Laminate flooring may be maintained in pristine condition with regular cleaning, but there is one rule of thumb that should always be followed while caring for this material – prevent it from getting soaked.
A laminate floor’s subfloor might expand and distort if there is too much moisture in the air. The best mop cleaner for laminate floors is one that is just slightly moist. An excellent mop also has a soft surface. Although laminate flooring is scratch-resistant, excessive washing may dull the surface.
If you are looking for the best mop cleaner for laminate floors, keep reading to find out which mops work best on that type of flooring as well as how to clean this common flooring type.
Choosing The Best Mop For Laminate Floors
Because of its susceptibility to water, laminate flooring requires special care while mopping. Because of that, a dry mop is recommended when cleaning laminate floors. The choice of mop, material, and wringing device are all crucial. Different features, such as spray mechanisms, adjustable handles, and mop heads that serve many purposes may make cleaning a breeze.
Type
String, strip, flat, spray, sponge, electric, and steam mops are all common kinds of mops used around the home.
- String mops – In place of bristle, the mophead of a string mop is formed of strings of fabric, often cotton. Because of their high absorbency, these mops might be difficult to wring out. They are too wet to be used on laminate floors, since they retain too much water.
- Strip mops – While string mops utilize cotton strings to clean, strip mops employ synthetic fabric strips. The synthetic fabric might be a good option for laminate flooring since it is less absorbent when compared to cotton.
- Flat mops – One of the best mop types for use on laminate floors is the flat mop. These compact mops include a cleaning pad with a flat head. Flat variants are practical for everyday usage due to their portability and simplicity. Cleaning laminate and other hard floors is a breeze with the help of the microfiber pads found on many of them.
- Spray mops – Flat mops with a spray mechanism built into the handle are the most common kind of spray mop. Cleaning is made easier without the need for a bulky bucket – thanks to the incorporation of the cleaning solution within the mop head of a spray mop. Spray mops are able to clean thoroughly since the cleaning solution is dispersed with the push of a button or the draw of a lever.
- Sponge mops – To effectively clean hard floors, a sponge mop’s head is soft and spongy, generally with a honeycomb pattern. Due to the sponge’s high water absorption rate, they are not recommended for use on laminate floors.
- Electric mops – Most of the scrubbing is done automatically by electric mops. These electric or battery-operated mops have spinning or vibrating mop pads, making quick work of even the dirtiest floors.
- Steam mops The use of hot steam in a steam mop is an effective way to get rid of filth and other types of buildup. Manufacturers of laminate flooring have cautioned against using steam mops on their product because of the high water content.
Mophead
Cotton, synthetics, microfiber, and sponge are all often used for household mopheads. The softness, abrasiveness, or absorbency of a mop is determined by the materials used to make it.
For laminate flooring, microfiber is a common choice since it is cheap, simple to obtain, and soothing on the feet. Microfiber mops are gentle on the floor, dry quickly, and are simple to maintain. In addition to chamois, other synthetic materials may be used to clean laminate flooring. Even while cotton and sponge mopheads are great for scrubbing, they soak up too much water to be safe for use on laminate flooring. If you care about your laminate floors, you should avoid using these kinds of mops.
Wringing Mechanism
The mophead is wrung out in the wringer. The wringing mechanism is crucial for a laminate floor mop since the floor has to be kept dry.
A lever or twist mechanism on the wringer’s handle squeezes the water out of the mophead when the wringer is activated. The mop bucket is equipped with a wringer to drain the water. Using human pressure, water must be squeezed out of the mop when using a standard bucket wringer.
A spin mop is more practical. Spin mops are a kind of string mop that have a rotating bucket that squeezes the mop water out for you. The mophead of a spin mop may be dried enough to be used on laminate flooring.
Not all flat mops and spray mops come with a wringing system. The mopping pad or the floor might be sprayed with a cleaning solution instead of putting the mop in a bucket and wringing it out.
Handle
Mopping is less of a chore with a handle designed for comfort. A variety of materials, including plastic, stainless steel, aluminum, and wood, are used for handles. While metal and wood are the most durable materials, plastic can be molded into ergonomic shapes and is often more pleasant to the touch.
For the user’s convenience, many mops include curved handles, non-slip coatings, or soft foam grips. A further degree of adaptability is provided by the height-adjustable handles found on certain mops. When mopping laminate floors, look for a mop with a durable, ergonomic handle that can survive regular usage.
