Best Mop For Deep Cleaning And Drying. Buyers Guide & Reviews

Helen Skeates
Helen Skeates
24 min read

There are many different types of mops on the market, each with a different set of characteristics to help you clean. In this analysis, the This Old House Reviews Team analyzed the top mops on Amazon to help you pick the device that’s suitable for your needs. Local home centers, big-box retailers, and internet sellers like Amazon carry the products featured in this article.

Different types of mops are better suited for different types of flooring, such as hardwood or tile. These differences can have a significant impact on how well they clean. The This Old House Reviews Team scoured Amazon for the top mops to help you choose the one that’s suitable for you. The following are the top five suggestions we have.

Why do you need a mop?

10 Best Mops of 2021 for All Cleaning Surfaces & Floor TypesThe mops pick up everything that vacuums leave behind, such as dirt and mud tracked in by pets and shoes, coffee spills, stubborn stains and microscopic microorganisms that can’t be seen. The mops are a need for households with crawling babies, children, pets, or anyone else who likes to make messes.

Best Scrubbing: BISSELL PowerFresh Steam Mop

Chemical-free cleaning and 99.9 percent germ removal are possible with this mop. Scent discs can be used to get rid of leftover odors and to personalize the steam level of the mop. With its flip-down scrubber, it can even remove stubborn dirt and scum.

Key Features

  • The power cord is 23 feet long.
  • Three steam pressures
  • A water tank that can be refilled.
  • a pair of mops
  • Two scented discs.
  • Scrubbers that fold down

What Customers Are Saying

Overall, the BISSELL PowerFresh Steam Mop receives an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 33,800 global reviews. Ninety-one percent of consumers rated the mop 4 stars or higher, while only five percent rated it 2 stars or worse.

The mop’s adaptability was praised by customers. They also agreed that this mop was quite effective in tackling messes. Customers frequently complained that the scent discs lacked a pleasing aroma.

Best Pack: Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Microfiber Floor Mop

Use this multipurpose mop to clean vinyl, hardwood, laminate, and tile floors with ease. There are two reusable bottles that can be loaded with hot water and any cleaning solution of your choice, as well as three washable and re-usable microfiber pads.

Key Features

  • Trigger
  • Two water tanks that can be refilled
  • Pads for three mops

What Customers Are Saying

There have been 7,400 reviews for this product all around the world, with an average rating of 4.6 stars. Ninety-six percent of consumers gave the product 4 stars or above, while just six percent of customers gave it 2 stars or worse.

Most consumers found this mop to be simple to put together. They also claimed that it was long-lasting and durable. Some customers, on the other hand, complained that the refilled bottles leaked easily.

Best Handle: Microfiber Wholesale Mop

A microfibre pad is attached to the bottom of the mop frame and the handle is locked in place. No matter if you use it wet or dry, you can count on the Microfiber Wholesale Mop to get the job done. If you don’t want to bend down as much when using this tool, it comes with an extension handle.

Key Features

  • a pair of mops
  • A handle that can be extended.
  • The ability to rotate 360 degrees.

What Customers Are Saying

About 7,200 people have given this mop a rating, with 91% giving it 4 stars or higher and 4% giving it 2 stars or lower. This item has a 4.6-star rating out of a possible five.

Customers praised the mop’s thorough cleaning abilities and the high-quality materials it was constructed from. The mop’s simplicity was lauded by many reviewers. Customers who were dissatisfied reported that as they continued to use the mop, it grew less and less strong.

Best Mop Head: O-Cedar ProMist MAX Microfiber Spray Mop

This high-quality mop can remove 99 percent of bacteria, including E. coli. One-touch bottle release and an automatic spray mechanism are included in the design of the mop, which is intended to make cleaning easier. In addition, its head can be reversed, enabling you to use both sides of the mop pad.

Key Features

  • Trigger
  • A water tank that can be refilled.
  • Turning a full 180 degrees

What Customers Are Saying

In total, over 29,000 people have reviewed the O-Cedar ProMist MAX Microfiber Spray Mop, giving it an average score of 4.4 out of 5. 86% of consumers gave the product a rating of 4 or more stars, while just 10% gave it a rating of 2 or less stars.

Reviewers praised the product’s portability, ease of assembly, and overall light weight. If the manufacturer’s recommendations on how to properly empty and store the sprayer and water tank were followed, some customers reported that the sprayer malfunctioned after repeated usage.

