Bona Hardwood Floor Premium Spray Mop
Type: Spray mop | Mophead: Reusable | Weight: 2.6 pounds | Accessories: Mop pad, refillable solution cartridge, sample bottle of hardwood cleaning concentrate
Pros:
- Large mopping pad covers more area
- Includes hardwood floor cleaner concentrate
- Refillable cartridge helps reduce waste
Cons:
- Only comes with one mop pad
This all-in-one mopping system is a simple yet effective option for keeping hardwood floors looking their best. This affordable pick has an oversized mopping pad that lets you cover more area with each pass, and its mophead swivels in every direction so you can clean corners, under furniture and around other obstacles. The microfiber pad is gentle on wood and leaves minimal moisture behind, and the edges of the mophead even bend upward, allowing you to clean baseboards as you go.
This mopping system also prioritizes sustainability. In addition to the washable mop pad, which can be laundered up to 500 times, it comes with a refillable cartridge to hold the mopping solution. The cleaning formula is in concentrate form, which you simply mix with water. Plus, it’s mostly made using plant-based ingredients and is Safer Choice certified, making it safe to use around children and pets.
Best Value Mop For Hardwood Floors
An Affordable Pick With Extra Mop Pads
Mr.Siga Professional Microfiber Mop
Type: Flat mop | Mophead: Reusable | Weight: 2.8 pounds | Accessories: Three mop pads, dirt scrubber
Pros:
- Telescoping handle lets you adjust height
- Can be used wet or dry
- Includes three washable mop pads
Cons:
- No cleaning solution included
The Mr. Siga Microfiber Mop is an inexpensive option that’s gentle enough for hardwood floors. The flat mop comes with three microfiber mopping pads that can be used dry to pick up dust and hair or wet to scrub dirt and stains. The pads easily clip onto the mophead and can be machine-washed for easy maintenance when you’re done cleaning. Other helpful features include a telescoping stainless steel handle that extends to a maximum length of 59 inches and a swiveling mophead. However, unlike other options, this model doesn’t include a cleaning solution, so you’ll have to purchase it separately.
Best Electric Mop For Hardwood Floors
Features Rotating Pads For Deep Cleaning
Shark Steam And Scrub Mop
Type: Spin/steam mop | Mophead: Reusable | Weight: 7.9 pounds | Accessories: Four mop pads, filling flask
Pros:
- Rotating pads automatically scrub floors
- Uses hot steam to clean without chemicals
- Includes LED lights for better visibility
Cons:
- Power cord is only 22 feet
If you want a thorough clean with minimal effort, this spinning steam mop from Shark is worth the investment. It features two spinning mop pads that rotate 150 times per minute, creating a scrubbing action that removes even tough stains. Plus, the mop uses hot steam to clean and sanitize your hardwood floors without any cleaning solution, making it a chemical-free cleaning option for your home. Users can choose from three different cleaning modes and a steam blaster option for an extra power boost. It also has swivel steering for easy maneuvering and built-in LED headlights that illuminate your floors, highlighting stains for a more thorough clean.
Best Spin Mop For Hardwood Floors
Two Spinning Mop Pads With A Spray Option
Bissell SpinWave Spin Mop
Type: Spin mop | Mophead: Reusable | Weight: 13.6 pounds | Accessories: Four soft mop pads, two scrubbing mop pads, two sample bottles of cleaning solution
Pros:
- Spinning mop head for a deeper clean
- Spray-on cleaning solution
- Includes soft and scrubbing mop pads
Cons:
- Heavier than most mops
This Bissell spin mop is ideal for deep cleaning your hardwood floors and any other hard floors in your home. It has two spinning mop heads that provide all the elbow grease needed to remove grime and stains, and the mop actually comes with two types of pads—soft ones for delicate flooring and scrubbing pads for extra-dirty areas. It also has a spray option, allowing you to direct the cleaning solution exactly where you need it. What’s more, it includes sample-size bottles of both wood floor and hard floor cleaning formulas, and the brand offers a variety of other compatible cleaning solutions.
Best Spray Mop For Hardwood Floors
A Popular System With Disposable Pads
Swiffer PowerMop Wood Mop Kit
Type: Spray mop | Mophead: Reusable | Weight: 5 pounds | Accessories: Two mop pads, hardwood cleaning solution, two batteries
Pros:
- Easy to operate
- Includes quick-drying cleaning solution
- Covers more area with each mop pad
Cons:
- Single-use mop pads must be repurchased
If you prefer to use a spray mop, this option is lightweight and easy to use. It comes with a quick-drying hardwood cleaning solution with a fresh lemon scent and two disposable mopping pads. The pads have a multi-layer design that traps more dirt and lasts longer than other Swiffer pads, and they’re made from a soft material that’s gentle on floors to prevent scratching. However, you may need to purchase more single-use pads, which can get expensive if you mop frequently.
Best Steam Mop For Hardwood Floors
Powerful Steam Sanitizes And Removes Stains
Shark S3501 Steam Pocket Mop
Type: Steam mop | Mophead: Disposable | Weight: 4.9 pounds | Accessories: Two mop pads, filling flask
Pros:
- Heats up quickly
- Hot steam cleans without chemicals
- Double-sided cleaning pads cover more area
Cons:
- Power cord is only 18 feet
If you prefer to avoid chemical cleaning solutions, this steam mop offers an effective alternative to removing dirt and grime from your floors. The mop creates hot steam that lifts stains and sanitizes without any cleaning formula, and its lightweight design is simple to use. It also has swivel steering that lets you maneuver around obstacles, and its cleaning head is double-sided, allowing you to cover twice as much ground before swapping out the mop pad. It heats up in 30 seconds, and the mop leaves minimal moisture behind, so your hardwoods dry quickly.
