While cleaning my home, I realized that I hate mopping. I didn’t like that I had to carry a bucket everywhere and constantly change the water. So I began looking for a solution to make my life easier.

My goal as a minimalist and zero waste adopter is to buy as fewer cleaning supplies as I can because they are full of chemicals that end up in our water supply and they all come in plastic bottles. 

I liked my light vacuum cleaner, and needed a similar solution for mopping. After some research, I came across the Bissell PowerFresh 3-in-1 Steam Mop and Steam Cleaner that promised to kill 99.99% of household germs like salmonella, E. Coli and Staphylococcus.

The links of the product I have tagged are from my amazon associate account, but this is not an ad. I am writing this article to offer an honest review of this steam mop and share my experience in using it for different house chores. 

Key takeaways:

• It is super easy to use

• It reduces waste because it lowered the number of cleaning supplies that usually come in plastic that is hard to recycle

• It is healthier, as you don't have to use chemicals for everyday cleaning

• It is great for a household with pets and kids

• It is multifunctional and can be used for every room in the house

• The company has a sustainability plan

What I like about the Bissell PowerFresh 3-in-1 Steam Mop and Steam Cleaner

It is easy to ensemble

It only took 5 minutes to unpack, figure out where everything goes, and put it together. The guide is straightforward and easy to follow. Packaging wise, there was a bit of plastic around each of the heads but the main box and divisions inside are made of cardboard.

It has a great storage system

I love that it comes with its own storage system. Everything had its place, so I don't have to trip on it while sitting somewhere on the floor. The different heads clip individually into a case for easy access, and the kit also comes with a mesh bag that can be used for cleaning. Just throw all your used heads into the bag and soak to lift any gunk. The cord can also be easily wrapped around points on the device’s body to keep things tidy.

It is multifunctional

This is probably my favourite aspect of this device. It can easily switch from a floor mop, to a handheld device, to a spot treatment in seconds. It allows me to switch from one cleaning task to another without worrying about the different ingredients of cleaners. It also comes with interchangeable heads to tackle different jobs and surfaces.

The Bissell PowerFresh 3-in-1 Steam Mop and Steam Cleaner comes with 7 different cleaning ends:

• Green Bristle Scrub Brush - perfect for oven, grills, around the sink and microwave

• Angle Tool -perfect for small corners, small spaces, edges, toilet, door rails.

• 9X Flat Scraper Surface Tool - perfect for the hard messes in the oven or microwave

• Red Bristle Scrub Brush - great to use for bathroom surfaces such as sink and tub.

• Clothing Steamer Tool - perfect for steaming your clothes but also cleaning your counters or patio door glass.

• Long wand for floor mopping - perfect for floors

• Grout Tool - perfect for cleaning grout

Another thing I like about Bissell is that the company gives back to the community

Bissell has a foundation for pets, so every time somebody purchases a Bissell product, a portion of the money goes to helping shelter dogs. Although it is unclear how much money is donated, I think it is a great initiative. I have two dogs I adopted from a shelter, and I totally support their efforts. 

Bissell is also involved in Tour de Force and supports several local organizations in Grand Rapids. 

What I dislike about the Bissell PowerFresh 3-in-1 Steam Mop and Steam Cleaner

It is a bit of a hassle to clean the mop fabrics. I noticed the white fabric of the mop pads stain easily, and you can not use bleach or wash them with other clothes. After every use, you need to wash them by hand unless you have a load full of rags ready for the laundry which is unlikely.

The mop pad replacements are a bit expensive. There is an offer available after you purchase your steamer. The box has a coupon discount inside that can be used to buy extra covers. If you are handy, an alternative could be to sew together your own from a similar material.

What can you clean with the Bissell PowerFresh 3-in-1 Steam Mop and Steam Cleaner?

You can clean pretty much everything indoors that would traditionally need a cleaning solvent, from floors to bathtub, toilet, windows, and oven. The device also comes with a clothing steamer head that can be used for removing wrinkles on fabrics and pressing curtains without needing to take them down. I can only speak about the surfaces I tried obviously, but I will share what those are next.

I even cleaned my exhaust hood with it. The steamer reduced my time cleaning the exhaust hood to 15 minutes. It used to take me at least 45 minutes to get the hood in a good shape. Obviously, the time to clean it depends on how clean or dirty your exhaust hood is. I love that the thin nozzle allows me to get in the awkward spaces under the hood.

