The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Mop for Your Floors
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Mop for Your Floors
Maintaining a clean and pristine home involves choosing the right tools for the job, and when it comes to floor cleaning, the selection of the right mop plays a crucial role. With a myriad of options available in the market, finding the perfect mop for your specific flooring needs can be overwhelming. In this comprehensive guide, we will navigate through the factors you should consider to ensure you choose the ideal mop for your floors.
For more information, please visit microfiber multipurpose mops manufacturers.
Understanding Your Flooring Type:
The first step in selecting the right mop is understanding the type of flooring you have. Different floors require different cleaning methods, and using the wrong mop can lead to damage or ineffective cleaning. Here's a breakdown of common flooring types and the mops that work best for each:
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Hardwood Floors:
- Recommended Mop: Microfiber Flat Mop
- Why: Microfiber mops are gentle on delicate hardwood surfaces and effectively capture dirt and debris without causing scratches.
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Tile Floors:
- Recommended Mop: Spin Mop with Microfiber Heads
- Why: The spinning action of these mops provides excellent scrubbing power for removing grime from tile grout, while the microfiber material is effective in picking up loose dirt.
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Laminate Floors:
- Recommended Mop: Spray Mop
- Why: Spray mops allow for controlled moisture application, preventing excessive water from seeping into the seams and causing damage to the laminate surface.
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Vinyl Floors:
- Recommended Mop: String Mop
- Why: String mops can cover larger surface areas quickly and are effective in cleaning vinyl without leaving streaks.
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Stone Floors:
- Recommended Mop: Sponge Mop
- Why: Sponge mops are absorbent and gentle, making them suitable for cleaning natural stone surfaces without causing scratches or dullness.
Factors to Consider:
Now that you have a general idea of the mop types that suit different floors, let's delve into the key factors to consider when making your selection:
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Mop Head Material:
- Microfiber mop heads are versatile and effective for various floor types, offering superior dirt and liquid absorption. Consider the material based on your specific flooring needs.
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Mop Design:
- Flat mops are great for hardwood floors, while spin mops are ideal for deep cleaning tile and grout. Choose a design that aligns with your cleaning requirements.
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Handle Length and Adjustability:
- Opt for a mop with an adjustable handle to ensure comfortable use, especially if multiple family members will be using the mop.
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Ease of Use:
- Consider features like self-wringing mechanisms, as they can make the mopping process more efficient and less strenuous.
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Durability:
- Invest in a high-quality mop that can withstand regular use. A durable mop ensures longevity and value for your money.
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Compatibility with Cleaning Solutions:
- Some mops are designed to work with specific cleaning solutions. Ensure compatibility to achieve the best cleaning results.
Choosing the Right Mop for Special Circumstances:
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Pet-Friendly Mops:
- Look for mops with superior pet hair pickup capabilities and those designed to handle pet-related stains and odors.
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Allergy-Preventing Mops:
- Consider mops that are hypoallergenic and equipped with features like anti-microbial properties to reduce allergens.
Selecting the right mop for your floors involves a thoughtful consideration of your flooring type, cleaning preferences, and special circumstances such as pets or allergies. By taking the time to understand these factors and choosing a mop that aligns with your specific needs, you can achieve not only a cleaner home but also prolong the life and beauty of your floors. Remember, the ultimate guide to choosing the right mop is about finding the perfect balance between functionality, convenience, and compatibility with your unique living space.
The 11 Best Mops of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
We are currently testing 18 new steam and spray mops from Bissell, Dupray, McCulloch, Shark, and Tineco at home after testing in the Lab.
We also think your mop should be easily maneuverable to clean under furniture and around corners. Plus, it's a huge bonus if it's adjustable , especially if household members of varying heights will be using it to mop hard-to-reach places. And for less than $50, we think you can find the perfect basic mop.
When looking for the best mop to invest in, finding a mop that is lightweight so it's easy to transport between rooms and floors is high on the list of must-haves, says Noell Jett , the creator of Jett Set Farmhouse and author of From the Ground Up.
Cleaning your floors can be a sticky situation if you don't have a high-quality mop. Because not all cleaning supplies are created equally, we purchased dozens of mops to find the best models in a variety of categories. We put them to the test on different surfaces in The Lab and at home, mopping fruit punch , barbecue sauce, damp potting soil, and dry paprika to evaluate their effectiveness , maneuverability , and ease of setup and maintenance .
