Hardwood floors are classic for a reason. The variety of the colors and grains available can add several wonderful dimensions to the decor of a room and if they’re kept in good condition, they can last for a long time. Keeping them in good condition means cleaning them.
If you don’t do this properly, you’ll find that they lose their shine and look awful – not what anybody wants. Cleaning them can feel like a real chore, but electric mops can make the process a lot more bearable.
We’ll take you through the best options when it comes to electric mops for use on hardwood floors. We’ll first list the mops with a quick review of each. We’ll then move on to our buyer’s guide, where we break down the stuff you need to know when you’re making your decision.
At the end, we’ll look at some frequently asked questions so that all your worries and concerns are sure to be dealt with. If you want to know more about electric mops and hardwood floors, read on.
Bissell is a great brand when it comes to electric floor mops, and this mop is a great example of what their range can do. It has the same overall shape and profile as a classic standing vacuum cleaner but at the bottom are two rotating mop pads.
This is where the cleaning power comes from. These pads can clean various kinds of dirt, though when it comes to the annoying sticky sorts that need a lot of tiring scrubbing to remove, you might find yourself wishing for something with a bit more scrubbing power.
They also swivel, which makes it easy to get them to clean hard-to-clean areas like along baseboards. There’s a spray nozzle that you can use to squirt cleaning solution onto the floor, as well.
The mop comes with a few bottles of different cleaning solutions, as well as different sets of pads – scrubby and soft touch – for different cleaning needs.
Those bottles can be refilled with whatever you like once they’re empty so you can use whatever your favorite floor cleaning product is.
You’ll be pleased to know that this works surprisingly quietly – the spinning mops pads won’t cause much of a disturbance if someone’s trying to work or study nearby.
There’s also another reason to feel good about buying this mop. Bissell has its own pet foundation, a charity that provides help for homeless animals, so you can think of the good you’re doing for unwanted pets when you’re making your floors sparkle.
An important thing to note: do not use this on an unsealed hardwood floor, only on a sealed one. You can read more about the difference between sealed and unsealed hardwood floors in the buyer’s guide below.
Pros
Quiet – doesn’t make much noise
Extras – comes with different pads and cleaning solutions
Lightweight – not cumbersome to use or carry
Swivel action – makes it easy to clean tricky areas
Cons
Scrubbing power – might not have enough scrubbing power for particularly stubborn dirt
With this product you get two in one – it mops and vacuums at the same time. However, that’s not even nearly the most impressive thing about this thing. It has smart sensor technology, meaning that it can sense what kind of mess is in front of it, wet or dry.
It then adjusts the level of water flow and suction to the optimum levels to clean that exact mess. Isn’t that amazing?
It sucks up water after cleaning each part of the floor, meaning the floor will dry quicker, and has a dual tank system that keeps the clean water separate from the dirty water.
It’s cordless, meaning that you don’t need to worry about tripping over wires that annoyingly get in your way as you clean.
The battery lasts for up to 35 minutes before it needs charging, which should be more than enough to clean your floor. There is an inbuilt self-cleaning function that flushes the water lines so you don’t need to get your hands dirty, unlike with a traditional mop.
It’s also reassuringly quiet for how powerful it is, so you won’t be bothering everyone else in your house when you use it.
To top it off, the cleaner also has an LED display to show you the battery level, cleaning reminders and reports, app connectivity, and a voice assistant that monitors your cleaning and gives advice on how to optimize it.
When it comes to technologically assisted cleaning, it’s difficult to beat this piece of equipment.
One thing that might be a bit of a drawback is that the manufacturer says that you have to use their own brand of cleaning fluid with the cleaner and that other third-party brands will cause damage to the cleaner in the long term.
We haven’t been able to test this claim but do so at your own risk.
