The Best Mops for 2021
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Best Mop
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These simple yet essential cleaning accessories are a must-have for every home with hard floors such as wood, tile, concrete, vinyl, or linoleum. To help you select which one is best for you, I have outlined the various features below along with a list of the best mops currently available.
UPDATED: December 1, 2021.
MY TOP PICK:
If you are looking for the best overall I recommend the O-Cedar EasyWring because it features a bucket with a built-in foot pedal for hands-free wringing and a triangular mop head for cleaning in hard-to-reach areas.
Types of Mops
Gone are the days when mopping meant pulling out a giant contraption from your cupboard and spending the entire afternoon deep cleaning your floors. Today’s mops come in a variety of styles so you can choose the right one for your floors, lifestyle, and personal preference.
The most common types of mops are dust mops, wet mops, spray mops, and steam mops.
A dust mop works like a broom, sweeping away dust and dirt and minor spills. One major benefit is the fact that you don’t have to get out a big bucket of water or deal with letting the mop drip dry. Dry mops are highly convenient. While they won’t clean as deep as a wet or spray mop, they are ideal for everyday use.
Wet mops, on the other hand, are great for deep cleaning. And spray mops combine the convenience of a dust mop with the power of a wet map. They come with a built-in bottle that can be filled with your choice of cleaning product, and most feature a microfiber cloth that will pick up the dirt and dust particles on your floors.
Pro Tip: Before applying any cleaning solution check to make sure that it is designed to be used on your particular flooring material. Using the wrong cleaner could potentially cause damage to the surface. For example, vinegar or ammonia can, over time, strip away the finish on a wood floor.
Finally, steam mops work by harnessing the power of heat and steam to sanitize your floors and soak up dirt particles. Steam mops work quickly and efficiently and require very little in the way of prep time. Because of their design, it’s important to sweep up as much dirt as possible before turning on the steam. They can be used on most floor types with the exception of wood flooring as the excess heat and moisture can cause damage.
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For some tips on how to effectively mop your floor check out this brief video featuring the O-Cedar EasyWring:
Here of some features and components to be aware of when selecting a specific model:
Microfiber
A common cleaning surface used in modern mops is microfiber. This material typically consists of split conjugated fibers of polyester.
While microfiber tends to be more expensive than other cleaning materials it is generally more effective at absorbing liquids while trapping and retaining dirt. Once the towel is dirty it can simply be thrown in the washing machine to be reused, reducing your ongoing costs.
I personally always dry my car with microfiber towels as they pull any dirt into the fibers, reducing the risk of scratches, the same is true for flooring.
Charged Fibers
Some of the models below feature positively charged cleaning fibers that help to pick up dust. Since dust is negatively charged the cleaning head picks up the particles like a magnet.
Head Configuration
The head of the mop is an important component as it provides the structure for the cleaning material. Most standard models feature either a rectangular or triangular head design to reach difficult areas. The head will typically rotate to allow for increased maneuverability when cleaning.
Telescoping Handle
Some models are equipped with a telescoping handle. This is a nice feature since it allows you to adjust it to fit your height. It also offers the ability to minimize the length for storage or transport.
Weight
Since you are often holding these mops at awkward positions for extended periods, it is important to note the weight. Most of the handles are constructed from plastic or aluminum to allow for a lightweight design. Steam and spray mops will be heavier than dust mops because they also include the weight of the water and/or cleaning solution.
Recurring Costs
As mentioned above, one benefit of the reusable cleaning heads is that they can be cleaned in the washing machine and reused. The number of times each towel can be washed before it needs to be thrown away will vary based on use. For the proprietary cleaning pads, keep in mind the cost of the periodic replacement in addition to the initial cost of the mop.
I have included a range of different options below, from the traditional mop to microfiber pads to a steamer mop, so you can pick the one that best meets your needs.
So here is my list of The Best Mops for 2021.
Enjoy!
Best Overall: O-Cedar EasyWring Microfiber Spin Mop
The O-Cedar EasyWring Microfiber Spin Mop offers the ability to control the amount of water applied to the floor.
Includes a bucket with a built-in foot pedal wringer that allows for hands-free wringing.
Features a triangular mop head that allows for cleaning in hard-to-reach areas.
