The size of your space will largely determine which type of wet mop is right for you. Your materials and floor types will also come into play — especially since too much moisture can damage certain hard floors, according to our experts.
All three of our experts recommend this O-Cedar spin mop and bucket set because it’s reliable, durable and easy to use. The microfiber mop head can hold a significant amount of liquid without excessive dripping and can clean all floor types, which makes picking up dirt, dust and spills a lot easier, says Sheppard. The dual-compartment bucket keeps the clean water separate from the dirty water and has a pedal for hands-free wringing, while the triangular mop head reaches into corners, swivels 360 degrees and comes off for machine-washing, according to the brand.
Cotter and Angela Brown, a professional house cleaner and the CEO of Savvy Cleaner, both recommend this two-in-one Swiffer, which you can use dry for dusting and sweeping, or wet for minor spills and grime. It comes with five wet cloths for mopping vinyl, hardwood and tile, but “the flat and wide mop head is perfect for cleaning walls and ceilings,” too, says Cotter. The lightweight design and swivel head helps you easily clean in tight spaces, according to the brand. When using this mop in her own home, Brown pairs it with these cotton cloths that you can rinse, hang up to dry and reuse.
Unlike most string mops, this one has a microfiber head, which is lighter than cotton and attracts dust and dirt when you use it when wet or dry, according to our experts. Brown recommends it because of the self-wringing mechanism, which “leaves water in the sink and not the floor,” plus you can use it to dust and wash baseboards, too, says Brown. Its telescoping alloy steel pole also has soft grips to cushion your hands, according to the brand.
“If you don’t like holding a separate bucket or spray bottle, spray mops are perfect for you,” says Cotter. I use the O-Cedar ProMist mop in my own home because it’s lightweight and helps me clean my hardwood and tile floors in one easy step. The handle has a trigger that sprays the cleaning solution of your choice directly in front of the mop, so you can sanitize and loosen up grime with the washable microfiber pad. The head also swivels upside down so you can easily use the other side of the pad to clean more square footage.
With 4.3 stars from over 24,000 Amazon reviewers, this option combines the convenience of a flat mop with the hygiene of a spin mop. The included bucket scrapes the washable microfiber pads to remove dirt and excess water, and per our experts’ advice, the telescopic handle is made from steel, which is key for durability. The mop head also swivels for easy maneuvering and it comes with three microfiber refills that help you cover more floor surface without stopping. You can also use it to dust floors and baseboards, according to the brand.
While they’re not the most durable, “sponge mops are your go-to option for kitchens, bathrooms and other busy areas prone to frequent spills,” says Cotter. This sponge mop, which has a 4.3-star rating from over 6,800 reviews on Amazon, has a built-in squeegee and brush as well as a self-wringing handle for the replaceable sponge heads. The iron pole also has grips for comfort and extends up to 52 inches.
If durability is your top priority, this string mop (which has a 4.5-star rating from over 5,500 Amazon reviews) meets all of our experts’ criteria for a well-made mop: Its looped strings are made from cotton, its telescoping pole is made from iron and it can clean all types of floors as well as baseboards. It also has a jaw clamp and a screw mechanism to lock the pole at the optimal length and secure the mophead in place.
Rubbermaid products are “known for their durability as they can withstand heavy-duty use in commercial and residential settings,” says Sheppard, who recommends this mopping system for demanding jobs. It includes a mop with blended yarns for durability, a 128-ounce bottle of neutral pH floor cleaner and a 35-quart bucket with wheels, brakes and a built-in wringer. “They are built to last, very versatile, efficient and made from high-quality material,” says Sheppard.
This electric steam mop is my go-to when I need to tackle stubborn grime or want to sanitize floors and fixtures without harsh cleaning products. The swivel head and included microfiber pads (which you can wash and reuse) let me steam-mop my floors and tile walls, but the tank also pops out and turns into a handheld steamer for smaller areas. This set includes various brush and nozzle attachments to clean grout, upholstery, glass and hard-to-reach nooks.
A mop refers to almost any floor-cleaning tool that has absorbent material on the end of a pole. Some work with water and some work without — but dry mops simply don’t clean as well as their wet counterparts, according to our experts. When compared to other floor-cleaning tools, wet mops are versatile, cost-efficient, easy to handle, cover large areas quickly and you can use them alongside disinfectant solutions to kill bacteria and sanitize floors, says Sheppard.
Before you purchase a wet mop, consider which design is best suited for your floor types and the size of your space. After that, consider the materials and extra features to ensure that your wet mop is durable, convenient to use and a good fit for your budget and lifestyle.
These are the six primary types of wet mops and their ideal uses, according to our experts:
Most reusable mop heads are made from either cotton, microfiber or sponge materials, and they each have their benefits and drawbacks, according to our experts.
In addition to the mop head, you should also consider the material of the handle. Our experts recommend handles made from steel or aluminum, which are durable and often have telescoping designs that extend your reach and collapse to save space in storage. You can also opt for wood, which is sturdy but likely doesn’t collapse. Sheppard recommends avoiding plastic since it’s not as durable.
Some mops are designed for use alongside disposable sheets or string heads, which you throw out and replace after each job, while other mop heads are machine-washable and reusable. Disposable options may work well for quick pick-ups, but washable heads are more eco-friendly and will save you money in the long run, says Cotter.
Spin mops are inherently self-wringing, but some string and flat mops also have built-in wringers that twist or scrape the mop head to remove dirt and excess moisture; this makes it easier to mop large areas without pushing dirty water around your floors, according to our experts.
You’re more likely to reach for a cleaning tool if it’s easy to use, and a reliable wet mop will strike a happy medium between lightweight and durable, according to our experts. Choose a mop that’s balanced in weight between the head and the handle, has a swivel head for easy maneuvering and an adjustable handle so you don’t have to hunch or bend down, says Cotter.
You can find mops at different price points, generally ranging from $10 to $100 on average, says Brown. Higher-end models typically include multicompartment bucket systems and extra heads, so you’re not washing your mop in dirty water and you can prevent cross-contamination between kitchen and bathroom areas, she says. Cotter also recommends splurging on a higher-priced mop if possible, which may be more durable and offer useful features that could save you time and money.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Maria Cassano is a writer, editor and consultant who specializes in e-commerce. She has written about and reviewed cleaning products since 2016, and you can find her relevant content in publications such as Bustle, The Daily Beast, Elite Daily, Allure, Better Homes & Gardens and CNN. For this article, she interviewed three professional home cleaners.
Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
