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How I Clean My Hardwood Floors (with Oreck Grab-It and Steam-It)

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With three young kids in an old home with all hardwood floors, I feel like I am constantly cleaning up the floor. We have dust bunnies, the occasional crumb, toddler messes,and a crawling baby who tries to eat any speck of mess that he finds. (yuck)

A few of you have asked how I clean our hardwood floors. I’ll tell you how I used to clean them, and then how I clean them now.image

Here’s how I used to clean:

Sweep or vacuum multiple times daily. Feel like I’m on a game show and go as fast as I can so that kids don’t step in, or eat, my pile of dirt.

Then I chose one of the following two options:

1.) Put the baby down for a nap, then make everyone sit on the couch while I mop. Wait an hour or so for the floor to dry. After the floor is dry, have someone spill something.

2.) Try to find time to mop, but never get around to it. For weeks.

I’ve always wanted a steam mop, but thought I’d have similar issues. I would still have to sweep before hand, and the mopping would never get done.

But then I met this lovely little steam mop, and it was like angels singing:

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My cleaning routine was completely changed and simplified, and now I actually get around to mopping my floors. Not only are they clean, they’re sanitized. For the first time ever, I wanted to hug a steam mop.

 

Here’s how I clean now:

Take out the Grab-it and Steam-it, plug it in, fill it up, turn on the turbo broom and steam mop. Sweep and mop at the same time. Sweep daily, sweep and mop twice weekly, or as needed.

That’s it!

What I Like About it:

The Grab-It and Steam-it is safe for hardwood floors and can easily take care of two jobs at the same time. It’s lightweight, stores easily, heats up quickly, and dries very quickly. I am cleaning with water only, so no chemicals, and it sanitizes the floor my kids crawl on. I love that I no longer have a pile of dirt to be eaten, instead it is collected in the bottom and emptied when I’m done. It’s so easy a husband can do it. 😉

My favorite spot to clean (I never thought I’d say that phrase) is in the dining room, or in this spot of our family room where we have a kids’ table and chairs. Want to see how quick and easy it is? Here ya go:

If you haven’t figured out what you want for Christmas, or still have someone on your list, the Grab-It and Steam-It would be the perfect gift!

 

Want to win one of your very own?

(giveaway closed)

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Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter! The first entry is mandatory, the others are additional chances to win. I will be checking the entries, so please make sure to do the task you say you are doing!

The giveaway ends 12/31/12, good luck! 🙂

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Oreck Corporation provided the prize for the sweepstakes but is not the sponsor of the sweepstakes. I was provided with compensation and product in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own and I will only endorse products I truly love and can recommend.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I think this feature is just what I have been looking for cause you can
    switch from vacuum to steam in seconds with easy on/off steam pad attachment

  2. I learned that it sweeps up and mops at the same time! It would save me so much time

  3. I learned that it can be used on tile and hardwood floors

  4. It works on floors and you can reuse pads

  5. And I learned that it has adjustable steam settings! How great!

  6. Great post, Ann Marie! We have dark laminate floors and you can see EVERYTHING. This would be super helpful!!

  7. I learned the Grab-It & Steam-It features a large capacity removable water tank for easy filling. It can hold 21 ounces of water that will provide about 30 minutes of steam.

  8. I learned that it can hold 21 ounces of water which provides about 30 mins of steam

  9. Love the broom feature.. Sometimes I just want to sweep but don't want to grab a broom or my big vacuum!

  10. It santizes hard surfaces!! LOve to win this!

  11. I learned that I can sanitize hard floor surfaces by focusing steam for at least 15 seconds.

  12. learned that its easy to use

  13. I have a steam mop, but man, one that sweeps AND steams?? Be still my heart!

  14. I like that it has a 30 foot cord and has an easy to clean debris cup!

  15. It is versatile and lightweight

  16. I love that you can sweep and mop in one easy step 🙂

  17. I learned that debris collects in the bottom and can be emptied easily.

  18. i learned it only takes a minute to heat up and be ready!

  19. I LOVE that its only 8 lbs.... My mommy arms get tired enough carrying around my baby boy!

  20. I would love to sweep and steam at the same time! I swear I must sweep 90 times a day!

  21. Love the low profile and swiveling head. E throws stuff on the floor every.single.meal. Drives me crazy! I totally NEED this.

  22. I love the long cord, because I hate to plug and unplug over and over!

  23. I'm am all about REUSABLE pads.

  24. I learned that you should not use it on unsealed hardwood, laminates, or engineered hard floor surfaces.

  25. I actually just learned that something like this exists!! and that i have been wasting time with a mop!

  26. I learned it weighs 8.1 lbs without water 🙂

    demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com

  27. Wow, love this...I learned that I can sanitize my floors and have about 30 minutes to do it in.

  28. I like that it Heats up fast; ready to steam in about a minute

  29. I learned it has a 30 ft cord!
    thanks for the chance.

  30. I learned that it will provide about 30 minutes of steam

  31. I learned how versatile it is: I can vacuum and sanitize. Very important during cold and flu season.

  32. I learned that with five kids the floors are ALWAYS dirty and anything that would make keeping up with them easier is a winner in my book!

