Dana K. White

A SLOB COMES CLEAN

Reality-Based Cleaning, Decluttering, & Organizing

My Steam Mop Fantasy (Or is It Reality?)

By

I’ve dreamed of having a steam mop for years.  Surely . . . if I had a steam mop, my house would be clean.

All the time.

Cleaning would be fun and easy and motivation would be plentiful.

Right?

Over the past two years of figuring out my Slob Brain, I’ve realized that no tool or system is going to clean my house.  I have to clean my house.  Tools are . . . tools.  They help, but I’ve yet to find one that crawls out of the box by itself and works while I sleep.

So . . . when Oreck contacted me about reviewing the Oreck Steam-It steam mop, my first reaction was:

Woohoo!  Yippee!!!!  Now all my slob problems will be solved!!!!!

Then . . . in an effort to be a mature and responsible slob blogger, I asked if I could have three (which turned into four) weeks to use it in my normal weekly cleaning tasks before doing the review.  I wanted to be thorough.  And realistic.

Is it something that I will use consistently?  Does it fit into the cleaning routine I’ve already developed?  Is it worth it to me to get it out regularly, fill it with water, and plug it in?

As someone whose brain tends toward cleaning excuses more than cleaning motivation on most days, these were important questions.

I decided to use it first in my boys’ bathroom.  My very stinky boys’ bathroom. The one that Normal Friend couldn’t even fix.  No mamby-pamby let’s-see-if-it-will-clean-up-spilled-milk testing around here. This reviewer’s house comes complete with cleaning tasks that no mop or stinky chemical has been able to conquer.

I’ll admit that I was a little overwhelmed when I opened the box and saw all of the attachments.  I read the instruction book and decided the piece that allows it to shoot a concentrated spray of steam was best for this job.

I filled the steam mop with water using the handy-dandy funnel provided, plugged it in, hit the heat button . . . and waited 30 seconds to push the steam button.  I started steaming all around the toilet and soon realized that my steam mop fantasy hadn’t been completely accurate.  The steam spray (say that fifteen times in a row) blasts the icky stuff and loosens it and even moves it out of the cracks, but it doesn’t make it disappear. You have to then wipe up the loosened dirt/don’t-want-to-know-what-that-is.

Once I thought about it, it made sense.  A blast of steam isn’t going to make something disappear.  But it does loosen it, and gets into places where other cleaning products/tools haven’t been able to.  A quick wipe up with an old cloth diaper, and it was clean.

Once I had cleaned the toilet itself, I decided to put this steam mop to the real test.  Behind the toilet.  The toilet that (about a year ago) my husband was sure had a leak because it stunk so bad in there.  We even called a plumber who removed the entire toilet and discovered that we did NOT have a leak, just some boys with terrible aim.  And when mothers with these kinds of boys neglect the hopeless bathroom for long enough, it gets bad.  As in, this dried up yellowy-brown stuff is solid and doesn’t come up with scrubbing, but it’s not grout:

I can’t believe I’m showing this.

I used the Steam-It on this spot, and was disappointed that I couldn’t see a difference.  But I wiped it anyway, and saw quite a bit had come up on my rag.  So I sprayed it again, and saw that it was starting to break down.  I ended up using an old toothbrush (which is now in the city dump) to scrub it, and steamed it about six or seven times, scrubbing and wiping in between each time.

It ended up looking like this:

A HUGE improvement.

I also used the mop attachment to mop my kitchen.  It did a great job.  I love that the cloths used for mopping are washable.  But just a caution for those who like disposable products that are always bright white when you pull them out of the box . . . my cloths didn’t get perfectly white after putting them through the wash.  It doesn’t bother me in the least, because I know they’re clean, but just a warning.

Overall, I do love this steam mop by Oreck.  By the third week that I used it, I felt comfortable putting the attachments on, knowing which ones to use for which tasks, etc.  That’s often my problem with wonder products. I don’t use them enough to truly understand them, and then don’t feel like adding the learning curve time to my dreaded cleaning time,.  Then they just sit in the laundry room unused.

Honestly, the Steam-It is pricey.  Most of the things that it does can be done with lots of elbow grease and lots of chemicals.

