Steam mop cleaners

I bought one of the Shark models several months ago. It was one of those purchases I thought would change my life but didn't. I use it to clean the windows, shower, tiles on the walls. My dream was it would thoroughly clean the tiles on the utility room floor - the dogs go in there after being showered following muddy walks. I still find a mop and bucket of hot soapy water is more effective and less of a hassle than putting together the steam cleaner. I haven't yet used it to steam clean furniture but that's a treat in store

I bought a Black & Decker steam mop after we moved house last summer and I discovered how really dirty the rooms were. I knew the house was grubby but until it was empty, we couldn't tell the extent of it. The steam mop has been fantastic in cleaning neglected quarry floor tiles in the kitchen/utility rooms, but has also lifted some of the grouting which my husband is going to repair. It's also been put to good use on bathroom tiles and in awkward corners of bathrooms/toilets. I haven't tried it on windows yet or attempted to clean the oven or cooker hood. The mop uses very little water and surfaces are left drier than with conventional washing. I am very pleased I invested in this item and rarely use a mop and bucket nowadays.

Mine (a Vax) is small but perfectly formed and doesn't need putting together to use it, so it is ready a few seconds after you decide the floor needs a wash. It sits with the vacuum waiting. The water container only needs refilling occasionally.

When you press the lever in the handle, a little water goes from the container past the heater and out at the other end through the mophead as steam. You push the mop backwards and forwards a bit to wash the floor, either adding more steam or just mopping.

There is no extra water left on the floor - only enough goes through to dampen the mop and so the floor. The floor is a bit damp, but a lot less than using a conventional mop. It dries in a couple of minutes, completely.

I bought a refurbished one - unused but returned because of cosmetic faults or because the buyer had changed their mind, completely overhauled and with a year's guarantee. I can't find what the fault (if any) was with mine. It was far cheaper than new.

Luckily for me husband does the floor cleaning in our house, and ordered a Black and Decker one, like NanaCat.
He's very pleased with it, but it takes longer than the old mop and bucket. We have tiled floors throughout the ground floor, no carpets, so there's a lot to do.

I`m desperately trying to find one that I can use for windows, but my windows are high, and I`m not, so need a long handled window attachment. I`m beginning to wonder if one exists that will do for me.

Well number there is always the not cleaning the inside of the windows option that has always worked well for me. Do they really get dirty on the inside? I've only ever bothered if there were smudgy marks made by dogs or sticky fingers.
I wouldn't mind that window cleaner turning up and doing the outside though, as there is a lot of salt spray on them.