A vacuum isn’t normally enough to get your hard floors clean, especially in areas that see a lot of traffic like the kitchen and bathroom. A mop is great for removing spills and dirt and giving your flooring a deep clean.
Spray mops, when compared to traditional mops, aren’t always the best at getting rid of tough stains. But, choose a good one and you’ll need to use less water, won’t need a bucket, and you’ll be left with streak-free floors.
Our features list tells you what to look out for, including the type of mop pads, bottle capacity, and cleaning solutions. You can then read our reviews of the best spray mops and pick a model that’s the right fit for your home.
Our Top Picks
The HouseWire earns a commission through the following independently chosen links at no additional cost to you.| Best Spray Mops of 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Best Overall Rubbermaid Reveal |
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 | Best Budget O-Cedar ProMist MAX |
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 | Best Refillable MEXERRIS Spray Mop |
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 | Best with Reusable Pads VENETIO Spray Mop |
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 | Best for Hardwood Floors Bona Spray Mop |
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 | Best for Laminate Floors Swiffer WetJet |
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 | Best for Tile Floors Bissell Spinwave |
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 | Best Robot iRobot Braava Jet 240 |
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Benefits of Using a Spray Mop
A spray mop offers the following benefits:
- A small bottle attached to the mop provides water for your mopping. You trigger the spray with a lever or button. So no bucket is needed! This is better for your back, as you don’t need to keep bending over a bucket. And it saves you from having to drag a heavy bucket around and keep wringing the mop out.
- With a traditional mop, the dirt you’ve just cleaned up from your floor goes back into the bucket as you wring and re-wet the mop head. So spray mops are more hygienic as the water is only used once.
- You will use less water with a spray mop. There’s no need for a full bucket of water and you won’t waste or spill water from the bucket. As you move around your house cleaning, a small, controlled amount of water is sprayed when needed.
- Therefore spray mops are ideal for vinyl and hardwood floors. As less water is used, you can protect this type of flooring from getting too wet which can damage these surfaces.
- Spray mops will leave your floors streak-free. You spray the water and cleaning solution directly onto your floor and wipe away. Plus they’ll then dry quickly.
- The swivel head on this type of mop also allows you to clean awkward spaces. It means that you can reach under furniture and right into corners. So you can give all areas a thorough clean.
What to Look for in a Spray Mop
Here’s what to look out for when choosing the best spray mop.
Floor Compatibility
But do check that it’s compatible with wooden surfaces. You don’t want your wooden flooring to get too wet – so look for a model that sprays out a fine mist of liquid to protect your floors from getting too wet and warping.
Types
- You control the spray on a manual mop with a button or lever. They’re usually a cheaper alternative and can save you money in cleaning solutions because they don’t automatically dispense the liquid.
- An electric spray mop dispenses the cleaning solution for you onto the floor. They’re often more expensive and you’ll also need to factor in time for charging if they work on batteries. Or that you’ll have a cord that might get in the way with a corded model.
Ease of Use
It should be tall enough that you can use it without having to bend over. Or a model that extends can be useful depending on what part of the room you’re cleaning.
A trigger on the handle to release the liquid is also ideal for easy spraying. And the lighter the spray mop is, the easier it will be to maneuver around your house.
Plus, other features can be helpful, such as a button to release the cleaning pad without you needing to touch it. And if storage is a concern for you, see whether there’s a built-in hanger or hook.
Bottle Capacity
So if your home is large, look for a higher capacity bottle. This will save you time as you won’t need to keep refilling the bottle.
But if you have a small area to clean, a spray mop with a smaller capacity for the solution should be fine. And it could be lighter or easier to move around than a model with a larger bottle.
Mop Heads
Disposable or Reusable
Disposable mop heads are really convenient. After use, simply throw them away.
But, this creates a lot of waste and can cost you more in buying new cleaning pads. Reusable mop heads, on the other hand, can be put in your washing machine saving you money and being kinder for the environment.
