The best floor mop for a squeaky clean floor

Whether you've got laminate, wood or tile, here are the best mops and floor cleaners to keep your home sparkling.

mopping

by Lorna White |
Updated on

Keeping your floors clean is no simple task, especially if you're struggling with aches and pains. Are you on the hunt for a mop or floor cleaner that can help you achieve sparkly results? The good news is that the latest cleaners on the market are designed to make mopping a breeze and do all the hard work for you.

From extendable handles to self-wringing sponges, or cordless motors, modern-day mops make it easy to keep your floors nice and clean. Here, we've rounded up our favourite mops on the market.

Looking for more household recommendations? Don't forget to check out our best ironing board roundup, too.

The best mops and floor cleaners

If you prefer more of a classic style, this one is for you. Minimise the effort you're putting in mopping with this simple to use peddle operated mop that wrings out the mop as you press on it.

Lightweight and cordless, this electric spray mop has two rotating (and machine washable!) microfibre pads and a removable, easy-fill water tank, so it’s always ready to use, plus there's no need for a bucket. Easy to manoeuvre under furniture, and with a run time of up to 35 minutes, it’s sure to leave your floors sparkling clean.

Specifications

Spray button to control the amount of water

Two rotating re-usable microfibre pads

Rechargable battery - up to 35 minutes runtime

Removable water tank

Tried and tested by dad-of-two Joe Cook: "Upon using this device for the first time I must admit it felt a little bit like a 1950’s mop of the future, or reminiscent of a spinning umbrella hat. After the novelty wore off and it was fully charged and loaded I took her for a spin around the kitchen. The most obvious thing I noticed straight away was if you are running up against an edge like skirting it almost drives itself. This also happens when trying to clear a stubborn mark, to combat this I swivelled the head 90 degrees and held it in position. It’s great for a quick once-over to freshen the room and as advertised, it is fun to use.

If you’re the type of person that likes to mop in the dark, the handy headlights on the Vileda Looper will ensure you see where you’re going. I would assume this is to reach under furniture whilst cleaning but it doubles up as a way to tell if you’ve missed a spot, sometimes it can be pretty hard to tell.

It comes supplied with spare cleaning pads, docking bay and charger. It stands perfectly upright on the dock which is moulded to fit around the pads and fully charged will see around 30-35 mins use. The refillable dispenser that sits atop the head is easy to attach and operate using the click buttons on the handle, this can be held down too.

It’s a luxurious device to have around the home that makes cleaning the floor that bit more entertaining. It has a sleek profile and is an accessory to be on display rather than in cupboard, unlike traditional floor cleaners."

The Beldray Clean & Dry Hard Floor Cleaner is cordless, rechargeable and lightweight, which makes it an ideal addition to any household. Making the chore of cleaning the floor easier than getting a mop out itu2019s convenient and takes around 15 minutes to do one floor.

Specifications

Suitable for sealed laminate flooring, sealed wood flooring, sealed tile flooring

Motorised swivel floor head

Cordless (cord charging cable)

30 minutes operating time

Quick charging

Total capacity 0.83 litre

Weight 3.3kg

Tried & Tested by Deputy Commercial Content Editor, Natalie Corner: "The Beldray floor cleaner has a 30-minute operating time which means you’ve got more than enough time to do two rooms in one cleaning session. However, if like me you go over your floors twice to make sure they're spotless the charge may run out sooner. But the fast-charging feature means you won’t be waiting long to carry on.

"I found it easy to manoeuvre as there’s no chord to get tangled up in and thanks to the swivel head you don’t need to stop and turn when you’re going back and forth, only if you encounter any tricky corners but that’s all down to your own home set up.

"When I tested it on our laminated wooden floor the Beldray Clean & Dry Hard Floor Cleaner was a much more smooth ride compared to our tiled kitchen floor and much faster. Our kitchen is obviously walked on a lot more than the living room hardwood floor, so that’s where the double clean comes in, food spillages, dog dribble and general dust is picked up easily but to get that extra gleam another quick go over is needed.

"During cleaning the removable dual-tank system is very easy to top up and remove in between and the separate clean and dirty water tanks mean not only can you see how dirty your floor was (sometimes satisfying to know) I'll never clean with dirty water again. A worthy and durable purchase that will make the chore of mopping a thing of the past."

Runtime 30 min

Specifications

Charger

Bagless

Battery Operated

Portable

Multi Surface/Carpet Cleaning

Cordless

Review: "This unit is good for me and I have ditched the mop and bucket for my tiled floors. Expect to empty the waste regularly, but this also depends on how much liquid you dispense to the floor using the trigger. Once I got used to it I have found it to be effective, it removed all traces of grime, previous chemicals etc from my tiles.

