Photograph: Anne Holub for Bob Vila
Hardwood flooring are a coveted basic for his or her numerous graining and delightful colours that add richness and dimension to so many decor schemes. However in houses with youngsters, pets, and/or heavy visitors, hardwood flooring are liable to exhibiting filth and mud rapidly. If maintained correctly—and meaning having the precise software—wooden flooring can maintain their end for years with out harm or cracking. Some brooms, for example, might be too abrasive, whereas mops designed to wash hardwood flooring are perfect for these surfaces.
It may be difficult to select a ground mop that fits your cleansing type and funds, in addition to the diploma of filth and stains in your flooring. That will help you discover one of the best mop on your scenario, we put a number of various merchandise by their paces in a house with loads of mud, filth, and pet hair. Whereas some glorious merchandise got here from acquainted, trusted manufacturers, we had been shocked to study that just a few prime contenders didn’t carry out as anticipated. This goes to indicate the significance of actual consumer testing to separate hype from high quality. Learn on to get a deal with on what to search for in one of the best mops for wooden flooring, in addition to our opinions of merchandise we deem superior in immediately’s crowded market.
- BEST OVERALL: Mr.Siga Skilled Microfiber Mop for Wooden Flooring
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Swiffer Sweeper 2-in-1 Sweeping and Mopping Equipment
- UPGRADE PICK: Bissell 2039A SpinWave Laborious Flooring Spin Mop
- BEST SPRAY MOP: Bona Premium Spray Mop for Hardwood Flooring
- BEST STEAM MOP: Bissell 1940 PowerFresh Steam Mop for Wooden Flooring
Photograph: Anne Holub for Bob Vila
How We Examined the Greatest Mops for Wooden Flooring
We put a collection of mops for hardwood flooring, each cordless and corded, by their paces in a typical house that amassed mud, filth, pet hair, and muddy paw prints. We used the mops with their supplied cleaners or distilled water, as really useful by the producers. We famous how straightforward or troublesome the mops had been to assemble, and thought of the practicality of storing them. Lastly, we used every in a managed check of dried mud and ketchup smeared on hardwood flooring and famous how a lot every ground mop left behind.
Our High Picks
Many have no idea what to search for in one of the best mops for hardwood flooring, however listed here are some real-life opinions tp get your began. Take a look at the next fashions, all of which met our standards for high quality, ease of use, and total efficiency to seek out one of the best mops for wooden flooring.
Photograph: amazon.com
Although Mr. Siga wasn’t an instantly recognizable model, we had been delightfully shocked by the wonderful job its Skilled Microfiber Mop did in testing. We discovered that this tall ground mop with an adjustable stainless-steel telescoping deal with had nice attain below dusty couches and round desk legs. The very vast rectangular mophead with a 360-degree swivel motion meant much less work on massive hardwood flooring, since with fewer swipes and higher maneuverability, we acquired our dusting and moist mopping jobs executed rapidly.
At first, we had been stumped on how one can moisten the cleansing material, however a little bit of on-line analysis taught us just a few methods for microfiber mops. Merely moist the material, roll it as much as wring it out, then connect it to the mophead base. The microfiber mop cloths are reusable—simply toss within the washer to launder. A useful filth scrubber attachment is included for tight corners and difficult rime, and the mop can be utilized on quite a lot of surfaces, together with marble, tile, and laminate, in addition to hardwood.
Product Specs
- Sort of mop: Flat
- Reusable or disposable mophead: Reusable
- Sort of cleaner wanted: Water or consumer’s alternative
Execs
- Comes with three reusable microfiber mopheads for giant areas or a number of makes use of
- Telescoping deal with shops simply; nice for smaller areas
- Engaging value level in comparison with comparable choices
- Included filth scrubber reaches below and into tight areas simply
- Machine-washable microfiber cloths; straightforward to reuse
Cons
- No automated wringing operate can go away the mop excessively moist
Get the Mr.Siga microfiber mop on Amazon or Mr. Siga.
Photograph: amazon.com
When fast, handy ground cleansing is the order of the day, a disposable mop material could also be one of the best answer. Swiffer affords this package with the mandatory items to get flooring clear quick: the mop itself, 4 dry heavy-duty refills, three moist heavy-duty refills, 10 dry sweeping cloths, and two moist mopping pads. For probably the most half, we had been impressed by this cheap, light-weight, and full ground cleansing system.