With that said, it is a great tool. It allowed me to clean that behind-the-potty area that had previously been an unconquerable task for me.  And finally, the bathroom doesn’t stink. Which is a big deal.  I can’t even express how frustrating it was to clean in there and have it still stink when I was done.

I also do love the fact that it eliminates the need for chemicals on many of my cleaning tasks.  That cuts down on costs, icky fumes, and the whole I-need-to-clean-this-but-I’d-have-to-open-every-window-in-the-house-so-I-could-breathe-and-it’s-too-cold-outside excuse.

I’m past 886 words and need to stop, but I could write more and more about my experience.  Watch my video review if you want some to know more!

 

Disclosure: Oreck sent me this product for free, but the opinions and experiences are all mine.

Comments

  4. Andrea L says

    I learned it will work on my hardwoods!! WOOT WOOT!

    Also hoping to use it just the way you did – stinky boys bathroom. ICK.

  9. Miranda says

    I have learned that it cleaned carpets- i didnt know that was possible. I have carpet that definitely needs cleaned. I would so love to win this!

  11. Evelyn says

    I learned that it only weighs 10 pounds. Not too bad! My baby weighs 25 pounds and I carry him all the time. haha.

  12. BethB says

    I learned that it is chemical free, and heats up quickly. Maybe this will help with my little boy’s aiming problem 🙂 Would love to win one!!

  21. April says

    The Oreck cleans CARPETS!!! (I have HUGE area rugs, and they smell like my dog no matter what I do.) I would love to sanitize and clean them more than just the vacuum can do.

  29. Redonna says

    I learned that “Dry” Steam is not really an oxymoron. The Oreck Steam-It produces a high temperature, low moisture vapor that contains only 5-6% water.

  33. Elizabeth Erazo says

    …and I am now subscribed to your YouTube channel! 🙂 I also just want to throw out there what a great encouragement your blog has been to me! I am a new-ish mom & wife, who is not by any means naturally tidy or clean or even decent. 😛 Your website is encouraging me to take steps to make my home more…well, clean! Hahaha. I have “slob vision” which drives my husband nuts! He doesn’t understand — it’s like I’m blind to mess! But your blog (especially your 31 Days of Details you did) are helping open my eyes. 🙂

    ♥ee

  41. Bekah says

    I already “like” you on FB…that’s how I get my updates to go to your website. Which I LOVE!! I am a slob also…and you are an inspiration to me!!!!

  43. Redonna says

    Oh, yay me, I already “LIKED” A Slob Comes Clean on facebook, so all I had to do for that extra entry was post this comment to let you know. 😀

  48. Redonna says

    And, I have now subscribed to A Slob Comes Clean on YouTube (you will find me there as Nonna2Three), and I have no idea why I was not already subscribed to your YouTube channel – slight oversight on my part. 🙂

  49. Tricia says

    I like that it produces temperatures hot enough to reduce bacteria such as e-coli, staph, and salmonella, and clean grease and oil!

  62. Amy W says

    I learned that it gets hot enough to reduce bacteria such as e-coli, staph and salmonella. And I think it would be great for cleaning my boys bathroom!
    Thanks!

  63. Lenetta says

    I didn’t know you could use it on carpets! (I’m sure there’s quite a bit more to just that statement in the directions…) Thanks for the chance!

  66. aubreylaine says

    I learned that it has a high temperature that has only 5-6% water
    littlegray88 at yahoo dot com

  81. Lauren says

    I learned that I cannot afford the cost of one of these things, but after reading and watching your review, I would soo love to have one of these to zap the yellow-brown sludge around my toilet from my two boys with very bad/lazy aim! Thanks!

  82. C_Cannon says

    I adore my steam mop, maybe you should just consider that for once, Oreck wasn’t the best, at least for your needs? We live in military housing so of course we have a ton of tile and wood laminate and I know for a fact that the slob in me would not lug a mop around for that stuff. My stairs, and upstairs for that matter, would never be clean. I love my Bissell steamer, but probably only because it vacuums the dog hair up too.

  88. Jill says

    As kind of a side note… I have 3 boys, a very good learning tool for them has been making them clean the bathroom “mess” (if you know what I mean). They don’t like it sooooooo they are more careful with their aim now.

  89. Kristen says

    I learned that it works upside down (without leaking) which means I can use it on walls, baseboards, etc!!! Awesome!

