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. Show 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:
Mops have come a long way from your old-school stick and rag contraption. Let’s run through your options: Flat mopFlat 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 mopSpray 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 mopThese 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 mopOtherwise 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:
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 testThe 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.
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