Swiffer’s 360-degree swivel motion made hard-to-reach locations simpler to entry, and its easy-grip deal with saved the unit from slipping away whereas mopping. Throughout checks, we discovered that the heavy-duty moist pad captured a variety of powerful grime on our wooden flooring. (Word: that these pads shouldn’t be used on unsealed wooden flooring.) On the draw back, nonetheless, was the sturdy and considerably lingering proprietary scent. Additionally, often the pad popped out of the mophead for no obvious cause. Take into account that the moist refills ought to solely be used to keep up sealed wooden flooring.
Product Specs
- Sort of mop: Flat
- Reusable or disposable mophead: Disposable (moist and dry)
- Sort of cleaner wanted: None (moist pads come pre-moistened)
Execs
- Light-weight mop is simple to retailer; preferrred for houses with restricted house
- Contemporary pads for each use; no want to wash outdated soiled pads
- Dry pads seize all method of mud and particles; appropriate for houses with youngsters and pets
Cons
- Alternative pads are considerably costly if purchased often
- Mop deal with can bend from heavy-duty use
- Sturdy scent to moist pads will not be to everybody’s liking
Get the Swiffer mopping package at Amazon, Lowe’s, Ace {Hardware}, or Goal.
Photograph: acehardware.com
This corded electrical mannequin from Bissell makes use of a pair of rotating mop pads that energy by mud and most filth, so customers needn’t apply a lot elbow grease. Its beneficiant 22-foot twine is lengthy sufficient to allow us to attain the corners of even our largest rooms. The included soft-touch and scrub pads are machine cleanable. An on-demand spray characteristic delivers the cleansing answer from its 28-ounce tank on the contact of a button. Additionally included are samples of Bissell’s personal model of hardwood cleaner, which mixes with water to gas the mop.
Whereas the swivel steering offers entry to these hard-to-reach corners, we discovered that the twin set of spherical mopheads don’t match nicely into tight areas. Additionally, whereas our testing discovered this mop to have loads of zip to maneuver across the ground and collect floor filth, it couldn’t successfully battle dried mud and ketchup; in actual fact, the Spinwave unfold fairly than banished this powerful filth. The Spinwave mop is secure for cleansing sealed hardwood flooring in addition to tile, vinyl, and linoleum.
Product Specs
- Sort of mop: Flat/spinning
- Reusable or disposable mophead: Reusable
- Sort of cleaner wanted: Water with Bissell’s hardwood cleaner (really useful)
Execs
- Highly effective cleaner works on more durable stains and spills
- Lengthy energy twine is good for bigger areas
- Mop pad is appropriate for a number of surfaces together with tile, hardwood, vinyl, and linoleum
- Spray button to dispense cleansing answer is straightforward to make use of
Cons
- Some customers have reported that this mannequin can go away streaks on the ground
- Poor efficiency on dried mud and ketchup
Get the Bissell SpinWave mop at Ace {Hardware}, Amazon, Wayfair, or Bissell.
Photograph: amazon.com
We discovered this point-and-spray microfiber ground mop to be a hard-working weapon within the struggle on soiled hardwood flooring. This spray mop comes prefilled with a full bottle of cleaner from Bona—a widely known model in wooden care—and a large mophead designed to scale back the time spent cleansing. It’s a handbook mannequin, no twine or batteries are required, however it proved light-weight and maneuverable for simple mopping.
Used dry, the microfiber cleansing pad did a superb job of choosing up mud and pet hair. To sort out cussed dried messes, simply pull the set off to use spray cleaner proper the place it’s wanted. The intelligent built-in bumpers on the vast, lengthy, rectangular mophead assist forestall scratches on chair legs and baseboard molding. The reservoir for the cleansing answer is straightforward to refill, and the microfiber mop cloths are detachable for machine washing.
Product Specs
- Sort of mop: Flat
- Reusable or disposable mophead: Reusable
- Sort of cleaner wanted: Bona model hardwood cleaner
Execs
- No electrical energy required; can be utilized anyplace
- Lengthy-lasting and washable pads helps maintain prices low
- Spray head is simple to make use of and fill; tank might be eliminated for filling
Cons
- Spray set off might be tiring to make use of after some time
- Bona cleaner is considerably dear
Get the Bona spray mop at Amazon, Ace {Hardware}, or Goal.
