Bissell Steam Mop - One of Best Products I Own

Cleaning floors aren't my favorite job, but considering the foot traffic in and out of my house all year long, it's always necessary.

I've tried the Swiffer mop with purple fluid that leaks from the container with expensive pads that must be replaced before -- and I can't get no satisfaction.

The first place I saw the Bissell Steam Mop demonstrated was on the Home Shopping Network. I've watched shopping channels for so long I'm not often tempted by products that make cleaning look too easy (and painting products are a whole new topic).

But I did some comparison shopping online for the Bissell Steam Mop that also offered free shipping. The lowest price I found was about the same as HSN is now selling the product for -- about $80 with free shipping.

Setting Up the Steam Mop

The Bissell Steam Mop came in a relatively small box because the handle was packed separately alongside the tank and cleaning unit. Mine came with two washable pads.

Attaching the handle with one phillips head screwdriver took about a minute, and filling the filtered water container that simply drops into a slot on the unit took even less time.

After plugging in the cord, heating to full capacity took only the 30 seconds advertised. Fitting the washable mop head over the steaming edge also was relatively easy, and a cord can be tightened for a better fit.

All You Need to do is Sweep First

Certainly sweeping your hard-surface floor before steaming is recommended, but that's really all that's necessary. A lever on the handle allows you to control how often to administer steam.

You'll see when it's working -- a satisfying cloud of mist is distributed to your dirty floors, and it even "sounds" like it's doing a good job. It smells and sounds much like my Rowenta steam iron, and I know that works.

I've used my Bissell Steam Mop on linoleum and tile, and especially like the way any sticky but invisible residue is quickly removed. Surfaces even "feel" clean under my bare feet, and I don't worry so much if I pick up an M & M from the floor and eat it (guilty if it just dropped and I know where it's been).

Easy Cleanup After Parties

When my husband and I have company, most of the food traffic is in my kitchen and I don't worry about small spills beyond a quick wipe to make sure nobody slips on them.

Cleaning with the Bissell is easy enough that I do it both before and after company comes. My entire kitchen only takes about three to four minutes, and I keep mine in a nearby closet where it's always handy for quick jobs.

It's also portable and lightweight enough to carry with one hand up and down the stairs to my laundry room, entrance from the garage and upstairs bathroom.

What the Steam Mop Won't Do

Because I was so happy with the quick and easy results I saw on hard surfaces and tile, I tried cleaning some hard water stains from my husband's shower with the unit -- not much to recommend there. The Bissell Steam Mop isn't made for this kind of stain.

However, I'm completely satisfied with reusable and washable mop heads, and feel much better about getting my floors clean with steam more than chemicals.

It also won't make your floors glossy and shiny unless they're already surfaced that way. You'll still have to polish or wax if that's what you want, but my floors DO look and feel clean. They don't have to reflect like mirrors -- you just have to let some things go if they already look good enough.

No more filling my Swiffer battery-operated mop with purple liquid and walking in it when it's leaking and I don't see it.

The best part about the Bissell Steam Mop is knowing that I will have clean floors, but I'm finished spending money for additional products.