How much does it cost to run a steam mop?
A steam mop costs about 16¢ per hour, 0.6¢ a day, $0.18 a month and $2 a year at typical use (15 minutes a day, 1 days a week) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Steam mops draw 1,000-1,600 W while making steam; a 15-minute session uses about 0.25-0.4 kWh.
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Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.13 | 2.3¢ | $0.71 | $9 |
| 2 hours | 0.26 | 4.7¢ | $1.42 | $17 |
| 4 hours | 0.52 | 9.4¢ | $2.85 | $34 |
| 8 hours | 1.04 | 19¢ | $5.69 | $68 |
| 12 hours | 1.56 | 28¢ | $8.54 | $103 |
| 24 hours | 3.12 | 56¢ | $17.08 | $205 |
Cost to run a steam mop in every state
The same steam mop costs $1 a year in North Dakota and $5 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 11¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 12¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 12¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 12¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 12¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 12¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 12¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 12¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 12¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 13¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 13¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 13¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 13¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 13¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 13¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 13¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 13¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 13¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 14¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 14¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 14¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 14¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 14¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 14¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 14¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 14¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 15¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 15¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 15¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 15¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 15¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 15¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 16¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 17¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 17¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 17¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 19¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 19¢ | $0.21 | $2 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 19¢ | $0.21 | $2 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 22¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 22¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 22¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 24¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 24¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 25¢ | $0.28 | $3 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 26¢ | $0.28 | $3 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 27¢ | $0.29 | $3 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 27¢ | $0.29 | $3 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 28¢ | $0.30 | $4 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 30¢ | $0.33 | $4 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 40¢ | $0.43 | $5 |
How to cut the cost
- Use the low steam setting on sealed floors; high wastes heat and water.
- Use distilled water to prevent scale that slows heating.
- Unplug immediately when done; boilers keep heating while plugged in.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Uses no electricity for routine cleaning, saving the steam mop for sanitizing.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steam mop | 1,300 | 15 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.18 | $2 |
| Wet dry vacuum mop | 560 | 15 minutes a day, 2 days a week | $0.22 | $3 |
| Carpet cleaner | 1,000 | 15 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.20 | $2 |
| Vacuum cleaner | 1,200 | 30 minutes a day, 2 days a week | $0.94 | $11 |
| Central vacuum | 1,600 | 30 minutes a day, 2 days a week | $1.25 | $15 |
| Cordless stick vacuum | 30 | 3.5 hours a day, 3 days a week | $0.31 | $4 |
| Robot vacuum | 30 | 2 hours a day | $0.69 | $8 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a steam mop per hour?
A steam mop drawing 1,300 watts uses 0.91 kWh per hour while running (70% duty cycle). At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 16¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 11¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 40¢.
How much does it cost to run a steam mop per month?
At typical use (15 minutes a day, 1 days a week), a steam mop costs about $0.18 a month and $2 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a steam mop use?
Most steam mops use 1,000 to 1,600 watts. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a steam mop use?
About 0.03 kWh a day and 12 kWh a year at typical use (15 minutes a day, 1 days a week).
Does a steam mop use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 12 kWh a year it's a small share (0.1%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a steam mop or a wet dry vacuum mop?
At typical use, a steam mop costs about $2 a year versus $3 for a wet dry vacuum mop. So the steam mop is cheaper by about $0 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a steam mop?
- Use the low steam setting on sealed floors; high wastes heat and water.
- Use distilled water to prevent scale that slows heating.
- Unplug immediately when done; boilers keep heating while plugged in.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.