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The Spruce / David Hattan
To keep your home sparkling clean, a mop for laminate floors is a key tool to have in your cleaning routine. Laminate flooring is a popular option because it looks great, holds up to heavy foot traffic, and is inexpensive to install.
“The key to maintaining laminate flooring is to use a damp mop instead of a wet mop, and use only the proper laminate cleaning product recommended by the manufacturer,” says Angela Brown, CEO and Founder of Savvy Cleaner.
Mopping laminate flooring is similar to mopping other floors, but the best mops make it easy with features that emphasize comfort for the user and performance.
Best Overall
O-Cedar EasyWring Spin Mop and Bucket System
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Amazon
Microfiber is very effective
Foot pedal for wringing mop
Includes bucket
Doesn’t need chemical cleaners
Not great for stubborn or sticky messes
This classic spin mop is the best choice for almost every mopping situation, even if you’ve never mopped before. It comes with everything you need, including a bucket, mop handle, and microfiber mop head. The bucket has a foot pedal to wring the mop so you won’t need to bend down for a lever or get dirty mop water in your face. We also like the design of the mop head itself, which can easily slip into hard-to-reach corners.
What makes it great for laminate and any other type of flooring is the microfiber material. The strands are very fine and pick up dirt and debris from the floor without harsh chemicals. All you need to do is put water in the bucket, and let the microfiber do all the work. You don’t need to worry about discoloration or chemical wear on your flooring, because all it uses is water. “Generally speaking, mopping your laminate floor with plain water is one of the easiest and quickest ways to clean it,” says Brown. “It doesn't require any special cleaning supplies or products.”
You might need to scrub or use a special solution on particularly tough spots. While that does add an extra step, not to mention time and money, we still like this mop as the best for almost every situation. The extendable handle, foot pedal, and tough microfiber make mopping so much easier on your back—and floors.
Price at time of publish: $40
Type: Microfiber string | Dimensions: 19.5 x 11.7 x 11.5 inches | Weight: Not listed | Power Source: Manual | Mop Head Material: Microfiber | Machine Washable Head: Yes
Best Budget
HOMTOYOU Floor Mop with Refillable Bottle
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Amazon
Affordable
Comes with three washable mop pads
Mop head swivels
Spray is hard to use on all surfaces
Nozzle can get clogged
This budget-friendly mop is affordable and great for laminate, because you can use the exact cleaning solution or water that you need in the refillable reservoir. It also comes with three microfiber pads that can be washed once they pick up dirt and messes from your floor. The mop head also swivels a full 360 degrees and can fit under furniture in your rooms.
The trigger handle can be a bit finicky, especially if you use harsh chemicals that build up over time. Clean the spray nozzle regularly to keep it working great. You can also use it on windows and other vertical surfaces, such as shower walls.
Price at time of publish: $29
Type: Spray | Dimensions: 12.8 x 4.72 x 47.24 inches | Weight: 1.57 pounds | Power Source: Manual | Mop Head Material: Microfiber | Machine Washable Head: Yes
Best Compact
Bona Hardwood Floor Premium Spray Mop
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Amazon
Slim design
Hanging hook
Comes with cleaning solution that can be refilled
Reservoir tank already has cleaning solution in it
If you don’t have a lot of space for a bulky mop or bucket, the Bono Microfiber Floor Mop is a good solution. The mop head swivels and can lay flat when stored out of the way. There is also a hook on the handle that you can use to hang the entire mop on the wall in your kitchen or laundry room. That makes it easy to grab when you need it, but keeps it tucked away after cleaning.
It comes with 34 ounces of Bona cleaning solution, which is ideal for hardwood but also safe for laminate. You can get individual refills, a large concentrated solution refill, and additional microfiber mop cloths. If you prefer a different cleaning solution, you will need to empty and rinse out the Bona reservoir tank.
