While one of the most attractive things about tile flooring is how easy it is to clean and maintain, proper cleaning is nevertheless a must. We test and review the top five tile floor cleaning machines.
Read on as we share everything you need to know to choose the best tile floor cleaning machine for your needs.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Shark S3501 Steam Pocket Mop Hard Floor Cleaner
- Best for Deep Cleaning: Bissell Spinwave Powered Floor Mop and Cleaner 2039A
- Best Steam Mop: Light ‘N’ Easy Multifunctional Steam Mop
- Best Cordless: Gladwell Cordless Electric Mop
- Best Budget: O-Cedar Microfiber Steam Mop
Tile Floor Cleaning Machine Buying Advice
Best Overall: Shark S3501 Steam Pocket Mop Hard Floor Cleaner
- Manual mop cleaner
- Adjustable temperature
- Multifunctional tools adjustments
If you are looking for something versatile you can use to clean all the hard floors in your home and a lot else besides, then this steam mop from Shark is an excellent choice.
This manual mop uses adjustable continuous steam that is easy to control from the hand controls on the mop head. It also has a steam blaster nozzle that can be used to blast out extra steam to deal with particularly difficult stains.
It has a generous water tank, so you can get through a lot of work on a single tank. The temperature is adjustable, so it can deal with a variety of stains, and can be used on a variety of different floors and surfaces as well.
It is also easy to get into every corner of your home, as steam comes out of every corner of the mop head, including the top. The standard cover is a machine washable, microfiber pad that won’t scratch your surfaces.
The machine is also multifunctional, and you can change the head and use it to steam clean your shower walls, your grill, kitchen surfaces, draperies, clothing, and much more.
The downsides with this product are that it is a lot heavier than similar options in Shark’s manual range. It is also not cordless, but comes with a 20 ft cord. While this should be enough for most people to clean their homes effectively, it still acts as an unwelcome anchor.
But this relatively lightweight machine, cord or no, is a simple-to-use and highly effective tool for cleaning tile floors and a lot else.
Best for Deep Cleaning: Bissell Spinwave Powered Floor Mop and Cleaner 2039A
- Electric-powered spin mop
- Temperature adjustable
- Changeable and reusable cleaning pads
If you are looking for the best possible results when cleaning your floors, but don’t intend to use your steam cleaner for other purposes, this option from BISSELL is a good choice.
This BISSELL is not a traditional steam mop, but rather an electric-powered spin mop, which makes it more like a mini industrial floor scrubber. This is because it scrubs and polishes with two counter-rotating cleaning pads.
It is highly controllable to use on different floors. You can control the amount of steam coming out of the mop and the temperature with the simple hand control.
It comes with a set of scrub pads and a set of soft pads, so you can choose the right abrasiveness for your different hard floors, not just tile. The pads are reusable and machine washable.
The way the pads spin means the mop is self-propelling, which can make it a little complicated to control. The machine is also corded, which is not ideal for mobility. The structured nature of the spinning heads means it also won’t fit into every nook and cranny.
If you are serious about cleaning your floor, and you want something of industrial design but in a size you can use in your home, then this spin mop is an excellent option.
Best Steam Mop: Light ‘N’ Easy Multifunctional Steam Mop 7688ANW
- Steam mop
- Adjustable temperature
- Multifunctional tools
If you are looking for something lightweight that heats up fast, for cleaning up spills in the moment, then try this Light ‘N’ Easy Multifunctional Steam Mop.
This mop weighs just six pounds before water is added, and it then heats up to your desired temperature in just 30 seconds. This means it is ideal for quick clean-ups. No need to wait for a convenient time to do all of your floors.
There are three different heat settings, which makes it easy to use but still flexible enough to use on a variety of different stains and floor surfaces. You can also widen or tighten the steam stream depending on how deeply you need to clean.
But this model is even more multifunctional. You can detach the tank to use it as a hand steam cleaner, and it also comes with a variety of attachments for different surfaces, including upholstery. The standard microfiber pads are reusable and machine washable as well.
This option also has nice security features. If you drop it in an upright position, it will cease producing steam, protecting your family from steam burns.
It has a water volume of 11.5 ounces of water, which offers between 10 and 15 minutes of cleaning time. This makes it ideal for a small home, but larger spacers will probably need more than one tank.
