The powerful cleaning action of Shark’s® Steam Pocket technology has been well documented, and it’s just one of the reasons why more and more householders are choosing it to keep their floors, windows and upholstery in pristine condition. However, if you have hardwood flooring in your home, you may be worried about applying moisture to it during the cleaning process. While it is true that moisture can irreparably damage some real-wood floors, there are some steps you can take to ensure all your hardwood surfaces can benefit from the Shark® treatment.
Before applying the exceptional cleaning power of Steam Pocket technology, you should consult the documentation that was provided with your flooring. Different woods, sealants and wood types require different approaches to cleaning, so it’s important to know what the manufacturer’s guidelines are before applying steam. If the cleaning instructions expressly forbid the use of steam or water, you should consider using another method. However, in most cases, a properly treated floor will be highly receptive to Shark’s® Steam Pocket technology.
PERFORM A QUICK TEST BEFORE YOU START
You should never attempt to unleash the cleaning power of a Shark® steam mop on a hardwood floor unless the entire floor has been sealed. A range of different sealants – including waxes and resins – are used to create a protective barrier against moisture and other contaminants. Once water penetrates this seal, it can start to distort the wood beneath – causing what is usually permanent damage.
If you’re not sure whether or not your floor has been sealed, or you’re worried that certain areas may be exposed, you should divide the floor into sections and drop a small amount of water onto each of them in turn. If the water starts to bead immediately, and remains on the surface, you can be reasonably sure that the seal protecting your wood floor is intact – at least in the section you’ve tested. However, if the water immediately begins to spread and seep into the surface, you should assume that the sealant has become compromised. If this is the case, you should completely reseal the entire floor before using your Shark® steam mop. You should pay particular attention to the cracks between each panel of wood flooring, as these are often the first areas to lose their protective seal.
OPTIMISED STEAM DISTRIBUTION FOR A SUBTLE CLEANING PROCESS
Shark® steam mops provide you with three cleaning intensity settings to choose from. Due to the fragile and sensitive nature of most real-wood floors, you should always select ‘dust’ setting. Shark’s® Steam Pocket technology ensures that steam is evenly distributed along the entire surface of the mop head. This means that areas of your floor won’t become drenched whilst other areas remain untouched. The micro-fibre cleaning pad also provides excellent levels of absorption, which ensures the amount of moisture that actually comes into contact with your floor is kept to a minimum. And it is this ground-breaking combination of technologies that means you won’t need to use potentially harmful cleaning chemicals and materials.
Unlike other steam cleaners on the market, Shark® steam cleaning systems leave surfaces dry to the touch. You won’t have to worry about pools of water forming, or annoying streaks being left behind afterwards. And the non-abrasive Pocket mop head will be extra kind to your wood floor.
If your hardwood floor is in one of your home’s main thoroughfares – such as in your hall or kitchen – it will probably be subjected to a constant flow of traffic. This can gradually wear a sealant down, so it’s vital that you assess the integrity of your floor’s protective layer on a regular basis. Cleaning hardwood floors safely is notoriously difficult. But with the Shark’s® Steam Pocket technology, you’ll never need a bucket or specialist cleaning agents again.