The Best Mops to Buy in 2021, According to Experts | Martha Stewart

Best Robot Mop: iRobot 240 Braava Robot Mop

If you’re too tired or busy to clean, the iRobot 240 Braava Robot Mop can do the job for you. Because of the mop’s unique form, it can clean under and around furniture, toilets, and other hard-to-reach areas of your home. It is also possible to manage this smart mop using an Apple or Android smartphone or tablet.

Key Features

  • The app is in charge of everything.
  • Battery that can be recharged
  • A water tank that can be refilled.
  • Mop pads for six
  • It comes with a one-year guarantee

What Customers Are Saying

This robot mop has an average rating of 4.11 stars out of 9,100 reviews from around the world. 70% of consumers gave the product 4 or 5 stars, while 16% of customers gave it 1 or 2 stars. Customers were split evenly between the two.

Its lengthy battery life and low noise level were two of the most popular features of the mop with customers. Some users said it was effective at cleaning tile. Some clients, on the other hand, were not pleased with how well it mapped their homes, claiming that it repeatedly swept over the same locations and missed others entirely.

Best Spray Mop: O-Cedar ProMist Max Microfiber Spray Mop

Using the O-Cedar Spray Mop, you don’t have to deal with the mess of pre-moistened disposable pads when cleaning hardwood or tile floors. The mop head of the ProMist Max comes with a washable, 100-time-reusable microfiber pad. Saving money and plastic waste is made possible with a removable tank that looks like a water bottle. The tank was large enough to retain water or cleanser for a few weeks before needing to be refilled, which was appreciated by our test subject. Our research indicated that utilizing a cleaning solution made a substantial impact in the cleanliness of the floors and resulted in a streak-free surface. With a hand-activated sprayer, there is no need for wires or batteries, and you can control the amount of water that is sprayed on the floor. Although the mop relies exclusively on physical power, we found that additional scrubbing and pressure helps remove particularly tough spots that a simple once-over can’t get. If you’re in the market for a low-cost and environmentally friendly cleaning solution for your house, this mop is a perfect choice.

“I like that the mop pad is dual-sided and that the microfiber head flips 180 degrees so I get double the coverage,” says our Editor’s Review.

Best Steam Mop: BISSELL PowerFresh Steam Mop

The BISSELL PowerFresh Steam Mop, which weighs just six pounds, glides across any surface like a dream. Our tester was blown away by the nimbleness of the device, which made it possible to get into small spaces (such as next to the toilet) and fit under tables and chairs. Depending on the type of floor you have and the amount of dirt present, you can select from three different steam settings. When cleaning grout and tile, a drop-down scrub brush on the mop’s rear gives more power. Compared to other mops we examined, removing the white cotton pad for washing was more cumbersome, but the pad’s sturdiness and stability offset this disadvantage. The mops with removable water tanks were the most convenient to fill. During the course of cleaning the entire house, our tester only needed to replenish the 16-ounce tank once. You don’t need anything except water to sanitize your floors with this steam mop; the steam dries rapidly and kills most bacteria. It’s not the most agile on stairs, but generally, this steam mop left our testers’ floors squeaky clean.

“I don’t have to scrub or put in really much effort at all to clean, plus I adore the cord length!!” My kitchen, dining room, stairwell, and living space were all mopped without having to unplug and move the mop.”

Best Spin Mop: O-Cedar EasyWring Microfiber Spin Mop

The standard mop-and-bucket method won’t work in this case. Its refillable, machine-washable microfibre pad glides across any floor surface, gathering up dirt, dust, and grime as it goes. Even the oldest and most stubborn stains were easily removed without applying any pressure or scraping. The dirty mop head is swiftly drained by a foot pedal-powered bucket mechanism, so you don’t have to touch it. When compared to cotton, microfiber dries more quickly, so the mop head doesn’t leave floors dripping with water. A deeper clean is made possible by microfiber’s superior ability to pick up and hold dirt and debris that the vacuum leaves behind. The adjustable height of the mop handle was highly regarded by our tester, as it allowed the mop to reach further under furniture and into nooks and crannies. This is something to keep in mind if you have a wide surface area to clean and the bucket is heavy and burdensome when filled with water. You’ll also have to continuously re-filling the bucket with water and lugging it around while you clean, which may not be ideal for some people. As a result, the system’s size could be a problem for those who live in smaller homes.