Photograph: amazon.com
Steam mopping affords a floor-cleaning answer that eliminates 99.9 p.c of germs and micro organism with out forsaking any poisonous residue. Really useful for onerous, sealed flooring, the Bissell Energy Contemporary Steam Mop has three steam settings and swivel steering for hard-to-reach areas. The mop is secure for sealed hardwood and different flooring surfaces, and it comes with one microfiber gentle pad, one microfiber scrubby pad, two perfume discs, and a carpet glider.
In consumer testing, this steam and microfiber mop was an actual champ, able to eradicating dried mud and ketchup. The truth that this software creates steam to sanitize utilizing water could also be a boon to these with sensitivities to chemical cleaners. This steam mop has three steam settings for customers to pick from relying on the diploma of cussed filth and stains, and the ample 23-foot energy twine is a plus when cleansing massive areas.
Product Specs
- Sort of mop: Steam
- Reusable or disposable mophead: Reusable
- Sort of cleaner wanted: Water (distilled most popular)
Execs
- Steam cleaner removes 99.9 p.c of micro organism
- 3 steam settings to select from relying on the duty at hand
- Wonderful for cleansing grout; breaks up stuck-on filth and dirt
- Light-weight and straightforward to maneuver; nice for prolonged use
Cons
- Energy twine might be tiring to wind up after use
Get the Bissell Energy Contemporary steam mop at Amazon.
ALSO TESTED
Whereas we appreciated the sunshine weight and handy folding design of the foldable PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop Cleaner, it couldn’t evaluate with the Bissell 1940 PowerFresh Steam Mop for Wooden Flooring when it got here to cleansing dried meals and dirt from our testing surfaces. Plus, its water reservoir didn’t empty fully (a possible for mould buildup), and its bundle of handheld steamer attachments got here with no storage choices.
Though O-Cedar is a widely known model in mopping, we discovered two of the corporate’s merchandise fairly disappointing in checks. The O-Cedar EasyWring Spin Mop & Bucket System failed to soak up liquid nicely, leaving very moist flooring for a very long time after we mopped, and the deal with didn’t broaden past a small diploma, which made for awkward swab strokes. Then, whereas following directions to swap out a used mophead, the underside of the O-Cedar broke from the bottom.
One other O-Cedar product, the O-Cedar ProMist Max Microfiber Spray Mop, appeared promising with its distinctive wrap-around flat mophead (akin to a mitten on the bottom of the mop). However in apply, it too absorbed liquid (together with its personal cleansing fluid) poorly, and merely smeared filth and dried ketchup round. We needed to love its light-weight design, however it felt low cost and flimsy, particularly the trigger-spray deal with.
What to Contemplate When Selecting a Mop for Wooden Flooring
Earlier than buying a mop for wooden flooring, take into consideration its ease of use, any cleansing options it dispenses, and the value. Along with the software itself, issue within the dimension of the world that wants mopping.
Sort
There are various kinds of mops accessible to swimsuit numerous ground upkeep preferences: flat mops, string mops, steam mops, and mud mops. Some are used solely for dusting flooring, whereas other forms operate as each moist and dry mops.
Old style dunk-in-a-bucket mops require hand-wringing, however there are extra handy, much less messy choices immediately. These mops might characteristic electrical or mechanical parts for wringing, in addition to both reusable or disposable elements, so search for the sort and system that fits consumer cleansing desire, ground sort, and ground dimension.
Mop Head
The enterprise finish of a ground mop is often both disposable or reusable. Disposable choices are handy for fast touch-ups and smaller flooring, whereas reusable ones usually show extra budget-friendly and might sort out bigger surfaces.
Each sorts of mopheads affect sustainability, however in numerous methods. Reusable mopheads require water and chemical compounds to launder after use, whereas disposable variations head straight to the landfill. For bigger areas, a reusable, machine-washable mophead might be extra environment friendly and eco-friendly than utilizing a number of disposable mopheads per cleansing session. Those that want a reusable choice may take into account microfiber mopheads, which is able to catch and maintain filth and liquids higher than supplies akin to cotton or sponge whereas decreasing the look of scratches and scuffs.
Corded vs. Cordless
If pushing a handbook mop round appears laborious and inefficient, take into account an electrical mannequin. These merchandise sometimes have quite a lot of cleansing modes and processes (together with one particularly for wooden flooring), and should characteristic using steam and/or cleansing options, and infrequently include swiveling heads for simpler maneuverability.
