Review: Shark Steam Mop

Are you a clean freak like me? Nothing makes me happier than being in a clean home. A clean home is a peaceful respite from the day to day grind that is my life.

Now just because I love a clean house, does not imply that I love to clean the house in the first place. But what am I going to do? It needs to be done, so I do it.

Now, I fervently hoped that one of my children would get the clean gene... and even enjoy the art of cleaning. Alas... to clean is a complete and utter alien concept to them. However, they do what they are required to do... albeit begrudgingly at times... but hey... me, too.

So am I writing this article to tell you about some new fangled cleaning creation? Not even close.

This is a review of the Shark Steam Mop.

I had been looking at purchasing one for quite some time. How wonderful... no cleaning products to buy and clip coupons for a cheaper and better price. Non- toxic, safe for everyone and the environment and so very sanitary. A steam mop. After all I love my steam cleaner for my rugs.

Well, before I even took the plunge to purchase a 70.00 mop I was gifted with one. Yippee and yeah all around. What a fabulous gift. I really am all about practicality and not idealism and romance.

Used it that night. Wow... my tile and concrete floors looked great! Superb. I was on the phone with everyone I knew that week telling them to get one. This mop is amazing.

I found myself mopping even when the floors did not need it. Please, if you remember I have cats... it always needs it.

My kids were not as opposed to mopping anymore either. The cats are terrified of it.

For six months I practically worshipped this mop. I even bought one as a present for a family member. After all, I did not spend the money on mine.

Well, one of my friends bought the Bissell Steam Mop and called me to tell me it broke within one week. Yeah for my Shark Steam Mop. It worked great!

Fast forward to six months later. Tears of utter sadness. I cannot be consoled. Life as I had come to know it was over. My steam mop died! It was working just fine. And then nothing. Absolute nothing. The greatest invention was not meant to last.

After all the tears had been shed, I began to search in earnest about what could be the problem. What I discovered was--- other people felt like me for about six months and then they, too, experienced life changing sorrow. Their Shark Steam Mop just up and died on them.

So would I recommend a Shark Steam Mop? Yes and No. Yes, because I want everyone to experience the amazing clean that comes from this mop. Even the 20.00 price tag for replacement micro fiber mop heads were not too steep a price to pay for this wonderful invention.

Even though the water reservoir is small and I ended up carrying a water jug with me from room to room as I mopped with it. (Distilled water only... yes, I bought water for my special mop.)

Even though the cord was small and did not reach through the entire house (what cord does? - not my old vacuum) and I would have to stop mopping to unplug the cord from one outlet to plug it into another outlet closer to where I was.

Even though the sound of the steam building up would actually terrify some of my foster cats to the point that they climbed walls and knocked over household items in an effort to run away from that purple and gray monster. I would have to stop and console them, and then secure them in another room as I continued on with the mopping. My own personal cats have grown accustomed to it.

Even though I still plug it in every now again hoping that a miracle would occur and suddenly it would work again. Every so called appliance fixer and repairmen that has seen it has told me to chunk it. To toss it in the trash.

So even though it had its problems, I loved my steam mop and for that reason alone I would recommend it to anyone. Maybe it will not break down anymore. Maybe Shark has worked out some of its kinks.

I am not going to tell you that I am going to rush out and replace it with a new mop. A newer version of the Shark Steam Mop is out though. Based on the it broke within a week recommendation from my friend, I have not replaced my beloved mop with a Bissell.

In fact I only have four more months to go... my friend purchased an Oreck Steam Mop and so far after two months she still loves it. If after six months, she reports no problems, I am going out and buying one. I love steam mops... I just want to be assured one will last. And she has foster cats, too. Her usage of a mop is equal to that of mine. Until then I am back to my old Liberman mop with its washable mop head.

My floors, though clean, just are not the same. And my kids? Mop? What is that?