  90. Kristen says

    I “liked” you on FB. Just realized this giveaway ends the day after my birthday too-that would be the best present ever!!!

  97. joan says

    I learned that there are no diposable pads to purchase or special solutions to purchase. Not going to cost an arm and a leg to run this puppy. Too bad this puppy won’t run itself!

  101. Teresa says

    Wow! I learned it could clean carpet. Did not know that and would really love to win it since my carpets really need cleaning. Along with ALL the rest of the floors that I just know this would do a GREAT job on!!!

  103. Kimberly Attridge says

    I like you, a lot, on FB. I can identify with you totally. And I hope I win – so far I have won two giveaways with organizing as the theme (a day planner and a coupon organizer) I think God is trying to tell me something (What I didn’t win was any of the sweet treat giveaways I’ve entered)LOL

  112. Dawn Casey says

    I love the upside down part. But the reason I love this thing the most is that it’s not using CHEMICALS. I’ve switched to using diluted vinegar to clean everything, since I have four cats and three sons. I just don’t like the poisonous aspect of most cleaners.

    As a side note, I’d use it first in the bathroom. I have the exact same problem you listed above! I clean it, and it still smells. They’re peeing on the floor!!! 😛

  114. ACCMom says

    I learned it can work on multiple floors. It is also breaks up the old, hard sticky substance to make it easier to clean. I like that since it is easy to use and not spill, my kids can use it to clean their own bathroom especially since there is no chemicals.
    I like Oreck on facebook and A slob comes clean.
    I just have to make sure my husband doesn’t find out, this would be very bad.

  115. hsmominmo says

    Yay! It will clean my hardwood floors as well as my carpets.
    I spent last night with the rug doctor, cleaning the carpets around here – oh how I wish I had the Oreck Steam It!

  129. TracyDK says

    I love that you can use it upside down without spillage. THIS is awesome for me because I have to clean my walls frequently because my son is VERY allergic to dust mites. 😀

  134. Mary E.S. says

    It works upside down which means I can clean the walls and maybe get the ketchup stains off my oldest sons wall where they had a food fight.Please don’t ask why,I live in a house full of males.)

  137. Joellen says

    I learned that you should not use it on laminates, unsealed harwood, or engineered hard floor surfaces (whatever those are). It will work on grout, and getting the stinky boy stuff out of the grout on the bathroom floor is an impossible task. I’d love to try it for that. 🙂

  142. Jamie says

    I learned that it has an attachment for grout! I NEED that for the miles of tiles in my house!!!! And the HUGE master shower too!! Thanks for hosting!

  143. Pamela says

    I learned that there are NO chemicals involved and that the temperature is high enough to kill bacteria….I deal with enough Chemicals and will try anything to lessen that in my daily life. Thank you for this giveaway and opportunity! 🙂

  147. Jodi says

    I like that I could use it on all the surfaces of the house. I have so many babies, my carpets could use a serious cleaning. ewww.. eeewww.. eww…

  148. Rebekah says

    I learned that the Steam-It can deal with grease or oil! Wow. I didn’t really expect that, in the absence of using soap.

  154. VickieB says

    Oh how I want one of these!
    From the Oreck site it says the Steam It works upside down without spillage for above-the-floor cleaning, too. I love that this unit comes with with a 6-piece attachment kit as well.

  158. Diane in DFW says

    I’ve been curious about steam cleaning tools but had no clue you could do walls, cabinets and other vertical stuff!! Too Cool!
    I learned that because of the vertical capabilities this is a tool I could start using this right away!
    Of course I’d first have to FIND the horizontal surfaces before I could use it on those…… :S

  159. Michaeleen says

    I learned that the steam-it can “produce temperatures hot enough to reduce bacteria such as e-coli, staph, and salmonella” – that works for me!

  163. Diane in DFW says

    Liked you on facebook a while back 🙂

    additional perks learned from Oreck.com
    Remove stains on furniture, cleans car upholstery, freshens pillows and mattresses….Oh My!!
    And Vertical surfaces too!!!

  167. Lorus says

    I learned that you can use it on carpet as well as hard floor surfaces.
    I’d love to try it in our bathroom (I have 3 boys…nuff said!)

