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Vacuum cleaners are usually the tool of choice for removing dust bunnies, hair and large debris from hard floors. But when it comes to nabbing super-fine dust and cleaning away stuck-on messes and grime, you need a good mop.
Today’s top-rated mops have come a long way from the cotton string or butterfly sponge versions of years ago. Though those still exist on the market, the newer, more popular styles use disposable or washable microfiber pads, dispense cleaning solution directly from an on-board canister or even — as in the case of robot mops — do the mopping for you. The Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab recommends having both a wet and dry mop in your cleaning tool arsenal. They serve different purposes and you’ll likely have a need for both.
How well do mops remove bacteria and germs?
Steam mops can sanitize floors because they reach temperatures high enough to kill germs. With the exception of steam mops, other types of mops will remove dirt, debris and wash away some germs, but they don’t actually kill bacteria or viruses. In order to kill germs and bacteria, you need to use a steam mop and pass it across the floor slowly enough to give the steam time to work. Or use a floor cleaning solution that has germ-killing ingredients, following label directions. Take note though: Most steam mops are generally safe for sheet vinyl, ceramic and porcelain tile floors, however, they may damage wood or laminate floors — so be sure to check with your flooring brand to confirm if steam mops can be used. Also, be sure to check that your cleaning solution is compatible with your floor type.
How often should you replace your mop?
While there’s no exact time frame for when to replace a mop, a good rule of thumb is to check its condition regularly and — depending on how often you use it — replace the mop head or pads at least once or twice yearly. There’s usually no need to replace the pole unless it’s damaged. No matter how long you’ve had your mop, some signs it’s time to replace your mop are if the mop head material is wearing out, there are any broken pieces on the mop, if the mop is overly dirty or if the mop can no longer be cleaned or is no longer cleaning your floors well.
How we test mops
For years, we’ve been testing just about every type of mop and vacuum on the market to keep floors sparkling clean. When we test mops in the GH Cleaning Lab, our evaluations begin the minute we open the box or package. We assess how easy the mops are to assemble, giving additional points to those that don’t need any assembly at all. We evaluate how easy the pads, mop heads and bottles are to attach, remove, replace and, where appropriate, refill. The length of the handle is examined to determine if it will work equally well for tall and short users and whether or not the mop will be a challenge to store.
Then we put them to work. Dry mops are evaluated for how much test dust and hair they pick up from our lab’s wood, vinyl, laminate, ceramic tile and natural stone test floor panels. We even note whether the dirt clings to the mop or falls from it as it’s carried around. Wet mops are tested on the same flooring surfaces for how well they remove scuffs, greasy grime or dried spills like chocolate syrup or soda. For water-sensitive surfaces, like finished hardwood floors that shouldn’t get overly wet, we assess how much liquid the mop puts down on the floor and how long the floor takes to dry after cleaning. Wringing mechanisms are also tested for how much water they remove. Finally, any washable pads or mop heads are laundered multiple times and reattached to make sure they continue to perform after laundering.
Based on extensive testing, these are the best wet and dry mops you can buy for cleaning finished wood, tile, laminate and vinyl hard floors:
Our top picks
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