Best Overall
Bosheng Mop and Bucket Set
PHOTO:
Amazon
$40 at Amazon
Our Ratings
What We Like
Microfiber pads perform well on a variety of surfaces and messes
Bucket wrings out mop's head
Easy to navigate around obstacles
What We Don't Like
Vague instructions
Longer cleanup time
The Bosheng Mop is everything a cleaning tool should be. We love it so much, we even ranked it as our best overall flat mop. It excels on most flooring types, cleaning up both wet and dry messes with ease, and it comes with an intuitive bucket that wrings out the head for you.
In our testing, the flat mop was able to clean up fruit punch, barbecue sauce, damp soil, and dry paprika thoroughly and all without requiring too much effort. We also found that the swivel connection between the handle and the mop head made it very easy to navigate around obstacles and into tight areas.
This mop comes with three washable, microfiber pads that can be used wet or dry—which will save you from having to buy new mop pads. The unique bucket has two compartments: one for your water and soap, and one for wringing it out. The microfiber pads attach via Velcro, and we loved that this was easy to set up and extremely low-maintenance.
The only real downside we could find was that the mop takes longer than others to break down. The bucket, while absolutely essential to its functionality, needs to be emptied and washed, and the mop pad also needs to be wrung out. You can store everything in the bucket in between uses though, which we appreciated.
All in all, this mop is a stellar addition to any cleaning closet, and a definite favorite among those that we tested. In fact, we thought this mop was pretty close to perfect. You can count on it to be a great option for all floors in any home, thanks to its versatile and gentle cleaning pad.
Weight: 3.89 pounds | Handle Length: 48.6 inches | Mop Type: Flat | Mop Head Material: Microfiber
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The Spruce / Tamara Staples
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The Spruce / Tamara Staples
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The Spruce / Tamara Staples
Best Budget
Swiffer Dry and Wet Sweeping Starter Kit
PHOTO:
Amazon
$19 at Amazon
$15 at Home Depot
$15 at Walmart
Our Ratings
What We Like
Extremely lightweight
Disposable cloth pads
Good for small living spaces
What We Don't Like
Not ideal for large messes
Need to buy replacement pads
You might know the Swiffer Sweeper is a popular option for both wet and dry mopping, and it definitely lived up to the hype during our testing. This lightweight mop is a breeze to set up, and you can’t beat the convenience of simply throwing away the disposable cleaning cloths when you’re done. (It took us just five seconds to remove a cloth and throw it away.) Overall, we think you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better mop at such a budget-friendly price.
The Swiffer Sweeper Starter Kit comes with 10 disposable pads—seven dry pads and three wet ones—and you can buy more at any big-name retailer. While buying replacement pads does add to the lifetime cost of the flat mop, the product is safe to use on all floor types and cleans tight areas easily, so you'll likely find lots of uses for it. We found that it’s best for smaller messes because the design isn't heavy-duty. It also wasn’t a top performer during our dry-mopping tests, leaving behind a small pile of dust after several strokes. However, the mop swivels well and is generally just as great as you've heard it to be.
Weight: 1.14 pounds | Handle Length: 23.03 inches | Mop Type: Flat | Mop Head Material: Cloth
The Spruce / Tamara Staples
Best Spin
O-Cedar RinseClean Spin Mop & Bucket System
PHOTO:
Target
$50 at Amazon
$50 at Home Depot
$50 at Walmart
Our Ratings
What We Like
Bucket with pedal-powered compartment
Super absorbent
Separate container for clean water
Rivaled electric mops in performance
What We Don't Like
Bucket did not have wheels
Not as compact as other mop styles
The O-Cedar EasyWring RinseClean Spin Mop and Bucket System is a smart twist on a traditional string mop. It comes with a special bucket with a pedal-powered compartment that quickly and easily spins water out of your mop. In our testing, we found the microfiber mop works quickly and efficiently on large spills, soaking up any liquid messes easily. The bucket system is intelligently designed, with a separate inner tank for storing clean water, and a built-in spout that makes it easy to refill your bucket without frequent trips to the sink.
While many mop heads are rectangular, the O-Cedar Mop has a triangular head that fits into corners easily. We liked that it was easy to maneuver against obstacles like chair legs, and much preferred it over the traditional, rectangular-style mop head. "The shape of the mop head can make a difference in the mop's ability to clean," says Jett, creator of Jett Set Farmhouse and author of From the Ground Up. "Triangle-shaped heads are great for getting into corners and all the nooks and crannies." Another detail of the mop head we appreciate its machine-washable design, which is more eco-friendly than disposables.