Best Vacuum/Mop Combo For Hardwood Floors
A 2-In-1 Gadget For Faster Cleaning
Tineco Floor One S3 Cordless Floor Cleaner
Type: Vac mop | Mophead: N/A | Weight: 9.9 pounds | Accessories: Charging base, replacement roller, cleaning tool, cleaning solution
Pros:
- Vacuums and mops simultaneously
- Automatically detects debris and adjusts suction
- Sucks up dirty water as you clean
- Self-cleaning cycle
Cons:
- Can develop odors if not cleaned thoroughly
- Not meant for everyday vacuuming
You can streamline cleaning with this 2-in-1 vac mop from Tineco, which simultaneously vacuums and mops your floors. The high-tech design sucks up small debris while washing floors with a soft rotating brush roll, and it removes the dirty water as it goes, leaving your hardwoods clean and dry. The cordless design can run for up to 35 minutes per charge, and it’s self-propelled, so you don’t have to push it. Another benefit? It has a debris detection system that automatically increases suction when it senses dirt or grime on your floors, but you can also adjust it manually. After you’re done, there’s a self-cleaning cycle that cleans the brush roll and flushes out the inner tubes—just make sure to empty the dirty water tank, which can develop odors if not washed.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
- The Forbes Vetted home and kitchen team includes three expert editors: deputy editor Rebekah Lowin, senior editor Amanda Arnold and editor Sholeen Damarwala.
- Author of this piece Camryn Rabideau is a regular contributor and product reviewer who has personally tested several of the mops on this list and a slew of other cleaning tools.
- Rabideau also gathered key insight and guidance from James King, operations manager at DeluxeMaid, and Toby Schulz, CEO and co-founder of Maid2Match. They provided tips on how to mop hardwood floors without damaging the delicate materials.
How We Chose The Best Mops For Hardwood Floors
To find the best mops for hardwood floors, we researched best-selling models, compared features and asked industry experts—as well as our team of experienced staffers—for product recommendations and insights on what to look for.
- Our home and kitchen editorial team focused on top-rated models from trusted brands and retailers, such as Bona and Swiffer.
- We analyzed features such as weight, maneuverability, ease of use and mop pad type to help users find the best product for their needs.
- We consulted two experts to determine what specific features to look for in a good mop. Then, our editors reviewed each model’s size, weight, maneuverability, ease of use and mop pad type.
- We took customer reviews and average star ratings into careful account, sticking to models that have garnered at least an average rating of 4 stars and only a negligible amount of concerning reviews, if any.
- The final products on this list reflect in-depth research conducted by our writer and meticulous vetting by the editorial team.
What To Look For In The Best Mops For Hardwood Floors
There are several factors to consider when shopping for the best mops for hardwood floors. Here’s what to look for.
There are several types of mops available that you can use on hardwood flooring, each of which offers its own benefits:
- Classic mop: “Tried-and-tested classic cotton mops are made from absorbent cotton fibers, making them perfect for all-purpose cleaning on a wide range of floors,” says King. However, these options must be used with a bucket, making them more cumbersome.
- Flat mop: Flat mops are typically budget-friendly, have reusable microfiber pads and can be used with your preferred cleaning solution.
- Spray mop: With a built-in reservoir of cleaning solution, spray mops make it easy to dispense formula exactly where you need it—no bucket necessary. However, spray mops typically need batteries to operate.
- Spin mop: A type of electric mop, spin mops have rotating mop pads that scrub floors for you. They’re faster to use than traditional mops but must be plugged in during operation, limiting your range.
- Steam mop: Steam mops clean and sanitize floors using hot steam, so you don’t have to use a cleaning solution. However, you shouldn’t use them too frequently on hardwoods, as the steam can warp the boards.
- Vac-mop: The latest trend in cleaning tools, vac-mops are able to vacuum and mop simultaneously. These devices make cleaning faster but are significantly more expensive than other varieties.
If you have many obstacles to clean around, finding a mop that’s easy to maneuver is always beneficial. Swivel steering makes it easy to guide the mop around furniture, into corners and even under objects. Some mops can even lay flat, allowing you to clean underneath low-profile furniture.
Products like the Mr.Siga Professional Microfiber Mop include reusable microfiber mopping pads that can be cleaned in the washing machine between uses. Washable pads can save you money in the long run, as you’ll only need to purchase replacements every few years.
However, some people prefer the convenience of disposable mop pads, like those of the Swiffer PowerMop Wood Mop Kit. You can simply toss the pad when it gets dirty, but you’ll have to purchase replacement pads frequently, which can get expensive if you mop often or have a large home to clean.
When selecting a mop for hardwood floors, you’ll want to look at the cleaning solution that’s included or recommended. “Avoid products that contain bleach, ammonia and similar harsh chemicals,” says Toby Schulz, CEO and co-founder of Maid2Match. “These could damage the hardwood finish or even the wood itself.” It’s best to opt for a mop with a special hardwood cleaner—such as the Bona Hardwood Floor Premium Spray Mop. These products are specially formulated to be gentle enough for wooden flooring and won’t leave streaks behind.
What Kind Of Mop Is Best For Hardwood Floors?
When cleaning hardwood floors, you’ll want a mop that has a soft pad and doesn’t leave too much moisture behind. “Hardwood floors are more sensitive to water, so you have to be careful not to go overboard when mopping,” says King.
While most types of mops work on hardwoods, experts typically recommend microfiber mops like the Bona Hardwood Floor Premium Spray Mop. “A microfiber mop is best for hardwood floors, as they’re soft enough that they don’t leave scuff marks,” says Schulz. “Microfiber is great since it’s very soft and absorbent.” With microfiber options, you don’t risk scratching the wood; they soak up most of the moisture as you clean. Plus, microfiber pads can be washed and used again, saving you money on replacement pads.
