using the shark on laminant floors: i really would like to find out if ican use the shark on laminant floors?
1783293
Laminate floors are a wood product. I know that the manufacturer shows people using this steamer on wood floors, and I cringe every time. Wood does not like water, moisture, steam, or vapor. Water causes wood to swell and distort. People are going to say: I've done it, and I didn't have any problems. That's something like someone saying they have driven at over 100 miles per hour, and nothing happend to them that time so therefore it must be safe for everyone to drive over 100 miles per hour. Not all laminate floors are the same. Some are very high quality (Quick-Step, for instance) and are made from stranded wood impregnated with plastic at very high pressure. Many cheap imports are instead made from sawdust and glue, and you are going to have a problem with these. I have seen people have problems from just putting a damp towel (not wet, just damp) on a laminate floor, and it bubbled. So with that said, do you want to use a steamer on such a floor?
1061462
The instructions say it works on wood floors. Shark makes a cleaner for wood floors that you use instead of the regular cleaner.
1091392
I see no reason why it would not work on laminate floors. We have wood floor and it works great on it.
480917
Yes. The mop wrings almost completely dry so it is safe on laminate or wood floors.
1281277
We believe some types of laminated floors are safe but it would be best if you check with the floor manufacturer. They can tell you if you can steam the laminate floor.
341430
Vacuum the floor first to get up loose dirt. The Shark has a thick mop head that does a great job cleaning the floor.
1293177
You can use it on vinyl floors. I have one but it doesn't do a good job cleaning them.
665325
It is supposed to be safe on laminate floors. I think it dulls the finish some so you might have to put some thing that polishes it but it sure gets the floors clean. It is awesome.
2075499
I am not sure if you can use it on carpet. Mine has been thrown out on the trash because it was so hard to use. It took much more effort than the Shark that I had before.
169381
A shark is a steam mop, unless you are referring to just a regular mop. This one just uses a microfiber pad, which I get wet with hot water and wrong it out well. If the floor is real dirty (I have a yellow lab dog who sleeps in my kitchen and it gets quite dirty!) I will pull off the pad and rinse it off with hot water and wrong it out again... Maybe a couple times during the cleaning. I also have a shark steam mop, which I like, but I prefer using this mop. It is quick and easier and I think my floor looks and feels cleaner. Can't say I've had many tough greasy spots but cleaning just with water and the microfiber pad does an excellent job. I've given this mop as wedding shower gifts. I love it.
1177944
I got rid of mine a long time ago, I found it hard to push and it left my floor really wet. I bought the Shark, it has 2 interchangeable steam heads, and it works great, it doesn't leave my floors soaking wet, and it throws out a lot of steam. It does say to use distilled water with it, but I don't, after about a year and a half it did plug up with calcium deposits, but I just took the steam head apart which was easy and soaked it in Vinegar, then cleaned out the small tube with a paper clip, now it works great again.
1272121
I wouldn't. Shark makes a wood and hard floor cleaner too. It is green in color. That's your best bet
2236929
Hi Eric- Yeah, it should not be a problem at all as there are no solvents to eat the laminate. I'd still be careful not to flood the area, but if it's already been flooded by a less pleasant liquid- what the hell- go for it. It won't damage your floor any more that it already has been.
2177420
Yes. I have been using my steamer on laminate flooring for 3 years. No problems and much better than wet mopping because dries quickly. I recommend doing your laminate floors with a fresh pad and NEVER leave the steamer sitting in one place on the laminate floor with the unit running. The issue is not leaving any standing water which the steam does not if used correctly
4442
We bought the shark for hard wood floors and it wasn't a good experience, the hardwood started to buckle on places!!
175718
We just used it on our laminate floors. Worked perfectly. We were careful to use the cleaning solution modestly and vacuum it up fully and immediately so that no water sat on the laminate. Put the machine on a hard surface when done in case water drips out of it.drips on your laminate floor.
1491267
I had a Shark unit before the Haan and I gave it away pre-maturely because I no longer had wood floors. Now I have them again so I wanted to buy a better unit. The consumer buying guide rated this one at the top. So, I got it. It works well but it seems like the cheaper Shark produced more steam. I still like this one better because it heats up very fast and for the money you get a handheld that you can use in smaller places (ie. counter tops etc.). I'm happy. It's definitely better constructed than the Shark. Good luck.