Best mops 2024 – top buys to clean all floor types

Mopping your floors might not top the list as the most fun household chore, but using one of the best mops for scrubbing floors (and even tiled walls) will help you tackle this job as quickly as possible, and make light work of muddy footprints, sticky marks, water streaks and paw prints from any four-legged friends.

But there are a few considerations you’ll need to make to ensure that you choose the right mop for your home. The primary factor to consider is the type of flooring you have. For example, a mop and bucket combo is great for deep cleaning tiled floors, but could cause significant damage to hardwood floors given the amount of water involved. A flat microfibre mop could be much better for your hardwood floors, keeping them clean without causing any warping or other undesirable results. Secondly, you need to think about whether you want to use a regular mop or opt for one of the best steam mops instead.

To help you find the best mop for your home and lifestyle, we’ve tried a tested a range of mops – from sponge to microfibre options, to spray mops with in-built tanks and those more traditional designs you use with a bucket. Everything on our list is a mop with a washable head, and we’ve compared them on various important criteria including mop type and the type of floor covering they can tackle as well as how easy there are to use. We’ve also spoken to industry experts for their insight on all things mopping.

The best mops 2024 for all floor types

Best mops 2024

Best mop overall

This Beldray spray mop is easily our pick of the best mop out there – for convenience and price. It’s budget-friendly and more than easy to manoeuvre around your furniture, while it makes mopping underneath furniture easy, too. The fact that it’s a mop with spray function means that once the 350ml tank is filled, you can mop your floor quickly and easily, without the need to lug a bucket around.

It comes with two machine washable microfibre heads that will make short work of dirty floors. For best results, you will need to run them under water before using, but you will need to wring them out manually, which you don’t have to do with other mops on this list.

You can use this mop on pretty much any sealed hard floor, including tiles, vinyl and laminate. Just fill the bottle with solution and water, wet the pad, then pull the trigger and get mopping.

While we love how this mop makes quick work of mopping tasks, if you want a really deep clean, the Vileda Turbo mop and bucket set later in this list might be more suitable.

Best mop for laminate floors

This Amazon mop is highly rated by reviewers – and for good reason. It’s a super sturdy option thanks to its steel pole and aluminium alloy base. You can use it on just about any type of floor, but it’s particularly suitable for those wanting to clean laminate floors. Its microfibre head will glide across the floor, picking up spillages and pet hair as it goes.

After use, you can use the handy dirt removal scrubber to rid the mop head of any inevitable embedded hair or crumbs. Oh, and the microfibre heads can be thrown in your washing machine. With a 360 swivel pole, mopping around and underneath your furniture has never been easier. Did we mention that this mop has an extendable pole, too? For easy mopping, no matter your height.

The only downside? You’ll need to use your own spray as there’s not onboard water tank and trigger function with this mop. While this mop is great to giving your floor a regular once over, if you want a deeper clean, opt for a mop and bucket instead.

Best mop for tiles

If you are searching for the best mop to deep clean your floors, whether tiles or laminate, then this is a great option. This sponge mop can get deep into your grout, to clean in between each tile, and it will (gently!) scrub your floors clean. It’s also a convenient mop for walls since it’s a sponge, and it can tackle tiles with ease.

Better than that: it’s called the ‘Butterfly Mop’ as you can squeeze it out after dipping it in a bucket of water and floor cleaner. This is so that you don’t end up soaking your floors. Just pull the lever on the handle and the sponge will fold in two, squeezing out excess water.

The sponge itself is even washable in between uses – whether in a machine or in your sink. Use the mop’s kickstand to store this mop with ease, and to allow its sponge to air dry naturally, ready for the next clean. Just remember: you will need to invest in a bucket to use this mop.

When it comes to size, this mop head’s overall area is smaller than others on this list, which means it may take longer to mop larger spaces, but it could come into its own in more compact zones.

Best mop for hardwood floors

If you’re wondering how to clean wooden floors effectively, one tool to consider is the Bona spray mop for wood floors. Super easy to use, our Ecommerce editor Molly Cleary explains why: ‘I hated mopping before I started using the Bona Hardfloor Mop, and could never understand the logic behind putting the dirty mop water back on your floors.’

