With the best spray mop, you can leave your floors sparkling clean with minimal effort - it's a yes from us! Instead of having to go through the motions of filling and lugging a bucket and mop throughout your home (particularly tiresome if you have lots of hard floors), a spray mop contains everything you need in a lightweight, slimline gadget.
Guaranteeing speed and ease, a spray mop has a built-in reservoir to hold water or a cleaning solution. Simply pull the trigger to spritz a mist across your floor and sweep the mophead over top for an instant gleam. They're suitable for use on all hard floors - you name it - though be sure to check the manufacturer's guidelines first before tackling moisture-sensitive surfaces like laminates and hardwoods. If you want a more intense clean with water alone, a steam mop may be a better option.
Best spray mops at a glance:
• Top pick: Flash Powermop Starter Kit + 5 Pads & Liquid Refill - view on Amazon UK
• Best eco-friendly spray mop: Tower Hygenesis Spray Mop - view on Tower Housewares
• Best extendable spray mop: AMOS Multipurpose Extendable Spray Mop - view on Amazon UK
• Best on a budget: Addis Spray Mop - view on Dunelm
But despite their simplicity, spray mops can differ in their features - namely the pads, power, head, and sizing. Spray mops can come with reservoirs of different sizes and adjustable handle lengths for comfort. It's just worth keeping in mind that the bigger the sizing, the heavier the spray mop will be. Battery- or mains-powered spray mops add extra zhush to your spray power, but cordless models give you the greatest flexibility. A mop head that rotates or swivels makes it easier to manoeuvre the mop around furniture and into tight spaces. And you can find spray mops with reusable and washable microfiber pads or single-use pads for convenience - though the latter is not the most eco-friendly.
To help you find the right spray mop for you're home we've tried and tested the best on the market so you don’t have to…
Best spray mops
Best for quick cleaning (Top pick)
A lightweight mop that makes cleaning floors a hassle-free task. It comes with the Powermop Cleaning Solution that smells fantastic and really does help lift tough marks. Our tester found the mop easy to use and the floors dried relatively quickly as the spray doesn’t disperse too much liquid. Arguably the best thing about this device is the lovely
scent that it leaves behind on the floor. The spray trigger is powered by battery which means you don’t have to worry about making sure the unit is plugged in.
Our Yours reviewer gave this spray mop five out of five stars.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Cleans and dries quickly
- Great value for money
- Nicely scented liquid
Cons
- Cleaning pads are single-use, though you can buy unofficial reusable ones
Best eco-friendly spray mop
www.towerhousewares.co.uk
This clever mop uses ionising technology to create your own antibacterial cleaning solution. Just remove the bottle, fill with water and table salt, shake and plug in to start the process. The electrolysed water will kill up to 99 per cent of germs and bacteria and the mop’s spray nozzle is perfect for general cleaning as well as floors. The two-sided microfibre cloth is great for polishing or getting rid of stains and spills and is easily removable to pop in the wash. The process is pretty simple and you can make up batches of solution so you have a natural cleaner all ready to go!
Our Yours reviewer gave this spray mop four out of five stars.
Pros
- Reusable microfibre pad
- Easy squeeze trigger
- Eco-friendly, natural cleaner
Cons
- Requires more work than ready-made solutions
Best extendable spray mop
This easy-to-use budget option is great if you want a fast-drying floor as it evenly distributes clean water. The fact that it’s extendable is also a huge plus as it makes reaching trickier areas a breeze. You won't be able to use very hot or boiling water in the plastic container because doing so might risk distorting the plastic – this does mean stubborn
stains are harder to remove. Our tester tried using this on tougher marks on their floor but they didn’t come out and required warmer water. Still, this mop is perfect for those who want a quick clean.
Our Yours reviewer gave this spray mop three and a half out of five stars.
