Shark Steam Mop Review: Does it really Work?

Last Updated on August 17, 2022

As much as it is necessary, cleaning and mopping is a task that leaves everyone tired and exhausted. To make peace with the delicacies required for the task, you need a companion that understands your needs. Shark steam has been there for its users for a long time and knows their needs.

The brand is well-known for all floor cleaning supplies. These products are designed to minimize physical effort and thus, are a go-to brand for many. The affordable, intuitive, and lightweight technology is perfect for squeaky clean floors.

This shark steam mop review will cover the peculiar details about the Shark Genius Steam Pocket Mop (S5003D). The next-generation model comes with impressive features, steam blaster tech, and absorbing pads that limit the need for dirty, wet cleaning pads.

If you dislike mopping and want a reliable alternative to reduce your effort, this is the best choice. Similarly, if investing in a housekeeper or robot mop is too much, then get your hands on this as soon as possible.

However, the old-school mop bucket system is the easiest and cheapest; steam mops won’t empty your pockets. The expense is even lesser if you check the time and pennies saved with no rinsing or different cleaning solutions. This makes Sharksteam a good investment. 

The pack comes with three pieces that are quick to assemble, a user manual, water filling reservoir, start guide, and two washable dirt grip pads. This is a standard pack that you can expect with most sharksteam mops. If you need extra or replacement pads, they are available online.

The touch-free technology of this mop is straightforward to operate. The head opens with a button push, and the dirt pad is released with no physical contact. You can be saved from burning your hand due to steamy water and from the sticky grime. Just need a steamer? Checkout conair steamer reviews.

Compared to the microfiber ones, these pads are designed to hold and grab onto the dirt. The double-sided design provides you with ease of usage by simply flipping the mop when you feel one side has picked enough dirt. 

Sticky and dried stains are no more a problem with the mighty stream that runs out of this mop to break the dirt down and leave the area clean. 

The steam comes out of the mop to be evenly distributed on the pad, maximizing the cleaning width. 

The settings allow you to customize the steam level as per your need for the cleaning job.

The mop head is narrow, around 7″, which allows depth-wise scooting to places hard to reach, like toilets. You won’t have to work strenuously with it as the pad width is 13″, which clears the area in few swipes. It quickly lays flat under furniture with low clearance with good swivel. 

• Depth (mophead + body): 11.8 inches
• Length: 47.1 inches
• Cord: 22 feet
• Width: 11.8 inches
• Mop head with pad: 13 x 7 inches

The capacity of the onboard water tank is 11.8 oz (350 mL). When you set it for the lightest steam, it cleans 1000+ sq. ft. floor. Similarly, more refills are required on larger areas or ones with heavy dirt. The machine comes with a built-in water filter, but it is advised to use distilled water to omit streaks. Similarly, it keeps the nozzle safe from mineral deposits. 

The tank doesn’t require cleaning solutions, so it saves you the hassle of mixing and becomes a selling point. If you are nature-friendly and want to cut down on chemical residues, the sharksteam will suit you best. 

Some people prefer the cleaning power or fragrance of a floor cleaner; they may spray it on the floor before the mop starts working. Never put any solution inside it. There is one con to the water tank, which is the irremovable design. The filling is a tedious task, which requires propping or holding the machine up, uncap the tank, lean the machine, and will with the cup provided. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9erxjJb7JwI

The manual instructs proper water drainage before storing the tank, which is tedious because you have to turn it into the sink manually. Shark expects an upgrade or improvement in the upcoming designs. 

These pads are made to grip the dirt and lock it in the fibers, better and faster than regular pads. The machine pack has two spare pads that leave you with a clean one in hand every time you start mopping. The touch-free design omits chances of contact which removing or inserting the pad. 

These pads are dual-sided but not reversible, so they only go upon the mop in a single direction. Once the pad is on, close the mop head above. Use one side of the pad until it gets saturated, then flip it over so you have a clean side again. 

Maintenance of the pads is essential that you may achieve by replacement every 3 to 4 months. This, in our opinion, is too much unless the floors of your house are soiled and need regular mops. Wash the pads after every use without fabric softeners or bleach, or else they will deteriorate prematurely with poor absorption. Wash with detergent and dry in the air.

We will walk you through the basic operation procedure of the mop. For detailed illustrations and instructions, follow the manual:

If it’s your first time using the mop, insert the top of the handle and the body into the head without any tools.

Fill the tank by opening the top of the mop. There is a measuring cup that can be used to fill distilled water to the fill line. 

Put the cleaning pad flat on the floor with a striped side facing downwards. Put the edges of the mop in the pad slots, then lift it and fold the head above. 

Plug the machine into the socket and push the power button. Now press it twice or thrice to fix a certain steam level. Now mop easily according to your preference. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzB–6aoVQU

It comes with one year manufacturer’s warranty and covers all the everyday issues of wear and tear. 

Pros:

• Provides two levels of steam control
• 22 feet cord
• The steam blaster works well for tough stains
• Touch-free tech keeps less contact
• Lightweight
• Maneuvering and swiveling is easy
• Reusable and washable pads. 

Cons:

• It doesn’t have an on/off switch
• First-timers may find it difficult to push around
• Unremovable water tank
• Swivels can give a tough time
• It doesn’t stand on its own
• Streaks can be seen on dark floors

There are certain things to remember while operating this mop; maneuverability requires more pushing. Therefore, too much friction is felt for first-timers. It is better to dampen the pad with water before beginning the procedure. Similarly, the swiveling feature is helpful to get around corners and bedposts. However, some people found it hard to control.

Does it suit well on wood floors?

It depends on the flooring. If it is adequately sealed, which is usually in engineered wood floors, it is safe then. If there are many gaps in the floor, omit using a steam mop not to warp the area. 

What to keep in mind while mopping?

People use steam mops on their wood floors irrespective of gaps. However, there are certain things to keep in mind while doing it. As long as excess water doesn’t stay on wood for long, you are safe. Need a mop for hardwood and laminate floors? Read out reviews on our site.

What are the tips for usage?

• Do not leave the mop sitting on the floor damp and moist. 
• I prefer low steam cleaning unless the stain is harsh and resistant, then use the blaster.
• If water is visible after mopping, immediately dry it out.
• Box fan can be used to dry the floor faster.

What steam level should I use?

Mop works like magic on floors when the steam is thoroughly produced. Wait for at least 3 minutes after turning the mop on, so the steam has effectively saturated the pad. If you feel the pad is not saturated enough, opt for water spray to lessen friction and streaking on your floor.