How long will a mop last?
If you purchase a steam mop, it will last as long as you take care of the water reservoir and ensure the cord does not experience any electrical damage. Most machine-washable cleaning pads, like the O-Cedar Mop, can last for up to 50 uses or more. Sponge mop heads tend to show signs of wear sooner and can last up to 3 months, if properly rinsed and allowed to fully dry between uses.
We like so many things about this smart system, but we did notice that the lack of wheels on the bucket could be a detriment for some who want that extra mobility. By nature, the design of this mop and bucket is also bulkier than other styles (It may not be the best option for someone who lives in an apartment or small space). Still, these are minor complaints compared to the overall impressive performance. If you have room for this mop and bucket set, we highly recommend it.
Weight: 6.69 pounds | Handle Length: Up to 51 inches | Mop Type: String | Mop Head Material: Microfiber
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
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The Spruce / Henry Wortock
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
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The Spruce / Henry Wortock
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
Best Spray
Swiffer WetJet Spray Mop Cleaner
PHOTO:
Amazon
$29 at Amazon
$28 at Home Depot
$25 at Walmart
Our Ratings
What We Like
Easy to attach and remove pads
Works on most hard floors
Cleaning solutions available
What We Don't Like
Need to apply pressure to tough stains
Some parts feel flimsy
The Swiffer WetJet boasts the same convenience as the beloved Swiffer Sweeper, but it offers more cleaning power, thanks to its on-board cleaning solution. In our testing, we found that you can spray the solution using a button on the handle, and then use the disposable cleaning pads to trap dirt and grime on your floor. While you'll need to apply pressure for tough stains, the starter kit comes with two styles of mopping pads for targeting different spills, stains, and messes.
The Swiffer WetJet Starter Kit also includes a bottle of cleaning solution and batteries, which is key because the spray mop requires four AA batteries to operate (which we haven't had to change after using weekly for over six months). All in all, setting up this product is a breeze. Another detail that we appreciated is the curved handle, which makes it more comfortable to hold and steer around the mop the floor and into corners.
Once we had it up and running, this spray mop was able to remove most stains and scuffs with just a few passes in our tests, but tougher stains required a little more elbow grease. Freshening up the mop and swapping the pads is super easy, but be warned, this pick isn't quite as budget-friendly as it may appear. We confirmed while testing at home that it's easy to run through the cleaning solution pretty quickly, so you'll want to plan accordingly for replacement bottles (and pads, too). You can however wash the mop head and we've done that weekly for over six months with no issues.
Weight: 3.85 pounds | Handle Length: 45.96 inches | Mop Type: Spray | Mop Head Material: Cloth
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The Spruce / Camryn Rabideau
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The Spruce / Tamara Staples
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The Spruce / Camryn Rabideau
Best Steam
PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop
PHOTO:
Amazon
$80 at Amazon
$80 at Walmart
View on Pursteam.com
What We Like
Signals when tank runs out of water
Easy to maneuver
Detachable handheld steamer with 7 attachments
What We Don't Like
Mop head flips up when passing over sticky stains
We were thoroughly impressed with the PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop in our testing and found it to be easy, efficient, and versatile. It heats up in just 17 seconds and can run for up to 25 minutes when the 12.8-ounce tank is filled completely. Along with having intuitive set up instructions, it has an adjustable dial that controls steam output. The water tank will also signal—via a vibration and beeping sound—when it has run out of water.
In terms of maneuverability, this mop was not only easy to move around, but also simple to fill and remove from the base. It has a whopping seven attachments that make it a true all-in-one cleaning tool for garments, windows, shower tiles, and furniture. It also easily tackled a variety of stains on both tile and concrete (but the mop head did seem to get stuck and flipped up when passing over sticky stains like chocolate milk and syrup).
This mop head is quite large though, which can make it difficult to do detailed cleaning on floors. But, we found that its multiple attachments and handheld feature make up for the size of the main head. Overall, this mop's performance made it a strong rival against many of the other name brand steam mops we tested.
