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Microfiber’s unique properties have changed the cleaning industry for the better, mops included. This fabric contains thousands of split fibers per square inch, each 200 times thinner than a human hair. These fibers absorb spills when wet, and attract dirt, dust, and hair via static electricity, when dry. The best microfiber mops have mop pad designs that maximize the microfiber’s ability to effectively scrub and clean the floor, making them more efficient than cotton or sponge mops.
Microfiber mops come in a variety of sizes and designs. This can make finding the perfect mop a bit overwhelming. To choose the best microfiber mop for your home, consider your home’s flooring type and the amount of foot traffic it gets. This guide can help narrow your search down with shopping tips and recommendations for reliable mops.
- BEST OVERALL: Microfiber Wholesale 18″ Professional Microfiber Mop
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Swiffer Sweeper Dry + Wet All Purpose Mopping Kit
- BEST FOR HARDWOOD FLOORS: Turbo Microfiber Mop
- BEST FOR LAMINATE FLOORS: E-Cloth Deep Clean Mop
- BEST SWIVEL MOP: Temples Pride Professional Microfiber mop
- BEST WET & DRY: MR.SIGA Professional Microfiber Mop
- BEST FOR PET HAIR AND DUST: JINCLEAN 18” Microfiber Floor Mop
- BEST SPRAY MOP: O-Cedar ProMist MAX Microfiber Spray Mop
What to Consider When Buying a Microfiber Mop
While mops aren’t exactly a complex cleaning tool, there are a few things to consider, such as your cleaning goals and even your height, before buying a new one. Short or tall, there’s a mop out there with a handle to fit and a design built to tackle whatever mess you have to throw at it.
Mop Head Size
Mop heads range in size from 10- to 24-inches wide. With a larger mop head, you can cover more ground with each pass. Small mop heads, however, have the ability to maneuver in tight spaces, like between table legs and underneath furniture—they just don’t cover the same amount of ground with each pass. If you’re struggling to find the perfect size mop head, the layout of your home can help you decide.
Floor Type
Hardwood, laminate, tile—your flooring type affects the type of mop pad that will work best. Hardwood and laminate floors show dust and dirt, making a dry, fringed mop pad an excellent choice. The extra surface area of the microfiber fringe creates a static charge, which attracts more dust, dirt, and hair with each pass. Both of these flooring types are also vulnerable to excess water. A mop that includes a removable, wringable wet mop pad allows you to remove as much water as possible to protect the floor from water damage.
Tile doesn’t show dust as much as hardwood or laminate, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there. A spray microfiber mop contains a water tank built onto the handle and is a good option for tile. Tile doesn’t suffer from water damage, so a spray mop makes it easy to clean more difficult messes without using two types of pads. When you come across a little mud or spilled food, spray it and mop.
Disposable vs. Reusable Mop Pads
It’s really the pad rather than the head of the mop that’s disposable. As far as convenience goes, disposable pads take the cake. After one use (or whenever they get full), simply put on a new one. Disposable mop pads create a lot of waste, however, making them less environmentally friendly. These time-savers can also get pricey, especially if you’re using them frequently.
Reusable mop pads attach to the mop head via a hook-and-loop system or clamps and can be cleaned in a washing machine. They’re eco-friendly, tend to do a better job cleaning, and save money. The downside? Reusable mop pads require a bit of work because you have to wring out the pads before washing and, of course, wash the pads after each use. If you have a large home, you may also fill multiple mop pads in one cleaning session. That means you’ll need several backup mop pads on hand.
Adjustability
Adjustable handles range in length from 36 to 70 inches. Adjustable handles give users the option to find a grip and length that’s comfortable for them. Telescoping handles that fold into themselves are the easiest and fastest to adjust. These special mops feature a piece in the center of the handle that you can loosen or tighten to adjust the length.
Some mops may have three or four preset lengths. These models don’t offer the custom lengths of telescoping models, but they’re still better than a one-size-fits-all design.