Reusable heads do take a bit more time to maintain and wash. And if you have a big house, you might need to use more than one to clean all your surfaces – so you’ll need several mop pads on hand.
Cleaning Path
Look at how wide the spray mop head is. The wider it is, the bigger an area it’ll cover in one go.
So wide mop heads will help you to clean larger rooms in less time. But, if you have a lot of tight corners or spaces to clean, wide heads are not as ideal.
A spray mop with a neck that rotates 360o is good so that you can easily maneuver it around objects and into awkward spots.
Material
See what the material is, as they each offer different benefits. Cotton, normally used in traditional string mops, is very absorbent so will suck up a lot of liquid and spills from your floors.
Synthetic materials such as microfiber and nylon also have good absorbency and will dry quicker than cotton. So there’s less risk of mildew and musty smells.
Microfiber cleaning pads are durable, not expensive, and easy to keep clean.
You could also opt for sponge mop heads. These are very absorbent and offer a good scrubbing texture to remove stubborn dirt.
Handle
Plastic handles are less sturdy. However, they are an option to consider because they offer integrated buttons or spray triggers.
A handle with an ergonomic grip means that it’ll be comfortable for you to use. So look for a curved handle or one with a soft foam grip.
Extra Features
For example, some spray mops will come with extra mopping pads, bottles, or different types of mop heads. Like this Homevative Microfiber Spray Mop.
Some attachments will be useful for you to give your floors and/or grout a thorough clean.
Other mops might have an extendable handle. But you won’t get a bucket – although buckets that are designed for spray mops are available to buy separately, such as this one: Rubbermaid Commercial Mop Bucket.
The Best Spray Mops of 2023
We’ve spent hours and hours researching the best spray mops on the market. We’ve brought together technical specs, product descriptions, and customer feedback.
You can compare price, quality, types of mop heads, and other features, to select the spray mop that is best for you.
1. Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Microfiber Mop
Get your floors sparklingly clean with this Rubbermaid Reveal spray mop that has everything you need. You’ll get 2 refillable bottles and 3 reusable cleaning pads so there’s no need to buy anything else.
The bottles can take 22 ounces (650 milliliters) of either plain water or your own cleaning solution. And the reusable microfiber pads are environmentally friendly as you can put them in your washing machine up to 100 times.
There’s a built in scrubbing pad on one edge of this spray mop which is non-scratch and suitable for all floor types. So simply rotate the mop if you’ve got tough stains to clean up.
RELATED: The 10 Best Mops of 2023
- Lots of customers commented on how easy this mop was to use due to being so lightweight.
- The spray trigger is easy to operate and gives good coverage of spray over your floors.
- The extra bottle and cleaning pads mean that you’re always well-equipped, even when doing lots of mopping.
- Microfiber pad can also be used to dry mop dust from floors.
- Some users said it wasn’t suitable for really heavy-duty cleaning.
- A few customers said that the trigger stopped working after only a few uses.
Technical Specs
| Weight | 1.38 pounds |
| Mop Head Type | Reusable |
| Mop Head Material | Microfiber |
| Handle Length | 54 inches |
| Surface Type | Hardwood, Tile ,Vinyl, Laminate, Stone |
2. O-Cedar ProMist MAX Microfiber Spray Mop
You don’t need to spend a fortune to invest in a good-quality spray mop. For a very affordable price, this O-Cedar model will do a good job at getting your floors clean.
The microfiber cleaning head will kill 99% of the bacteria that lies on your surfaces using just water. The cleaning pad is machine washable and will also absorb even the smallest dust and dirt particles.
Scrub zones on the mop pad will help you to clean up stuck-on messes. And removing the bottle to refill it is quick and easy with the one-touch release button.
- Low cost and offers good value for money.
- Customers found it light and easy to maneuver around their home.
- Users like the fact that they could use plain water or their own cleaning solution which saved them money.
- Microfiber mop head is double-sided so you can do more cleaning in one go.