‘You can avoid that thanks to the spray mechanism on this mop, which applies a cleaning solution to your floors as you go. It’s really easy to push around and you can buy refills for the solution. Once I’ve used it I just pop the mop head in the wash, and the kit comes with a spare so you never have to go without.’

While this mop is perfect for hardwood floors, you can also interchange the cleaning solution cartridge depending on the type of floor you are cleaning, with a stone, tile laminate and LVT version also available.

Best microfibre mop

Ever worry if your microfibre mop is actually just spreading germs about and not really cleaning your floors? Well, you can worry no more with Minky’s new Opti Clean mop that features an innovative dual cavity bucket that separates dirty and clean water and a powerful 360° spin, rinse, and wringing system that works alongside scrubbing bristles to clean the reusable microfibre head mid-mop.

The bucket, with its sturdy handle, can be easily filled under a tap and any dirty water can be drained away by removing the blue plug. We think it’s perfect for homes with limited storage too because the mop easily comes apart so you can conveniently put it away after use.

While this is great for a deep clean, if you want an option to tackle incidental spills or dirt without the hassle of a bucket, then the Flash Power Mop with built in spray function or the super-simple E-Cloth option on this list may be more suitable.

Best mop and bucket set

A bestseller for good reason, Vileda’s Turbo Microfibre Mop and Bucket Set is packed with features to leave your floors sparkling clean and is an ideal choice for a mop bucket with a wringer.

This bucket features an integrated spinner – this is to semi-dry the head so you don’t soak your floors. Push your foot on the pedal to control how dry (or wet) the mop head is – this is a great feature if you have different hard flooring types in your home and you want to be able to customise your clean. The bucket also has a spout for easy emptying of dirty water which doubles as a handle for carrying. With dimensions of 19.6 x 48.6 x 29.3cm, the bucket is a decent size, which means it may not be suitable in homes where storage space is tight.

The Vileda spin mop has a triangle-shaped head to get right into corners, and it has a washable microfibre head. You can use this head with only water to kill 99.9% of bacteria on your floors. Plus, it’s extendable so that you can reach under furniture or up to ceilings.

If you have pets, or kids who are constantly traipsing in dirt, this mop is ideal for a really good, deep clean. For quick spot cleaning, it’s worth considering adding a flat mop, like the Flash Power Mop or the Beldray Classic Mop, to your stash too.

Best spray mop

With a battery-powered trigger that dispenses just the right amount of cleaning solution, the Flash Power Mop tackles floor grime without leaving any sticky residue. Reviewers found it easy to use while cleaning sealed hard floor surfaces, with some saying it is the best mop they’ve ever used. And at an affordable price, we think this is a great budget buy.

According to Flash, it cleans twice as fast as a traditional mop and bucket and we tend to agree as most reviewers found that it loosens and lifts dirt with one sweep. However, as with other spray mops, if you want a really deep clean, you really can’t beat a mop and bucket.

While this mop can be used with disposable wipes, similar to the Flash Speed Mop, you can also get reusable microfibre heads to use with it. You’ll also need to buy refills of the cleaning solution, but at 1.25l the refills will last you a decent amount of time.

Easiest mop to use

Use this E-cloth to clean your floors using just hot water. Its special microfibre pad activates when it touches water, while it’s safe to use around kids and pets. One mop head should last over 300 washes – or three years in total. It can also rid your floors of dirt, grease, grime and even bacteria. Clever stuff. The mop itself can easily be swivelled around furniture and used on more than floors, but walls and skirting boards, too. Its handle also extends to five feet.

If you want to make quick work of your mopping (and who doesn’t), this mop’s head has the largest area of any of the mops we mention in this guide.

The mop itself doesn’t have a water tank so you’ll need to get the head wet before attaching it to the mop, and possibly wet it once more whilst you are mopping. If that doesn’t sound like you’re bag, then best to choose one of the spray mops on this list.

How to choose a mop

There’s a huge variety of different types of mop but there are a few key characteristics that can turn this cleaning task into something you actually might find quite satisfying. Look out for these types of mop and you won’t go wrong.