Pros
Smart sensor technology – automatically adjusts performance to individual messes
Cordless – you won’t have to worry about tripping over it
Self-cleaning function – no need to clean it yourself
LED display and app – these let you keep track of performance and other useful information
Cons
Cleaning fluid – only compatible with the manufacturer’s brand of cleaning fluid
This is another great option for cleaning sealed hardwood floors and it comes with several cool features that make it stand out from the crowd. One of those is a headlamp that’s useful for highlighting bits of dirt that you might not have seen otherwise.
When you do find that dirt, this thing will do a great job of cleaning it. The twin mop pads are backed up by the steam function and together they do a much better job of cleaning tough dirt out of floors than either the pads or steam would do alone.
Those rotating pads will give you 150 scrubs per minute. Just try matching that with a standard mop! The mop does all this without any cleaning fluid, using just the steam and mop heads. Even better, those pads are machine washable and so can be reused.
The steam function has three different settings: light, normal, and deep. You can change through these at will depending on how stubborn the dirt you need to clean is.
The Shark S7001 works by plugging into any wall socket and the power cord is 22 feet long, so it can easily stretch across even very large rooms.
Pros
Machine washable pads – this means they can be reused, saving you money
Dual cleaning action – steam and pads are very effective together
LED lights – these highlight dirt, making sure you don’t miss anything
3 different steam settings – adjustable depending on what level of cleaning you need
Cons
Does not use cleaning fluid – This may or may not be a good thing, depending on your needs
Here’s another worthy addition to the list. As you can see from the name, it’s cordless, making it easier to move around and meaning that you don’t need to avoid any trailing cables. It will run for 30 to 40 minutes after a 90 minute to 2-hour charge.
The handle can be adjusted to any length between 92cm and 122cm, so it’s easy for anyone of any height to use. It combines several functions in one, including both wet and dry cleaning.
There is a spray nozzle that you can use to control how much water (if any) gets sprayed on the floor. This is fed from a 15oz tank and you can add whatever cleaning solutions you want to it if you think water by itself won’t cut it.
The mop can also be used for waxing, which is great for wooden floors, and decontaminating. It also uses a combination of round and square mop heads which is ideal for counteracting the defects of each of those shapes individually.
It will rotate at 250 rotations per minute, which is extremely quick. It actually feels pretty powerful so make sure you’re ready to control it when you turn it on. The built-in LED light allows you to find dirt in dark nooks and crannies that you might miss otherwise.
Pros
Cordless – no wires to avoid and easy to move
Multiple functions – wet and dry cleaning, waxing, and decontamination
Mixed mop heads – circular and rectangular heads improve cleaning power
Powerful – 250 rpm is well above average for an electric mop
Adjustable handle – easy to use regardless of height
Cons
Power – not all bad, but can take some effort to control
Charging time – takes a while to charge
Buyer’s Guide
There are a few different things that you’ll want to consider if you’re buying an electric mop for your hardwood floor. We’ve assembled this list of points to consider so that you’ll have covered all your bases by the time you’re ready to part with your hard-earned cash.
Sealed VS Unsealed Hardwood Floors
This is a very important distinction, especially when it comes to cleaning your hardwood floor. Sealed hardwood floors are also sometimes called finished hardwood floors, and are generally preferred to unsealed ones.
Sealing the floor means coating with a layer of a substance that protects the wood from moisture, dirt, and other things. A type of plastic called polyurethane is a common substance for sealing floors, but there are lots of others that are sometimes used as well.
The difference between sealed and unsealed hardwood floors often comes up in the context of cleaning because there are some methods that are only safe to use on sealed floors.
If your floor is unsealed, the safest way to clean it is to use a mixture of vinegar diluted with water and a soft-bristled broom, making sure no moisture remains on the floor afterward.
If the floor is sealed, then there are far more options open to you because sealed floors are much more resilient.
The mops we’ve listed in this article should only be used on sealed hardwood floors – they would cause damage to unsealed ones.
This is typical of electric mops because the way they work is usually too rough for unsealed floors. If you have an unsealed floor, try using the gentler method we mentioned above.