Weight: 2.2 pounds | Handle Length: Not listed | Mop Type: Steam | Mop Head Material: Microfiber
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
Best Robot
Ecovacs Deebot N8+ Vacuum & Mop Robot
PHOTO:
Amazon
$200 at Amazon
View on Walmart
Our Ratings
What We Like
Powerful vacuum and mop combination
Self-emptying
Washable mop pad and disposable pads included
What We Don't Like
Brushes need to be cleaned after mopping
Out of more than 40 robot vacuums and mops that we've tested, the Ecovacs Deebot N8+ Robot Vacuum and Mop has stood out for its impressive performance, practical and useful features, and overall value. Robot mops are not always built to handle tough messes, but we saw firsthand how the N8+ tackled coffee and syrup spills like a champ, leaving only a little bit of residue behind.
The corresponding smart phone app was easy to set up and use too, and a quick QR code scan leads to step-by-step instructions on how to smart map your home. This mapping allows the robot to avoid any unnecessary bumps into walls and furniture, and it also optimizes its cleaning path. Even without using the smart app during our lab testing, the robot easily navigated through the chairs and furniture we had set up.
Along with its stellar mopping abilities, you can also expect consistent vacuuming without having to fight hair wrap on this vacuum's tiny brushes. We've tested this at home for over six months, using it a couple of times per week.
During home testing, we were thrilled with this vacuum's performance, and how it always accurately identified flooring surfaces—mopping when necessary and vacuuming when needed. And while this robot is almost entirely hands-off when operating, take note that you will have to clean the brushes after mopping to avoid dragging residue during future cleans. We think this small effort is more than reasonable given how well this robot performs overall.
Weight: 26.4 pounds | Handle Length: Not applicable | Mop Type: Mop and vacuum combo | Mop Head Material: Not listed
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The Spruce / Henry Wortock
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The Spruce / Henry Wortock
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The Spruce / Henry Wortock
Best Heavy-Duty
Rubbermaid Self-Wringing Twist Mop
PHOTO:
Amazon
$43 at Amazon
Our Ratings
What We Like
Heavy-duty design
Self-wringing mechanism
Easy to clean
What We Don't Like
Heavy when wet
Not the most absorbent
There’s no mess you can’t tackle with the Rubbermaid Self-Wringing Twist Mop. In testing, we were impressed by this mop’s heavy-duty design, which features thick strings that offer superior scrubbing power. The head has double tail bands and looped ends that prevent the strings from getting tangled, which we also appreciated. We did note that its microfiber strings aren’t the most absorbent, but we really didn't mind because the mop excelled in other areas, like being easy to push and having that aforementioned scrubbing power.
Thanks to the intuitive design, you'll have no issues getting into crevices with ease, or preparing it for a fresh use. We liked that you can wring the mop out by pulling it taut and then twisting it against a ratcheting mechanism on the handle. The mop is quite heavy when wet and it may be a bit too hardy for smaller homes, but it's ultimately a durable product that's built to last. For anyone looking to add a heavy-duty cleaning tool to their collection, we think it's a great choice.
Weight: 1.2 pounds | Handle Length: 54 inches | Mop Type: String | Mop Head Material: Microfiber
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The Spruce / Tamara Staples
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The Spruce / Tamara Staples
Best Microfiber
Microfiber Wholesale Professional Microfiber Mop
PHOTO:
Amazon
$45 at Amazon
View on Microfiberwholesale.com
Our Ratings
What We Like
Large pad is ideal for big spaces
Heavy-duty, telescoping handle
Adjustable handle
What We Don't Like
No way to wring it out
Hard to tighten handle
This oversized mop from Microfiber Wholesale is ideal if you have a lot of floor to clean. Its rectangular mop head is 18 inches wide and comes with both wet and dry microfiber mopping pads for soaking up spills or picking up dust bunnies.
One of the standout factors of this mop is its telescoping metal handle, which felt substantially more heavy-duty than most of the other options we tested. We also loved that it can extend up to 70 inches, making it an amazing option for a household with several members who want to help with chores. Just know: You'll want to put the microfiber pad in the washing machine to clean it in between uses.
And speaking of the microfiber pad, it definitely did a good absorbing messes, but it wasn't as effective with dry materials. It really handles liquid well, but without a streamlined process to rinse and wring it out, you might feel limited in how and when you use it. We also ran into some issues with keeping the shaft tight, too, despite a design that otherwise feels durable and strong.
