8 Best Mops for Hardwood Floors, Tested by Cleaning Pros
Get spotless and shiny floors without all the scrubbing.
Expert consulted: Carolyn FortéHome Care & Cleaning Lab Executive Director
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Although they can be delicate, hardwood floors are actually surprisingly easy to clean with the right tools. All they need is regular vacuuming with a good vacuum cleaner to remove gritty dirt that can scratch the finish and an occasional wet cleaning with a reliable hardwood floor mop to remove stuck-on grime.
Hardwood floor mops can be manual, battery-operated or electric, but the one thing they all have in common is that they help you get the job done fast. Over the years, the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab has tested hundreds of floor-cleaning products including soaps, sprays, vacuums, steamers and mops recommended for all types of bare flooring (tile, vinyl, laminate and wood).
Here, we've rounded up the picks that we consider to be safe and effective on hardwood floors, including wet mops that won't deposit too much water on moisture-sensitive hardwoods and dry mops that won't scratch delicate finishes.
Bona Premium Microfiber Floor Mop
Pros
- Pads are washable and reusable
- Has telescoping handle and swivel head
- Safe for all hard surfaces
Cons
- Cleaning solution not included
- Large head makes storage more difficult
Sleek and simple, this mop is a safe choice for all hard-surface flooring including hardwood, and it can be used wet or dry, making it an exceptionally versatile option. It comes with two washable microfiber pads: a flat one for wet cleaning and a fuzzy one for dusting that uses electrostatic technology to lift dry dirt off the floor. It doesn't come with cleaning solution, so you'll need to stock up on your own.
In our Lab test, we found the oversize swivel head cleaned in all directions and helped get the job done more quickly than a smaller mop, however that means it's a bit trickier to store. Comfortable for users of all heights, the telescoping handle makes it easy to clean under and around all types of furniture. We appreciated the rubber corners on the head, which help prevent nicks and scratches from bumping into wooden trim or furniture.
Type: Dry and wet microfiber mop | Dimensions: Telescoping 34–52 in. (handle length) | Weight: 1.4 lbs
RELATED: Best Hardwood Floor Cleaners, Tested by Cleaning Experts
Swiffer Sweeper Two-in-One
Pros
- Can be used as a dry or wet mop
- Easy to maneuver
- Lightweight
Cons
- Refill cloths must be purchased separately
Our Cleaning Lab pros say this hardwood floor mop is a "game-changer," so it's easy to see why it earned our Good Housekeeping Seal. Swiffer changed how Americans approached cleaning when it was introduced over 20 years ago, and it's still the gold standard when it comes to quick, easy and effective floor cleaning.
The two-in-one design of this mop allows you to use the product as either a dry mop or a wet mop. The soft dry cloths pick up the finest dust particles — even ones that vacuums miss — while the pre-moistened wet cloths are great for quickly lifting sticky messes without spreading them around.
It's incredibly lightweight and easy to use too. The head pivots, so we like it for cleaning under low furniture, around chair legs, along baseboards and more. You can even use the dry cloth to dust walls, paneling ceiling fans and other spots around the house. For very large areas, you may need to use more than one wet cloth. Keep in mind that refill cloths must be purchased separately.
Type: Dry and wet disposable pad mop | Dimensions: 48 in. (handle length) | Weight: 1.7 lbs
Bona Hardwood Floor Premium Spray Mop
Pros
- Reusable pad
- Cleaning solution cartridge can be refilled
Cons
- Some say the trigger occasionally gets stuck
Safe for use on all polyurethane-finished wood floors, this microfiber spray mop comes pre-loaded with a full-size 34-ounce Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner (our Cleaning Lab's top overall wood floor cleaner). We especially like that you don't have to buy a new cartridge when the old one is empty — simply refill it with more Bona cleaner, press the trigger on the handle to spray and clean away. The brand claims the pad can be washed and reused up to a truly impressive 500 times.
Beyond that, the functionality of the mop head is much like the brand's regular microfiber mop above. It has a comfortable grip handle, a swivel head that's easily maneuverable, soft bumper corners and an extra-large washable cleaning pad to cover more square footage in less time. The only real downside: Our experts say the trigger occasionally falters, which can slow you down.
Type: Wet microfiber spray mop | Dimensions: 50 in. (handle length) | Weight: 5.2 lbs
Swiffer PowerMop Multi-Surface Mop Kit
Pros
- Easy to use
- Has two spray nozzles to spread solution evenly
- Cleaning solution comes in two different scents
Cons
- Requires brand-specific cleaning solution refills
Another GH Seal star, Swiffer's PowerMop is an upgrade to the brand's original spray mop, the Swiffer WetJet. Not unlike the WetJet, it carries a bottle of pre-mixed cleaning solution on the handle which dispenses as a fine mist with the press of a button. In addition to the classic features, the PowerMop has a wide 13-inch mop head, and the mop pads have hundreds of scrubbing strips which help the pads last longer and clean more deeply.