What types of surfaces does the Bissell PowerFresh 3-in-1 Steam Mop and Steam Cleaner clean?

Hardwood floors: We have dogs, so our hardwood floors are scratched. We looked into this further before using the mop because we realized that the hot steam might deteriorate the floors even further. So my brilliant husband came up with a solution that allows us to still use the mop while cleaning the floors. 

If your hardwood floors are scratched like ours, you can still use the Bissell Powerfresh 3-in-1 Steam Mop without the steam. You can start the steam in other parts of your home, and when you get to your scratched floors, don't use the steam function. Use just the mop. 

Tile: There has been absolutely no problem cleaning tile in general, but be careful if you have any cracks, or the grout is cracked. High steam can make it worse. If you have any areas like that, just don't use steam on that portion. 

Countertops: I usually use vinegar and water for everyday countertop cleaning, but once or twice a month, I do a deep clean of my countertops when I go and disinfect every nook and cranny with steam.

Bathroom tub: The long handle of the steamer is perfect for my tub. I don't have to bend and twist in weird positions to clean my bathtub anymore. It easily removes grime, cleans the sealant edges and between wall tiles.

Oven: I was amazed by how easily I cleaned my oven with the steam mop. I used a little bit of dish soap and let it soak for about 30 minutes before using the steam mop. It worked well. I have a demo on the door. Hopefully, I need to clean my oven again soon and I promise I will take some pictures.

Glass and windows: Cleaning windows has never been easier. My jaw dropped when I saw how easy it got. I was able to even clean the trail gaps easily as the steam removed hard dirt. I only had to wipe it down afterwards. It felt like magic.

Grout: Before we refreshed our bathroom floor we had to clean it very well. I feel so thankful for having the steamer with a grout end because it made my life so much easier. Cleaning the grout was easy. 

Do not use the Bissell PowerFresh 3-in-1 Steam Mop and Steam Cleaner on wood cabinets and painted surfaces. The steam will damage the wood and will make the paint bubble. I tried it and that’s what happened.

Who is the Bissell PowerFresh 3-in-1 Steam Mop and Steam Cleaner for?

• Those with pets 

• Those with children

• Those who want less chemicals in their home

Why is the steam mop a sustainable cleaning solution?

In my opinion, the Bissell PowerFresh 3-in-1 Steam Mop and Steam Cleaner is a more sustainable solution thanks to the multifunctional aspect of the device. It can replace quite a few of cleaners in the home — so it not only reduces the need to buy plastic packaged products, but it keeps chemicals out of the air in the home. I expect that the steamer will last for the next ten to fifteen years, and in that time, it will help me save money, but it will also help me bring in more plastic and chemicals in my home. 

How much does the Bissell PowerFresh 3-in-1 Steam Mop and Steam Cleaner cost?

When I purchased it, the device cost around 200 CAD, with taxes included. In my post about Short Term Spending for Long Term Savings, I compared the cost of ongoing cleaning supplies versus the lifespan and cost of a steam cleaner to find you can lower cleaning product costs by up to 96.5% with the use of one. If you are interested in learning more, be sure to check out that post.

Would I recommend the Bissell PowerFresh 3-in-1 Steam Mop and Steam Cleaner to my community?

I would absolutely recommend the steamer because of its multifunctional aspect and its ability to eliminate chemicals from your home. It is worth consider that the upfront price is relatively high, however, the device can last up to 15 years with proper care. Be sure to sign up for the included warranty to ensure the first few years.

It is imperative you use distilled water with the device to prevent any internal build up from hard water and minerals that come in from your drain pipes. These tiny particles can cause serious internal damage and shorten the life of the device. A recipe to make your own distilled water at home can be found here. It’s a pretty simple process but it does take some time. Once you make a batch you can save it in a large glass jar or reuse a bottle to have on hand for cleaning use.

Overall, I am very happy with my purchase and think it is a wonderful addition to any eco conscious home. Do you own a steam cleaner? What has your experience been with it? Share them with me in the comments!

Hey, Claudia here

I am a senior graphic designer, a dog mom, an advocate for a zero-waste lifestyle, climate change, and sustainability. My articles are based on personal experience and well researched to give you the best source of information for all things zero-waste.