• Spray mops have an integrated water tank (kind of like a water bottle) and they work by pulling the trigger. This sprays water and solution onto your floor. These tend to be easy to manoeuvre and also convenient to store.
• Flat mops are similar to that of a spray mop, just without a built-in water tank and trigger. You’ll need to use one of these with a solution in a spray bottle unless your mop works with only water to kill bacteria.
• Mop and buckets are the most popular type of mop. They do require you to lug around the bucket as you clean, though. A mop and bucket combo is great for deeper cleaning your floors – and getting into corners.
• Sponge mops are brilliant for cleaning tiles. They are gentle on your floors, while you might want to be careful so as not to soak your floors with a sponge mop. They are also great for use on walls, too. You will probably have to use a sponge mop with a bucket.

It’s also important to think about the mop head material. Sponge can be great at mopping up liquid spills with ease, while microfibre will make quick work of wet and muddy footprints. If you want chemical-free cleaning, then a steam mop could be right up your alley, providing you have compatible flooring.

How we test our mops

At Ideal Home, we know that in order to give you our opinion of the best mops on the market, we need to have tested them ourselves. That’s why all of the mops within this guide have been rigorously tested, over at least two weeks with each function and accessory used to establish value for money and functionality.

We tested the mops across different suitable floor types, and focused specifically on the size of the mop, manoeuvrability, cleaning quality and value for money (including whether the mop heads are reusable or whether they need regular replacing).

The process of exactly how we test involves using the products in our own homes frequently, in order to put them through their paces. By using them over an extended period of time, we can judge whether these products are worth your investment and whether they can stand the test of time.

FAQs

How to mop a floor

How you mop a floor will depend on they type of floor you have, as Paul Brewster, flooring expert at Flooring Hut, explains, ‘When it comes to mopping floors, the first thing to think about is the type of flooring you have, as different surfaces need different approaches. For example, tiles or vinyl can handle a damp mop with a mild, pH-neutral cleaner, but wood or laminate floors are much more sensitive to water. In those cases, you’ll want to use a barely damp mop with a cleaner made specifically for wood so you don’t risk any warping.’

Yarl Christie, Founder and CEO of Stories Flooring adds, ‘When dealing with tiles—ceramic or porcelain—they can handle more moisture, but you’ve still got to be cautious. Change out dirty mop water regularly to avoid that dull, muddy look. A small splash of vinegar in the water can give tiles a nice shine.’

Not sure if mopping or vacuuming is better, when it comes to the mopping process, Paul Hambidge, Managing Director at Factory Direct Flooring, explains that a combination of the two is best, ‘First, use a vacuum cleaner over your floor to suck up as much dust and debris as possible. Then, with a wrung-out mop, start at the edges of your room and move towards the centre in a figure-of-eight. Try to stick to one side of the mop, then flip it over. When the whole mop head is dirty, rinse it thoroughly in clean water before going over the floor again. This prevents spreading dirt further. When you’re finished, completely dry your floor using a soft towel.’

Clare Bolland, cleaning expert at Vileda, adds, ‘If you’re left with dried-on mud and dirt on your hard floors after a winter walk, spray any trouble patches with a solution of hot water and white vinegar for a few minutes before you get your mop out. This means that when it comes to mopping, you can achieve a spotless finish in no time.’

What is the most effective mop?

In terms of the most effective mop, when it comes to deep cleaning your floors, it has to be Vileda’s Turbo Microfibre Mop and Bucket Set. With a thick microfibre head and a bucket included, this mop makes it easy to get into those corners.

This also makes it great for scrubbing floors, and soaking them if need be. Plus, all you need to do is use it with hot water and it will sanitise your floors, killing 99.9% of bacteria.

What should I use in my mop for cleaning?

Depending on the type of mop that you buy, some just require hot water for decent floor cleaning. Some mops are equipped with heads that clean 99.9% of bacteria when wet so that you needn’t use any solutions on your floors. Others will need a cleaning solution to get your floors sparkling.

If you do use a cleaning solution, you need to make sure it’s suitable for the type of flooring you have. The Flooring Hut’s Paul Brewster explains, ‘Using harsh chemicals can strip away the protective finish on wood floors, making them more vulnerable to scratches and wear. Over time, this can dull the surface and make the floor look worn out. For any floor type, always opt for gentle, pH-neutral cleaners recommended for that specific material. That way, you’ll get a good clean without risking long-term damage.’

