Do I really NEED a Steam Mop

[hyperhops]

Ok, so after reading the big steam mop thread in GH at the moment I seem to being inexplicably drawn to buying one.
BUT Im not convinced I would actually use it once the novelty wore off.
Downstairs we have hard floors in dining room, hall and Kitchen and then in bathrooms upstairs so would be lots of opportunities to use it.
BUT I don't really mind mopping, and cant see that it would really be easier to fill and then plug in steam mop than filling bucket and running round with mop??? But do floors maybe get NOTICEABLY cleaner with Steam Mop?
Also looking at one with handheld bit too as do like the sound of doing windows , shower etc with that - but maybe I should just get a handheld one then?

So tell me - Do you love your steam mop? Why? How is it better than mop and bucket?
If you hate yours then why?
Plus will the handheld thing really be better for showers etc ?

TIA
{grin]

Ok. I like my steam mop, I have the Lakeland one. I think its better generally because it gets so hot, so more hygienic. You wouldn't be able to safely (IMO) use a mop at that heat. However, stubborn spills probably require some manual work as well, so you could still keep your old mop if you wanted :) There is a steam mop on the telly welly that is kind of a hoover too, so saves having to brush floors, then steam, which would make it quicker.

I tried two, one cheap and one expensive and returned them both. Emperor's new clothes

I love my steam mop, mine is a Black & Decker from Argos.

It's much more hygienic than a mop & bucket because you can just throw the steam mop pad in the washing machine instead of rinsing out a dirty mop, and because the temperature it cleans at is higher than you can get with a mop & bucket.

We have hard floors throughout downstairs (I hate carpets) and I find my steam mop really good, especially as we have dogs & people coming in with muddy boots. It's quick to set up & use & takes no more time than a mop & bucket. I just hoover first then take the steamer over the floors. Mine has a boost button which gets out stubborn marks without having to scrub.

I like the hand held steamer thing too, but use the floor mop more.

I like mine because it's easier than getting on my hands and knees with a floor cloth to get the kitchen floor clean. Because it is steam, it dries quickly whereas the sponge mop I used to use left the floor wet for ages. I can clean the floor in about 5 mins.

Mine only cost £25 (it just does the floor) so it's only 3 times the price of the sponge mop (£8) and that only lasted six months before it lost what efficacy it ever had so I reckon it was a bargain.

I really like mine, always use it. It not easier just better because the Pad be washed so is cleaner then a mop head and I don't need to use any cleaning products, that's why I like it.

I bought a steam mop. Don't use it. Quicker to get out bucket and hand mop. Hate the way steam mops push dirt round the floor because you don't rinse.

dont just buy one that only mops floors. i adore mine because i can do so much more with it, in half the time it takes to do with anything else.

I ordered one after vicarinatutu's thread, but an still waiting for it to arrive so I can't be of much help! However, I NEVER mop because I hate it so much and my floors are disgusting. So I'm hoping a new gadget will turn the chore into a joy

Ah.... Speak of the devil!

and up she pops!

I like my steam mop not just because I feel it gives me cleaner floors, but for me, the biggest bonus is that it is so easy to use. I have a dodgy back and really struggle with hoovering, sweeping up, mopping floors, etc and I find the steam mop needs hardly any effort to use and I don't have to bend over the same as you do using a normal mop.