Can a Steam Mop be Used on Carpet?

Can a Steam Mop Be Used on Carpet?

In short, yes, a steam mop can be used on carpet. However, there are some factors that need to be taken into consideration first.

After all, if you are going to use a steam mop on your carpet you likely want to do it properly instead of risking potential damage.

First, you need to make sure that your mop comes with a carpet glider. This will prevent the carpet from getting soaked in any way, and also gives it a barrier against the direct heat from the floorhead.

Without a carpet glider, it is not wise to use your steam mop on anything other than your hard floors. Some will say you can use a steam mop without a glider, we do not recommend it in any way.

Steam mops solve some key issues with carpet cleaning. One of these is dust mites. These cause allergic reactions and asthma attacks, and are one of the most common allergies you will find across much of the world.

The steam from the cleaner is able to kill dust mites effectively, allowing you to live in a home that doesn’t aggravate your sensitivities as much.

Additionally, the steam blasts are excellent at removing stains and grime from floors. This includes carpets, which can become mucky very easily - especially if you have chosen a light-coloured carpet. In fact, there are some that are better at stain removal than a carpet cleaner.

The steam mop can be used regularly on carpets as well for steady maintenance.

Finally, in addition to their ability to kill bacteria, they can also neutralise odours. This is perfect if you have a carpet that feels particularly smelly and you cannot seem to get rid of it.

Instead, a carpet cleaner will use the natural power of steam to remove the odour and leave everything feeling a lot fresher. Of course, older smells and stains will need more than one session. 

How to Use a Steam Mop on Carpets?

What are the Limitations of a Steam Mop on Carpet?

Steam mops do have their limitations, and it is important to remember that they are not going to solve all of your carpet cleaning problems.

As a key example, the steam mop is not designed to deep clean your carpets. It’s great for killing surface bacteria, dust mites, and other grime, but a vacuum cleaner with a brush bar will do a much better deep cleaning job.

Similarly, a mop is not able to remove pet and human hair from carpets effectively, if at all. Combining the two is the ideal way to stay on top of the cleanliness of your home.

You can use the vacuum for the deep cleaning and general maintenance, while the steam mop kills bacteria and keeps the fibres of your carpet looking fresh and clean. 

But What About Carpet Steamers?

You might be wondering if a carpet steamer is the better choice for steaming your carpets. After all, they have been specially designed to clean carpets.

They do a good job, but the main downside is how heavy and clunky they are. They can be difficult to use, and you would be better off investing in a standard carpet cleaner to get the job done.

The mop is the opposite of the carpet steamer. The perfect solution to your steaming problems wrapped up in a slim and lightweight package. As long as it comes with the carpet glider attachment, you are good to go.

It just makes sense to use a mop on all your surfaces rather than a bulky piece of machinery that won’t get nearly as much general use. 

What Other Carpet Cleaning Options are There?

The steam mop is not the only solution to carpet cleaning. We have already mentioned the power of the vacuum cleaner and the carpet cleaner. Both are excellent machines to use and can boost the longevity of your carpet.

The vacuum cleaner is especially important for its deep cleaning and hair removal, as well as its ability to collect fine dust from multiple floor types.

Additionally, you can use DIY stain removal techniques on your carpet. These are actually highly effective, and can save you the effort of using a steam mop if you are working with a little stain.

In fact, we have a fantastic guide to DIY stain removal that is sure to benefit you, and it even includes tips on removing the dreaded red wine stain. 

Final Thoughts

The steam mop is a versatile piece of technology, perhaps even on par with the flexibility of the vacuum cleaner. As long as the model you choose has the right accessories to get the job done, you will find getting rid of bacteria and dust mites to be an absolute breeze.

If you select a model with the right accessories, you can even use your steam mop to clean furniture, bedding, and car interiors. Regardless of your choice, the steam mop is certainly worth investing in. Check out SmartVacuums for the full Best steam Mop Guide.