Comfort and Ease of Use
Microfiber mops work most effectively using a figure eight or “S” motion as you mop. That may not sound difficult, but a mop that’s too short or tall with a pad that’s hard to replace can make a seemingly easy task, a nightmare. Microfiber mops with grips on the handles, adjustability, and easily attachable mop pads will allow you to quickly and comfortably mop your home.
The mop head’s attachment system makes a huge difference in ease of use. Disposable models typically have four small holes into which the corners of the pad tuck or a clamp/clip system to hold the pad in place. These attachment methods aren’t as secure as reusable models, which tend to have stronger hook-and-loop attachments or clamps. The attachment systems on these types of mops are made to last longer and hold the pad tighter because the pad is intended for reuse.
Our Top Picks
The microfiber mops among our top picks feature wide-width mop heads, multiple mop pad options, and adjustable handles. Different head widths and designs are also included to give you some options based on your home’s layout and design.
Best Overall
Microfiber Wholesale 18" Professional Microfiber Mop
The wide width of the 18-inch head on this Microfiber Wholesale professional mop quickly cleans large, open floor plans. You can cover extra ground, up to 6 inches more than standard mop heads, with each pass. A swivel joint lets you move and manipulate the head around the kitchen, under dining tables, and between furniture.
This mop comes with two wet mop heads and one sweeper head with extra microfiber fringe around the edges. The pads attach via hook-and-loop strips that are easy to navigate when it’s time to change the pad. You can adjust the telescoping handle to the right height using the adjustment joint in the center of the handle. Rubber handgrips in the center and on the handle’s end add to the overall maneuverability. The only downside to this mop? You have to wring out the mop pads by hand when wet mopping.
Best Bang for the Buck
Swiffer Sweeper Dry + Wet All Purpose Mopping Kit
The Swiffer’s disposable mop pads make cleanup simple and easy. You can buy packs of wet or dry pads, so you can decide which type and/or how much of each type you need. Once you’re done with a pad, pull it off and throw it away. There’s no washing or drying, so you can jump right to cleaning whenever needed.
While the Swiffer’s initial price isn’t high, replacement pads can get pricey if you’re mopping more than one small area. After all, the mop head is approximately 11 inches wide. That’s great for tight spaces, but not if you have a large home. You can extend the life of each pad by using both sides before throwing them away. However, it’s still best to rely on the Swiffer for small spills and the occasional cleanup rather than full-house mopping.
Best for Hardwood Floors
Turbo Microfiber Mop
This mop comes with four heads—two wet and two dry. The dry mop pads are designed to maximize the attraction of dust and dirt. You can whisk over hardwood flooring to remove dust and debris before switching the pads via the hook-and-loop attachment for wet mopping. Once you wring out the wet mop pads, they stay moist but prevent too much water from escaping onto the hardwood’s surface. There’s just enough texture to them to scrub hardwood flooring without causing damage.
A lightweight aluminum handle attached to the mop head via a swivel joint lets you maneuver through and around the home. The handle’s telescoping length adjustment creates a comfortable grip for multiple users. Overall, this model gives you great options (wet or dry) and faster cleaning times with a 17-inch head.
Best for Laminate Floors
E-Cloth Deep Clean Mop
Laminate’s susceptibility to water damage means you have to be careful, even when cleaning. The E-Cloth’s mop pads are made with a unique weave and pattern that breaks up and holds grease and dirt while using a minimal amount of water. The microfiber weave gives you that extra edge without damaging the floor or using excess water.
A telescoping handle lets you get a comfortable fit, while hook-and-loop strips hold the mop pads in place. Pads can be machine washed with a gentle detergent.
Best Swivel Mop
Temples Pride Professional Microfiber mop
The Temples Pride mop has an excellent swivel head that provides top-of-the-line maneuverability. Glide it under table and chair legs, around potted plants, and through spaces of different widths. A wide 18-inch mop head can swivel sideways to fit in tighter spaces for greater versatility of use.
