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The best string mops for smear-free floors in 2025
Sparkling floors are easy with the Good Housekeeping Institute’s tried and tested recommendations
Tested by Blossom BoothroydHomes Testing Manager
Where would we be without the humble string mop? Often overlooked in favour of fancy floor appliances, these cleaning stalwarts are your best bet for sparkling floors without the fuss. Thanks to their absorbent “strings”, they’re great at soaking up liquid and reaching into tight corners, often at budget prices.
Of course, there are a huge number of mops on the market, so finding the right one for your space and flooring is no easy feat. That’s why we put traditional string mops to the test at the Good Housekeeping Institute to see which ones will save you time, hassle and unsightly drips.
Best string mop for mixed flooring
Minky 3-in-1 Power Clean Strip Mop with 1 Extra Refill & Bucket
Read review
Are string mops effective?
When it came to testing spray mops, sponge mops, flat mops and string mops, the latter consistently achieved the same – or even better! – results as their fancier counterparts. The most traditional type of mop on the market, it’s hard to beat their consistent cleaning power. In fact, the only downside of these sparkling floor champions is that they require accompanying buckets that can take up valuable cupboard space. Still, for peak water absorption, heavy-duty clean-ups and shiny results, they're a failsafe choice.
There are certain factors that can set one string mop apart from another though, and some important features to consider for your home and lifestyle when shopping. Here’s what to look out for.
Microfibre strings
Microfibre fabrics are the crème de la crème of cleaning materials. Packed full of tiny fibres that pick up dirt, they are a must when it comes to mops.
It’s worth looking out for models that have different types of microfibre strings attached to one mophead for peak functionality. Some mix super-absorbent and durable strings designed for blitzing stubborn dirt without too much elbow grease, or you can opt for one like our tight-corner favourite, the Vileda SuperMocio 3 Action Mop, which features scourer-style sticky dots on some of its strings that are ideal for grabbing stray pet hairs.
Telescopic handles
Whether you’re short on space or looking to mop a large area with minimal fuss, adjustable telescopic handles are a great perk. Simply extend the length of the handle when in use and collapse it for carrying or storing. Not all mops feature telescopic handles, so be sure to check the specifications before investing.
Mophead shape
Forget everything you think you know about string mops – they come in all different shapes and sizes now!
While there are still plenty of traditional options on the market (usually featuring a bundle of absorbing strings attached to a small head), there are also flat ‘disc’ designs that are ideal for effortless push-down wringing.
Or if your current mop struggles to clean corners effectively, try a triangle-head. Their clever shape is the perfect fit for wall edges and tight corners.
Buckets
There are some mops that can be bought without an accompanying bucket, if you’re looking to hold onto your old one. However, we’d recommend buying a mop and bucket duo, to ensure your mophead matches your bucket’s wringer system.
For those looking to invest in a mop and bucket combo, take note of the bucket’s size and wringer system. Will it fit in your sink? Is it too bulky to store in your home? Are you going to be comfortable carrying it? On that note, buckets with wheels should be at the top of your agenda for easy transportation around the home. Our experts also recommend models with foot-operated pedals. All the cleaning power, none of the bending.
How we test string mops
To test the cleaning capabilities of a range of string mops, our experts got to work making a mess and creating some not-so-accidental spills using cooking oil, tea and mud. Then, they judged how well each mop fared on each stain.
They recorded how many sweeps each required to clean vinyl, ceramic tiles and wood laminate. If the mop came with an accompanying bucket, they took note of how easy it was to use, carry and how easily it fit into a standard sink.
Finally, they noted how comfortable each model was to hold, use and store.
Leifheit Clean Twist Disc Mop with Wheeled Bucket
Score: 95/100
Drumroll please for our winner. This mop and bucket combination seriously impressed our experts. The mophead features long and short microfibre strings and scored full marks for cleaning tiles in particular, leaving them spick and span. It even removed dried mud without scrubbing. You can also count on this Leifheit buy to offer that coveted streak-free finish.
Our experts were fans of the accompanying bucket – there are wheels for easy transportation, an ergonomic handle for fuss-free lifting, and a best-in-class wringing system. You simply press the mophead down to spin and wring excess water away – ideal for quickly mopping up any pesky spills.
Take note: the bucket is on the larger size so it may not be ideal for households with small sinks, but that’s our only niggle for a great product.
Key specifications
| Material | Microfibre |
|---|---|
| Bucket included | Yes |
| Suitable for | Hard floors, including wood and laminate |
| Machine washable head | Yes |
| Replacement heads available | Yes |
| Telescopic handle | Yes |
Vileda SuperMocio Microfiber and Power Mop
Score: 93/100
We didn't just like this mophead's two-tone candy stripe design; it's a practical buy too. The red microfibre strands are designed to remove stubborn dirt, while the white strands are meant to absorb excess water and grease. During testing, we found they did just that.
The cheap and cheerful mop made quick work of collecting dirt, even when floors were heavily soiled. The long telescopic handle also makes it ideal for those with large spaces to cover.
The accompanying 10 litre bucket is sold separately, but we included it in our test to assess its merits and were pleasantly surprised by how efficient the wringing system is. All in all, a high performer for an affordable price.
