Shark Steam & Spray Pro – the review of the newest steam mop in town

If you remember, several months ago I was talking about the Shark Steam Pocket mop, a lovely appliance designed for those who need fast yet thorough cleans. Shark has recently improved their offer with some new models: the SS460 and the SS460D Steam & Spray Pro units. They complete the Steam & Spray line, together with the SK460, the SK435 and the SK410. Before I begin this review, I would like to add that although I received this product for free (by courtesy of SharkClean.com), the views are absolutely mine, I’m still being impartial and the recommendation and VGM are still not influenced by anybody. So here’s what you’ll find out in a couple of minutes:

• how good is the new Steam & Spray Pro
• how it relates to the other Steam & Spray units from Shark
• where you could get the best deal (still working on this)
  

The looks

You’ll get a good sense on how this product looks like from these full pics, one with the product package, one where the mop is equipped with the Steam & Spray head and one where the mop is mounted with the Spray only head:

The Features

Cleaning power	Shark is a pioneer in the steam mop industry and this product proves the accumulated years of experience aren't for nothing. Although the SS460 doesn't come with an electronic one touch panel with 3 steam power modes like the one you would find in the Sk460, the single steam setting proves to be enough for all the floors I've tested it. You can safely use it on all kinds of sealed surfaces, from marble to tiles, wood or standard linoleum. The SS460 is different from the Steam Pocket mop. You no longer have to push the handle to get steam: it is delivered automatically, as soon as you connect the unit to an electrical outlet. Make sure however you fill it first with water, using the filling flask you'll find in the package. Both me and the producer recommend that you use distilled water: this will prolong the life of your appliance, as less limestone will be deposited over time inside the steam output channels. As the name of this mop says, it can also spray. Shark already added to the package a bottle of the Steam Energized Hard Floor Cleaner, a biodegradable solution, great for removing stubborn sticky messes. The best part is that it basically leaves no residue behind, so when you mix spraying with steaming, you'll have the ultimate cleaning power from this appliance, and you won't have to worry about leaving streaks. Last but no least, as I was saying previously, if you want to move quickly, you can use the lighter Spray head. In this usage mode, you can go cordless and rely only on the 4 AA batteries (contained in the package) to do all the spaying. By the way, the spaying button is located conveniently on the handle:
Input power	When plugged, this mop uses a voltage of 120V at 60Hz (1050W). The 4 AA batteries are enough to sustain the spraying function, and must be placed alternatively in the back of the unit:
Tank capacity	The water tank is practically located in the floor nozzle, a good design which allows a better maneuverability. It can hold 355 ml (12 oz) of water, which is enough to clean a middle sized kitchen, 2 halls and a bathroom. You can buy a gallon of distilled water for $1 or so at your local convenience store.
Steam pads	The package contains 1 washable and 1 disposable pad. I would advise to get this mop with at least 1-2 more washable pads. You may need to wash one while using another. The washable pad is supposed to last at least 20 washes. However, make sure you are using a liquid detergent (do not use powder detergents, bleach or softeners to wash these pads, they will degrade faster). The disposable pad can accommodate around 400 sq. ft. You can get a 12 pack for under $10 from here.
Weight and Dimensions	It measures 26 x 7 x 10 inches and weights around 7 pounds.
Warranty	Comes with a 1-year limited warranty, as most appliances of this kind.
Accessories	The box contains: - 2 interchangeable heads: one for steaming and spraying and one lighter, only for spraying. - 1 washable pad, 1 Sani-Fiber single-use pad - 1 bottle of Steam Energized Hard Floor Cleaner (12 oz) - 4 AA bateries - 1 water cup
Special features	Unfortunately, it doesn't have a telescopic wand, and except for the Spray function of course, and for the great looking blue LED which lightens up when the unit is on, there isn't really anything else to talk about.
Usability	It has a cleaning path almost as wide as its brothers (11.5" vs 12"). Thus you can cover large areas fast. This mop is especially designed for sealed hard floors, so you won't be able to steam unsealed wood or carpets. The power cord is 20 ft. long, enough IMO. During steaming, you should be careful not to leave it turned on in the same spot for too much time. After you finish cleaning, make sure you remove the pad (and wash it, if it is washable) and unplug the device. If you don't plan to use it in the near future, empty the tank and remove the bottle together with the batteries. A great usability plus is given by the cordless feature with the Spray head. The nozzles swivel 180 degrees.
Price	At the moment, it's only available at Walmart for $129 under the name SS460WM, but it will soon be ready to be purchased over Amazon, as well as on other online shops.

Quick start

Unlike other mops from the Steam & Spray family, this product doesn’t really require a lot of assembly steps. Everything snaps and fits together easily. After unwrapping the box, take the handle and insert it into the body. Make sure you push until it clicks. Insert the batteries. Take the Steam head and fill it with water. On the side you can see the water level, just like in the left picture.

After you connect the body to the head, you can plug it in. If you want to use the Spray function, insert the bottle from Shark until you hear a click. Don’t forget to insert the cleaning pad. Now that you’re ready to go, step lightly on back of the head, readjust the handle, and the unit should now steam automatically. One last piece of advice before you start steaming (with any steam mop, not just this one): make sure you vacuum first.

Comparing SS460 vs SK460 vs SK435CO vs SK410

	Shark Steam & Spray PRO - SS460/SS460D	PRO Shark Steam & Spray - SK460	PRO Shark Steam & Spray - SK435CO	Shark Steam & Spray - SK410
Aspect
Steam control	Electronic - 1 Steam Setting	Digital - 3 Steam Settings	Digital - 1 Steam Settings	Manual - by pumping the handle
Cleaning Width	11.5"	12"	12"	12"
Length of the power cord	20ft	22ft	22ft	20ft
Tank Capacity	12oz	15oz	15oz	12oz
No. of washable/disposable pads	1/1	1/1	2/5	1/1
Price	$129 - TBA	Price not available	Price not available	Price not available

Final thoughts and VGM

While I can not speak about the durability of this appliance, I would say that based on my experience, the unit looks well built and ready to withstand the deeps of time. I’d give it at least 3-4 years, if used correctly. I love that it heats fast and doesn’t spare steam. Although you can use it on all types of bare floors, the producer recommends to be used only on sealed floors. Sanitizing, as expected, kills 99.9% of bacteria (germs, salmonella, staph and so on). The washable pads are durable and relatively cheap. The Steam Energizer Cleanser has a pleasant fresh lemon scent. Compared to other cleaning means (such as a common floor mop), the SS460 is a great system from Shark. Having just the right amount of steam at just the right temperature is a must these summer days. And the fact that you can use plain water or that you can spray freely, without the need of even plugging the appliance, is a big plus.

Here’s my VGMst (VacuumsGuide.com Mark for steam mops) for this product:

Finally, I would like to thank SharkClean.com for providing me a free sample of this product. And now it’s your turn. What do you think? Would you consider buying this steam mop? Have any other questions for me? Use the comments form to send your feedback.