This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
5 Minutes for Mom contributor Jennifer Donovan is here to tell you about her experience with the new Black and Decker Steam Mop. She got a product to review to facilitate this review and was compensated for writing this post and sharing her honest opinion.
True confession time. I’m not a good housekeeper. I struggle every day against my urges to pile things up instead of putting them away, and my house is certainly not white glove clean. However, I have successfully found a way to balance my natural inclination to be lazy with a true desire to have a home that can welcome visitors and be a haven for my family.
When I was offered a chance to check out the Black and Decker SmartSelect Steam mop, I jumped at it (or perhaps like the woman in this video, I danced a little!):
If I was a good housekeeper, I know that I’d sweep every day, and mop every week — right? is that what you good housekeepers do? Well, I don’t. And especially in areas like my kitchen and bathrooms, I don’t always feel like they are as clean and sanitary as I’d like them to be.
Out of the box
Setting up the Black and Decker SmartSelect Steam mop was easy. Within a few minutes of taking it out of the box, it was ready to go. At first, it didn’t turn on, but that is a safety feature. After looking more closely, I hadn’t attached the handle properly. Once I pushed it all the way in, it heated up in less than a minute, as promised.
Steam Cleaning
My first project was my ceramic tile kitchen floor. I swept first, as directed, and then I used the steam mop to clean. There were a couple places that had extra drips, so I used the burst of steam, and after a few passes, it worked. I did find that if I wet the pad lightly first, it worked better. This is not recommended by the manufacturer, but it made me feel like I was getting a better clean.
However, using steam only still made my floors feel clean. The steam didn’t seem dangerous. My 9-year-old son was fascinated, and even got up close to take a look. He thought the floor would be hot after it was cleaned, but it wasn’t.
I also used the mop on my sealed hardwood floors, and I loved the results there as well.
The last thing I tried, was the “carpet freshener” feature. To use that, I snapped on the carpet glider and used it the same way. I’m not sure exactly what this did, but I liked the results on my kitchen rug and my large living room area rug.
The mop comes with two pads, so that you can wash one (in the machine, lay flat to dry) and always have the 2nd ready.
Just fill and go
Perhaps my favorite thing about this mop is how lightweight and maneuverable it is. I was able to get under my sofa, right by the kitchen baseboards, and around corners with ease.
I like that I don’t have to use any other products — just fill the water tank and go — saving me time and money.
It still has that new gadget feel, but I have a feeling that this will be a regular part of my cleaning routine. Perhaps I’ll even join the “good housekeeper” club and give my floors the weekly attention that they want.
Enter to Win
One of you will win the Black and Decker Steam Mop. Use the Rafflecopter form to enter this giveaway. New to Rafflecopter? Watch this 45-second video on how to enter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
So tell us — what is the worst thing you hate about mopping your floors?
Stacey Rogers says
Once my mom tried cleaning her windows with one of those… I’m just going to say it’s not a very good idea. We’re both doing the cleaning the good old classic way.
Jessica says
I dislike cleaning floors in general. I feel like, “What’s the point? Someone’s just gonna walk all over it in a minute anyway.” If this works as well as the review says then I might not mind cleaning my floors as much anymore.
Staci A says
I hate that seconds later someone will make a mess on it!
erin dear says
it takes up so much time
Melanie Montgomery says
I don’t feel like I’m good at it.
Christine says
The time it takes.
Thanks for the chance!
Tabathia B says
That it looks like I am pushing the dirt around
Sabrina says
How long it takes to do it, and then how long it takes before you have to do it again!
Kathy Fleming says
slinging a mop makes my back hurt
Gennelle says
The wringing out of the mop never seems to do the trick for me. I hate mopping up a koolaid of juice spill.
Tammy S says
The thing I hate most is never knowing if they are really clean when I use a regular mop. I feel like I am just spreading the dirt.
Liz says
Dumping out the water when I’m finished. UGH.
meredith says
I hate cleaning up after cleaning up
Wanda McHenry says
I hate when the dog walks on my semi-wet floor.
jeannine s says
i hate mopping and then someone walking on it
Mike Bratek says
Wringing out the mop in all that dirty and hot water!