Key specifications
| Material | Microfibre |
|---|---|
| Bucket included | No |
| Suitable for | All hard floor surfaces including tiles, laminate, wood and vinyl |
| Machine washable head | Yes, up to 60C |
| Replacement heads available | Yes |
| Telescopic handle | Yes |
Minky 3-in-1 Power Clean Strip Mop with 1 Extra Refill & Bucket
Score: 91/100
This high scorer from Minky has three string types, each one ideally suited to tackling grease and dirt and absorbing water. Our favourite? The micro bristle pink strings, which are a total game-changer when it comes to cleaning up mud and hardened stains from vinyl flooring.
The triple-power strings also performed well on laminate floors, leaving them sparkling after just a few swipes. A real cleaning all-rounder, it removed mud and stains from tiles with minimal elbow grease too.
We found the handle of the bucket a touch uncomfortable when carrying it from room to room, but the speedy wringer more than made up for any minor complaints.
Key specifications
| Material | Microfibre |
|---|---|
| Bucket included | Yes |
| Suitable for | Hard floors, including wood and laminate |
| Machine washable head | Yes |
| Replacement heads available | Yes |
| Telescopic handle | Yes |
Score: 88/100
We’ve listed this mop as a string mop, but in fact, the head combines a pad and strings to provide a deeper clean. It’s all microfibre, so you can pop it in the wash (and testers found it easy to remove without getting muck all over their hands), and the triangular design also helps reach room edges and corners.
On test, it fared well across all floor types, cleaning up our staining within a few sweeps. In fact, our experts rated it for everything from its assembly to its comfortable telescopic handle. There’s no need to use cleaning solution if you don’t want to, and it comes with Vileda’s much loved wringing bucket, too.
Key specifications
| Material | Microfibre |
|---|---|
| Bucket included | Yes |
| Suitable for | All floor types |
| Machine washable head | Yes |
| Replacement heads available | Yes |
| Telescopic handle | Yes |
Score: 84/100
This classic combo includes a centrifugal bucket that’s highly effective at wringing out excess water. The microfibre head is also attached to a sturdy telescopic handle, which features a handy clip to stop the mop from falling over in the bucket.
It removed almost all dirt during testing and tackled tiles and grouting with aplomb. The bucket is bulky in size and won’t fit into smaller sinks, but its pouring spout and back handle make it mess-free to empty.
Key specifications
| Material | Microfibre |
|---|---|
| Bucket included | Yes |
| Suitable for | All floor types including tiles, wood and laminate |
| Machine washable head | Yes |
| Replacement heads available | Yes |
| Telescopic handle | Yes |
Score: 83/100
If you're looking for a budget buy, try this bargain entry from Addis. We saw particularly impressive results on tiles and vinyl floors, and it comes with a handy refill head.
For the price, there are some compromises though. It struggled with grouting and left some streaks on wood laminate, and the heads aren't machine washable (replacement heads are very cheap and cheerful though). There's no telescopic handle either. Overall, it does a decent job, and is a great basic option for day-to-day spills and sprucing.
Key specifications
| Material | Microfibre |
|---|---|
| Bucket included | No |
| Suitable for | All floor types, including wood, vinyl, tiles and laminate |
| Machine washable head | No |
| Replacement heads available | Yes |
| Telescopic handle | No |
Vileda SuperMocio 3 Action XL Mop & Bucket Set
Score: 80/100
Another great option from Vileda, this mop and bucket duo comes in three parts, making storage easier. The microfibre head features a nifty scourer for tackling stubborn dirt and sticky dots for grabbing stray hairs (take note, pet owners!).
It struggled with grouting but impressed us on laminate and reached into tricky corners easily. The telescopic handle isn’t capped off properly so it's a little uncomfortable to use, but that's our only negative note when it comes to this corner cleaning pro.
Key specifications
| Material | Microfibre |
|---|---|
| Bucket included | Yes |
| Suitable for | All sealed floors |
| Machine washable head | Yes, up to 60C |
| Replacement heads available | Yes |
| Telescopic handle | Yes |
9 April 2025: Updated headlines and article introduction, as well as checking stock levels and prices to ensure they reflect the best deals.
Megan is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s senior homes and lifestyle writer. She loves diving into the latest product releases to find the very best buys on the market and has written hundreds of product reviews on everything from the best vacuum cleaners and coffee machines to the best ice cream makers and robot window cleaners.
When she’s not writing about the newest gadgets and gizmos for your home and garden, you’ll find her running every distance from 5km to 100km or relaxing at home with her cat – there really is no in between.
Megan has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously written for Stylist, Glamour, Women's Health, TimeOut, SquareMeal, and YOU magazine. You can find Megan on Instagram @meganlouisegeall.
Blossom is passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for GH readers. As head of the homes testing team, she has led reviews across multiple categories, from pizza ovens, and smart plugs to portable fans and hobs. She enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols to ensure we’re testing them against their claims. Her aim is to find the top-performing products on the market, to help take the hard work out of housework. Blossom’s most notable accomplishment in the lab has been toasting 528 slices of bread in her quest to find the best toasters money can buy. In her free time, she openly admits to being a music geek and indulges her creative side through crocheting, baking, singing and writing.
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