“The bucket with a built-in pedal made washing the mop head… dare I say… enjoyable?” no arm strength is required, no getting sprayed by dirty water, nothing other than some pressure on the pedal, and the task has been accomplished.”

Best Dust Mop: Turbo Microfiber Dust Mop

We were impressed with the Turbo Dust Mop’s lightweight, durable design and powerful cleaning abilities. They may be washed up to 100 times and are soft enough to use on hardwood, laminate, or vinyl floors when lightly soaked for wet cleaning. When it comes to cleaning tile and grout, this mop is equipped with a set of scrub pads. Our reviewer praised Turbo’s agility, which made it a breeze to clean up the mess. There was a lot of hair and dust that the vacuum didn’t take up, and this mop picked it all up.

For this reason, we recommend using only a very small amount of water or cleaner while using this product. In our experience, using too much water or cleaner made it difficult to push and made it less glide-friendly. Additionally, this can be used on flat surfaces like baseboards or furniture if you want.”

Best Mop for Hardwood Floors: MR.SIGA Microfiber Dust Mop

This MR.SIGA Dust Mop is an excellent option if you have predominantly hardwood floors and need a dusting and waxing mop with a dual-sided pad. After a quick dusting with the provided comb, the soft waxing side of the pad can be used to complete polishing and remove any remaining loose particles. Mop pads last up to 100 washings apiece, so you won’t have to replace them very often, making this a very environmentally beneficial solution. With the use of castile soap and water, our test subject found that scrubbing up old filth and stains was much easier. The mop pad remained firmly in place despite the added pressure due to the use of two robust clamps.

“I think it’s a terrific value for the price and basically all I need in a mop given I have hardwood floors throughout my home,” our Editor’s Review stated. It does a great job of picking up scuffs and grime that my vacuum just couldn’t handle.

Buyer’s Guide

The effectiveness, durability, and convenience of mops can vary widely. This buying guide will help you choose the best mop for your needs.

Mop Type

There are many different kinds of mops, but these are the most common:

String

When you think about mops, you probably picture something like this. For cleaning, a bucket and cleaning solution are included, and the head’s strings can be soaked and squeezed dry. Strip mop is a type of string mop that employs fabric strips instead of threads.

Spin

To dampen the head of the spin mop, a bucket is provided, just like with string and strip mops. It has a slot that spins the mop head to wring off moisture, though. This keeps the head from leaving pools of water on the floor because it’s only slightly damp.

10 Best Mops of 2021 for All Cleaning Surfaces & Floor Types

Spray

To use a spray mop, the user just presses the trigger and the water and cleaning solution mixture flows out of the tank. The cloth pad on the head of the mop pushes the mixture over your floors, capturing dirt, dust, and other particles as it moves across the surface.

Steam

Using electricity, steam mops generate steam by heating the water in their tanks. Without the use of chemicals, the steam on your floor loosens dirt and filth.

Robot

You don’t have to lift a finger. You can usually control how and when your home is cleaned via an app that connects to your smartphone.

Durability

Steel-handled mops are more durable than those with plastic handles, according to research. As an added bonus, a screwed- or weld-on mop head lasts longer than one attached with adhesive.

Convenience

Some mops have special features that make them more convenient to use. O-ProMist Cedar’s MAX Microfiber Spray Mop, for example, has a one-touch release that makes it easier to refill the bottle with water. Another option is an automatic mop, such as the iRobot 240 Braava Robot Mop. You won’t have to lift a finger!

How to clean a mop to stop it from smelling

The materials we use to clean our floors can make our mop smell over time, which seems illogical. This, of course, is tainted by the inevitable accumulation of dirt and bacteria. Cleaning a mop is necessary both to keep the house clean and to keep it from smelling nasty. You can accomplish this by performing the following actions:

  1. Add a small amount of mild soap to a pail of warm or cool water. You can use a blend of bleach and a suitable detergent instead of soap.
  2. The mop head should be inserted into a bucket. Regardless of whether you use cloth or microfiber mops, this step should be included in your cleaning routine.
  3. The mop should be rubbed with your hands in the bucket’s mixture. Remove any remaining dirt or mildew by scrubbing it in a vigorous manner.
  4. Fill the bucket with fresh water after rinsing the mop and discarding the used water. The mop bucket may need to be rinsed several times to remove dirt.
  5. Adding white vinegar to the bucket is a good idea. Then, add three lemons’ worth of juice and let the mop soak for three hours. For a fresh mop head, simply mix vinegar and lemon juice together and spray it on the mop head.
  6. Rinse well in water after three hours. Remove the mop’s extra water by wringing it out and exposing it to the sun’s rays. Excess water in the fibers can be removed by exposing them to the sun’s radiation.