- Only one mop head included so no back-up for when this is being washed – unless you buy additional cleaning pads yourself.
- Some reviewers said that it left streaks on their floors.
Technical Specs
| Weight | 1.32 pounds |
| Mop Head Type | Reusable |
| Mop Head Material | Microfiber |
| Handle Length | N/A |
| Surface Type | Hardwood, Tile, Laminate |
3. MEXERRIS Microfiber Spray Mop
From a brand that says that they “never stop improving”, this microfiber spray mop is a great pick. Simply fill the refillable bottle with water or your favorite cleaning solution, and pull the trigger for a mist to be sprayed on your floors.
The handle is sturdy thanks to its aluminum construction. And it also extends saving you from having to bend over while cleaning your flooring.
The microfiber cleaning pads are reusable and can be used as a wet mop and to dry when you want to dust rather than wipe your surfaces. They also have a sponge layer which means that liquids are absorbed really well and your floors will dry quicker.
- Comes with 3 mopping pads and a scrubber tool that helps you to keep them clean.
- Wide spray mop head so covers large areas quickly.
- Customers liked that the spray comes out in a fan shape which gave an even coverage.
- Mop head rotates 360o so you can easily clean under furniture.
- Some found the bottle on the small side as it needed refilling fairly frequently.
- A few users said that it wasn’t as durable as other spray mops they’d had.
Technical Specs
| Weight | 1.65 pounds |
| Mop Head Type | Reusable |
| Mop Head Material | Microfiber |
| Handle Length | 47 inches |
| Surface Type | Hardwood, Ceramic Tile, Marble, Linoleum |
4. VENETIO Premium Spray Mop
Grab this Venetio spray mop and clean up 50% more dirt and dust than traditional mops with the powerful microfiber mop heads. The cleaning pad is also really wide – 16.3 inches – so ideal for those with larger homes.
The curved handle is comfortable to grip and has a trigger to release the spray at the top. Plus you’ll save money and help the environment with the machine washable microfiber pads.
You can remove and refill the bottle effortlessly with the release function. And if you’ve got pets, this spray mop is a great pick because the 1000s of fiber loops in the reusable pads will grip and clean up all their hair.
- Affordable and offers value as you get 2 mop pads and a scrubber.
- Users found that the capacity of the bottle was good (23.7 ounces) and so they didn’t have to refill it that often.
- Good flexibility on the mop head so great for cleaning corners and edges.
- Customers said that their floors dried very quickly after being mopped.
- Some users said that the cleaning solution tended to leak out of the bottle.
- Lifespan was limited to only a few months according to some reviewers.
Technical Specs
| Weight | 2.31 pounds |
| Mop Head Type | Reusable |
| Mop Head Material | Microfiber |
| Handle Length | 53 inches |
| Surface Type | Wood, Laminate, Ceramic Tile, Vinyl |
5. Bona Hardwood Floor Premium Spray Mop
Give your hardwood flooring a deep clean with this Bona spray mop. Their cleaning solution is designed specifically to target grime and dirt on wood floors.
This mop can be used on all unwaxed, unoiled, or finished floors. And the reusable microfiber pads are kept in place by sturdy locking strips which are also easy to lift when you need to replace the pad.
The mop has a wide cleaning path with a 16.5-inch head so it’s ideal for mopping large wooden floors. Plus, you don’t need to worry about damaging your baseboards or furniture legs – the corners of the head are soft and flexible.
- Bona work with flooring professionals and their products are often recommended by floor manufacturers.
- Customers liked how long the reusable pads last – they can go in your washing machine up to 500 times.
- Refillable bottle has a large 34-ounce capacity.
- Spray function works well and releases only a small amount so you won’t saturate your hardwood floors.
- Spray mop felt heavier than other models, so not as easy to move around.
- Not as suitable for corners and tight spots due to large cleaning head.