The PowerMop comes with two bottles of multi-surface cleaning solution, but a dedicated wood cleaning solution is also available, and they each come in two scents. In our Lab tests, we found both cleaners to be effective and quick-drying. Dual spray nozzles on the mop head allow for even application of the cleaning spray, and the absorbent pads quickly picked up messes on our test floors without spreading them.
There is no way to swap in other cleaning solutions though, so if you already have a favorite cleaner from another brand, you may want to opt for a mop without a built-in spray feature.
Type: Disposable wet spray mop | Dimensions: 48 in. (handle length) | Weight: 4.7 lbs
dreame H12 PRO Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner
Pros
- Easy to use
- Has a self-cleaning feature
Cons
- May develop a smell over time
Dreame's floor-cleaning tools from robots to stick vacuums have a history of scoring highly in GH Cleaning Lab tests. We found this model the easiest to use, especially on hardwood floors.
Its edge-to-edge cleaning design allows you to get tighter into corners and closer to baseboards, making for an efficient cleaning experience. Some vacuum mops are very heavy, so they can be hard to tote from room to room, but at 10.5 lbs, this one is on the lighter side, and it has a 35-minute runtime.
When you're done mopping, return the vacuum to its base so it can begin self-cleaning. After cleaning itself, it can dry the fluffy roller within one hour to help prevent mold and mildew. Some users report that they noticed an odor developing over time, even if they didn't use the vacuum mop to suck up anything particularly gross.
Type: Vacuum mop | Dimensions: 44 in. (height) | Weight: 10.5 lbs
Pros
- Extra-large water tanks and dust bag in base
- Leaves floors nearly dry after mopping
- Extra tools and dust bags stored in base too
Cons
- Sometimes went around debris instead of picking it up
- Pad-drying feature was not very effective
We've tested older versions of the Deebot before, and this new model, the X1 Omni, like its predecessor, did not disappoint. It cleaned under couches and beds and around dining-room table legs without getting stuck.
Tested in a home with hardwood floors throughout the living room, dining room and bedrooms, it cleaned well without overly wetting the wood or leaving any streaks behind, which is why it's our best robot mop pick for hardwood floors. However, it occasionally went around debris instead of picking it up.
Its charging base doubles as a home for extra tools and dust bags, a clean water reservoir and an extra-large dust bin. It automatically washes the mopping pads when the robot finishes cleaning, though the drying feature wasn't powerful enough to completely dry the pads. Its battery runtime is 4 hours and 20 minutes.
Unlike other robot mops, you don’t need to own an Amazon or Google Assistant device for voice commands. Just saying, “OK Yiko,” wakes up the X1 Omni, though sometimes it responded when we weren’t talking to it. It talks to you as it’s cleaning too, letting you know when the mopping pads need to be cleaned before it can continue its cleaning session and alerting you when it is finished. Through the app, you can control the suction power and the amount of water that is dispensed — another reason we like it for hardwood floors.
Type: Self-emptying robot vacuum and mop | Dimensions: 17" x 17.6" x 23" (base) | Weight: Not listed
Pros
- Corded for nonstop cleaning
- Comes with washable pads
- Can be used for dry buffing of wood floors
Cons
- Not great for corners and tight spaces
If a little extra cleaning muscle is what you're after, Bissell's SpinWave is a good choice. The electric mop has a built-in sprayer — fill it with water or a cleaning solution of your choice — and washable reusable mop pads that spin to scrub away messes and restore luster. It comes with four soft-touch pads and two scrubby pads for tougher spills. It can even be used dry for buffing away scuffs and imparting a shine to the wood.
It's easy to control the amount of spray, so it's safe to use on all sealed hard floors, including hardwood, tile, linoleum and more. And even though it can be tough to get into tight areas like corners and under furniture, the lightweight design and swivel steering do improve overall maneuverability. Plus, the corded design allows for nonstop cleaning, even in large homes.
Type: Electric microfiber mop | Dimensions: 45 in. (height) | Weight: 14.3 lbs
Pros
- Separates dirty water from clean water
- Wrings out easily
- Has a telescoping handle
Cons
- Takes up a lot of space
Spin mops have become very popular, but many of them wring out dirty water right into your detergent solution, causing you to lose cleaning power the longer you go. With O-Cedar's EasyWring RinseClean system, you don't need to worry about this problem. Separate tanks for clean and dirty water allow you to get the job done without pushing dirt around your floors.
When you fill the reservoir with clean water, it will automatically fill the top bucket to wet your mop head. When you return to the bucket to wring and rewet, a push of the foot pedal spins the dirty water into a separate tank below. In our tests, we found the wringing process easy and efficient, and the hefty mop head can be removed for easy machine washing.
The telescoping handle extends from 30 to 50 inches so it works well for users of all heights. Unfortunately, the bucket is only designed for use with O-Cedar's own concentrated cleaning packs, so if you'd like to use another cleaning solution, it has to be applied directly to the floor. Also, the mop plus bucket takes up a lot of storage space.