Weight: 4.65 pounds | Handle Length: Up to 70 inches | Mop Type: Flat | Mop Head Material: Microfiber
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The Spruce / Camryn Rabideau
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The Spruce / Camryn Rabideau
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The Spruce / Camryn Rabideau
The 9 Best Flat Mops of 2024, Tested and Approved
Best for Tile Floors
Hoover Steam Complete Pet
PHOTO:
Amazon
$109 at Amazon
$99 at Home Depot
$110 at Walmart
Our Ratings
What We Like
10 attachments included for whole home cleaning
2 clean water tanks
Heats up and cools down almost instantly
What We Don't Like
Mop head stretches when maneuvering around furniture
When it comes to cleaning tile floors, a powerful steam mop can be not only a timesaving tool but also a must for stubborn grout stains. The Hoover Steam Complete Pet Steam Mop comes with a suite of attachments designed to tackle everything from hard flooring like tile, grout, and sealed hardwood floors to carpets, upholstery, and windows.
This mop heats up almost instantly, which adds to its overall convenience. We recommend taking extra precaution when cleaning around furniture though, as we found during testing that this mop's microfiber cloth head did stretch when it pushed around chair legs. However, it easily slid under the chair, thanks to the triangular mop head and swivel joint. It effectively removed stains on both tile and concrete, requiring the most passes on a syrup stain.
There was no mess left on the mop heads, and we could easily pull them off without burning our fingers because this unit cools down so quickly. We loved that the pads can go into the washing machine after each use and re-use them. After testing at home for over six months, we did wish the water tank was a bit bigger—if you're using this to clean your floor it might take a few refills. This is a better option for someone who's doing small jobs like tile and grout, and even the microwave and stovetop.
Weight: 6.8 pounds | Handle Length: Not listed | Mop Type: Steam | Mop Head Material: Microfiber
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
Best Mop and Bucket
Simpli-Magic Spin Mop
PHOTO:
Amazon
$71 at Amazon
$40 at Home Depot
$33 at Walmart
Our Ratings
What We Like
Includes bucket with built-in wringer
Lightweight design
Durable materials
What We Don't Like
Hard to remove mop heads
Bucket is a bit big for storing
For those who like having a bucket to dunk their mop in while completing their chores, the Simpli-Magic Spin Mop includes a microfiber string mop and bucket with a convenient foot-operated wringer. In our testing, this mop was able to absorb a variety of materials with ease, barely leaving any residue behind. We liked that the built-in wringer lets you clean the mop easily during use and leaves the head damp enough to clean any surface—but not overly wet. While the setup instructions mop could have been clearer, this mop was generally very user-friendly.
This set does get somewhat heavy when filled with water, but that's to be expected. Our only real complaints about this product: the heads are somewhat hard to remove, and the bucket is a bit big and would take up a lot of real estate in a closet. If you live in a small space, you may want to find a more compact option.
Weight: 5.89 pounds | Handle Length: Not listed | Mop Type: String | Mop Head Material: Microfiber
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The Spruce / Tamara Staples
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The Spruce / Tamara Staples
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The Spruce / Tamara Staples
Best for Hardwood Floors
Shark Vacmop Pro Wet/Dry Vacuum
PHOTO:
Target
$100 at Amazon
$100 at Home Depot
$80 at Walmart
Our Ratings
What We Like
Cordless design
Very quiet operation
Vacuum and mop combined
What We Don't Like
Short battery life
Need to buy replacement pads
Instead of vacuuming and then mopping, you can tackle both tasks at once with the Shark Vacmop. This vacuum and spray mop combo uses powerful suction to pull dirt and debris into its disposable Vacmop pad. Once all of your loose debris is picked up, you can spray cleaning solution from the on-board container to make any hard and sealed floor shine. Not sure if your floors are sealed? Vera Peterson, president of Molly Maid, says, "If new, ask your installer this question. If you inherited the floors, rub your finger across the surface. If a smudge appears, the floor likely has been sealed and waxed.”
In our testing, we loved that this cleaning tool is lightweight and easy to maneuver into tight areas, like under a bar cart. A light on the floor head also allows you to see into poorly lit areas. As an added bonus, it's cordless. We found that the battery life is generally long enough to complete several small tasks or one big deep clean of a townhouse (and then we liked charging the vacuum overnight so we could wake up and use it again). Just keep in mind that the mopping pads double as a dirt chamber. While you'll receive a couple in the original package, you'll also need to purchase more refill pads to have on hand.
Weight: 5 pounds | Handle Length: 28.34 inches | Mop Type: Mop and vacuum combo | Mop Head Material: Cloth
The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong
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Want more information on wholesale microfiber scrubbing cloth? Feel free to contact us.
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