• Steam mops make cleaning hard surfaces easier than ever.Jupiterimages/Creatas/Getty Images
  
  The Shark Steam Pocket is an electric, lightweight mop that comes with a reversible microfiber pad that wraps and clings around the mop head or "steam pocket." Steam is released into the mop head to clean and sanitize floors in an efficient way. However, there are some aspects to consider before you put it work.
  
  

Water is the Best Cleaning Solution

• Use nothing but water with your steam pocket mop because these models are designed to sanitize hard surfaces via steam. Using soaps or detergents could harm the unit as well as cause damage to your floors.
  
  

Sweeping is Important

• Sweep or vacuum your floors before using your steam mop. If you don't do this, you run the risk of scratching your floors with dirt particles or other hard debris. In addition, you will hamper your mop and your efforts by pushing and spreading dirt and sludge around rather than removing it altogether.
  
  

Reversible Pads

• Use one side of the microfiber pad to clean an area in your home, and then turn it inside-out to use the unused side. It's also a good idea to have more than one clean pad available for bigger cleaning jobs.
  
  

Wash the Cleaning Pad

• Wash the reversible pad immediately after use. Don't put your mop away while the pad is soggy and dirty because you could end up with mold and mildew problems. Reusing a dirty pad is also counterproductive because you will likely hinder your sanitizing efforts by smearing dirt and fragments throughout instead of achieving the deep clean that you want.
  
  

Units are Hot

• Attach the microfiber pad when the mop is unplugged and cool. Generally, steam mops heat up quickly, so you could injure yourself if you reattach or remove a cleaning pad while the unit is hot.