Price at time of publish: $44
Type: Spray | Dimensions: 28.44 x 5.75 x 4.5 inches | Weight: 5.8 pounds | Power Source: Manual | Mop Head Material: Microfiber | Machine Washable Head: Yes
Best Spray
O-Cedar ProMist MAX Microfiber Spray Mop
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Amazon
Can use water or your own cleaning solution
Washable microfiber pads
Safe for a variety of flooring
Not great for sticky messes
The ease of use and great design of O-Cedar comes in a compact spray option. You can fill the tank with just water and use the textured microfiber to clean dirt or add your own cleaning solution. The microfiber pads fit around the mop handle and can be put in the washing machine. The standard set comes with just one, but we recommend getting at least two or three so that you will always have one that is clean and ready to use.
Using only water is safe for most floors, making this a good choice to use around the house if you have multiple styles of flooring. If you have sticky messes, however, you may need to add some cleaning solution or use a separate handheld spray and cleaning cloth. If you do add cleaning solution to the tank, you’ll need to rinse it thoroughly before switching back to just water for delicate floors.
Price at time of publish: $28
Type: Spray | Dimensions: 23.62 x 6.1 x 5.91 inches | Weight: 2.01 pounds | Power Source: Manual | Mop Head Material: Microfiber | Machine Washable Head: Yes
Best with Washable Pads
Microfiber Wholesale 18" Professional Microfiber Mop
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Amazon
Dry and wet mop heads
Mop heads can be washed
Good two-step system
Cleaning solution and bucket not included
If you have different cleaning needs, the Microfiber Wholesale Mop System can take care of them. It comes with two mop pads, a microfiber one that picks up bigger dirt and dust, and a flat mop pad that is good for general cleaning. Each can be washed in a standard washing machine. We love that this saves money by not needing replacement pads after every cleaning.
You’ll need to do some manual scrubbing with this mop system, especially if you have sticky messes to deal with. The dust pad is meant to be used dry to sweep away and pick up larger particles. The flat mop head is good to use with a cleaning solution or water, although you will need to buy that separately. It doesn’t come with a bucket and you may want to add that or a handheld spray to your cleaning kit for the best results.
Price at time of publish: $40
Type: Flat | Dimensions: 41.2 x 7.5 x 1.8 inches | Weight: 3.74 pounds | Power Source: Manual | Mop Head Material: Microfiber | Machine Washable Head: Yes
Best Electric
Bissell 1785A CrossWave Floor and Area Rug Cleaner
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Amazon
Vacuum and mop combo
Can use water or cleaning solution
Safe for hard flooring and rugs
Expensive
Can’t be used on walls or windows
For a mop that also works as a vacuum, the Bissell CrossWave performs well and is easy to use. It includes a removable roller head and water tank that can also be used with a cleaning solution. Having a wet/dry vac cuts down on the extra step of vacuuming when you want to deep-clean your floors. The vacuum mop combo can be used on hard floors, such as laminate, as well as area rugs. Given its expensive price, having multiple uses makes it a better value overall.
You will need access to a standard power outlet, so just consider that when deciding which rooms you’ll be able to use this mop in. It also isn’t a great option for vertical use, such as on walls or windows, because it does weigh 11.5 pounds. The water tanks are also not meant to go horizontal and will leak. Still, we give this wet/dry vac a thumbs-up.
Price at time of publish: $257
Type: Combo | Dimensions: 46 x 12 x 10.5 inches | Weight: 11.5 pounds | Power Source: Corded electric | Mop Head Material: Roller | Machine Washable Head: No
Best Robot
Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum + Mop
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Amazon
Hands-free vacuuming and mopping
Empties vacuum into canister
Recharges automatically
Expensive
If you don’t want to mop at all, consider the Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum and mop. It includes the actual robot unit, a charging dock that has a dustbin to collect vacuumed up dirt, two washable microfiber mop pads, a filter, and a cleaning brush. You will need to set up the charging dock in an accessible area so that the robot can return to recharge after cleaning. A full recharge takes around six hours and will last for 90 minutes of continuous cleaning.
