Would the electric steamers work on a laminate floor?

Only if they are sealed. I would not suggest that. If the steam gets in the seams it could cause the flooring to poof up.

so I guess they would be a no-no for prefinished hardwood floors, too?

I use a Haan steam cleaning sanitizing mop and it is awesome for my stone tiles and carpet. I don't have laminate floors, but Haan claims that it can be used for laminate floors.

According to their website,

"The Haan Steam Cleaner can safely be used on any sealed floor, including hardwood, tile, marble, and vinyl. Unlike many other floor cleaners, the Haan is especially good for laminate floors. Laminate floors are very sensitive to water. If in doubt about using steam on your flooring, please contact your floor manufacturer for information before use. The Haan emits a very fine, dry steam and the super-absorbent cleaning pads pick up the dirt, absorb any moisture, and leave the floor dry. Plus, pick up the Carpet Tray and you can use your Haan on carpets too!"

I personally wouldn't recommend doing so even tho I don't have laminate flooring. I wouldn't take the chance of ruining the floor. That's just ME.

This board and it's related topic may interest you if you haven't seen it already. There are pros and cons.
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forum...sg0106514519766.html


I found this warning on another site:
Steam
The use of steam cleaners is not recommended for laminate flooring. The excess moisture can cause warping and permanent damage to the material. Laminate flooring can be difficult or impossible to repair once damaged by water.


And....

Laminate Floors
Laminate wood floors has its own unique problems with steam mops. The steam from the mops has been known to remove the waxy finish from the laminate floor. When the laminate floors are stripped you will need to sand and seal you floors again. Even the best laminate wood can only take a couple of refinishes before it is damaged beyond repair. Unlike wood floors which can unwarp over time, once laminate floor is warped, it will not go back.

I use a Haan steam cleaning sanitizing mop on my laminated floors made by Pergo. The cleaning/steaming disappears quickly before it can do any damage to my floors. I am very happy with the process and the floors remain beautiful, as well, as sanitized.

YES.

quote:

According to their website,
"The Haan emits a very fine, dry steam

I find the concept of dry steam interesting because steam is water vapor (fine droplets of water in air) so how can it be dry? I wouldn't chance it on laminate. I also don't think electric steamers really sanitize anything as the hot steam would have to be in contact with the surface for long enough to k i l l bacteria, which it is not. I damp mop all my hard floors with a mild vinegar solution and a few drops of dish detergent as surfactant. Vinegar is thought to be antimicrobial and I believe it is because since I've been rinsing grapes with a mild vinegar solution they don't grow mold. It's also more environmentally friendly than other cleaners.

I'm not sure I know what a steam "mop" is but I have a steam floor cleaner that I dearly love. I feel confident it gets my floors as clean as my other favorite methods do and it is much less labor intensive.

Since all of the floors I use this on are painted I have a problem, not with the floors but with the cover of the element staying in place. (guess the floors are too rough compared to tile or vinyl floors) I have thought of a solution to this problem to be implemented the next time.

I love seeing the slick the steam leaves and the speed with which the floor dries. Don't know about laminate floors but actually don't see why not as they are a plastic anyway.

It is not like the steam soaks deeply into anything. It is a quick pass and then you are done.

I have one and really can't put my finger on why, but I just didnt' like it or the result

I have hardwood and I wouldn't even think of taking my Oreck steamer to it. No water on wood for me. And definitely not on a laminate floor. The steam is at a very high temperature and it could easily ruin your laminate.

quote:

No water on wood for me.

All my floors are over 100 years old and either oak, pine or maple. I wash them all.

I steam my laminate tile floors all the time. My steamer has a setting for laminate and hardwood and I have not had any problems at all.