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Best Mops for Hardwood Floors

Best Mops for Hardwood Floors

Determining the ideal mop for hardwood floors depends on the specific cleaning needs. In smaller spaces, many professionals prefer spray mops due to their compact size and convenient storage options. On the other hand, steam mops provide versatility, effectively cleaning various surfaces such as glass and grout. And for those who prioritize convenience above all else, top-notch robot mops are at your service, efficiently scrubbing floors while you kick back and relax.

Discover the types of mops available on the market, the best mops for hardwood floors, and how to use them to get the job done.

How many types of mops are there and which one is better?

Traditional mops

While traditional mops offer a budget-friendly and straightforward option, they may not be the most effective choice for thoroughly cleaning floors, especially hardwood ones. 

Firstly, the mopheads tend to hold excessive amounts of water, potentially saturating your floors too quickly. This can lead to water seeping into the gaps between floorboards or cracks, resulting in water damage and warping. Secondly, traditional mop heads can become breeding grounds for germs and mildew, which counteracts the goal of cleaning your floors in the first place. The bucket-based cleaning method means you’re essentially reapplying dirty water onto your floors. Thirdly, traditional mops often require harsh cleaning solutions, which can pose risks to children and pets

Last but not least, using traditional mops might require more physical exertion to achieve a deep clean of your flooring.

Spray mops

Spray mops are a modern version of traditional mops, featuring a built-in tank or housing designed to accommodate a cleaning solution bottle. With a flat head equipped with front nozzles, these mops allow you to spray the cleaning liquid onto your floor by simply pressing a trigger or button on the handle. You then maneuver the mop head, typically fitted with a disposable or reusable pad, through the solution to moisten it and effectively clean your floor. 

It’s important to make sure that the chosen cleaning solution is compatible with your floor type – especially for hardwood floors which require specific cleaning solutions and should avoid soaps and detergents. 

Steam mops

These use steam generated from hot water to effectively clean and disinfect floors. Equipped with reusable pads situated directly beneath the steam jet, these mops aid in trapping dirt for efficient cleaning. 

However, due to the heat generated by steam mops, you must use them cautiously on floors with gaps or cracks between floorboards, or on surfaces prone to warping, such as hardwood or vinyl. Even with the most advanced steam mop models available, cleaning hardwood floors with steam may potentially cause damage or void warranties.

Robotic mops

One of the primary advantages of the best robot mops is that they are time-saving. You fill the mop’s tank with water, and as the device traverses your floors, it dispenses the water while employing a pad to scrub away dirt and grime. Similar to robot vacuums, these mops are equipped with sensors or mapping technology to maneuver around obstacles efficiently. 

However, it’s worth noting that most robot mops cannot discern the type of flooring they’re on. To prevent the mop from accessing areas unsuitable for wet cleaning, you’ll need to establish some virtual barriers beforehand.

Should you use a dry mop or a wet mop?

When it comes to maintaining hardwood floors, experts typically advise using a dry mop or a microfiber dust mop for routine cleaning tasks. These options effectively capture dust, dirt, and debris without exposing the wood to moisture, which could potentially lead to long-term damage.

However, choosing a wet mop for hardwood floors carries certain risks. Excessive moisture has the potential to penetrate the wood, resulting in issues such as warping, swelling, or even the development of mold. Nevertheless, if your hardwood floors are adequately sealed and you’re dealing with stubborn stains or accumulated dirt, a slightly damp mop can be used. It’s important to ensure that excess water is thoroughly wrung out from the mop and to avoid leaving any standing water on the floor.

Best mops for hardwood floors

1. O-Cedar EasyWring RinseClean Spin Mop

The highly popular O-Cedar EasyWring RinseClean Spin Mop offers a swift and effortless cleaning experience, earning its place as one of the top choices currently available. This innovative cleaning system comprises a microfiber mop and bucket, featuring a distinctive two-tank design that effectively segregates clean and dirty water, thus preventing the spread of dirt on your floors. By simply pressing on the foot pedal, excess water can be easily removed from the mop head through spinning action.

2. Roborock Dyad Pro Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner

The Dyad Pro proves exceptional performance in tackling both wet and dry messes. It has an extensive 43-minute run time, making it particularly well-suited for larger homes. Also, it boasts a large clean water tank, capable of holding up to 900 milliliters of water. Another pro is that the Dyad Pro stands out as an ideal choice for spaces with pets, offering the dual functionality of vacuuming up dry pet hair and subsequently washing floors to eliminate paw prints and stains. 

3. Bona Hardwood Floor Premium Spray Mop

Bona Premium Spray Mop is one of the best mops for hardwood floors, to maintain the wood’s immaculate appearance. This lightweight spray mop comes complete with a specially formulated hardwood cleaning solution, tailored to preserve the integrity of your hardwood floors. Notably, the refillable cartridge feature not only aids in reducing plastic waste but also helps cut down on maintenance costs over time. Furthermore, Bona caters to the needs of luxury vinyl floor owners with its Bona Pro Series Luxury Vinyl Floor Mop, an all-inclusive solution for achieving professional-grade cleaning results with ease and safety.

4. Bissell SpinWave Pet Robot

The Bissell SpinWave Robot is another top-performing model in terms of effectiveness. It’s equipped with two rotating pads designed to efficiently tackle stains on various types of flooring. Using a systematic back-and-forth pattern, it ensures a thorough cleaning experience. Noteworthy is its autonomous feature that intelligently avoids carpeted areas during operation, preserving their cleanliness. For enhanced versatility, the SpinWave Robot can be easily converted into a robot vacuum by replacing its water tank with a separate dustbin. 

5. Swiffer WetJet Mop Starter Kit

The Swiffer WetJet Mop features a built-in reservoir for pre-mixed cleaning solution right on the handle, allowing for effortless dispensing of a fine mist onto the floor with a simple press of a button. With the textured pad attached to the mop head, cleaning the floor becomes a breeze. Additionally, equipped with built-in headlights, this mop ensures thorough cleaning by illuminating even the most hidden spots. With easy dispensing of cleaner, user-friendly operation, and impressive cleaning power, the Swiffer WetJet stands out as one of the best mops for hardwood floors.

How to use mops on hardwood floors?

Mopping is a crucial part of maintaining clean hardwood floors in any space, but it requires a bit of preparation in advance. First, ensure the floor is free of dry debris like pet hair and dirt; this can be done using a handheld vacuum, cordless vacuum, sweeping, or dry mopping. If you’re using a string mop, fill your bucket with a cleaning solution suitable for your floor type, then dip your mop head into the solution and wring it out until it’s damp but not overly saturated. Excess water can potentially damage your floors and prolong drying time.

Next, go for a figure-eight pattern as you work from one end of the room to the other, pushing the mop while walking backward to avoid stepping on the freshly dampened floor. Apply additional pressure for stubborn spots, moving back and forth a few extra times if needed. As your mop becomes soiled, rinse the mop head in the bucket, wring it out, and continue mopping. For heavily soiled floors, you might require a second rinsing bucket to maintain the cleanliness of the mop head for effective cleaning.

Using a spray mop or flat pad mop follows a similar process, working backward, but instead of figure-eights, move in straight lines. When the pad becomes too soiled to clean efficiently, either rinse it off in the sink and hand wring it or replace it with a fresh one.

First Atlanta Flooring is your trusted source for premium hardwood floor cleaners, offering a curated selection of top-tier brands. We recognize the importance of using the right products to preserve your floors. That’s why we exclusively provide the finest floor cleaners for hardwood, rigorously tried and tested by industry professionals. Contact us today to discover how you can achieve immaculately clean and gleaming hardwood floors.