To switch from vacuum to mop, you'll need to add the mop pad and fill the water tank manually before selecting mop. It automatically vacuums up larger debris and follows with a mopping pattern. The robot sprays at the front of the unit and moves over the area to let the mop pad pick up any dirt. While it is expensive, this robot vacuum/mop combo takes care of this chore with almost no work required from you.
Price at time of publish: $480
Type: Robot | Dimensions: 3.48 x 13.52 x 12.52 inches | Weight: 7.6 pounds | Power Source: Electric | Mop Head Material: Microfiber | Machine Washable Head: Yes
Our top pick, O-Cedar EasyWring Microfiber Spin Mop, cleans with water or cleaning solution. The foot pedal and wringer on the handle keep your back from getting tired as you work. For the most budget-conscious option, consider the HOMTOYOU Floor Mop with Refillable Bottle that comes with three washable mop pads and a mop head that swivels.
What to Look for in a Mop for Laminate Floors
Type
There are a variety of mops available, including a traditional string mop that uses a bucket or a spray option. You can even find a vacuum/mop combo that takes care of multiple needs in your home. Choosing the right tool for the job can take some effort. Be sure you know as much as you can about your type of flooring, and then fully research the mop options available to you.
Maneuverability
If you have a lot of furniture pieces, choosing a mop that can get underneath and around obstacles is key to getting your floors thoroughly clean. Maneuverability features, such as swivel mop heads, mops that are designed to go into corners, or mapping technology from robot mops are all great features to have.
Durability
The last thing that you want to do is replace your mop often. Look for a mop that is made with durable materials, especially if it is a string mop head that has thin fibers. If you opt for a corded electric vacuum/mop, make sure that the connection points are safe and inspected, to prevent accidents.
Ease of Use
Look for a mop that is easy to use with features that make it comfortable. Extendable handles and added cushioned grips are easier on your hands and wrists. Buckets with foot pedals to wring out your mop prevent you from having to bend over the bucket and risk getting dirty water splashed into your face.
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How often should you mop your floors?
Weekly mopping is best for areas in your home that get more use, such as entryways and kitchens. Hallways between rooms can see a lot of foot traffic. For lesser-used areas, such as spare rooms or offices, if you do not work from home, you might be able to keep mopping down to every couple of weeks. You should mop when you notice dirt or debris, as well as during flu and cold season.
“If you have pets or children in the household, mopping your floors at least once a week is most likely best. However, if there is minimal foot traffic and no fur babies running around, mopping every two weeks should be plenty,” says Angela Brown, CEO and Founder of Savvy Cleaner. “Ultimately, regular inspections on hard-surface flooring can help you decide when mopping needs to happen. It's as simple as that!”
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Should you mop laminate floors with just water?
To clean laminate floors, you can use water or a cleaning solution that is safe for this flooring. Laminate flooring often has a finish that can be damaged by some harsh chemicals. Using water is the safest option, although you should take care not to saturate the flooring too much as you mop.
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Can you use a steam mop on laminate flooring?
Steam mops won’t cause immediate damage to most laminate flooring, but they can add unnecessary wear to the finish and eventually cause the floor to warp or blister. It’s best to use warm water rather than steam. You should also limit it to damp mopping rather than saturating the laminate with a lot of moisture.
“Generally, steam mops should never be used on waxed laminate floors as steam can affect the layer of finish that was applied during the manufacturing process,” says Brown. “Steam mops shouldn't stay in one spot too long as it could cause the floor to warp or buckle due to excessive steam saturation.”
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Katie Melynn, a freelance writer who specializes in home and family products. Melynn has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. When compiling the best mops for laminate flooring, she talked to cleaning expert, author, and podcast host Angela Brown of Savvy Cleaner. Brown has 25 years of experience with cleaning and even trains others in the profession on the best methods.