Products and appliances

Hard floor cleaners

Electric hard floor cleaners offer an easy and efficient way to keep your wood, laminate, or tiled floor looking great. But take the proper precautions when using and storing them. 

If you have pets and/or children, or just love muddy walks in the woods, an electric floor cleaner can be a handy item to keep your hard floors fresh and clear. 

Many household floor cleaners nowadays are cordless with a battery to charge. They all work by either spraying water and acting as a mop or have a steam function to loosen dirt so it can be wiped away. Some models both vacuum and mop, some wash only. Steam mops offer chemical-free sanitizing and spin mops have rotating pads.  

Whichever you choose bear in mind you are working with water and a machine using electricity. As many modern models use lithium-ion batteries, take care when charging your cleaner and only use the original charger or a replacement sourced from, or approved by, the manufacturer. 

Key points

  • Hard floor cleaners (or their chargers) must be fitted with a UK 3-pin plug. 
  • Keep floor cleaners unplugged when not in use or being charged. 
  • Do regular checks of the plug and socket-outlet for burn and scorch marks. 
  • Read the manufacturer's instructions carefully and always follow them. 

Buying a hard floor cleaner

  • Whichever you choose, buy from a reputable retailer rather than a third-party seller online, as the appliance may not have passed all the necessary safety checks. Make sure the charger or the device is fitted with a standard UK 3-pin plug. 
  • You will find lots of online reviews of electric hard floor cleaners but don’t rely solely on these as they can be faked by unscrupulous sellers. 
  • Register your hard floor cleaner so you can be contacted easily if there is a safety recall of your product. It’s also much easier to return a faulty item or order a repair if it’s registered. Often registration of the product will aid in extending the product warrantee and guarantee. 

Using a hard floor cleaner safely

  • Read through the owner’s manual, so you are familiar with specific operational instructions. Only use attachments provided or approved for use by the manufacturer. 
  • Spend a few minutes inspecting the plug and cable before charging or use, to make sure they are in good condition. Don’t use the floor cleaner if there is any sign of damage. 
  • If the cleaner is mains powered, don’t pull it by the cable and don’t overstretch the cable. Be careful not to run over the cable when cleaning. 
  • It is advisable to wear gloves when handling the detergent and don’t splash detergent on your skin. Wash it off immediately if you do but if you feel irritation, seek medical advice.  
  • Don’t use the floor cleaner around any open electrical points or wiring and avoid areas of standing water. 
  • Make sure the appliance is fully emptied after each use and only handle the cable/charging lead or plug with dry hands. 
  • Unplug the floor cleaner when not in use or being charged and store in a dry area away from sources of extreme temperature. 

ALWAYS

  • Do plenty of research first before buying.  
  • Buy a known and trusted brand from a reputable retailer. 
  • Register your hard floor cleaner with the manufacturer.  
  • Inspect the plug and cable before use to ensure they are in good condition. 

AVOID

  • Buying from third-party sellers online. 
  • Pulling the cleaner by the cable and don’t overstretch the cable. 
  • Using a hard floor cleaner close to any open electrical points or wiring. 
  • Using a hard floor cleaner if you notice any unusual smells or sounds. 
  • Using third-party batteries or chargers (where applicable) unless approved for use by the manufacturer. 

Stay safe with electrical products

Check your appliance

If you notice a burning smell, sparking, cracks or damage, or any unusual noises, switch the floor cleaner off immediately and contact the retailer and/or manufacturer. 

Check the plug

Regularly check the plug and socket for burn marks, sounds of ‘arcing’ (buzzing or crackling) or if it feels too hot to touch. If you have fuses blowing or circuit-breakers/ RCDs tripping when using or charging a floor cleaner, stop using it and have the cleaner inspected or replaced. 

Protect with an RCD

An RCD (residual current device) in your consumer unit (fusebox) protects you from electric shocks should there be a fault with the appliance. If you don’t have RCD protection, use an RCD adapter between the appliance and the socket-outlet. 

Selected FAQs

If you’re unsure about an appliance or product, you’re not alone. These FAQs bring together expert advice and answers to the questions people ask us most, so you can feel more confident at home.

View all consumer faqs

It is recommended that periodic inspection and testing is carried out at the following times:

  • for tenanted properties, every 5 years or at each change of occupancy, whichever is sooner
  • at least every 10 years for an owner-occupied home
  • at least every 5 years for a business

The Landlords and Tenant Act 1985 requires landlords of properties with short leases to keep the electrical wiring in repair and in proper working order. We recommend landlords arrange for periodic inspection and testing to be carried out by a registered electrician at the relevant intervals shown above.

Periodic inspection and testing of the electrics should be carried out more frequently on the places and premises listed here:

  • 3 years for a caravan
  • 1 year for a swimming pool

Periodic inspection and testing should be carried out only by electrically competent persons, such as registered electricians.

First, you need to find out whether the electrician you used is actually registered. To do this, contact the operator of the scheme they have claimed to be part of, and they will tell you whether this is the case. If they are registered, the scheme operator can guide you through their complaints procedure.

If you find out the electrician misled you and is not registered, you should report this to your local Trading Standards Department as they are breaking the law. We would also recommend that you get an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) carried out on your home; this will assess any work that has been undertaken and will act as sufficient documentation to certify that work. This needs to be carried out by a registered electrician and unfortunately will be an added cost for you.

A steam cleaner being used on an induction hob

Additional info

An electric hard floor cleaner is quite expensive but is worth considering if you have significant hard flooring (such as tile, vinyl, or sealed wood). It saves a lot of time and effort and greatly improves the hygiene of your floors. But make sure you select a model suitable for your floor types and do plenty of research before choosing. 

Woman using a washing machine

Has your electrical product been recalled?

Electrical products are recalled more regularly than you might think, but the response rate to a recall is often worryingly low. This means there are potentially millions of recalled electrical items still in UK homes.

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