Stephanie says
Just having to move everything out of the way so I can get to the entire floor.
April Yedinak says
I hate having to touch the dirty mop to squeeze it out.
Brittany says
It gets dirty immediately after cleaning.
Richard says
The worst part is if someone walks in whilst the floor is still wet once it’s dried you have more dirt than you started with ARRRRRRRGGGHH!!!!!
Melissa B says
The worst part about cleaning my kitchen floor is how long it takes..
shaunie says
Making sure you have the last of the water up; lots of work
Blessie Nelson says
The back pain that comes after and is unbearable!
Sandy Klocinski says
I hate everything about mopping floors!
mrsshukra says
Don;t like the mess and having to be on my knees!
Carla Gade says
I hate the mess involved in mopping. I wish it were easier. Sounds like a great a product.
Karen Lynch says
The water in the bucket at the end.
Jessie C. says
Sticky gum is the worst.
Marie Muckey says
I hate the whole process of washing the floor
Sarah VM says
Our floors are old and white and very hard to clean.
Becky Richied says
That I have to mop everyday, because we have a pup and it makes me feel better in doing so.
gina phillips says
i am a perfectionist which makes me feel like nothing is ever clean enough.
Jamie Brigham says
The worst thing about mopping is the constant back and forth to the sink to rinse the mop
Ellen C. says
Is that wood floors collect such horrible dust bunnies especially when you have cats. Thanks!
Marilyn says
I hate that it seems like it takes forever to get all floors mopped and ringing out the mop … that really stinks to!
Annette {This Simple Mom} says
Everything! I would love to try this out. With three messy children, there are always spots on my floor that need extra scrubbing!
Heather Hayes Panjon says
I Dislike How Long It Takes To Mop The Floors!
Brandy W. says
The smell and the time it takes in general!
Sadie B. says
I don’t like waiting for the floor to dry. And then people walking on my nice clean floor.
Susan P. says
I hate when you clean the floor and then dirt gets tracked in right away!
Mary W says
I hate how long it takes and how difficult it is to finish. At least this machine would make it more fun!
Donna L says
I don’t like how long it takes me to mop.
nannypanpan says
feeling like i am sometimes utting dirty water on the floors
Randi S says
The mop breaking in the middle of the job…as it did today! Needless to say, I could really use this new one!!
Stephanie Ann says
I hate seeing all the dirt that was on my floor!
Shari says
All the dog hair that gets stuck on the floor afterward.
cristina says
all of it! filling bucket with right amount of pine sol & water, wringing out mop, sloshing what eventually becomes dirty water…..never convinced it’s really clean.
courtney b says
when people walk all over it right after!
Jeanna says
The worst is when i’ve just finished up & the kids come walking through it 🙁
Addison Kat says
waiting for it to dry!
Erin S says
Everything. How time consuming it is, how messy it can be, always feeling like i have to go back over it on my hands and knees.
Fabs says
After I mop my laminate floors, I have to use a towel and dry them or I get streaks. Anyone else have this problem? I seems like it takes me twice as long since I have to do this!
Lacey Burd says
What I hate the most is that nothing seems to do a good job, so I always end up going back over everything on my hands and knees
Wendy M says
Trying to get up all the sticky spots of dropped food.
betty says
not being able to reach the tough spots
Jessica H says
Dirty water. I don’t feel like the floor is clean when I keep dipping the mop back into that water and using it to wipe the floor!
Maureen G says
The worst thing is having to move a soap-filled bucket around and then having to dump & refill – yuck!
Liza Glick says
Filling and dragging a bucket around!
Brei H. says
Getting down on my hands and knees to scrub stubborn spots!
Dee N says
The dirty water…
Caroline B says
So hard to get sticky stuff of the floors.
Kitty says
Touching the dirty water – even with rubber gloves.