  178. Mary L says

    Ok, now I’m really excited! Like many others here, apparently, I learned that the Steam It will work UPSIDE DOWN! I totally NEED this mop as there is “something” unknown, brown and icky looking on my kitchen ceiling. No one knows where it came from or what it is (OF COURSE!) but I’m short and can’t even reach it standing on the table.

  179. Lisa Suit says

    I learned that it even works on appliances and countertops, not just floors! I would LOVE to win this! 🙂

  189. merideth says

    what the hey?! it works upside-down!

    also, just wanted to say…i just sobbed today while cleaning the bathroom. i have a low toilet, a tall husband and a 6yo with a very casual attitude about aiming. in short, pick me, oh random number generator! 😀

  199. Julie says

    Ive Learned that it will work everywhere in my house! I’ve had a shark steam mop. It was great, even cleaned a spot I thought was a stain. But the mop stopped working. Hopefully the oreck will be better. Thanks!!

  200. Julie says

    I learned that it reduces bacteria such as e-coli and salmonella, and that it’s super light at just 10 lbs.

  214. Susan Kikoler says

    The steam mops produce temperatures hot enough to reduce bacteria such as e-coli, staph, and salmonella, and clean grease and oil.

  216. Melody F. says

    I went to Oreck.com and discovered that it works upside down without spilling! YES! I have used my Swiffer sweeper upside down many times to clean the ceiling in the bathroom where it gets moist and collects dust but you have to scrub so hard…With steam I bet it comes right off!! Thanks for the chance to win this great mop!

  220. Beth says

    I learned that it’s only 10#!!! And since it works upside down, I’m hoping it will help me get that sticky stuff on the cupboards above my stove clean! 🙂

  223. Sara says

    I learned that Oreck products produce dry steam that’s high temp and low moisture. Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂

  234. KellyJMF says

    I learned that the two Steam-It products get hot enough to kill all sorts of icky things. Maybe it will kill the ancient stains on our kitchen floor.

  235. Rita says

    I learned that it could rejuvinate flattend carpet! Makes my hardwood and tile floors really clean AND makes my carpet look better….awesome!

  240. Shannon L says

    I’ve always wanted a steam mop. After looking at it on oreck.com, I discovered it cleans carpet and linoleum. It will also clean upholstery! That’s a wonderful feature! After staying at my parents for 6 months, my house is… um… neglected. Add two kids with allergies and three cats, I NEED a steam mop.

  249. Anna says

    I LOVE that you can use your own towels/cloths and attach them. Because as dirty as my house can get (already is in places) I know I will need more than just the 4 cloths that it comes with. Hope I win!

  260. shirley says

    i learned that giving away a free steam mop is a great way to get TONS of comments on your blog!! LOL!! seriously, though, upside down? really? that’s so cool!! would be great for the tile in my enormous shower! and the tile floors in my foyer and family room and hallway and bathrooms. and the hardwood floor in the kitchen. and the (rather grimy) denim furniture in the family room. and the windows throughout the house. so, yes, i would LOVE to get one of these things!!!
    oh, and have a happy and peaceful thanksgiving tomorrow!

  261. Tricia says

    Now this is really cool! “It works upside down without spillage for above-the-floor cleaning, too.” I have a cheaper steam mop and I could never do that with it. This is awesome!

  263. Tricia says

    I am already a follower of A Slob Comes Clean on Facebook. I found you during the 31 day challenge and now I’m hooked! Love your blog!

  272. Lindsey Cowen says

    I found out that it works upside down. Great for getting our ceilings, especially in the bathroom. Not sure why, but it gets this funky brown gunk that builds up there. We have hardwood floors all throughout the house, and it would be amazing to be able to have something with reusable cloths to clean. I, like you, ALWAYS forget to buy the extra pads that come with my other cleaning mops. Something I can make myself or reuse would be amazing. (BTW, I already liked you on FB, I subscribed to YouTube channel, and liked Oreck, as well. Here’s hoping that I am the one blessed with this prize!)

  284. AmyG says

    I already knew most of these things, but I didn’t know you could use it upside down and never would have thought to use it to clean windows. Very cool!

  292. Karen says

    I don’t know why I haven’t done this before, but I’m now subscribed to you on YouTube! woo hooo!

  300. Calli says

    I subscribe to your YouTube page too…and love the videos! I often think you are reading my mind! LOL!