Pros
- Reusable microfibre pad
- Easy to use
- Extendable for easy reach
Cons
- Wasn't quite as effective on tougher floor marks
Best lightweight spray mop
www.lakeland.co.uk
Upon first impression, this mop is lightweight and looks easy to use. The trigger button is at the top, right where your hand naturally falls when holding, and there is a 600ml water canister on the side. Our tester found this easy to fill up as it simply unclicks from the rest of the mop. The instructions state that it can be used with or without added cleaning solution, but we found that adding some produced better results – it’s also handy as you can’t use hot water in the mop, meaning it would be harder to remove tougher stains. The cleaning pad on the base was very effective at picking up both the excess liquid and any other dirt on the floor, and it’s machine washable for reuse. This is an effective choice, but priced at nearly £35, our tester thought that cheaper models worked equally well.
Our Yours reviewer gave this spray mop three out of five stars.
Pros
- Reusable microfibre pad
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
Cons
- While our tester had no problems, other reviewers found the water tank hand to remove over time
Best electric-powered spray mop
This is simple to assemble, looks smart and feels lightweight, too. The drip tray is the perfect size to stand it on so there’s no excess bulk to worry about, and the charging cable is a decent length. It’s quick to charge, easy to fill the water tank and the controls – one button to turn it on, another to spray the water mix – are foolproof. It’s so convenient to just pick it up, use and pop back. However, after using several times, our tester noticed some downsides. Firstly, the mop head is not as manoeuvrable as they would like – it doesn’t swivel enough to get into nooks and crannies. They also found it takes some effort to use on wooden floors that are old and a bit wonky (although it glides more easily on smooth, vinyl floors). Our tester can imagine they’ll use this for quick jobs, but
would still get a good old mop and bucket out for deeper cleans.
Our Yours reviewer gave this spray mop three out of five stars.
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Quick to charge
- Reusable microfibre pads
Cons
- Not as manoeuvrable as hoped
Best on a budget
www.dunelm.com
With glowing reviews on Dunelm, the Addis Spray Mop is just £15 and claims to be capable of picking up to 50 per cent more dirt and dust than a regular mop. Reviewers found that it was a surprisingly good quality spray mop, especially considering the price. They found it was easy to store and use, and floors dried quickly after use. Lightweight, efficient and available to use with water or with water and detergent, it's a great entry-level option.
Customer review: "Great price, (a third of the price of another make of mop bought in the past although possibly not quite as sturdy) lightweight, easy to use with a refillable bottle that detaches and stands securely on a flat base. Very happy with this mop."
Pros
- Reusable microfibre pad
- Quick and easy to use
- Excellent value
Cons
- Some found it broke after some time
Best for easy refill
The second Vileda on our list, but this time a manual option instead. Unlike many others on our list, this spray mop has a water tank at the handle which may prove particularly helpful for those with back issues who'd prefer not to bend to refill, or those with weakened hand dexterity as you don't need to remove the tank to refill. Reviewers appreciated the slimline design and found it easy and quick to use.
Customer review: "I absolutely love this product, it makes the floor cleaning so much easier. The only downside is that it might leave some marks on the wood floor if you do not spray enough water. Apart from this, it’s lightweight and contains a good amount of water."
Pros
- Reusable microfibre pad
- Easy to use and refill
- Lightweight and comfortable to use
Cons
- Some found it began to leak over time
Best for extra accessories
The MEXERRIS Microfibre Spray Mop will ensure you're fully supplied for an efficient floor clean. It comes with two refillable bottles, so you can have a pre-mix solution ready for different floors or uses, three reusable pads, and a scrubber attachment. Reviewers found it was easy to assemble and use with the extra accessories being a handy bonus, and a quicker alternative to a traditional mop.
Customer review: "The floor cleaner arrived packed in a sturdy box. It was easy to assemble, and easy to use. The heads are wonderful at getting all marks off the floor. The spray is great and did the job without overly wetting the floor. It is lightweight,, which is great as I have arthritis. Would recommend."
