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Including spray mops, spin mops, vacuum mops, and more.
Photo:Real Simple
However, every surface must be treated differently, andkeeping your hardwood floors cleanis easier said than done.
For expert insight on the topic, we consulted YouTube cleaning content creatorAlexandra Beuter.
It takes a few extra wipes to absorb oil and butter.
PHOTO: Real Simple / Henry Wortock
This mop excelled on hardwood floors, picking up apple juice, ketchup, and dry dirt with ease.
It struggled a bit with oil and butter, pushing them around rather than absorbing them.
Still, the creases between the wooden planks were clean, a testament to the mops effective performance.
PHOTO: Real Simple
It was even effective at cleaning grouted tile, though the dirt required a few extra wipes to remove.
The solution comes in a narrow bottle, which fits into the mops handle for convenient storage.
At just 5.8 pounds, this mop is lightweight and easy to carry between rooms.
The pad was also thin enough to reach below tables and couches.
The pad is held onto the mop with Velcro, so its easy to attach and detach.
Just be sure to peel the Velcro off slowly to avoid flying debris.
We especially like that the mop pads are machine washable.
Aside from some slight debris embedded in the pad fibers post-wash, they looked as good as new.
The single-use mop pads are $2 each.
Despite its inexpensive price, the Swiffer PowerMop is one of the best mops weve used.
On average, we used one or two sprays per stain.
Cleaning the butter required a few extra swipes and sprays, but it wasnt too cumbersome.
PHOTO: Real Simple / Henry Wortock
This mop is extremely lightweight and portable.
The mop head also folds up, making it compact for storage.
Each pad has over 300 scrubbing strips, allowing it to pick up hard-to-see grime in creases and grout.
PHOTO: Real Simple
After six months of use, the mop is still exceeding our expectations.
Just note that it’s not suitable for unfinished or waxed wooden boards or non-sealed tile.
However, the mop itself is inexpensive, which may make up for it.
Maneuvering the head at an angle can be difficult, and its too large to navigate tight spaces.
If you have the means to splurge on cleaning products, consider Nellies Wow Too Bundle.
This mop stands out for its mechanical head, which oscillates to reach every crevice.
It also features an adjustable handle, ensuring comfortable cleaning for people of all heights.
While this mop boasts impressive performance on grout, we found it even more effective on hardwood.
The mop did struggle a bit with soil, pushing the larger particles around rather than picking them up.
Nevertheless, our mop pads remained gunk free.
Despite its bulky size, it was surprisingly portable and easy to store.
We also love the lemony scent of the cleaning solution, which is fresh yet not overpowering.
PHOTO: Real Simple / Henry Wortock
Spraying it is intuitive the longer you hold the button, the more spray comes out.
However, refilling the canister with solution proved more difficult than expected.
The manufacturer warns not to leave extra product in, but we had trouble airing it out completely.
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
After six months of use, this mop is still working great.
Just remember to clean out the buildup every so often to prevent the spray from clogging.
It has difficulty getting into the cracks between wood, and the rounded mop pads cant reach rigid corners.
PHOTO: Real Simple / Henry Wortock
It also proved effective on grout, gliding easily on both surfaces.
This mop includes two soft-touch pads and two scrubby pads to accommodate all types of grime.
We found this unit lightweight and easy to carry, thanks to its convenient handle in the middle.
PHOTO: Real Simple
The mop head effectively navigated couches and chair legs, getting right up to the sides of our bookshelf.
However, the rounded mop pads did encounter difficulty reaching 90-degree corners.
The handle retracts as you clean, posing difficulties when extended to a certain height.
The only substance we struggled to remove was dirt, which was easier to clean with a paper towel.
In addition to its impressive performance on hardwood, this mop also excelled on grouted floors.
Despite being a mop-and-bucket system, we found this machine surprisingly compact.
The handle adjusts from 35 to 51 inches in height, catering toward people of various heights.
Crafted from absorbent microfiber, the washable mop head does a great job of absorbing water.
It appeared 98% clean post-wash, though it did feel slightly greasy.
After six months of use, we also noticed that the fibers were sticking together.
