Best wet dry mop for hardwood floors

Cleaning hard floors can be tedious, but the best mops have been designed with ease and efficiency in mind. Most use microfibre cloths that pick up and grip onto a lot of dirt, meaning you can get the job done faster.

Some are self-wringing, others are designed for both wet and dry mopping, and many have telescopic handles that can be extended or shortened to suit your height. Spray mops, which do away with the need for a bucket, can come in handy too.

If you want squeaky clean floors on any budget, we've tested and selected the best mops available to shop now.

What is the most effective mop?

There’s an overwhelming number of mops on the market, but we’ve found the best to suit all needs and budgets. You'll find our brief guide to the different types of mop below, but here are our top picks at a glance:

  • Best wet dry mop for hardwood floors

    Best flat mop

    Spontex Full Action System Spin Mop and Bucket

    Read More

  • Best wet dry mop for hardwood floors

    Runner-up flat mop

    E-Cloth Deep Clean Mop

    Read More

  • Best wet dry mop for hardwood floors

    Best flat mop for bathrooms and easy storage

    E-Cloth Mini Deep Clean Mop

    Read More

  • Best wet dry mop for hardwood floors

    Best flat mop for wooden floors

    Vileda Ultramax Complete Mop & Bucket Set

    Read More

  • Best wet dry mop for hardwood floors

    Best flat mop for small spaces

    Spontex Express System+ Compact Mop & Bucket

    Read More

      Mops have come a long way from your old-school stick and rag contraption. Let’s run through your options:

      Flat mop

      Flat mops come with a rectangular or circular head that’s, unsurprisingly, flat, and great at getting into corners. Their reusable or disposable cloths are usually made of microfibre, a polyester and nylon mix that produces static to attract and hold onto grime. Flat mops aren’t the best at removing stubborn marks, but they’re usually easy to store.

      Spray mop

      Spray mops are just like flat mops, only they have a spray trigger on the handle, doing away with the need for a bucket. They’re worth considering if you’re short on cupboard space.

      Sponge mop

      These mops have a spongy head, making them highly absorbent. They also boast a wringing mechanism, which squeezes out as much liquid as possible so that your floors dry quickly. The sponge can harbour bacteria and start to smell if not cared for properly, so be sure to clean and store it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

      Traditional mop

      Otherwise known as a string mop, these are great for heavy-duty cleaning as their cotton fibres are super durable. You’ll need to invest in a wringing bucket if it doesn’t come with one already.

      What floors can’t be mopped?

      Most hard floors can be mopped but a few require special treatment. Water can damage waxed wooden floors and unsealed wooden floors. Chemicals can damage stone tiles, so only use a microfibre mop and water on those.

      Why are my floors still dirty after mopping?

      Before you dive straight into a mopping session, take note of our top tips for sparkling results:

      1. Clear everything out of the way so you can access every part of your floor.
      2. Sweep or vacuum. This may feel excessive, but cleaning up any superficial dust and dirt first will mean you don’t end up pushing it around!
      3. Use warm water, as it loosens grime more effectively than cold water, but note that very hot or boiling water can damage flooring.
      4. Wring your mop out as much as you can before cleaning, as soaked floors take forever to dry. Rinse out your bucket once the water starts looking muddy.

        How often should I replace my mop?

        Replace your mop head every three months, or sooner if it’s stained or fraying. To help increase its lifespan, let it air dry fully after use and store it in a cool, dry place. Most brands sell replacement mop heads and some mops come with a spare.

        How we test

        The GHI team put a range of mops through their paces across vinyl, ceramic tiles and wood laminate. Our rigorous testers dirtied each floor with mud, tea and cooking oil and left the stains to set. They then recorded how many sweeps each mop took to clean the floor fully. They also judged how comfortable each one was to hold and manoeuvre.

        Best flat mop

        Amazon

        Spontex Full Action System Spin Mop and Bucket

        Runner-up flat mop

        amazon.co.uk

        E-Cloth Deep Clean Mop

        Best flat mop for bathrooms and easy storage

        amazon.co.uk

        E-Cloth Mini Deep Clean Mop

        Best flat mop for wooden floors

        Amazon

        Vileda Ultramax Complete Mop & Bucket Set

        Best flat mop for small spaces

        amazon.co.uk

        Spontex Express System+ Compact Mop & Bucket

        Best flat mop for speedy cleaning

        amazon.co.uk

        Flash SpeedMop Starter Kit Plus 6 Pads

        Best flat mop for tough stains

        johnlewis.com

        OXO Good Grips Spray Mop with Scrubber

        Best flat mop for skirting boards

        amazon.co.uk

        Vileda Turbo Microfibre Mop and Bucket Set Set with Extra 2-in-1 Head Replacement

        Best spray mop

        Amazon

        Flash Power Mop Starter Kit

        Best compact spray mop

        lakeland.co.uk

        Lakeland Hard Floor Spray Mop

        Best spray mop kit

        wood-finishes-direct.com

        Bona Stone Tile and Laminate Spray Mop Kit

        Best anti-bac spray mop

        amazon.co.uk

        Beldray AntiBacterial Classic Spray Mop with Replacement Pad

        Best sponge mop

        amazon.co.uk

        Addis Superdry Plus Mop

        Joint runner-up sponge mop

        johnlewis.com

        OXO Good Grips Butterfly Mop

        Best string mop

        amazon.co.uk

        Leifheit Clean Twist Disc Mop with Wheeled Bucket

        Runner-up string mop

        amazon.co.uk

        Vileda SuperMocio Microfibre & Power XL Mop and Bucket

        Best string mop for mixed floor homes

        amazon.co.uk

        Minky 3-in-1 Power Clean Mop with Smart Bucket and Wringer

        Best string mop for tiles

        argos.co.uk

        Vileda Turbo Spin Mop and Bucket Set

        Best budget string mop

        dunelm.com

        Addis Mega Mop and Refill

        Best string mop for cleaning mud

        very.co.uk

        JML Whizz Mop

        Best string mop for reaching into corners

        argos.co.uk

        Vileda SuperMocio 3Action XL Mop & Bucket Set

        What is the best type of mop for hardwood floors?

        Soft microfiber mops work best on hardwood floors. You can spray a sanitizing cleaning solution or hardwood-friendly cleaner on before dusting for a deeper clean, but a mop with a gentle microfiber pad is the best option for engineered wood or hardwood floors.

        Is it OK to wet mop hardwood floors?

        Do not wet mop wood flooring. Damp is good. Dripping wet is bad. If you can ring out the mop or pad, you're working with too much water.

        What is the best way to wash hardwood floors?

        Use a damp-mop with a flat-head mop and microfiber pad or a microfiber string mop that has been thoroughly wrung out when it looks dingy. Move with the grain, and control the amount of cleaning solution by using a spray bottle, aiming for a heavy mist or gentle squirt of about a half teaspoon per 2 square feet.