A before and after finger test proved just how much grime it removed from an area of dark stone flooring (as well as, scarily, how much dirt the stonework had concealed) and it worked equally well on vinyl, for which we took a cautious approach and switched to “low” mode rather than “high.” However, we’d still advise following Shark’s guidance and consulting your flooring manufacturer if using it on this type of material. We used Shark’s floor and handheld steam cleaner on a wide range of surfaces, ranging from stone flooring and hardwood to tiles and vinyl.

There are also two cleaning pads, which means you can carry on cleaning while the other one’s being washed (a no-touch release mechanism allows these to be removed in a nano-second) although the clever “click and flip” feature also means you can simply flip each mop head over once it’s absorbed enough dirt to prevent it cleaning effectively. The steam cleaner comes with a wide range of attachments, including a copper brush, steam crevice tool and steam blast scrubbing tool. This cordless functionality proved especially useful when using it to clean hard-to-reach areas such as oven doors and grouting. It means it doubles as a cordless device, too – simply unlock it and attach one of the attachments. The section which contains the tank hasn’t just been designed to slip out easily to ensure effortless refills. We loved the way it can be used as a handheld cleaner. Read more: This heated airer dries clothes quickly, even in a freezing-cold flat Removing the section of the mop which contains the water tank is incredibly easy – simply hold down the release button and it unlocks. We were slightly concerned by the small stopper on the water tank, but our worries were unfounded – the rubber bung has a precision fit which means it’s easy to remove, but will prevent any leaks.

It feels incredibly tactile, with an ultra-smooth finish and extra cushioning in all the right places, such as the top of the handle. It’s a steam cleaner that looks good, too, with a high-gloss, grey-and-white chassis, an ultra-slim handle and flexible mop heads with a chevron design which wouldn’t look out of place on a racing car (the jury’s out on whether or not this will speed up your cleaning sessions). It’s easy to assemble – the steam mop handle and steam mop body slot together, although you’ll need a flathead screwdriver to secure them in place. This is a lightweight steam mop which can be used as both a corded and handheld device, and which weighs just 2.27kg but has a reassuring rigidity.

Shark steam mop reviews