Electrical mops could also be corded or cordless—and each sorts require entry to an outlet. Corded mops should be plugged in throughout use whereas the battery charger of cordless fashions should be plugged in as nicely. The portability of cordless fashions tends to enchantment to people who don’t wish to be tied right down to the size of a twine, sometimes as a result of they’ve a big space to wash on completely different ranges.
Cleansing Resolution
When cussed filth and stains happen, wooden flooring might require extra vigorous cleansing than simply dry mopping, however solely with a product particularly formulated for hardwood flooring. Whereas hardwood flooring are often completed and sealed, some variations could also be unsealed—it’s essential to keep away from utilizing water on unsealed hardwood flooring, in addition to harsh cleansers on any wooden ground. An all-purpose ground cleaner, for example, might boring or, worse, strip the end.
Although there are various kinds of cleansing options, people who can be utilized straight from the container with out diluting are typically safer, since any extra water from mixing a concentrated formulation can seep into the wooden and harm it. Some mops make use of steam to wash and sanitize flooring, which needs to be secure for sealed hardwood—however to be secure, seek the advice of and comply with all instructions to keep away from harm.
Maneuverability
Relating to mopping round furnishings, below beds/sofas, and into hard-to-reach areas, maneuverability issues. A swivel-head mop is good for getting round obstacles. The form of the mophead (round, triangular, or rectangular) additionally impacts how simply it might entry corners and tight spots.
Mops may embody ergonomic options, a few of which have an effect on maneuvering, like telescoping handles to regulate size, and thereby lengthen attain. A poorly designed deal with can even result in arm and hand fatigue, so customers ought to search for a mannequin with a grip that feels good.
Photograph: Anne Holub for Bob Vila
FAQs
Those that nonetheless need extra info on cleansing hardwood flooring with a high quality mop might discover it right here, within the solutions to a few of the commonest questions on this family chore.
Q. Is mopping good for wood-floor surfaces?
Mopping accurately might be an effective way to keep up hardwood flooring, however utilizing the mistaken cleansing merchandise can truly harm these costly surfaces. A moist mop is commonly all that’s required to wash a hardwood ground; if the mop is just too moist (with water or cleansing answer), extra liquid can seep into the cracks, inflicting the wooden to warp.
Q. What’s the easiest way to mop a ground?
Cleansing a ground begins with eradicating mud and particles by sweeping, vacuuming, or dry-mopping. For cussed filth and stains, use a cleaner designed for the precise ground materials, utilizing a “much less is extra” method in keeping with the producer’s instructions. To mop a ground accurately, dip string or sponge mops within the cleansing fluid, wring it out, after which swab with the damp mop. Use plain water to do a ultimate rinse if desired. Begin mopping in a far nook of the room, transferring within the route of the grain on hardwood flooring, and work your solution to the door. When completed, rinse the mop and let it air dry or wash any reusable pads.
Q. Will a Swiffer pad smash hardwood flooring?
Swiffer’s heavy-duty pads are thought-about secure for linoleum, vinyl, laminate, and ceramic tile, in addition to sealed wooden, marble, and stone. They shouldn’t be used on unsealed wooden flooring. As with all ground cleaners, be cautious utilizing any fluid on unfinished, broken, or particularly delicate supplies.
Q. How usually ought to wooden flooring be mopped?
The Nationwide Wooden Flooring Affiliation recommends a heavy-duty mopping on wooden flooring month-to-month with a wood-flooring cleaner. Nonetheless, it’s secure to dry mop each day or do a lightweight mop on high-traffic areas as soon as every week. For these with out youngsters and pets, be happy to offer a really mild mud mop on light-traffic areas.
Why Belief Bob Vila
Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. Because the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV collection together with “This Previous Home” and “Bob Vila’s House Once more,” he popularized and have become synonymous with “do-it-yourself” house enchancment.
Over the course of his decades-long profession, Bob Vila has helped tens of millions of individuals construct, renovate, restore, and dwell higher every day—a convention that continues immediately with professional but accessible house recommendation. The Bob Vila group distills need-to-know info into undertaking tutorials, upkeep guides, software 101s, and extra. These house and backyard specialists then completely analysis, vet, and suggest merchandise that assist householders, renters, DIYers, and professionals of their to-do lists.
