Of all the household cleaning chores to be done, mopping is by far one of the most daunting. The prep time involved with sweeping first, then the actual mopping itself, and finally waiting for the floors to dry can suck up a large chunk of the day depending on how much surface area there is. Add to that the confusion of picking out the best mop for the job, and cleaning your floors can all seem like a great big hassle. In recent years, mops have evolved beyond just the typical cotton wet mop that our grandparents were used to using. We here at Wise Bread have taken the guesswork out of getting clean floors by picking the top five best mops out there today.

What is a mop?

A mop is a cleaning tool typically constructed of absorbent materials at the end of a long pole. The absorbent materials are soaked in water or some combination of water and cleaning fluid and then dragged over dirty floors to clean up any dust, dirt, or debris. Mops can also be used dry to pick up loose dirt and the like, and they are often used in place of a broom.

The 5 best mops

Libman Wonder Mop

Reviewers consistently rate the Libman Wonder Mop among the best for cleaning up big spills in no time, as it is extremely absorbent. It can handle large messes and provides a much deeper clean than some of the seemingly more convenient mop options on the market. The Libman is also able to get into hard to clean corners and can even be used to clean baseboards, eliminating the inconvenience of bending over to do such chores. One reviewer claims that it has an excellent, sturdy feel to it that makes it perfect for hard scrubbing.

The one con to this mop seems to be that, when compared to sponge mops or Swiffers, the Wonder Mop requires more strength and effort to wring out. Due to this, it may be a good mop to have on hand for monthly, heavy duty cleaning or big spills, but may not be as convenient for daily or weekly mopping maintenance around the house.

Current Price: $37.11 on Amazon

Swiffer WetJet

The biggest selling point for the Swiffer WetJet mop is that it's totally bucketless. This means you don't have to deal with the hassle of emptying buckets of dirty water after every room you clean. Once the pads get dirty, you simply throw them away and put on a new one. The absorbent cleaning pads work almost as well as traditional sponge mops do, but not as well as string mops for spills or heavy duty cleaning. This makes the WetJet a good option for daily or weekly maintenance cleanings, but you'll definitely want to keep a more traditional mop on hand for more intensive deep cleans or big spills.

The Swiffer WetJet comes with two disposable cleaning pads and one bucket of cleaning solution. This mop also uses batteries in order to dispense the solution.

Current Price: $22.94 on Amazon

StarMop Pro

The StarMop Pro is a great option for the environmentally conscious among you. The detachable microfiber pads are reusable, cutting down on the waste involved with other options like the Swiffer WetJet. Simply rinse out the pad after use and toss it in the washing machine every now and then. The makers of this mop claim that it cleans just as well using only water, and reviewers back up that claim, adding that some white vinegar diluted in the water cleans their floors as well as the harsher chemical floor solutions.

Although the StarMop Pro is certainly greener than the next generation mops, it's obviously not quite as convenient. Washing the pads takes more time than simply throwing them away, and the fact that it can only be bought online (or from TV infomercials) may be a turnoff for some people. The pluses for many reviewers, however, seem to outweigh the negatives.

This mop can pull double duty as a duster, and the grooves in the fiber make it ideal for scrubbing. It requires no wringing out like some other mops do, and the swivel head makes it easy to clean hard to reach areas, like behind the toilet.

Current Price: $23.00 on Amazon

Twist & Shout Mop

The Twist & Shout Mop is slightly more expensive than other options, but it's also the number one rated mop on Amazon. It gets excellent customer reviews all across the board. The microfiber mop head is machine washable, and it can be used both wet or dry. When used dry, reviewers claim that everything from dust to pet hair clings to the microfiber, making it more effective than a regular broom.

One of the biggest selling points of this mop is that it is self-wringing. You simply press on the handle and it spins itself dry. This means you never have to get your hands wet, or bend down, making it ideal for people with limited mobility such as pregnant women or the elderly. The swivel head makes it easy to get into corners and along baseboards, and it cleans under furniture as well.

Current Price: $49.95 on Amazon

O-Cedar EasyWring Microfiber Spin Mop and Bucket Floor Cleaning System

The O-Cedar EasyWring Microfiber Spin Mop and Bucket Floor Cleaning System is Amazon’s #1 best-seller in commercial wet mops and Amazon’s Choice for mops. It is safe and effective on any hard wood surface and will leave your floors streak-free. You can use this wet for a deep clean or dry for dusting. It can also be used to clean walls and other vertical surfaces, which you can’t do with a round string mop.

The deep-cleaning, highly absorbent microfiber removes and absorbs dirt, dust, hair and grime without the need for chemicals. The flexible triangular microfiber mop head pivots so that it can easily maneuver around tight spaces. It features cleaning "zones" for light cleaning or for scrubbing. The durable telescoping handle can lie nearly flat and easily extends to 51 inches to clean under furniture. The easy-control water release allows full control over the mop’s moisture level. The simple foot pedal activates the wringer for hands-free wringing and the splash guard keeps the liquid inside the bucket.

The reusable microfiber pad is removable and machine washable for easy cleaning. It also collapses for easy storage. It is recommended by Consumer Search. It is also one of the “Most Wished For” items on Amazon and has outstanding online reviews, including thousands of five-star reviews on Amazon.

Currently $29.97 on Amazon

And those are our recommendations for the best mops. As always, be sure to check Wise Bread's Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!

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