“There’s no doubt the Bona Premium Spray Mop cleans wood floors effectively. The combination of the gentle mop head and Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner tackles dirt and grime. […] And this is a large mop! It’s wider than many other mops on the market, including the leading competitor Swiffer. [But] I find it disappointing that the Bona Premium Spray Mop for hardwood floors only comes with one microfiber cleaning pad. It doesn’t feel very premium when I need to straight away search the internet for extra replacement microfiber pads.” — Jeneva Aaron, Product Tester
Technical Specs
| Weight | 2.31 pounds |
| Mop Head Type | Reusable |
| Mop Head Material | Microfiber |
| Handle Length | 51 inches |
| Surface Type | All Wood Floors |
6. Swiffer WetJet Hardwood and Floor Spray Mop
Read Full Review: Swiffer WetJet PowerMop Starter Kit Review
This cleaner starter kit from Swiffer gives you everything you need to get shiny laminate floors. As well as the spray mop, you get 10 disposable pads, a bottle of cleaning solution, and batteries.
The sprayer has a dual nozzle so more of your floor will be covered in one go. Plus, there’s an “Absorb and Lock” strip on the mop pads that traps grime deep inside it so that the dirt isn’t just pushed around your flooring.
This spray mop offers versatility as it can be used to clean all hard surfaces. And, because it’s battery-operated, all you need to do is lightly press the easy-touch button on the handle to release the spray.
RELATED: The 8 Best Mops for Laminate Floors of 2023
- Customer feedback said it’s ideal for cleaning on-the-spot messes quickly.
- Compact and easy to store in a cupboard.
- Users were happy that no streaks or residue was left behind after mopping.
- Includes 5 heavy-duty mopping pads that are thicker and good for removing stubborn stains.
- More waste is created as bottles are not refillable and pads are not washable.
- Some users said that the handle was too flimsy.
Technical Specs
| Weight | N/A |
| Mop Head Type | Disposable |
| Mop Head Material | N/A |
| Handle Length | N/A |
| Surface Type | Laminate, Tile, Hardwood, Vinyl |
7. Bissell Spinwave Floor Mop
Power up this Bissell spray mop that does the hard work for you. The microfiber mop pads rotate as you move around, so you’ll end up with really clean ceramic tile floors.
This model has a large 28-ounce tank capacity so you’ll have more time for cleaning and spend less time refilling it. And the spray works on-demand – so you can control how much cleaning solution is needed depending on what mess you’re cleaning up.
You’ll also get 2 bottoms of floor cleaning solution that can be used on tiles, as well as on laminate and sealed wood surfaces. Plus the swivel steering lets you clean under your couch and along baseboards.
- Customers said that despite being powered, this spray mop was really quiet.
- Microfiber pads come in two types – one for day-to-day cleaning and one for scrubbing away tough stains.
- Users found this mop very easy to move around their home, it glided across their floors with little effort needed.
- Floors don’t get too wet as you control how much spray there is.
- Some users said that although the removable pads are machine washable, they retained a dirty appearance even after washing.
- Not as good as other models for cleaning right into corners.
Technical Specs
| Weight | 11 pounds |
| Mop Head Type | Reusable |
| Mop Head Material | Microfiber |
| Handle Length | N/A |
| Surface Type | Tile, Hardwood, Vinyl, Linoleum, Sealed Wood |
8. iRobot Braava Jet 240 Superior Robot Mop
Let this robot spray mop clean your floors for you. Simply select which pad you want from the 3 types included – wet mopping, damp sweeping, or dry sweeping – and the robot will get to work!
The cleaning head gently vibrates to loosen stains and dirt before wiping it up. And the robot will avoid obstacles, falling down the stairs, and going onto rugs or carpet, so you don’t need to worry about it damaging anything while it cleans.
You can create invisible boundaries so it won’t go into rooms that don’t need mopping. In addition, you only need to press a button to eject the disposable pads keeping your hands clean and dry.
RELATED: The 8 Best Robot Mops of 2023
- Due to its size, good at cleaning in corners and under furniture, and easy to store.
- Reusable pads are available if you want to avoid the disposable ones.