Diane Redcay says
seeing the dirt marks still on the floor
hollowsins says
I hate having to move all the furniture around
Kim Miller says
I hate mopping floors because it seems like all I’m doing is pushing around dirty water. And when I’m done the floor still doesn’t look clean 🙁
Theresa J says
I hate the bucket mess
Melissa Tippie says
The worst thing I hate about mopping my floors is empting the dirty water bucket! YUCK 🙁
Brian Wall says
Everything lol I hate sweeping it 1st. I hate filling the bucket and the smell of the cleaner fluid. I hate the actual mopping. I hate the “trapping myself in the corner…AGAIN” trick the mop does to me lol and the worst…spilling the bucket all over the nice clean floor and doing it all over again 😀
lori clark says
getting the tough “gunk” off
Nikki Lynn Hanna says
it takes soo much time and you have to keep wringing it out
[email protected]
crystal vandevender says
I hate the big mess a mop makes!
Linda Poplees says
It is very time consuming and you have to move furniture.
Ruth Hill says
I hate how much time it takes to mop the floors!
Geri C says
I hate that the mopped floors don’t stay clean for very long. “Didn’t I just mop yesterday?” Sigh. Great giveaway!
Casie says
Dirty mop water, yuck!
Courtnie says
I hate carrying the mop around.
Tina Renee Barker says
I loathe wringing out the mop!
Melissa O. says
I hate how the mop spreads around dirty water
Craig W says
Dirty water. Uggghh
Dana says
That it needs to be done every day!! LOL
Rhonda S. Phillips-Tenderholt says
I hate how I clean the floors and then the boyz get it all dirty again.
Sheila K. says
It takes a long time to get the floors as clean as I like!
Anne says
The bucket, the water and the backbreaking work.
Steph says
The worst thing to me is that they really never seem to be truly clean.
shelly says
I hate how my back hurts and how I have to keep changing the mop pad
Sonya Morris says
When people walk in the house with their shoes on after I mop! I am obsessed with sweeping and mopping so I love doing both!
Colleen Boudreau says
I hate waiting for it to dry.
Crissy D. says
I hate to dirty water, and the smell of the mop
BusyWorkingMama says
I hate having to clean the mop.
amanda says
with 2 toddlers, the floors are always messy and sticky, this would be a dream machine!
Joe says
Everything, carrying the bucket around especially.
mamotts says
its not really getting it clean I can feel the dirt- its just not sanitary and hate the wet mess
Shelbie Johnston says
Cat hair! I have cat hair floors LOL
ellen beck says
I do cat rescue- cat hair, and assorted other things as well as what the people living here make keepin g the floors clean a chore!
Charlene S says
I clean it and the next day it already will have spots or crumbs and does not look like I just cleaned it.
Vickie Riddle says
Wringing out the mop.
Angel S. says
I hate rinsing the mop. Yuck!
Christina Z says
ringing the mop out eww
Laura says
Getting all of the dried junk off the floor – I have a two year old that is a very messy eater!
lana says
it takes so long and the kids get it dirty sooo fast again ;(
Christina says
The amount of time it takes and lugging a bucket around.
bobbie c says
Getting rid of shoe scuffs on the floor
Leigh says
I hate that it takes so long to get ready to mop the floors.
Jessica B. says
I don’t like having to carry the bucket around.
Tabitha P. says
i hate the floors staying wet for so long.
lizzy says
I hate how long it takes.
Brenda Smith says
Time consuming process with wood floors.
Anne Lehnick says
I agree with Debijot… I have off-white ceramic tile in most of my house and it nevers looks clean.
DEBIJOT says
The worst is no matter how often I mop, the floors never look really clean.
Kerrie Mayans says
The amount of time it takes.
Donna O'Neil says
Getting the bucket out.
Stephanie says
I hate the time that it takes to get it really clean.
Patricia Wojnar Crowley says
I hate lugging around a bucket!
Melissa says
fun review! For me, the worst thing about mopping floors is how short-lived the results are. My sweet family can sense a clean floor from wherever they are and bring crumbs, tracks, and mud from far and wide. *sigh*
Jessica To says
I don’t like how time consuming it is.
Keri says
Everything sticks to it