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Glide through the housework, with these steam, spray and bucket mops
Cleaning your floors can be a tedious task but having a great mop can make all the difference. Whether you have hardwood, vinyl, tiles or laminate, the best floor mops will help you get back your sparkle.
Mops come in a variety of different styles and materials. Microfibre mops are great for trapping dirt and absorbing liquids, while sponge mops are great for quickly soaking up spills, and strong mops tend to lend themselves to heavier-duty cleaning.
There are also different features to look out for, such as whether the mop has a wringing mechanism or if it’s a spray mop, which is more convenient if you want to clean quickly.
Trying to find the best mop for you depends on several factors, but what type of floor you have plays a big part in the decision. If you have a hardwood floor you may want to look at microfibre mops or steam mops, as these clean the floors without too much moisture (which can damage the finish and over time cause the wood to bulge). Tiled and vinyl floors can handle wetter mopping, so a traditional string mop and bucket will work well.
Mops range from basic to high-end, so, whether you’re on a tight budget or ready to splash some cash, there’s a floor mop that will suit your needs, and we’ve rounded up our pick of the best.
We tested each of the floor mops featured in this guide on wood, tile and vinyl, to see how well they performed. Each floor mop was tested on its ability to clean up spills and how many passes it took to achieve a clean surface. We also looked at the ergonomics of each mop, considering how it handled manoeuvring around furniture and other obstacles.
Which cleaning products you use will depend on your floor type (and how dirty it is). Mild dish soap will, for the most part, be perfectly fine when it comes to everyday cleaning, but make sure to use a fairly small amount, so as to avoid leaving any sticky residue on the surface once it dries. Then there are specially formulated cleaning products, though, you’ll want to make sure these are suited to your floor – what will work well with tile flooring may not be best suited for wooden or unsealed floors.
Flat mops – a great choice for everyday cleaning, flat mops tend to work well when it comes to cleaning around corners, thanks to their squared-off shape.
Sponge mops – these offer an absorbent material for soaking up spills with speed. They won’t soak up so much water that they become cumbersome to move around, either. They may also boast a rougher surface, which can lend them to removing stubborn dirt.
Electric mops – should speed and ease of use be top priorities, this type of mop should definitely be on your radar. By working hard to buff the floor without requiring any extra exertion on your part, they’re an ideal choice for easily supercharging cleaning times.
While cleaning your mop head after each time you use it will help keep bacteria at bay, it’s best to change the mop head entirely every two months or before you reach around 30 washes – though, you may want to swap it sooner, once it starts to look dirty.
There’s nothing exciting about mops but, if you want clean floors, they are a must. We chose the Vileda turbo smart spin mop as our top pick because it’s a traditional-style mop suitable for all floors and won’t leave behind a glut of excess water. If you’re in the mood to spend some money, the Shark steam and scrub mop performs exceptionally well – it lifts any stuck-on dirt and grime with minimal effort and chemicals. For a budget option, we also love the Beldray flat mop and bucket set, as it’s compact and does a great job of really getting the dirt up from the floor, plus you can use your favourite floor cleaner with it.
For a powerful deep clean, check out our guide to the best steam cleaners that will keep your floor sparkling