You also need to wait for the tank to cool down before you can refill it for another round, and the machine is corded, which isn’t always convenient.
If you are looking for a quick and easy way to keep on top of cleaning your floors without it always having to be a big task, then this lightweight mop is the ideal choice.
Best Cordless: Gladwell Cordless Electric Mop
- Electric-powered spin mop
- Cordless
- Steam-free cleaning
If you hate being anchored down by a cord but still want a powerful machine to clean your floors, then this option from Gladwell is a great choice.
This is another spin mop, but with two spinning heads, which buffs your floor clean rather than using steam. There are also waxing and mopping options. The lack of steam means it is appropriate to use on all surfaces.
This machine is great for larger homes or homes where plus sockets just don’t seem to be in the most convenient place. It takes only two hours to charge and gives about the same in cleaning time.
While the circular heads mean it is very difficult to get into the extreme corner, its ultra-thin head and 180-degree rotation make it easier to maneuver than similar spin mop models.
It is power-efficient, and the pads are reusable and machine washable, so it is better for the environment than some other options. However, the fact that it does not use steam means that it also relies on chemicals when it comes to the worst stains.
This is definitely one of the most convenient machines on the market. Pull it out to clean up messes without thinking about steam or cords.
Best Budget: O-Cedar Microfiber Steam Mop
- Manual steam mop
- Adjustable temperature
If you are looking for a good steam cleaner for your tile floor, but you are on a budget, this good but basic steam mop by O-Cedar is an excellent choice.
Despite being significantly cheaper than the other options on this list, this mop is powerful, heating up to the desired temperature in just 20 seconds. The steam level is adjustable.
The triangular-shaped mop head means it is easy to get into corners, so there is no part of your floor left untreated. The microfiber pad is also machine washable.
This machine is super lightweight, weighing only five pounds before water is added. However, it is corded, with 19 feet of cord to navigate around your home.
But with the lower price tag, you are making sacrifices. The structure itself is rather flimsy, so it won’t last forever. It is also relatively limited in features. There are no attachments if you want to use your mop to clean other surfaces.
Nevertheless, if you need a budget option to clean your floors, this is a perfect option.
Side by Side Comparison
| Product | Our Rating | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
Shark S3501 Steam Pocket Mop View on Amazon –> View on Walmart –> | Best Overall Overall: 4.8 | Manual mop cleaner Adjustable temperature Multifunctional tools adjustments |
 Bissell Spinwave Powered Floor Mop 2039A View on Bissell –> View on Amazon –> | Best for Deep Cleaning Overall: 4.7 | Electric-powered spin mop Temperature adjustable Changeable and reusable cleaning pads |
Light ‘N’ Easy Multifunctional Steam Mop View on Amazon –> View on Walmart –> | Best Steam Mop Overall: 4.6 | Steam mop Adjustable temperature Multifunctional tools |
Gladwell Cordless Electric Mop View on Amazon –> View on Walmart –> | Best Cordless Overall: 4.3 | Electric-powered spin mop Cordless Steam-free cleaning |
O-Cedar Microfiber Steam Mop View on Amazon –> View on Walmart –> | Best Budget Overall: 4.7 | Manual steam mop Adjustable temperature |
The Complete Tile Floor Cleaning Machine Buyer’s Guide
While there are lots of things to consider when choosing the right tile floor cleaning machine, not the least of them being price, let’s take a look at the seven things that should be at the top of your list.
Temperature Level Adjustment
Ideally, you should be able to change the temperature of your tile cleaning machine. Firstly, this is because not all tiles are the same. Depending on the thickness of the tiles, the material they are made from (for example ceramic or porcelain), what material your grout is made from, and so forth, you will want to use different temperatures to clean your floor without potentially weakening it.
Even if you have the same tiles installed throughout your home, you will still want to be able to adjust your temperature. Not every stain is the same either. And while you might normally use a lower setting, you may need to switch to a higher temperature for tougher stains.
Plus, having an adjustable temperature means you will be able to use your machine on other floors and surfaces that you have in your home, without the risk of damaging them.
Consider both how versatile the machine’s heating levels are and how long the machine takes to get up to temperature. While it may not be essential, needing to wait 10 minutes or so for your machine to be ready can be an unnecessary frustration with the right machine.