Pros
- Extra accessories helpful as spares/ for different surfaces
- Reusable microfibre pad
- Easy to use and assemble
Cons
- Some found it began to leak over time
Recommended
Beldray is a household name for cleaning and household items, and so it's no surprise its spray mop made our list. Reviewers found this spray mop was easy to use with a flexible head that turned easily going around obstacles. Suitable for most hard floors, the mop comes with two microfibre pads to pick up and lock in dirt, including muddy paw marks.
Customer review: "Spent a while researching into what mop to buy. I decided to go with this one based on reviews and articles online, very pleased I did. Nice and lightweight and fairly compact, no need for a bucket. I find it twists easily into a 90 degree angle to get around items and into corners. The water bottle is easy to fill and doesn't leak, and the spray trigger is just under the handle so easy to reach. Also comes with 2 velcro mop heads as standard to rotate and also leaves a streak free finish."
Pros
- Reusable microfibre pad
- Easy to use
- Lightweight design
Cons
- Some found it started leaking over time
Is a spray mop better than a mop?
The choice between a spray mop and a mop depends on individual preferences and cleaning needs, though our testers found that for some spray mops like the Vileda Looper, a traditional mop was preferable for a deeper clean. We've summed up the advantages to both below - with perks for each, you may find having both at home will mean you're always armed and ready for any and all cleaning scenarios.
Advantages of spray mops:
Convenience: With a built-in tank for water/ cleaning solutions and a spray mechanism, a spray mop is the best for quick and easy cleaning.
Less water usage: As you have complete control over the amount of liquid that gets sprayed, spray mops can be more water-efficient. You might find this particularly useful for cleaning hardwood floors or other moisture-sensitive surfaces.
Portability: With a lightweight and slimline design, spray mops are easy to move about the home - no need to lug a bucket of water! This also makes them easier to store too with some having a hook on the handle, ideal for hanging in a cupboard.
Advantages of traditional mops:
Cost: Traditional mops are often more budget-friendly. You can find some extremely affordable spray mop options, but many require specific cleaning liquids, cleaning pads, and batteries, which add up over time.
Durability: Traditional mops, especially those with sturdy handles and cotton or synthetic mop heads, can be quite durable and withstand heavy use over time.
No power needed: Many traditional mops don't require batteries or a power source, eliminating the need for charging or replacing batteries.
Both traditional mops and spray mops have options for reusable and washable pads/mop heads which is the go-to if you're after an environmentally-friendly choice.
Are spray mops good for laminate floors?
Yes, spray mops can be a good choice for cleaning laminate flooring. Like hardwood floors, laminate flooring is typically more sensitive to excess moisture - with a spray mop, you can dispense a fine mist of cleaning solution, ensuring that the floor is damp but not overly wet. That being said, make sure to check the manufacturer's guidelines and recommendations for both the spray mop and the cleaning solution as some may not be laminate-safe.
Can I put vinegar in my spray mop?
Using vinegar in your spray mop can be a good and cost-effective way to clean certain types of floors. However, it's important to be cautious and consider the type of flooring you have, as well as the manufacturer's recommendations for your specific spray mop. Some spray mops are designed to work specifically with certain cleaning solutions and using vinegar could void the warranty or damage to your mop.
If you can use vinegar, it is generally safe for use on many types of hard floors, including tile, laminate, and vinyl. However, it's not recommended for use on natural stone surfaces like marble or granite, as the acidity of vinegar can potentially damage these materials. Also, make sure to dilute it in water - a common ratio is mixing equal parts water and vinegar, but you may adjust this based on your cleaning needs and the sensitivity of your flooring.
Are spray mops hygienic?
Yes, if you look after them properly! Clean or change the mop pads after each use and follow any guidelines provided by the manufacturer for maintaining the spray mechanism. This helps prevent the buildup of bacteria and mould.
Eleanor Weaver is the Deputy Homes & Garden Product Editor for Yours, specialising in home décor, furnishings and appliances. Having worked commercially on Yours magazine and Yours.co.uk for the past six years, she's previously hosted Yours Live events and loves looking for home inspiration online.