of debris is snagged onto the mopping pad and dragged across the surface of your floor, it could leave an ugly scratch.

Secondly, move quickly and always use the lowest heat possible. Use it like a clothing iron: do not linger too much on one spot, lest you burn through the surface. And with the sensitivity of laminate floors in mind, you do not want to use any heat level higher than the lowest necessary to do the job.

Last but not least, avoid using cleaning solutions.  They can dull the shine of your floors. Demineralized water is fine, though, since it does not contain any chemicals other than scenting chemicals. You’ll learn more about demineralized water and what it is in the next segment.

Tap Water, Demineralized Water, Or Distilled Water?

While the way a steam mop operates is fairly simple—boil the water inside of its tank until steam is released—the kind of water used can drastically affect performance and the machine’s longevity. Overall, there are three kinds of water you can use with your steam mop: ordinary tap water, demineralized water, or distilled water.

Tap water contains many different minerals and thus can leave ugly residues on your floor. They can also damage your mop in the long run, too. That’s where demineralized water comes in.

Demineralized water is a touch below distilled water (which is 100% clean water without any minerals inside). They still have traces of minerals, but the level is low enough that between demineralized and distilled water, you wouldn’t notice much of a difference. Plus, distilled water is costlier, anyway, so I don’t recommend it.

As you may have already learned (I mention demineralized water a lot in some of the reviews), these solutions are typically scented to help deodorize the floors from bad smells, too. The smells are typically very gentle and aren’t as “in-your-face” as scented tablets, which would be a huge plus if you’re sensitive to strong smells.

Demineralized water is optional. Steam mops are designed to accept tap water, demineralized water, as well as distilled water. As long as the heater can boil it up to create steam, it’s fine.

However, as I said, cleaner water results in better performance by preventing residues and dirty spots from forming. In addition, it also lengthens the service life of your steam mop. So, with the benefits in mind, it may be worth it to use these instead of common tap water, especially in areas with excessively hard water.

How Steam Mops Can Benefit Your Indoor Air Quality And Health

I have mentioned at the beginning of the article how these best steam mops for laminate floors can release steam at a scorching temperature of up to 120°F (112°C). This is well beyond the temperature where any kind of bacteria, mites, or other harmful creatures can survive. Plus, the heat alongside the mop’s scrubbing action can neutralize allergens like pollens, fine dust, and tiny debris, too.

Because of this, if you have allergies or other respiratory conditions like asthma, these best steam mops for laminate floors would improve your quality of life by a great deal.

Additionally, if you’re sensitive to chemicals such as those found in most cleaning solutions, you are safe from that kind of exposure since steam mops don’t use a lot of chemicals.

➜ RELATED: Best Mop For Laminate Floors: Your Top Choices In 2024

Conclusion

So, in the end, you may be wondering which machine is going to be the best help for you among these best laminate floor cleaner reviews. Well, that would be the Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop, 1940.

It’s affordable and provides plenty of cleaning power that I think would satisfy the majority of users. It has all of the essential features for the best laminate floor cleaner machine, too, from great maneuverability and ease of use to low recurring costs. The value it presents for the price is too good for it to not be positioned at the top of the list, despite there being models with better performance and more features.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • 01. How Do I Dry My Laminate Floor After Mopping?
  • If you notice moisture or wet spots after you’re done mopping, take action right away. Like I said, moisture and water in general are enemies to laminate floors. Use a towel or a dry sponge to soak up all of the wetness you can see. 

    Unless there’s a huge puddle or several visible droplets of water on the floor, you don’t have to worry too much. The varnish or waterproof coating can fend off a little bit of dampness or moisture, but it’s good practice to keep the floor as dry as possible whenever you can.
     

  • 02. How Long Do Laminate Floor Cleaning Machines Last?
  • All of the aforementioned machines (and tools) can last for 5-6 years. It’s because of this that I recommend you to go all out on the best laminate wood floor cleaner, regardless of the costs. It’s an investment that would last and pay dividends several years down the line.

  • 03. Can I Get A Serious Burn While Using A Steam Mop?
  • Using a steam mop is pretty much like a clothing iron: it shouldn’t harm you as long as you’re careful. The steam is very hot near the steam nozzle or the mopping pad, but the temperature quickly drops once it’s out in the atmosphere. 

    Unless you accidentally lay the mopping pad directly on top of your foot or you stick your hand near the steam nozzle (neither of which is recommended, obviously), you’re perfectly safe.

  • 04. Can Steam Mops Be Used On All Kinds Of Floors?
  • This is a very important thing to know if you’re a new steam mop user: no, steam mops cannot be used on all floor types. 

    They can only be used on sealed floors like hardwood, laminate, stone, marble, concrete, tile, and so on. In contrast, you would ruin the surface very quickly if you were to use a steam mop on unsealed floors, unglazed ceramic, or wax floors.

    The difference between sealed and unsealed floors is that the latter has been coated with a protective layer of either polyurethane or varnish. This layer protects the floor’s material from being damaged from the high heat produced by the steam mop.

    One way for you to check whether your laminate floor is sealed or not is to drop a few droplets of water onto it. If the floor becomes stained and the water seeps into the surface, it’s unsealed. If the droplet beads up and doesn’t get absorbed, it’s been sealed.

  • 05. How Often Should I Steam Mop My Laminate Floor?
  • Clean as sparingly as possible, such as once or twice a month. The heat of a steam mop can turn damaging if used on laminate floors on a frequent basis. It’s a good way to keep your floors sanitized, but it’s not for day-to-day cleaning.

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