Swiffer Wet Jet Starter Kit

All In One Mopping System

• Can Get Floors Clean in 1/2 the time


• Solution Dissolves tough sticky messes


• Pad traps dirt your mop can push around


• All-In-One Starter Kit contains 1 Power Mop 2 disposable cleaning pads 1 500 mL bottle multi-purpose cleaning solution 1 scrubbing strip

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Bissell Steam Mop Microfiber Pad Replacement 2-Pack 3255

BISSELL 3255 Steam Mop Microfiber Pad Replacement 2 pack

• Microfiber pads for safely cleaning all hard-floor surfaces


• Designed for use with Bissell's Steam Mop hard-floor cleaner


• Easy to change and attach; machine-washable and reusable


• Replacement pack includes 2 microfiber pads


• Measures 10 by 6-1/2 by 1/2 inches

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Haan MF4 4-Ultra Microfiber Pads Blue

Haan MF4 Set of 4 Blue Ultra Microfiber Pads Patented super absorbent multilayer Ultramicrofiber pads are designed to reduce friction and dry the floor instantly. They can be washed up to 300 times.

• Fits all haan steam mops


• 4 Blue pads per package


• Pads are washable


• Super absorbent pad


• Leaves floor instantly dry

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Swiffer Sweeper X-Large Disposable Sweeping Cloths 16-Count Boxes (Pack of 3)

Swiffer Sweeper X-Large gives you twice the cleaning area of regular Swiffer. The Swiffer Sweeper X-Large dry cloths are twice the size as regular Swiffer so you can clean the same space in half the time. And Swiffer Sweeper 8 grippers make it easy for you to attach two regular Swiffer wet cloths.

• Max dry disposable cloths for use with Swiffer Sweeper X-Large


• Swiffer Sweeper X-Large cloths are twice the size as regular Swiffer dry cloths


• Swiffer Sweeper X-Large sweeping cloths are textured with V-shaped ridges that trap dirt dust hair and common allergens without stirring them up.


• Swiffer Sweeper X-Large dry cloths are also great for hand dusting


• When you're finished just throw the cloths and all that dirt away

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Euro-Pro Shark S3501 Deluxe Steam Pocket Mop

Accidental 3 steam mop SHOWDOWN!

It started simple enough. A friend said "You HAVE to get a Shark steamer mop thing. It's awesome."



But if you're a type-A like me that's where the simplicity ends.



I researched the (older model) Shark and because of the not so great reviews I ended up ordering the Eureka ENVIRO STEAMER. I chose the Eureka primarily because of a comparison review by a user. Turns out alot of the qualities written in the review like water tank size and cord length didn't apply anymore.



So then I ordered the Haan FS20-Plus 800-Watt Steam Cleaning Floor Sanitizer with Deluxe Sanitizing Tray based on the same reviewer's awesome comparison. But again the info didn't match up to what I ordered/got.



Today I finally broke down and just went to a brick and morter Bedbathandbeyond. The guy was very helpful and showed me the various Sharks and told me this new model (the most expensive at $119) had a bigger tank than previous.



So here I am with 3 different steamer mops. Since I buy most of my stuff based on reviews I thought I would take the time to do a very non-scientific comparison.



*Euro-Pro Shark S3501 Deluxe Steam Pocket Mop ($106 with my 20%coup plus tax at BBB)

*Haan FS20-Plus 800-Watt Steam Cleaning Floor Sanitizer with Deluxe Sanitizing Tray ($90 via Amazon)

*Eureka ENVIRO STEAMER ($69 via Amazon)



OUT OF THE BOX:

All three were very easy to put together. Handle either snapped/or screwed into base.



HANDLE:

All are plastic and for the most part feel a bit flimsy. None really stood out above the others.



CORD:

Shark has 30' (the longest)

Haan and Eureka were same... about 18'.



WATER TANK: ((my top priority behind obviously cleaning))

Shark -- approx 1 3/4 cups* (fill cup provided is not marked)

Eureka -- 1 1/4 cups* (fill cup provided is not marked but manual says capacity total 12 oz)

Haan -- 1 cup* (fill cup provided is marked)



*cup is based on the cup that came with Haan the only one clearly marked. So I just filled the others and then dumped into the Haan cup. Hence minor discrepancy. If you convert 12 oz into cups it's 1 1/2 cups... but for some reason when I filled the Eureka container and dumped it into the Haan cup it only filled it 1 1/4 ways. Go figure.



CLEANING PAD:

Shark's cleaning cloth covers the head but the design allows you to flip it so you can use both sides with ease. The whole head actually flips on the mop so it's not like you're taking the cloth off and then putting it back on. (2 rectangular cloths included along with 2 triangular cloths for the triangular head -- I guess for corners or tight spaces. But I have not used or tried out. Also 1 fluffy looking thing that's for dusting...again have not tried this out either.)



**edited to add 1/8/2010** I've used the purple duster on wood floors and love it! Cleans great.



Eureka -- waffle type of towel held in place by clamps on the base. After 1 wash the trim started coming off and it already had a very worn/old look to it. Not sure how long it would have held up. (2 included)



Haan -- a thick microfiber trapazoid that just sort of velcros onto the bottom. Very sturdy. (2 included)



OVERALL CLEANING (see photo):

Obviously not very scientific but I swiped a wet paper towel on a portion of my tile that I was planning to clean.



I split the area into thirds so each steam mop was used in one section (I have large stone tile with deep grout lines (see photo).

Then I went over that cleaned section with another wet paper towel to see how much dirt could be picked up.



NONE: (first paper towel on left) Clearly the dirtiest.