Allows for easy wringing and quick-drying floors.
Ideal for all hard floors such and wood and tile.
Runner-up: Professional Wholesale Microfiber Mop
The Professional Wholesale Microfiber Mop works on a range of flooring to clean and dust.
Equipped with positively charged fibers work to clean and attract negatively charged dust.
Features more surface area to hold debris and absorb liquids.
Features microfibers that can work just with water for effective dusting.
Best Microfiber: Turbo 360 Mop
The Turbo Microfiber 360 Mop features a large 18" mop head that pivots 360 degrees for quick cleaning.
Uses a looped microfiber pad that can be washed and reused up to 100 times.
Designed to work on a range of hard surfaces including hardwood, laminate, and tile.
Features a lightweight aluminum alloy handle that is extendable.
Includes two microfiber pads.
Best Steam Option: BISSELL PowerFresh Mop
The BISSELL PowerFresh Steam Mop allows for a chemical-free clean by using the natural power of steam.
Features three levels of steam based on your cleaning needs.
Insert fragrance discs into the mop pad for a clean scent while you steam clean.
Works on sealed hardwood, ceramic, linoleum, granite, and marble floors.
Includes a built-in easy scrubber.
Features 23-foot power cord for flexibility while cleaning.
Best All-In-One: Swiffer WetJet Mop
The Swiffer WetJet Mop uses a cleaning solution to loosen and lift dirt off the floor.
Provides an all-in-one mopping system.
Features a dual-nozzle sprayer for effective cleaning.
Equipped with cleaning solution and a pad to help to break up and dissolve dirt.
Pulls dirt into the pad for quick and easy cleanup.
Best Compact Steam Option: Shark Steam Pocket Mop
The Shark Steam Pocket Mop cleans with super-heated steam and is ready in just 30 seconds.
Features a 180-degree swivel action to offer the ability to maneuver into tight spaces.
Offers 99.9% sanitization on hard floors with no harsh chemicals.
Features an on-demand variable steam system.
Features Shark steam pocket technology that provides double-sided cleaning with every pad.
Equipped with a large water capacity to allow for longer non-stop mopping.
Comes with a 20-foot power cord.
Includes double-sided, micro-fiber steam pocket pads.
Safe for all hard floor surfaces.
Best Robot Mop: iRobot Braava
The iRobot Braava Mop robot automatically customizes cleaning based on pad type.
Automatically mops using the jet spray and vibrating cleaning head.
Easily sweeps hard-to-reach places around the house.
Features mop and damp sweeping modes.
Features a dry sweeping mode that collects dust, dirt, and pet hair.
Offers the ability to clean tile, hardwood, stone, and other hard surfaces.
Includes iAdapt 2.0 Navigation system.
Best Refillable Option: O-Cedar ProMist MAX Microfiber Spray Mop
The O-Cedar ProMist MAX microfiber spray mop features a refillable bottle, allowing for the use of the cleaning solution of your choice.
Features a large flipping mop head that rotates 180 degrees, providing uninterrupted cleaning.
Equipped with a microfiber mop that collects dust, dirt, and hair.
Microfiber can be washed, which reduces the cost of replacement heads.
Best Value: Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop
The Rubbermaid Reveal Spray mop features a washable and reusable microfiber pad to cut down on the need for replacements.
Features a refillable bottle to pour in any cleaning solution.
Equipped with a 54 inch metal handle with a built-in spray trigger on the handle.
Includes a scrubbing pad with non-scratch material for tougher stains.
Safe for use on hardwood, laminate, and tile floors.
Best Budget Option: TETHYS Flat Floor Mop
The TETHYS Flat Floor mop utilizes microfiber pads that work on a variety of surfaces to pick up a range of dirt and spills.
Includes a bucket with two grooves in the top: one wets the mop and the other wrings it out hands-free.
Features a 280-degree rotating head to easily maneuver around furniture and walls.
Equipped with a telescoping handle to adjust to the user’s height.
Includes a compact storage compartment within the bucket for the mop and handle components.
I hope this list of the best mops was helpful.
If you think I left out one that is important or have a suggestion for a future article, let me know in the comments below.
Brandon Hubbard, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
