Is vacuuming or mopping better? Flooring experts explain how to choose the right cleaning tool for your needs

Although vacuuming and mopping are inherently quite different ways of cleaning, both ultimately achieve very similar cleaning results. So, it can often be hard to choose whether vacuuming or mopping is your best course of action when looking to achieve spotless floors.

Both the best vacuum cleaners and best mops on the market are becoming more and more advanced, helping us clean quickly, conveniently, and thoroughly. And while you may already have them both in your cleaning cupboard, it’s important to understand when to use them - and which option is best for your flooring types.

That’s why I’ve compared everything you need to know regarding the vacuuming vs mopping debate, from how effective they are at cleaning to how easy they are to use and ultimately, which one is best for an all-around clean. There’s a surprising winner, too.

Vacuuming vs mopping: Which is more effective at cleaning?

How effective vacuums and mops are at cleaning your floors ultimately depends on the type of flooring you have in your home.

If you've got carpets, rugs, or are looking to clean wooden flooring or clean laminate flooring, then vacuuming is always reliable. This appliance is particularly handy for those who share their home with pets, as vacuums are one of the only things able to get pet hair out of carpet. However, if you've got tile, vinyl, or linoleum, mopping might be your best option to prevent damage to your floors.

When picking up dust and debris from the hard flooring before mopping, it might be worth considering simply sweeping instead of taking out a whole vacuum cleaner – both for caution and convenience's sake. But of course, this isn't to say you can't use a vacuum on these types of flooring. You just need to pay attention to use the right vacuum tool for the job.

Richard McKay, Managing Director at Sprung, warns, ‘Not all vacuum attachments are floor-friendly. Some brushes have overly stiff bristles, which can cause damage to delicate surfaces. Ensure you’re using the correct vacuum head for your floor type. For example, rubber, foam or vinyl materials require a flat suction or soft bristle brush to prevent marking and tearing.’

Mopping, on the other hand, is gentler on your floors and various other areas of your home, and can offer an effective clean when done correctly and with an appropriate cleaner. In fact, mopping can even kill germs and bacteria on your hard floors - something that vacuums can’t do.

You do need to be careful when mopping floors, however. Although it can offer sanitising properties, it can also cause damage - just like vacuums. 'So long as they’re fully wrung out and you use a purpose-made detergent, mopping is also suitable on real wood and laminate flooring,' adds Paul Hambridge at Factory Direct Flooring. 'Do make sure the mop is properly wrung out with as little water as possible to prevent real wood and laminate floors from warping and swelling.'

So, it’s hard to pick a winner for this round. If you have carpets or rugs, you need to have a vacuum cleaner, as it’s impossible to mop carpets. If you have hard flooring, it’s better to opt for mopping over vacuuming. Because of this, I’ll call it a tie.

Vacuuming vs mopping: Which is easier?

Nailing how to vacuum and how to mop isn’t hard. While both require specific techniques - especially when it comes to different floor types - it’s also very hard to get this wrong. So, they’re both pretty easy.

But if time is a consideration, it’s fair to say that vacuuming is the quicker option out of the two. If you have one of the best cordless vacuum cleaners, you can whizz untethered around your home, cleaning as you go. This is a little more difficult if you opt for a corded vacuum, but it is still easy enough. And worse case scenario, you’ll just need a few passes to suck up the debris for good.

If you have a large home with rooms filled with multiple floor types, then vacuuming could also be your best option for convenient cleaning. Vacuums work very well for easily cleaning larger areas, which will help you clean your home fast and dart between different rooms easily.

You’ll probably need to vacuum less than mopping, too, as the general rule of thumb is that if you have carpet, you should be vacuuming every now and then to ensure it stays in tip-top shape.

'How often you should do it depends completely on how you use that room. As a general rule, you should really get the vacuum out at least once a week or twice a week minimum for softer carpets,' advises Johanna Constantinou at Tapi Carpets.

On the other hand, setting up a bucket and a mop is a little more timely and more fitting for times when you need to deep clean your home. To achieve a true deep clean, you must use a mop or damp cloths to really get into the nooks and crannies that dry cleaning with a vacuum cannot achieve. You also need to ensure that the mop head stays clean, which may require squirting the spray mechanisms or dipping the mop head into a bucket.

'It's useful to give your floor a more intense clean and go deep every now and again. Try to avoid using too much water for too long and too often, as this can damage your floor in the long term,' warns Johanna.

Of course, you’ll also need to wait for your floors to dry after mopping, too, as using too much water and saturating your hard flooring is one of the biggest mopping mistakes you can make.

However, if you've got a small home with mostly hard surfaces, mopping might be your best option to tackle small areas of hard flooring quickly. All in all, though, I’d say that vacuuming is the easier choice and wins this round.

Vacuuming vs mopping: Which is easier to store?

Figuring out how to store a vacuum cleaner can be difficult, especially if you’re short on space. And while mops can be just as large, they’re not as awkward as vacuums, so I’d say that mops win this round.

Of course, deciding which type of vacuum to buy can help you if you have limited storage space, as opting for a stick vacuum over an upright or cylinder vacuum is beneficial for smaller homes. If you have a bit more space to work with, you can afford to opt for a larger model.

Another great tip when storing a vacuum in a small home is opting for a wall-mounted vacuum cleaner so that it can be hung up rather than taking up valuable floor real estate.

And while mops and bucket sets can still take up a lot of space, they can often be separated for storage, and in many instances, the mop can actually be broken down into smaller pieces when not in use. So, mopping wins this round.

Vacuuming vs mopping: Which is more affordable?

You probably already know the answer to this one, as vacuum cleaners are undoubtedly more expensive than mops. In fact, the average vacuum will set you back anywhere between £150-£900, whereas the average mop won’t cost you any more than £50.

So, if you only have hard flooring in your home and need an affordable option, a mop should be your go-to. Then, you could either forego a vacuum cleaner altogether or opt for one of the best handheld vacuum cleaners as a cheaper alternative to a full-size vacuum.

Verdict: Which is better?

Although I wish I could tell you that there’s one clear winner in the vacuuming vs mopping debate, the reality is that they’re both winners. If you have hard flooring, vacuuming and mopping should both have their places in your cleaning routine. The only exception to that rule is if you only have carpet in your home, which is extremely rare.

As Clare adds, ‘If you’re wondering whether to reach for the vacuum or the mop, use a quick rule of thumb. Vacuum or sweep for what you can see and feel that's dry and loose. Mop for what's stuck and leaves a mark.’

But you’ll be happy to know that appliance experts seem to understand people’s needs to vacuum and mop their floors, which is why 2-in-1 vacuum mops and wet floor cleaners are now becoming more and more popular.

Many of these can replace both your mop and your vacuum cleaner (although you still might want to keep them on hand as spares or for tasks like cleaning the car), so allow you to enjoy the best of both worlds without having to choose between vacuuming and mopping.

Shop vacuums mops

FAQs

Is vacuuming the floor enough?

Although vacuuming is one of the easiest ways to clean on a regular basis, it shouldn't be the only step you take in your routine. Vacuuming does a great job at everyday upkeep and keeping your floors free from dust, debris, and hair; however, mopping or using a damp cloth is just as important and essential to achieving a true deep clean.

Can vacuum cleaner replace mopping?

If you have a relatively clean home and have limited hard flooring, a vacuum cleaner could replace mopping. However, you'd have to be aware of the fact that you wouldn't be able to clean dried-on stains or stubborn grime without one.

Because of this, most floorcare experts would suggest having both at your disposal, or opting for a vacuum mop that will do both at the same time.

Did you have a different outcome for this vacuuming vs mopping debate? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!