Five Accessories That Improve Performance

These five steam mop accessories improve performance meaning you’ll get more for your money and time. You can use them to complete more cleaning chores around the house and do them more quickly…something I’m always looking for!

Not all steam mops come with these items so if you like the description of what they do for you then make sure to put them on your list of must-haves when shopping and only consider the models that include the accessories you want (and have the best ratings, of course).

Microfiber Cleaning Pads
Most steam mops come with these but they’re not all created equal. Eventually you will have to buy replacements but the better they’re made, the longer they’ll last so you can put off that replacement purchase.

You want them to be thick enough to absorb any excess water and do a good job of scrubbing. Too thick, though, and the steam will have a harder time penetrating the fibers and reaching the floor so a medium thickness is best.

Some also have an antimicrobial built in which allows them to resist an odor build up.

Carpet Glider
A carpet glider attaches to the bottom of your steam mop so that you can run it over your carpets. Applying a light steam to your carpeting can remove odors that have built up from pets, cooking, and smoke.

This does not clean your carpets but when you just need to make them look and smell better without dragging out your heavy-duty steam cleaner, this is the way to go.

Hand Held Attachment
Some upright steam mops are only meant for cleaning floors but some come with a kit (a hose and nozzle attachments) that convert them into a hand held cleaner that can be used on vertical surfaces as well as horizontal.

This single accessory gives you more out of your mop than anything else you could get. With this, your mop can now clean counter tops, sinks, toilets, windows, and mirrors.

Small Scrubber Brush
You know those corners in your tub that you can’t reach with anything? Even the head of a toothbrush isn’t angled enough to get into the tight spot and brush out the soap scum that’s built up. If your mop comes with the kit that converts to a hand held then also make sure it comes with a small brush attachment that will reach into those corners.

Squeegee Accessory
I have really tall mirrors in my bathrooms and two sets of tall, sliding glass doors. Unless I get my 6’2″ husband to do them for me, the top foot or so goes undone (I hate dragging out the step ladder…). However, if you have a steam mop with a hand held attachment you may find one that also has a squeegee accessory.

You can then use the steam and the squeegee to clean all glass surfaces and many will even allow you to add your own cleaning solution so add in some distilled white vinegar for a streak free finish with a lot less effort than it takes manually.

When looking for the right steam mop, make sure you consider not just the ones that clean the best but also the ones that have extra accessories that will improve overall performance and can be used for more household tasks. You’ll be glad you did.