washing flooor

[sharg]

   I am always looking for the best way to keep up with cleaning my floors.  I have a large dog, kids and most floors are hardwood.  I have tried the steam cleaning electric means, damp mop, and hands and knees. 
Having issues with my back I am always looking for the best way to do this chore.  I also like to kill any germs along with it, so what are good cleaners.  Are there any natural remedies you use.

[SherylsShado]

I have a yellow lab and 2 cats.  I have hardwood floor in one room and linoleum or carpet in the others.  I love using the Shark Steam mop so much that I will never use anything else.  It's so easy to use, steams away sticky messes so much faster and easier than scrubbing.  I love that it uses natural water instead of the chemically-expensive cleaners.  I love that after the floors have been cleaned, I can walk on them wearing white socks and the socks stay completely white.  I love that it kills all surface germs so that my pets are enjoying the cleanest environment possible.  (Loved the Shark steamer so much that I also bought and always use the Shark handheld steamer for the rest of the cleaning).  It is so wonderful to come home from work and walk into the house and not have it smell like anything but clean.

I also know one of the in-store day spas in our area that has beautiful hardwood floors...they use the Shark Steamer once a week to keep them so beautiful.

[lbeery]

I have wondered how well the Shark Steamer really works. It doesn't harm hardwood floors?  What if they have had wax on them, does the steam turn them white?  Does teh steamer drip?  I haven't used one of these yet but had a friend who had a steamer that just dripped all over a made more of a mess than anything.

[SherylsShado]

I have wondered how well the Shark Steamer really works. It doesn't harm hardwood floors?  What if they have had wax on them, does the steam turn them white?  Does teh steamer drip?  I haven't used one of these yet but had a friend who had a steamer that just dripped all over a made more of a mess than anything.

I use only distilled water in mine, use it several times a week and have never had it "drip" anywhere.  Perhaps they had overfilled the water tank or had a defective machine?  The only "complaint" I would have with them is they aren't capable of cleaning around the edges of the floor good so you have to take a sponge and go along the edge of the floors sometimes but that's not that difficult.  The hardwood floors I have are sealed, the steamer hasn't damaged them in any way.  I move the mop quickly when using (don't let it sit in one place very long) and read the directions before use.  No problems and I've had my Shark for about 2 years now I think.

[alice44]

Good information from you all.  I will consider the shark steamer the next time I make a change.

Thank you all