I just got my steam mop yesterday. So many people on this site were raving about it so I had to get one. Paid $80 at Kohl's and this was 10% off. Quite a nifty little gadget. I found that when the pad got dirty it became alot harder to push so I changed the pad and it got easier. Where is a good place to buy pads? How much flooring can you do with one pad? The directions said to use distilled water does everyone do this? I didn't have any so I used tap water. I think I still like my hoover floormate better but the steam mop was alot quicker and easier to use. I think I will use the steam mop for touchups and still use the floormate on my thorough cleaning day.

It does get harder to push once the pads get dirty. BBB evidently sells the replacement pads 2 for $19.99. If you have one of their 20% off coupons, it's a good deal.

charlie2003
I also think it depends on the flooring type. I have noticed the difference of ease on different flooring surfaces my self. I think itÂs the micro fiber pads. . Back when they made the pads out of a different material, it was much easier to push around with no resistance at all. After a few washes, I think it does get a bit easier.. Just think of the big muscles you will have! LOL
Ree

slibstorff
I use hot tap water, never used distilled. I also have the hoover floor mate. I think it does a great job as far as cleaning the floors. I use that once a week, then I steam clean the rest of the week. When I had my old shark, I hardly ever took out the floormate, with the new shark, I do not use it as much as I did my old one. They really changed them and I really don't think they are better "improved" but still a great thing to have..I love the idea it is a fast, effective way to wash the floors..my next venture is the Lotus sanitizing system, and I will also try their mop.
Ree

Thanks everybody. Just wanted to check nothing was wrong with the mop, sounds like it is just fine. Will get a workout meanwhile. :)

Ree that's a good idea to fill it with hot water. I was using cold. I'll do that today!

I've been using cold water as well, never thought about using hot tap water (duh). I have to do the floors today, so thanks for the tip.

I always filled it with very hot tap water first...
let me know how you made out.... Ree

I just bought the steam shark mop and it leaves a film on the surface. I have laminate flooring. Any body have experience using the steam mop on this type of flooring?? Is it damaging the surface or is it from a build up of soap and gunk??? Any suggestions?

kbuzz18
It is a build of soap residue coming to the surface. It may take a few times, but you will get it off. The steam mop is only "hot water". keep going over it and you will have squeaky clean floors.
Ree

Ree-

Thank you. That eases my mind. I was getting a little frustrated.

Keep seeing that the film on the floors is old stuff and it will go away. I have used the steam mop four times and still am getting a film. Getting very frustrated. Really like the job it does, but with the sun shining through onto floors, they just look awful! Do I still keep trying?

I am a 70 year old woman with arthritis. I can't get down on the floor to scrub. My husband bought one of the Shark steam mops and I love it. I finally have clean floors again. Even I can push it around my kitchen without problems. Now if only I didn't have trouble with it getting into corners. It is really hard to use a toothbrush in the corners.

I have had the shark steam mop for 10 months. It is getting harder and harder to push around. My back aches for two days afterward. I don't know if not enough steam is coming out or what!
Does anyone else have this problem?
I use distilled water and follow all directions for cleaning the pads.

OK, two months later...I feel like a dodo. I was having trouble pushing my mop around. Well, when I mopped I wasn't unwrapping the cord all the way from its holders on the handle (because I don't like to trip over cords)...so it was never totally unwrapped. One day I unwrapped it, and VOILA! much more steam and the darn thing zipped around the floor. YAY!