The swivel is fully supported by a telescoping handle that reaches up to 69 inches for a comfortable fit. It comes with three pads; two wet and one dry. These pads are machine washable, saving money and creating less waste.
Best Wet u0026 Dry
MR.SIGA Professional Microfiber Mop
The MR.SIGA mop pads are what make a difference in its use, wet or dry. Each double-sided pad features a heavily microfiber fringed side and a smooth scrubbing side. The microfiber fringe provides extra surface area and a static charge to pick up and attract dust and dirt.
While you can machine wash these pads, you don’t necessarily have to. This mop comes with a dirt removal scrubber for use on the dry side of the mop pad to reduce the number of times you wash it.
Either side, wet or dry, attaches to clips on the head for a secure fit. The MR. SIGA provides 360 degrees of movement to clean around furniture. It’s a great option for those who prefer ease in switching between wet and dry cleaning or who want to reduce the time spent washing mop pads. The attachment feature of the MR. SIGA isn’t as easy to use as other models, but each pad’s double use makes it worth it.
Best for Pet Hair and Dust
JINCLEAN 18” Microfiber Floor Mop
The JINCLEAN’s mop head and pads let you switch between pad types without removing a pad. But, it’s the fringed side that makes it a top pick for pet hair and dust. The extra-long fringe creates more surface area to collect and attract dust, debris, and pet hair.
However, if mid-cleaning, you need some scrubbing power, flip the head for a scrub that the fringe just can’t do without removing the pad. Hook-and-loop strips hold the pads in place, but the design lets you slide the pads on and off quickly.
Best Spray Mop
O-Cedar ProMist MAX Microfiber Spray Mop
Spray mops let you clean the floor without a bucket or having to wring out mop pads. The O-Cedar’s water tank fits on the handle and provides a quick spray of water using the on-handle trigger. Most of the time, these will be enough to clean small stains and spills. However, you can add a small amount of cleaner if you’d like without damaging the water tank or ruining the microfiber.
The double-sided pad design lets you cover more ground, and you can switch sides without removing the pad. Each pad features a “scrub zone,” where extra microfiber increases friction for deeper dirt removal. The pads work dry or wet, so you can remove pet hair and dust or scrub mud with the same pad.
The Advantages of Owning a Microfiber Mop
Microfiber comes with distinct cleaning advantages over cotton or sponge mops. They’re less likely to show streaks on hardwood or laminate because they use less water. Models that fit different pad types work well in homes with multiple flooring surfaces. The list of benefits goes on, including:
- Trapping harmful microbes and bacteria
- Swivel heads that maneuver around furniture and objects
- Static charge that attracts hair, dust, and dirt
- Options for disposable pads for quicker cleanup
- Options with eco-friendly reusable pads that save money
FAQs About Your New Microfiber Mop
Microfiber mops aren’t hard to use, but there are some tricks to the trade. For example, if your wet mopping, make sure to first either sweep or use a dry pad to remove dust and dirt. Also, some wet mops come with a water bucket, others will need to be bought separately, while some mops won’t need one at all. Here are a few more questions answered.
Q. How do you use a microfiber mop?
If using a wet pad, soak the pad in the cleaning solution or water and wring out all excess water before starting. Then, attach it to the mop pad. Some people like to use a sweeping motion, going from side to side. Others find a figure-eight or “S” pattern to be more effective and easier to do. Some people find it easier to pull the mop backward rather than push it forward because some microfiber pads create a grip-like hold on the floor. No matter what method works for you, use a systematic pattern that lets you track where you’ve been.
Q. How do you wash microfiber mop pads?
As with other microfiber products, it’s best to wash and dry reusable microfiber mop pads with other microfiber items to prevent hair and lint from sticking to the microfiber.
Q. How often should you mop your floor?
Your home’s traffic volume, pattern, and source of dirt (kids and pets) determines how often you should mop. In general, high traffic areas need mopping at least once a week. Less trafficked areas may only need a mopping every other week or once a month.