If you are looking for a separate handheld steam cleaner, check out our Best Handheld Steam Cleaners Review.
Portability
Anyone who has had the pleasure of vacuuming a floor before about the year 2000 will know the pain of lugging around a heavy machine that is anchored to the wall, and trying to stretch the machine out as far as possible to reach into those corners without having to change plugs.
Portability matters.
The best tile floor cleaning machines should not only be cordless, but light enough to be carried around for a while by whoever’s turn it is to clean the floors.
Though, don’t expect to get anything too lightweight. The machine’s tank, filled with water, will always add some significant weight. So, an ergonomic design, which makes it easy to move despite the weight, should also be a consideration.
The design of the cleaning head should ensure that it is relatively easy to get into every nook and corner. You don’t want to be left with that single corner of the room that you can’t seem to get to and eventually starts to look like a black mark in an otherwise clean space.
Cleaning Pads
The surface that you use to buff your floor clean is important. You want it to make good contact with the floor, but you certainly want to avoid anything abrasive that might scratch or mark your tiles. The heat provided by the machine means these types of pads should not really be necessary.
Machines will either come with disposable pads or reusable washable pads that can be put in the washing machine. The latter is naturally a better choice, both for environmental reasons and in terms of cost. Constantly buying disposable pads can quickly add up.
Tank Capacity
A tile floor cleaning machine needs a water tank in order to function, as it is the water that boils in this tank that creates the steam you use to clean. So, you will want a tank with sufficient capacity that you don’t need to be refilling and restraining regularly. But it should also be small enough that it does not add significant weight to the machine when full.
It is also a good idea to ensure the tank is made from good, durable material. We have all seen what excess temperatures can do to some plastics.
Energy and Water Consumption
You don’t want to feel like an environmental criminal, or see your electricity bill skyrocket, every time you clean your floor.
While tile floor cleaning machines need both of these things to function, there are models designed to use less energy and save water.
Losing less water is not only good for the environment but also means your floors will dry faster.
Inbuilt Vacuum Extraction
If you are dealing with tile floors that are likely to get particularly dirty, perhaps because they are in a kitchen or workshop space, it can be worth looking for a cleaner with an inbuilt vacuum extraction. Bear in mind that this is not standard and will cost a little more.
While steam cleaners are great at cleaning tile surfaces and also at disinfecting, inbuilt vacuum extraction can give it some extra power to get those deeper, baked in stains.
So, depending on the environment you are cleaning, it may well be worth the investment.
Multi-Functional
You probably don’t have tile flooring throughout your entire home. While you have tile in your kitchen, bathroom, and maybe even some entertaining spaces, you probably have other types of flooring in rooms such as bedrooms.
Many, though not all, hard flooring surfaces can be steam cleaned. Ideally, you would like to be able to do that with the one machine, rather than have a different tool for every different floor you have in your home.
This is why it is a good idea to look for cleaners with multi-functional tools, so you can also use your tile floor cleaner on vinyl, linoleum, laminate, and hardwood.
Don’t forget to read our guide on the Best Way to Clean Tile Flooring.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
No, steam will not damage your ceramic or porcelain tile floors, and it will clean and simultaneously disinfect. It is better for your floors than regular mopping, as while mop head absorbs dirt, steam also kills bacteria.
How Often Should You Steam Clean Tile Floors?
It is a good idea to steam clean most tile floors once every two weeks. But bathrooms and the kitchen should be done more often, like on a weekly basis, as they are more likely to pick up grime and germs.
Final Thoughts
If you have tile floors in your home, ceramic or porcelain, the best way to keep them clean and hygienic is with a tile floor cleaning machine that uses steam to pick up dirt and kill germs.
There are a lot of different options on the market. The best machines have adjustable temperature and multi-functional tool heads so you can use the machine to not only clean your tiles, other floors, including vinyl and linoleum, and also use it for other purposes such as steam cleaning upholstery.
Something that is portable and maneuverable and easy to get around your home and into every nook and cranny will ensure that you never regret the investment.
If you have any comments or first-hand experiences with Tile Floor Cleaning Machines, please post them below or share your pictures via our social media.
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