Haan: cleaned the best (again not scientific just how much was picked up on a paper towel after using the steam mop)

Eureka Enviro: cleaned the worst (but obviously still great compared to nothing)

Shark: in the middle.



CONCLUSION:

I'm keeping the Shark because of several factors:

*big water chamber (thus longer steam time)

*long cord (convenience of not using extension cord or unplugging and re-plugging)

*dual head cleaning cover (pretty handy)

*complete swivel head... but because of this feature the drawback is that you have to lean the handle up against a counter because it won't stand on its own like the Haan or Eureka.



I won't go into detail about the wetness factor because frankly all three left the surface wet but all three dried pretty quickly (much more quickly than when I use a traditional sponge mop/pinesol). This was really not an issue for me.



OVERALL seriously I would be thrilled with any one of these... because they do cut down tile floor cleaning time tremendously-- and without using chemicals. Any one of them clearly beats the old mop and bucket method.



I guess it comes down to how you prioritize the features. For me after this exhaustive research -- I'm sticking with the Shark! Good luck on yours... and my you NOT find yourself in a similar dilemma where you're obsessing over minor details like I did.



EXTRA FYI:

"Pocket" vs "deluxe" -- what's the difference between the gold and purple set?

Both Pocket (gold) and Deluxe(purple) are priced the same but the Pocket comes with ONE set of cleaning cloths. But you do get a third head -- that's an XL rectagular head. The purple set comes with two sets of cleaning cloths. I think for the money the purple set is the way to go.



Hope that helps!More detail ...

Shark Premium Portable Steam Pocket Includes 5 Cleaning Pockets + 2 Quick Release Wands

Very versatile

I am only going to give it four stars since the TV promo programs makes cleaning look too easy.



With shower soap scum if it is heavy use the scrubber end and then follow up with the cleaning pockets. The steam dissolves the soap scum and you wash it down. Then use the cleaning pocket wands to remove soap film. It works well but is a two step process if you have much soap scum.



The scrubber brush works well on tile grout and the cleaning pocket does remove grease splatters from the range back tile. And using the cleaning pockets over the kitchen cabinet doors really removes grime easily.



I used the cleaning pockets to remove some stains from a carpet area and it was quick and easy.



However plan your jobs in advance. If you turn it off and intend to resume much later the cleaning pocket will get damp and that doesn't work well. As long as you are pushing steam through the cleaning pockets it remains quite "dry".



I was able to get some things clean that I never thought I could get clean and that is due to using steam to loosen the grime.



So it has exceeded my expectations. So now all it has to do is be durable.More detail ...

Microfiber Replacement Pads for Shark Steam Euro-Pro Mop (Set of 6)

Replacement pads get the job done

My (small) house has all hardwood floors save for linoleum in a hallway and the laundry room. My floors get pretty gross pretty fast so I love the shark mop. These replacement pads work just fine. They're a little smaller than the original pads but that's not necessarily a bad thing... the overhang from the original pads can get curled under the plate they attach to and roll up; the replacement pads seem to do that less. They didn't slide on the floor as easily as the original pads did at first but as I recall the original pads didn't slide all that well to begin with either. After a few seconds once the pad gets moist I don't notice a difference. I pile the dirty pads in the laundry room and when all eight (six I ordered plus two originals) are dirty I throw them in the washing machine (alone... can't have that filth in with my clothes) then let them air dry. I haven't seen any shrinking to speak of. They've held their shape since I dry them flat.



Overall no complaints. Cheaper than the originals for sure.More detail ...

BonaKemi WM710013358 4-Piece Hardwood Floor-Care System

Great for bamboo floors!

We got bamboo floors installed in our livingroom and playroom and we tried the Swiffer WetJet we had on hand to clean the floor. After using that on a small section of the floor we stopped because it left a film on the floor.



I did a little research and found that the Bona allegedly didn't leave a film on bamboo. I'm happy to say that it does not and leaves the floor felling great. It took a little extra rubbing to clean a few spots where there appeared to be Jello stuck on the floor (kids!) but it took it off without too much effort.



The mop heads are machine washable which I like (though I haven't tried it yet). No need to buy refills for the mop head! The only thing is that I'll probably need to think ahead a bit and order more floor cleaner spray because I've never seen it in the stores I go to.More detail ...

Replacement Pads for Shark Steam Mop Steam Cleaning Pads for Model S3101 Series (Pack of 3)

Best

These Shark Euro products are the best for keeping a clean chemical free environment. Sanitize without chemicals. You need several of these pads if you are doing a large area of floors but they wash up easily and really get the floors clean.More detail ...

BonaKemi WM710013348 Hardwood-Floor Spray Mop with Replaceable Cleaner Cartridge

Good mop but cartridges not refillable

Just a note that as far as I can tell you can't refill the cleaning solution cartridge. Otherwise I am happy with the spraying and head motion of the mop. I have my whole house in hardwood and will use this for quick cleanups as the larger head mops (without the onboard sprayer) are better for large areas. If the cartridge were refillable I would give this a 5. I purchased a gallon of the cleaner with the mop that I won't be able to use with the mop I can use it with my larger mop so no worries I guess.More detail ...

Swiffer Wet Jet Starter Kit

MODIFIABLE!!!

This product was 3.5 stars until I realized I don't have to use only their cleaning solution and pads! Now this product is awesome!!! It has always worked better than a mop of course. But now it works better than it did originally!

#1- I bought a better reusable cleaning pad (from my local grocery store) that sticks to the wet jet. The pad is more absorbable so it doesn't leave a layer of dried solution all over the floors.

#2- The cleaning bottle of solution that "can't be opened" actually can be! All you need is a pair of pliers and the top screws right off. Put your favorite/cheaper cleaning solution inside and the top screws right back on.More detail ...