Adjustability
Mopping is made easier and more convenient with an adjustable handle. The user of an adjustable-handle mop is spared the inconvenience of bending down or wrestling with a cumbersome handle while they go about their work.
Many multipurpose wet mops may also be used as dusters. Microfiber and synthetic mops, which are designed specifically for laminate floors, often have this function. The mop’s flexible, height-adjustable handle makes it ideal for cleaning high and low surfaces throughout the home. The telescopic handle allows you to clean previously inaccessible areas.
Maneuverability
A mop designed specifically for laminate floors should be easy to maneuver around furniture and other obstructions. A well-crafted mop can be readily slung into tight spaces and slid under furniture.
Most flat mops may easily fit under tables and other pieces of furniture because of their thin design. Most include a pivoting head that allows you to quickly shift directions or navigate past obstructions. To further facilitate their usage, flat mops are rather light.
All three types of string, strip, and spin mops often feature oblong mop heads. They could be able to reach into crevices because of the thick filaments. However, they may have difficulty cleaning beneath furniture if they are not as thin as flat mops.
The biggest and heaviest choices, such as electric and steam mops, may be less convenient to use because of their bulk and weight. Steam mops are tempting because of their higher cleaning power, but they are not the ideal choice for most laminate flooring.
Additional Features
One of the best things about multipurpose mops is how many different types of dirt they can pick up and clean. Microfiber mops, one of the finest options for laminate floors, often double as wet and dry mops. Sets of mops often come with additional dusting and mopping pads for thorough cleaning of furniture, walls, and ceilings.
Extra mop pads are always welcome. You can still get things done even if one set of tools is filthy or being washed. A number of mops have disposable pads that can only be used once. The pads that come with most microfiber mops may be reused or cleaned in the washing machine.
While electric mops make it easy to get your floors spotless with less effort, they may be rough on laminate floors, so it is crucial to choose a kind that is safe for your flooring. On the other hand, electric mops with microfiber or other soft mop pads may leave floors looking like new.
When mopping laminate floors, it is important to go easy and use just a little amount of water. The finest mops for laminate flooring are those that do not leave behind any wetness and are gentle on the flooring’s smooth surface. The following recommendations are suitable for use on laminate flooring, since they are gentle and quick to dry.
OUR TOP PICK: Microfiber Wholesale 18″ Professional Mop
This microfiber mop has an enormous swivel head of 18 inches, making short work of even the largest cleaning tasks. Mopping is made easier because to the mop’s large, rectangular frame, which covers more ground with each pass, and its swiveling, swivel-proof head, which can be turned in any direction.
You get one dust pad and two mop pads, both of which are machine-washable and composed of plush microfiber. In order to trap dust and hair, the dust pad has a ring of microfiber loops around its circumference. Each of the two mop heads is made with a foam center that can soak up spills and a microfiber outside that can buff away any smudges or scratches.
The durable, ergonomic, and extended stainless steel handle makes this tool ideal for scrubbing and general housekeeping. The height may be easily adjusted from 42 to 70 inches, allowing you to reach from the ground up.
Product Specs
- Type: Flat
- Mophead Material: Microfiber and foam
- Wringing mechanism: No
- Compatible flooring: Vinyl, wood, laminate, and tile
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Features an 18-inch mop head | There is a chance it is more difficult to use than others. |
| Includes 3 machine-washable microfiber mop pads | |
| Comes with a dust pad | |
| Features a 360-degree swivel head |
Bona Microfiber Floor Mop
The mophead on the Bona Microfiber Floor Mop is also very large, spanning 16.5 inches across, allowing you to rapidly and efficiently mop hard floors. The metal telescopic handle can stretch to a maximum length of 60 inches, making it ideal for a wide variety of cleaning tasks.
The swivel head on this practical mop allows for easy navigation around obstacles. With rubberized front edges, the mophead is less likely to cause harm when accidentally bumped against walls or furniture.
There are two microfibre pads in this mop kit – a mopping pad may remove dirt, grime, and scuffs, while a fluffy dusting pad can pick up dust and hair. The cleaning power of the pads is maintained through up to 500 machine washes. The two pads may be used to dust and clean an entire floor for very little money.