- Ideal for smaller homes or apartments because of its compact size and quiet running mode.
- Dry pads are great for cleaning up debris and pet hair .
- Some users were disappointed that there’s no scheduling function.
- No docking station – you need to remove the battery to recharge it.
Technical Specs
| Weight | 3 pounds |
| Mop Head Type | Disposable |
| Mop Head Material | N/A |
| Handle Length | N/A |
| Surface Type | Tile, Hardwood, Stone |
Spray Mops Comparison Chart
| Product | Weight | Mop Head Type | Mop Head Material | Handle Length | Surface Type | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Microfiber Mop | 1.38 pounds | Reusable | Microfiber | 54 inches | Hardwood, Tile, Vinyl, Laminate, Stone | (Testing Now) |
| O-Cedar ProMist MAX Microfiber Spray Mop | 1.32 pounds | Reusable | Microfiber | N/A | Hardwood, Tile, Laminate | |
| MEXERRIS Microfiber Spray Mop | 1.65 pounds | Reusable | Microfiber | 47 inches | Hardwood, Ceramic Tile, Marble, Linoleum | (Testing Now) |
| VENETIO Premium Spray Mop | 2.31 pounds | Reusable | Microfiber | 53 inches | Wood, Laminate, Ceramic Tile, Vinyl | (Testing Now) |
| Bona Hardwood Floor Premium Spray Mop | 2.31 pounds | Reusable | Microfiber | 51 inches | All Wood Floors | |
| Swiffer WetJet Hardwood and Floor Spray Mop | N/A | Disposable | N/A | N/A | Laminate, Tile, Hardwood, Vinyl | |
| Bissell Spinwave Floor Mop | 11 pounds | Reusable | Microfiber | N/A | Tile, Hardwood, Vinyl, Linoleum, Sealed Wood | (Testing Now) |
| iRobot Braava Jet 240 Mop | 3 pounds | Disposable | N/A | N/A | Tile, Hardwood, Stone | (Testing Now) |
FAQs
Here we address some of your most-asked questions about spray mops.
What Liquid Do You Put In A Spray Mop?
But if you want a deeper clean and/or to disinfect your floors, you should go for a cleaner that is suitable for your type(s) of flooring.
You could pick a cleaning solution that can be used on different types of floor surfaces. Or some are designed specifically for hardwood or tile and vinyl floors.
So it’s up to you and your budget whether you get a multi-surface cleaner or buy multiple ones to best protect specific floor types.
If you make your own, be careful with products like white vinegar – this is fine on laminate flooring, but can damage hardwood or tile floors.
Always check with the flooring manufacturer to see whether the cleaning solution you have is safe to use on your floor.
How Often Should You Replace A Spray Mop Head?
This way, any dust and dirt you’ve cleaned up is disposed of – either in the trash or washed off a reusable pad – and it won’t be then put back onto your floors next time you clean!
How Do You Replace A Spray Mop Head?
Some have tabs to hold the mop pad in place. Throw away or put the old pad to wash and then use the tabs in the corners to attach a clean, new one.
Or you might opt for a spray mop that uses velcro. These are really easy to use – rip the old pad off and then place a new one firmly onto the velcro.
Tips on How to Best Use Your Spray Mop
Follow our handy tips on how to get the best use out of your spray mop.
- Keep the bottle clean so that you won’t get any debris jamming up the sprayer.
- Store your cleaning solution in the tank or bottle of the spray mop so it’s ready for when you next use it.
- Don’t use any cleaning solutions that are too thick. These can cause build-ups and blockages in the spray nozzle.
- Unscrew the cap of the refillable bottle and simply fill it with just water or a suitable cleaner. Make sure to screw the cap back on tightly before reattaching the bottle to the spray mop – you don’t want any leaks!
- Use cold or warm water to fill the bottle. This should be no more than 30oC, and never use boiling water.
- After use, don’t leave your mop on your wet floor. This could cause staining.
