Best mops 2024 – 9 top buys for all floor types, tried and tested by us

If you're looking to buy one of the best mops, you've come to the right place. If your current, perhaps broken or otherwise lacklustre mop has seen better days, you'll find a new mop that ticks all the boxes with our top picks. 

We've been spending our time trying and testing a range of floor mops on our floors, to help determine which ones are the best value for money. And to get our floors sparkling clean post-vacuuming, especially if you haven't splashed out yet on one of the best steam cleaners.

Whether you have tiled floors throughout your house or your home is laminate from top to bottom, we've got the solution for you. Here, you'll find everything from mop and bucket sets to spray mops for a simple life, flat mops for easy storing and sponge mops for a deeper clean on our list.

To help sway your choice see our expert verdict on the top floor mops on the web right now, whether you're replacing an old model or you're a new homeowner so you've never owned a mop. One thing's for sure: having an easy-to-use mop in your cupboard ought to make this boring job a whole lot easier (and faster!)

The best mops 2024 for all floor types

Best mops

How to choose a mop

There's a huge variety of different types of mop but there are a few key characteristics that can turn this cleaning task into something you actually might find quite satisfying. Look out for these types of mop and you won't go wrong.

• Spray mops have an integrated water tank (kind of like a water bottle) and they work by pulling the trigger. This sprays water and solution onto your floor. These tend to be easy to manoeuvre and also convenient to store.
• Flat mops are similar to that of a spray mop, just without a built-in water tank and trigger. You'll need to use one of these with a solution in a spray bottle unless your mop works with only water to kill bacteria.
• Mop and buckets are the most popular type of mop. They do require you to lug around the bucket as you clean, though. A mop and bucket combo is great for deeper cleaning your floors – and getting into corners.
• Sponge mops are brilliant for cleaning tiles. They are gentle on your floors, while you might want to be careful so as not to soak your floors with a sponge mop. They are also great for use on walls, too. You will probably have to use a sponge mop with a bucket.

How we test our mops

At Ideal Home, we know that in order to give you our opinion of the best mops on the market, we need to have tested them ourselves. That's why all of the mops within this guide have been rigorously tested, with each function and accessory used to establish value for money and functionality.

The process of exactly how we test involves using the products in our own homes frequently, in order to put them through their paces. By using them over an extended period of time, we can judge whether these products are worth your investment and whether they can stand the test of time. That includes weighing up each mop's cleaning quality, ease of use, specialist features, and value for money.

FAQs

What is the most effective mop?

In terms of the most effective mop, when it comes to deep cleaning your floors, it has to be Vileda's Turbo Microfibre Mop and Bucket Set. With a thick microfibre head and a bucket included, this mop makes it easy to get into those corners. 

This also makes it great for scrubbing floors, and soaking them if need be. Plus, all you need to do is use it with hot water and it will sanitise your floors, killing 99.9% of bacteria.

What should I use in my mop for cleaning?

Depending on the type of mop that you buy, some just require hot water for decent floor cleaning. Selected mops are equipped with heads that clean 99.9% of bacteria when wet so that you needn't use any solutions on your floors. 

Otherwise, whether you prefer to use a floor cleaner for peace of mind or your mop needs it, here are our favourite suggestions for shiny floors. They also leave behind a more than pleasant scent. It's also paramount to learn how to clean a mop head properly and when to replace your mop head once and for all, to ensure you're cleaning as effectively as possible.

Is steaming floors better than mopping?

These are two different actions entirely. We suggest you do both – not all of the time though. A mop is great for daily or weekly cleaning, and perfect for quick clean-ups whether from a messy dinner time or a spilt drink. A steam cleaner, or steam mop, however, is necessary for deep cleaning. 

This is because they use hot steam to sanitize your floors. It would be a smart idea to use a steam mop, like a or cleaner on your floors every month or so, with a normal floor mop being used twice a week – or more if need be.

How often should floors be mopped?

It probably goes without saying but brushing up and vacuuming high-traffic areas should be prioritised at least once every two days finished off with a mop. Less trafficked areas can be mopped less often.

Proctor & Gamble's Principal Researcher, Mary Colvin says, 'Always dust mop before damp mopping... and this should be performed daily or as often as necessary to keep grit off the floor. Damp mopping should be performed daily or as often as necessary if soil load is extremely heavy.'

Nancy Emery, cleaning expert at Drench, adds, 'Kitchens, bathrooms and hallways are areas in the home that have the most traffic, meaning they’re also likely to get the most dirty.'

'As such, it’s best to regularly vacuum or sweep your floors every 3-4 days and then mop once a week. However, if you don’t clean correctly or with the right tools, you could be pushing built-up grime around your floors rather than removing it.'

Is microfibre good for mopping?

We asked Minky's Floorcare Product Category Manager, Louise Garvey for her intel. 

'Microfibre is a synthetic material that is made up of tiny fibres that are woven together to form an effective cleaning surface. The microfibre strands can get into all the nooks and crannies of a floor to lift dirt.'

How often should wood floors be mopped?

We asked Hardwood floorcare specialist Bona’s Marketing Manager, Leanne Garvie.

'Learning how to clean wood floors is essential for protecting and maintaining your beautiful investment. Cleaning wood floors with the wrong cleaners - like homemade solutions - can leave them cloudy with residue, scratched, or even damaged.' 

'We recommend dusting your floors daily with a microfibre mop or cloth to help prevent scratches and surface damage which can occur from the dust and debris that is trodden on, and spread across your floors when moving around the home.'

'Choose mops with extra-large microfibre mop heads for faster cleaning. A microfibre dusting pad uses electrostatic action to pick up and lock away dirt, dust, hair, micro-particles, and other household allergens from your floor’s surface. Avoid lifting your microfibre mop up from the floor when you clean - this way you keep the dirt trapped on the pad, so it doesn’t scratch your floors.'

Is it better to mop wood floors with cold or hot water?

'We never recommend using hot or cold water to clean wood floors, since the moisture can penetrate the boards or blocks and over time can cause the wood planks to warp and move,' explains Leanne.

'Using a traditional mop and bucket also makes it difficult not to over-saturate your floor so we recommend using a water-based cleaning solution and a spray mop like  Bona Premium Spray Mop for Wood Floor, £37.99 from Amazon which helps avoid over-saturation because they deliver a fine mist spray that is safer for your floor and will not damage it. Regular mopping effectively removes dirt and grime and dries almost instantly. Choose a high quality, low-VOC, water-based cleaning solution that won’t leave a residue or streaks across your floors.'

Can you mop unsealed wood floors?

'If a wooden floor is unsealed (i.e. has no surface treatment) effective cleaning will be difficult. Any cleaning liquid applied to the surface is likely to soak into the surface, potentially introducing dissolved dirt into the wood resulting in discolouration. Cleaning should therefore be confined to dry methods, such as sweeping and vacuuming,' explains Leanne.

'The main benefit of having sealed wood floors is the ease of maintenance, especially as modern treatments are available which replicate the appearance of bare, unfinished wood.'

'If the surface is treated with penetrating oil, the surface can be damp mopped providing a suitable cleaner is used and minimal quantities of liquid are used in conjunction with a microfibre mop.'