Type: Microfiber wet mop | Dimensions: Telescoping 30–50 in. (handle length) | Weight: 6.7 lbs
How we test hardwood floor mops
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we've spent hundreds of hours testing all kinds of floor-cleaning tools and appliances to select the best mops for cleaning hardwood floors.
To test the cleaning performance of mops, including steam mops, regular mops and mops for hardwood floors, we apply a pre-measured amount of staining materials like chocolate syrup, wine, cola, coffee and jelly to wood, laminate, tile and vinyl test flooring installed in the Lab.
We let it dry, then we pass the mops across the floors to determine and score how much soil they pick up in one forward pass and one backward pass and how many strokes they need to completely clean up the messes.
We also evaluate how easily they remove scuff marks and how well dry mops pick up and hold onto dust and pet hair. Plus, we note additional attributes like ease of assembly, attaching and removing the pads, storage and drying time. Washable pads are also laundered multiple times to see how well they hold up.
What to look for when shopping
✔️ Type: When you think of a mop, you might think of the traditional dunk-and-wring, but today there are so many more convenient options that use less water — important for the health of your wood floors. When browsing hardwood floor cleaning tools, you'll find all kinds of options, including mops for dry dusting, microfiber mops for wet cleaning, mops that do both, spray mops, two-in-one mop/vacuum combinations and even robot mops.
In general, spray mops are the easiest to use because they have an onboard cleaner that can be sprayed directly on hardwood floors, they don't require any diluting and they allow you to control how much cleaning fluid you put down. Think about what tasks you want the mop to do, what kind of features you want to pay for and if you want reusable or disposable convenience.
✔️ Maneuverability: While a two-in-one mop/vacuum may offer the convenience of storing fewer cleaning tools, they tend to be bulkier and have heads that can be hard to sneak into crevices and corners. For this reason, swivel-head mops, like the Swiffer, earn top marks in Cleaning Lab tests in both performance and ease of use.
✔️ Cleaning solution: Some mops have built-in spray canisters so you don't have to mix a separate solution or spray the floor prior to mopping. You simply spray as you go for maximum convenience. On the downside, some of these devices can only be used with the brand's own solution, so you may end up having to buy very specific replacements. (The same goes for any cleaning pads you may need for wet and dry mops.)
Should you wet mop hardwood floors?
Yes, it's safe to mop hardwood floors — as long as you use a minimal amount of water or a safe cleaning solution designed for hardwood.
It's never a good idea to use a really wet mop to clean hardwood floors. In fact, if you have hardwood floors, one of the worst things you can do is let water puddle on them. "Many people have the idea that using a regular mop with a bucket full of water is a good approach, but applying high volumes of water in any form (liquid or vapor) to a wood floor can also cause permanent damage to the wood and the finish," said Brett Miller, vice president of technical standards, training, and certification for the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA).
When you do wet-mop a hardwood floor, use a spray cleaner made for wood floors and follow these steps for safety:
- Work in small 3-foot square sections.
- Lightly mist or sparingly apply cleaner to the floor.
- Mop the floor promptly.
- Watch to see that the floor dries quickly before moving on to the next section. If not, buff the section dry with a clean cloth and try using less cleaner.
Can you use a steam mop to clean wood floors?
Though you may see steam cleaners marketed as safe for use on all floors, flooring experts and our Cleaning Lab experts caution against using them on hardwood. "Never use a steam mop on any real wood floor," said Miller. "Steam is the vapor form of water, which means it can travel deeper and faster into and between the cracks and cells of the wood itself." This can permanently damage the wood and the floor’s finish.
How often should wood floors be mopped?
Not every hardwood floor needs the same level of care, which includes cleaning frequency. Think about how much foot traffic your floors get, then establish a cleaning schedule to match. In general, hardwood floors should be vacuumed at least once a week, spot cleaned as needed and wet-cleaned every one to two months.
For very busy areas or families with kids and pets, you'll probably have to clean your floors more frequently than this. Conversely, a single individual who works outside of the house may be able to get away with less frequent deep cleans.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Carolyn Forté has over 40 years of experience testing and writing about all kinds of vacuums, mops and other floor-cleaning products. She meets regularly with floor-care industry experts to develop testing standards for appliances like steam mops, robot mops and more. As Executive Director of the Home Care and Cleaning Lab, she personally tests dozens of home appliances and cleaning products each year and oversees all of the testing done by our team of product review analysts.
Brigitt Earley is a writer, editor and content creator with over 15 years of experience in the home, cleaning, health spaces and more. She worked under Forté's guidance to research and write about the hardwood floor mops in this story.
Noah Pinsonnault works as a product reviews analyst in the Home Care and Cleaning Lab where he helps design and perform tests on various product categories. To update this story, he pored over performance summaries of new mops to pick out the top performers.
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
Noah works as a product reviews analyst in the Home Care & Cleaning Lab where he helps design and perform tests on various product categories. He draws on scientific expertise garnered during his time as an environmental researcher, where he managed environmental monitoring equipment, analyzed water samples in a lab and developed protocols for restoration projects. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in environmental science from the University of Wisconsin-Superior.
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
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