The mop will be disinfected, cleaned, and made whiter using white vinegar. In addition, the lemon juice will assist get rid of the foul odor in the kitchen. At least once a week, use this method to clean the mop. Ideally, it should be done after each usage, however this may not always be the case..

Check out our articles on cleaning with vinegar and cleaning with lemon to learn more about these natural agents.

How to remove hairs from the mop

When trying to clean a mop head, hairs getting tangled in the fibers is one of the most aggravating problems. The following hints will help you learn how to thoroughly clean your mop of hair if you’re having trouble removing it.

  • Mix bleach and detergent or soap in a gallon of water. You can use this solution to clean the mop of hair and grime.
  • Insert the mop head into the bucket and begin scrubbing vigorously. When the hairs are removed, they should float back to the top of the tank. You may get rid of any remaining hair by wringing out the mop and tossing the unclean water.
  • Preventative measures include the use of gloves, such as bleach or detergent, in order to avoid contact with harmful items.

Once you’ve cleaned your mop, you’ll want to know how to get the most out of it. More information may be found in our guide on how to effectively clean your house with a mop, which we wrote.

Why cleaning a mop is so important

In order to maintain the floor clean and free of dirt, the mop is used. As the mop is swept across the floor, it collects dust, debris, and bacteria in its fibers. These dirt flecks become embedded in the mop’s fibers if it isn’t cleaned frequently enough. Cleaning the mop after each usage is critical to keeping it free of filth. In this method, you avoid generating more dirt than you clean and releasing unpleasant scents when you use it to scrub.

After each usage, we must not only thoroughly clean the mop but also allow it to dry completely. Even though it’s tough to do in cold or rainy locations, it must be done. Moisture encourages the growth of bacteria and mildew. After we’ve cleaned the mop, it’s still possible for the moist mop to acquire odors and get unclean.

How often to change a mop head

How long does a mop last? How you use and maintain this cleaning instrument will have a significant impact on its lifespan. Mop heads typically last for at least a month of use. However, how frequently you use it and how thoroughly you clean it after each use will determine how long it lasts.

When used in conjunction with other cleaning tools like a vacuum cleaner or even a robot vacuum cleaner like a Roomba, the mop may become less necessary. This is due to the fact that the flooring will be cleaner. After each use, we should clean the mop thoroughly, dry it thoroughly between usage, and store it properly, and it should last for two to three months. It’s also a good idea to replace the mop head after this period.

Separate mop heads for different areas of the house are another something we recommend. The kitchen and bathroom floors should be cleaned with one mop, while the rest of the house should be cleaned with another. This is due to the fact that the first tend to be dirtier and contain a higher concentration of bacteria.

Ideally, you should also use two mops buckets when cleaning a floor. The first will have a solution of floor cleaning detergent. The other will be contain clean water. After dipping the mop head in cleaning solution, you can then rinse it in clean water. This method is the most effective at preventing additional dirt from being dispersed across the floor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are microfiber mop pads reusable?

Ideally, you should also use two mops buckets when cleaning a floor. The first will have a solution of floor cleaning detergent. The other will be contain clean water. After dipping the mop head in cleaning solution, you can then rinse it in clean water. This method is the most effective at preventing additional dirt from being dispersed across the floor.

Can mops damage hardwood floors?

When mopping a floor, it’s best to use two buckets. The first one will have a detergent solution for mopping the floor. Water from another source will be provided. His method allows you to dip the mop head into the cleaning solution and then rinse it in clean water.. This is the most effective method of preventing the spread of additional dirt on the floor.

How can I properly prepare my spray mop for storage?

Pour out any residual solution to get things started. In order to remove any remaining solution from the mop, fill the container with water and pull the trigger two or three times to flush out the mophead itself. Keep the mop in a dry, cool place until you need it again.

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Helen Skeates

Helen Skeates

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