Power Source
Electric mops can either be powered by batteries or by being plugged into a wall outlet. There are advantages and disadvantages to each. Cords are good if you’ll be using the mop in a fairly small space where you won’t need to find multiple outlets to clean the whole area.
Of course, there’s also no risk of them running out of battery. On the other hand, it can be annoying to have to move them out of the way as you clean.
Battery-powered mops are more convenient in that you can move from one area to another more easily without needing to find an outlet for them.
On the other hand, they need to be recharged between uses and they can sometimes run out of juice when you’re halfway through cleaning.
Mop Pads
It’s usual for a mop to come with some pads, but some come with more than one kind, while some others do not. Some of those that don’t might have others available separately.
These can be useful for doing different kinds of cleaning (e.g. light surface-level cleaning vs more heavy-duty scrubbing). Some have pads that are also machine washable, meaning you can keep them in use longer and so save yourself the money that you would have spent on buying more.
Head Size
This is pretty simple. Different models have different size heads. Small heads might suit you if you’re planning to use the mop in a small space, while a larger head might suit a larger space.
Functionality
Some electric mops are just mops that clean by using mop heads. Others combine this with other methods. For instance, combination electric steam mops are available, using both of these functions to clean your floors.
Another possibility is combination electric mops and vacuum cleaners, which mix the functionality of both of these things together. Naturally, if you’re getting two in one then the price is usually higher to reflect this, so it’s up to you to decide if the extra cleaning potential is worth it.
Extra Features
Beyond the basic mop functionality, several models come with a lot of other features. This can include lights, automatic adjustment of the cleaning power, different types of pads, and more.
These can all be useful, but be aware that if a mop has these functions, it usually comes with a higher price. That’s not to say they’re not worth it, but don’t buy a mop with all the extra bells and whistles for top dollar if you don’t think you’ll need them and are on a budget.
Ergonomics And Weight
Electric mops come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and weights. Think about what you want to use. If you just want something to give a small floor a light clean every now and then, you might not want to have to drag a big, heavy mop over it.
However, if you don’t mind a bit of extra weight and have a larger surface to clean, the extra pounds could easily be worth it. Similarly, some are easier to move around than others.
Weight comes into it, but you should also consider the shape and movement of the head – some have the ability to swivel to help them get into tight spots, which can be really useful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is An Electric Mop?
This is a good question as the term can be a bit confusing. If you’re imagining a traditional mop that has batteries in it for some reason, you’re on the wrong track. Most electric mops don’t actually look that much like a mop at all.
Most look more like vacuum cleaners, but, like mops, they’re designed to clean your floors of whatever dirt and stains are on them. Some run on batteries while others plug into wall sockets, but they all use electricity one way or another.
Are Electric Mops Expensive?
As with most things, it depends. You will find that they cost more than traditional mops, but that shouldn’t come as a surprise. Really, it’s a bit like asking if a computer is expensive.
Like computers, electric mops come at a wide range of price points and you can pay less or more depending on which features you want. There are options at both ends of the spectrum in this article, so check them out and see what you think.
Do Electric Mops Use Chemicals?
Again, it depends. Some do and others don’t. Different styles of electric mops use different ways of cleaning. This can include chemical cleaning solutions but also things like steam cleaning and good old-fashioned scrubbing.
Certain models allow you to use cleaning fluids if you want to without it being necessary. Again, we have examples of several different types in our list.
Can Electric Mops Be Used On Hardwood Floors?
As a general rule, the answer to this is yes, as long as it’s a sealed hardwood floor. Unsealed hardwood floors are generally not suited to electric mop use as the way they clean is usually too harsh (either physically or chemically) on them.
The best thing to do is check with individual mops and to know exactly what material your floor is made from and/or coated with.
Final Thoughts
By now, you should know everything you need to know to make a decision on which electric mop is right for you and your hardwood floor.
There are plenty of different types with different ways of working and extras, but all of the ones on this list are of top quality, so you can’t go wrong. Keep your lovely floor clean and shiny without damaging it with an electric mop.