Nevertheless, for those seeking a standard spin mop, this is the best bet.
The self-emptying feature is a bit loud and disruptive.
PHOTO: Real Simple / Henry Wortock
Whilerobot mopsmay seem daunting, we found the Roborock S8+ Robot Vacuum Mop surprisingly intuitive.
Just keep in mind that this mop cleans with water only.
Luckily, you’ve got the option to disable it from emptying automatically.
The system has two separate tanks: one for clean water and one for dirty water.PHOTO: Real Simple
Due to its low profile, this vacuum mop can glide beneath couches and tables easily.
Its compact size also makes it non-obtrusive and easy to store.
After six months of use, this vacuum mop completely transformed our cleaning routine.
The price tag is a bit steep, especially since this model doesnt come with extra mopping pads.
Youll have to replace the single-use pads often, adding a recurring fee to your purchase.
Thanks to its lightweight design, we found this pick super maneuverable.
It glided effortlessly over our hardwood floors, emitting a fresh scent in its wake.
Plus, setting it up was cake.
We didnt even need the instructionsall we had to do was add the detergent and pad.
Thisvacuum mopcomes with four disposable pads, a charger, and 12 ounces of cleaning solution.
It takes a little over three hours to fully charge, with a runtime of 12 minutes.
It also operates silently, so you wont have to worry about waking the household as you clean.
The Roborock S8+ Vacuum Mop sucked up dog hair and our tester’s hair with no difficulties nor tangling. .PHOTO: Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Since the pads are single-use, be prepared to replenish them often.
Plus, its portable.
Hurricane Spin Mop: Setting up this spin mop was easy, and cleaning it proved similarly intuitive.
Physical setup of the Roborock S8+ Vacuum Mop took just 20 minutes.PHOTO: Real Simple
It did struggle to navigate tight corners, though, so we recommend this pick for larger rooms.
Toset upeach mop, we followed the manufacturers instructions, considering how easy the process was.
For mops with an adjustable handle, we set the length to our preferred height.
Next, we evaluated each mopseffectiveness.
To mimic real-life conditions, we chose substances with different textures and consistencies.
In addition to the amount of passes required, we also considered how long the cleaning process took.
For mops with disposable pads, we noted the ease of removal and reattachment, as well as messiness.
To evaluatemaneuverability, we guided the mop around our space, navigating around chair legs and other furniture.
We then approached our bookshelf, observing how shut the mop could get to the surface.
Forrobot mops, we noted whether they were able to effectively map out our space and avoid obstacles.
Using our lab and home results, we compiled a list of the best mops for hardwood floors.
Flat Mops:When you picture a standard mop, a flat mop likely comes to mind.
They either come with reusable, machine-washable pads or disposable ones.
Due to their basic design, flat mops tend to be the most practical and inexpensive.
Spin Mops:Spin mops use a spinning motion to break down tough grime.
They are a bit bulkier than flat mops but are powerful.
These are the most high-tech mops out there (and often the most expensive).
Steam Mops:Steam mopsmake mopping extremely easy, as only water is required, Beuter says.
PHOTO: Real Simple / Dera Burreson
It’s chemical free, quick, easy, and most importantly, kills germs with high heat.
While these mops are powerful, the mixture of heat and moisture can damage hardwood floors.
Attachments
Many mops come with additional attachments or features designed to make the cleaning process easier.
PHOTO: Real Simple
Some mops offerscrub brushes, which can help you tackle hard-to-reach crevices.
They are typically only used during deeper cleaning sessions when baseboards need routine maintenance."
Questions You May Have
How much should you spend on a mop for hardwood floors?
Cost varies, with prices ranging from as little as $20 to over $1,000.
How much hard flooring do you have?
Do you have more carpet?
Is it safe to use a steam mop on hardwood floors?
How long can a mop last?
Manufacturers typically specify the best care practices that can prolong your specific mops lifespan.
This can be a much more economical option than replacing the mop in entirety.
Take Our Word For It
This article was written byJamie Fischer, a writer forReal Simple.
For expert insight, we consultedAlexandra Beuter, a content creator who specializes in lifestyle and cleaning content.
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