It’s also paramount to learn how to clean a mop head properly and when to replace your mop head once and for all, to ensure you’re cleaning as effectively as possible.

Is steaming floors better than mopping?

When it comes to steam mopping vs regular mopping, they’re actually two very different processes. We suggest you do both – not all of the time though. A mop is great for daily or weekly cleaning, and perfect for quick clean-ups whether from a messy dinner time or a spilt drink. A steam cleaner, or steam mop, however, is necessary for deeper cleaning.

This is because they use hot steam to sanitize your floors. It would be a smart idea to use a steam mop, like a or cleaner on your floors every month or so, with a normal floor mop being used twice a week – or more if need be.

How often should floors be mopped?

It probably goes without saying but brushing up and vacuuming high-traffic areas should be prioritised, while less trafficked areas can be mopped less often.

Nancy Emery, cleaning expert at Drench, adds, ‘Kitchens, bathrooms and hallways are areas in the home that have the most traffic, meaning they’re also likely to get the most dirty.’

‘As such, it’s best to regularly vacuum or sweep your floors every 3-4 days and then mop once a week. However, if you don’t clean correctly or with the right tools, you could be pushing built-up grime around your floors rather than removing it.’

How often should wood floors be mopped?

Hardwood floorcare specialist Bona’s Marketing Manager, Leanne Garvie says, ‘Learning how to clean wood floors is essential for protecting and maintaining your beautiful investment. Cleaning wood floors with the wrong cleaners – like homemade solutions – can leave them cloudy with residue, scratched, or even damaged.

‘We recommend dusting your floors daily with a microfibre mop or cloth to help prevent scratches and surface damage which can occur from the dust and debris that is trodden on, and spread across your floors when moving around the home.’

Is microfibre good for mopping?

We asked Minky’s Floorcare Product Category Manager, Louise Garvey for her intel on why microfibre is good for mopping. She says, ‘Microfibre is a synthetic material that is made up of tiny fibres that are woven together to form an effective cleaning surface. The microfibre strands can get into all the nooks and crannies of a floor to lift dirt.’

Leanne adds. ‘A microfibre dusting pad uses electrostatic action to pick up and lock away dirt, dust, hair, micro-particles, and other household allergens from your floor’s surface. Avoid lifting your microfibre mop up from the floor when you clean – this way you keep the dirt trapped on the pad, so it doesn’t scratch your floors.’

Is it better to mop wood floors with cold or hot water?

Hot water tends to be better for mopping than cold, as it helps to cut through grime more effectively, but it’s always best to read the instructions that come with your mop as the advice may change based on what type of floor you are cleaning.

‘We never recommend using hot or cold water to clean wood floors, since the moisture can penetrate the boards or blocks and over time can cause the wood planks to warp and move,’ explains Leanne.

‘Using a traditional mop and bucket also makes it difficult not to over-saturate your floor so we recommend using a water-based cleaning solution and a spray mop like Bona Premium Spray Mop for Wood Floor, £37.99 from Amazon which helps avoid over-saturation because they deliver a fine mist spray that is safer for your floor and will not damage it. Regular mopping effectively removes dirt and grime and dries almost instantly. Choose a high quality, low-VOC, water-based cleaning solution that won’t leave a residue or streaks across your floors.’

Can you mop unsealed wood floors?

‘If a wooden floor is unsealed (i.e. has no surface treatment) effective cleaning will be difficult. Any cleaning liquid applied to the surface is likely to soak into the surface, potentially introducing dissolved dirt into the wood resulting in discolouration. Cleaning should therefore be confined to dry methods, such as sweeping and vacuuming,’ explains Leanne.

‘The main benefit of having sealed wood floors is the ease of maintenance, especially as modern treatments are available which replicate the appearance of bare, unfinished wood.’

‘If the surface is treated with penetrating oil, the surface can be damp mopped providing a suitable cleaner is used and minimal quantities of liquid are used in conjunction with a microfibre mop.’