"My only gripe is that it is not edge-to-edge cleaning so keeping a speed mop handy is still unfortunately necessary for perfect cleaning. The roller buffs up my tiles to a quality sheen. I would still recommend this unit even with its few flaws."

Flash Powermop
Price: $48.94

This dual-action mop is sure to cut your mopping time to make cleaning your floors a breeze! The dual spray feature ensures that the cleaning solution included is evenly distributed across your floor, making for a much easier experience. If thatu2019s not enough, you can use this mop on any floor type including wood. It also comes with 10 handy pads which should last you a good while.

Specifications

Safe for use across all hard sealed surfaces, don't use on unfinished floors/untreated/oiled wood/carpet

Battery-powered button spray

Dual spray

Absorb and Lock Technology traps dirt and grime deep in the pad

Review: "I wish I would have bought one of these much sooner! Absolutely brilliant, makes cleaning the floors so quick, easy and no mess. The only thing is the replacement cleaning solution is a bit pricy, but if you put the bottle you get with it into hot water for a few minutes, it softens the cap and allows you to remove it so you can fill it with your own solution."

A particular favourite of cleaning expert Mrs Hinch is the Shark mop. This lightweight mop works to clean and sanitise your floors using only water. The steam mop also comes with reusable, washable pads so you'll be doing your bit for the environment.

Specifications

Push to pump just the right amount of steam

Machine-washable, reusable micro fiber cleaning pads

Includes: 1 x 375 ml removable water tank, 2 x dirt grip pads

Removable water tank

Review: "This is my first steam mop so I’d read all the reviews in advance. Very easy to use & much easier & quicker than using wipes. I was a bit concerned as I have laminate floors but the shark does a great job. The only mistake I’ve made is leaving the mop plugged in sitting on the floor... it can warp the boards so unplug if you’re doing something else at the same time. The cord is long enough to do one room at a time only so needs unplugging as you move around. Other than that another great Shark product."

Specifications

Wrings out with just a pull on the handle

Flexible, X-Shaped mop head

Cleans wet or dry

Super-absorbent microfibre

Picks up dirt, dust & hair

360-degree pivoting head for easy manoeuvrability

Extendable pole for hard-to-reach areas

Review: "Best mop on the market."

Specifications

Spin mopping system

100 per cent microfibre mop is perfect for tiles, wood and laminate

Three piece handle allows for disassemble for easy storage

Review: "I bought two one for me and one for my 85yr old mum. It's so effortless that she can use it despite having both knees replaced recently. The floors are quick to dry because of the spin dry action. Great purchase!"

E-Cloth Deep Clean Mop
Price: $21.99
Alternative retailers
Lowe's$21.99View offer

This mop is great if you're looking to use less harsh cleaning products around the house as this very clever mop head cleans using a washable microfibre mop to kill 99 per cent of bacteria. If thatu2019s not enough, thereu2019s no need to spend out on additional products, just use water!

Specifications

Lightweight aluminum handle

E-cloth and water is enough

Eco-savvy

Deep cleans with precision-engineered microscopic fibers

Review: "I rarely give five stars for any product but this deserves five stars. Quick and easy to use, it does a very good job. The slim mop head that swivels, enables the mop to get to places other mops can't. The telescopic handle makes it suitable for everyone, even my eight-year-old granddaughter can use it. It would be unreasonable to expect it to remove dried or hard to remove food, as I've never had a mop that can do that. I am very pleased with this mop."

Specifications

Mop with 100 per cent clean water

Separates clean and dirty water

Ultra efficient microfibre head

Foldable head for corners

Suitable for all hard floors

Review: "I’ve never been a mop & bucket type of girl however this has totally changed my opinion. I love how the clean and dirty water is separate so no putting dirty water back onto a clean floor. It was easy to use and didn’t soak the floor with water so the floor dried really quickly.

"I was a bit sceptical when I saw the mop head was round but soon realised there is a section that folds up making it easier when getting close to skirting boards and corners. It was easy to empty the dirty water and a quick rinse and wipe inside and it was ready for the next time I use it. I would definitely recommend this and would never want to use a traditional mop and bucket."

Which mops are best for gripping dirt?

A mop that grips dirt without the need for lots of elbow grease is always highly favoured. Mops with microfibre heads are a great pick when it comes to getting the dirt off your floors. They are long-lasting and have high absorption meaning that they take up dirt and don’t require a lot of water to get your floors squeaky clean! Another huge bonus is they are reusable.

How often should I replace my mop head?

It is recommended that you replace your mop head every two to three months to get the best results and keep your floors looking spotless!

Which mop or floor cleaner is best for sanitising?

When it comes to sanitising your floors as well as banishing dirt and grime, the steam mop or electric floor cleaner is a good choice. Steam is an effective way of diminishing germs; the hot temperature helps to break up bacteria making for much cleaner surfaces!

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