  33. i learned it can be used on any surface! we need this to get rid of pet hair

  34. I found out it weighs About 8.1 lbs.

  35. I learned that I can clean and sanitize my floor with just water. No harsh chemicals!

  36. I learned that it will steam for 30 minutes!

  37. I saw these on sale during black friday and had every intention of buying, but couldn't 🙁 Ran out of money. I'd love to have one with my 3 boys getting everything dirty in their path.

  38. It is on sale for under $100! I had already asked for one of these for Christmas, but my family says a steam mop is not an appropriate Christmas present. I beg to differ. Hope I win because I don't think there will be one in my stocking 🙁

  39. I love that it can sweep and steam at the same time! (and easy to empty)

  40. I'm dying for one of these! Vacuuming and then mopping hardwood floors just isn't right! Never had hardwood floors before though...

  41. I learned you can use it on rugs too!!! Looks like a great tool!!!

  42. Love Oreck!!

  43. Sweeper broom works on low pile carpet and rugs! Awesome 🙂

  44. It only takes a minute to heat up!

  45. It's ready to go in about 1 minute.

  46. Wow, what a great giveaway! I like that the steam can be adjusted and that it has a swiveling head. Thanks for the chance to win!

  47. oh my gosh, I had no idea it didn't use any chemicals!! I love that!!

  48. Has a 30 foot cord and can hold enough water for 30 minutes of steam cleaning!

  49. Ooooo! Thanks for the giveaway!
    I love that it is two in one vacuum and mop! Plus, it has enough water for 30 minutes although if I am STILL mopping after 30 minutes, something is TERRIBLY wrong and my house is disgusting! LOL

  50. I mistakenly commented before the instructions (not very good at rafflecopter, apparently- sorry). So I visited Oreck and learned that it would take me only a minute to get going- much less than a bucket and mop!

  51. With 2 dogs, this would be amazing!

  52. With a husband, 2 rambunctious daughters, and a lively puppy, I LOVE the fact that it sanitizes as it cleans.

  53. It is ready to use in a minute, and the great part is sweeps and mops at the same time!

  54. I lo e that it only takes a minute to heat the water!

  55. My daughter is on the verge of crawling and I'm right there with the constant vacuuming and mopping. Eek! I love this Oreck concept!

  56. It sounds like a dream!

  57. I learned that this product sanitizes hard floor surfaces by focusing steam for at least 15 seconds! I could really use this! =)

  58. I learned that it will provide about 30 minutes of steam. That's enough to do all the floors in the house!

  59. I didn't know you could sweep and steam mop at the same time! Plus the washable pasds are so neat and eco friendly! AWESOMENESS! I also have a house full of hardwood floors, a 2.6 year old and a 7 month who is just starting to crawl (an eat everything on the floor) This would be wonderful to have!

  60. A 30 foot cord is awesome!

  61. Lightweight: Weighs approximately 8.1 pounds with the cord but without water

  62. Sweeper broom works on low pile carpet and rugs.

  63. I learned that it will provide about 30 minutes of steam.

  64. I learned that it only takes about a minute to heat up and be ready to steam!

    Facebook Name: Leslie Galloway (www.facebook.com/GallowayLeslie)

  65. I learned that it contains 21 ounces of water that will provide for about 30 mins of steam

  66. Ready to go in ONE minute? That's fast enough for me when I'm chasing Red around. Hot dog!

  67. It can sanitize hard surface floors. I would love to have this.

  68. Just what I need to keep up with the boys and the dog!

  69. I'd LOVE to win!!!!! Ps. Merry Christmas!!!!

  70. This is EXACTLY what I need ... 2 kids, 4 dogs and 1 messy husband ... please, please, please pick me! 🙂

  71. I like the fact that the pads can be reused and that it's ready to use in a minute. I would love to own one of these. It would make life easier around here as far as cleaning the floors go.

  72. love that it works on low pile carpets

  73. This would definitely be very helpful.

  74. Hey it can be used on my hardwood floors as well as my tile and with that long cord ... wow, just keep on going and no stops to plug in and out.
    Thanks for a chance to win.

  75. i learned Just add water, plug it in and in about a minute it's ready to go & Attaching or releasing micropad is easy with step pedal

  76. I love that it has Reusable microfiber pads! Looks like this is perfect for a person who hates to clean (i.e., ME)!

  77. This is super awesome! Bet it would do wonders with cat hair!

  78. it makes clean up easy since plenty of messes involve needing to sweep debris up and to wipe up the remaining stains and caked dirt. The broom and steam are a perfect duo.

  79. I learned that the broom function is great for picking up messes on hard surfaces .. this would be so awesome in my kitchen, which has ceramic tile and has plenty of crumbs to be swept up!

  80. I learned that you should not use it on unsealed hardwood, laminates, or engineered hard floor surfaces.

    Also if you give Oreck your email address they will donate to The Susan G. Komen Foundation 🙂

  81. I learned that the Oreck Grab-It & Steam-It is super easy to use 🙂 And convenient.

  82. I learned That it has a 30-foot cord means fewer stops to change outlets and that means speedier cleaning. It comes with two washable microfiber steam mop pads. The water filter is replaceable. Oh how I could use one of these!

  83. I used to have a Monster steamer. It was nice because its so much pet friendlier and chemical free but it would have been amazing if it swept the floor as well. I love the idea of the Oreck doing both!