Product Specs
- Type: Flat
- Mophead material: Microfiber
- Wringing mechanism: No
- Compatible flooring: Hardwood, stone, tile, laminate, and vinyl
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| 16.5-inch head | The pads may slip off the mop handle |
| Includes 2 machine-washable microfiber mop pads | Could take a while to charge |
| With 360-degree swivel head | Some consumers have reported problems |
| Has telescoping handle |
Nellie’s Wow Mop
The use of an electric mop eliminates the need for strenuous physical labor. The Nellie’s Wow Mop is an electric mop that is cordless and lightweight, bringing the advantages of using an electric mop to a design that is simple to use. To charge the mop, all you need to do is use the charging cord that comes with it and put it into a power outlet for roughly three hours. Each charge may last for up to fifty minutes, which is more than enough time to clean floors in a single session.
The mop has two gentle scrubbing pads that rotate an amazing one thousand times per minute to scour and polish the floor, providing a thorough cleaning with each pass. The top of the mop head has a water tank that is integrated into it so that it may be used to disperse water or cleaning solution. Users have the ability to regulate the flow of water or cleaner with a liquid-delivery system that utilizes push buttons.
Because it does not produce any steam, this convenient electric mop is suitable for use on all kinds of flooring, even laminate floors, and it provides a thorough cleaning with the simple touch of a button.
Product Specs
- Type: Electric
- Mophead material: Microfiber
- Wringing mechanism: No
- Compatible flooring: All hard flooring
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| With 2 oscillating microfiber pads | Expensive |
| Lightweight | It might take some time for the battery to charge |
| Cordless | Some consumers have reported problems |
| 50 minutes of runtime | |
| Features built-in water tank |
oshang Flat Floor Mop and Bucket Set
When mopping, it is important to remember to keep the mophead clean so that unclean water does not get distributed around the floor. This combo of a microfiber mop and bucket comes with a wringer as well as a mechanism that cleans the mop. Mopping laminate flooring is made easier – thanks to the clever design of the mop, which helps keep the mop clean and reasonably dry.
The water and the washing groove are both located in one area of the bucket, which is used to wet the mop. The dirt and dust on the mop may be removed with a few swipes along the washing groove when the mop is filthy. After that, the separate drying system will be able to remove any remaining moisture. It should only take a few of passes for the mop to dry out enough to use on laminate floors.
This user-friendly design does not need the user to physically squeeze the pad or mess with a filthy mophead in any way. It is fully hands-free. This mop set has two machine-washable microfiber pads, making it ideal for thorough cleaning. One pad is made of ultra-fine microfiber, making it ideal for light cleaning and dusting, while the other pad is made of a microfiber and nylon bristle combination, making it ideal for scrubbing.
Product Specs
- Type: Flat
- Mophead material: Microfiber
- Wringing mechanism: Yes
- Compatible flooring: All hard flooring
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Mechanisms for cleaning and ringing out the mops | Costly |
| Hands-free design | In the mop bucket, clean and filthy water are not kept separate from one another. |
| With 2 machine-washable microfiber mop pads |
O-Cedar ProMist MAX Microfiber Spray Mop
Spray mops reduce the need for cumbersome mop buckets or bottles of spray cleaner, which may be awkward to use. The O-Cedar ProMist Max takes the convenience factor to a whole new level with its re-fillable container that can hold either water or cleaning solution as well as its dual-sided mop head.
The microfiber pad may be placed over the full head of the mop, so that it covers both the top and the bottom. When one side of the pad becomes soiled, the mop head may be rotated through 180 degrees so that the clean side can be used. This design offers double the amount of cleaning area without requiring the user to replace the mop pad in between cleanings. The mop pad may be washed in the washing machine and can be used either dry or wet to collect dust, filth, and hair.
Make advantage of the convenient spray function when you need to wet mop. Because the ergonomic handle has a manual trigger that is used to unleash the spray, it does not need the purchase of pricey batteries.
Product Specs
- Type: Spra
- Mophead material: Microfiber
- Wringing mechanism: N
- Compatible flooring: Vinyl, hardwood, and ceramic
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Features dual-sided, machine-washable microfiber mop | Expensive |
| 180-degree swivel head | Only one mop pad and bottle are included with this purchase. |
| Hand trigger | In the mop bucket, clean and filthy water are not kept separate from one another. |
| Requires no batteries |
Choosing The Best Mops For Laminate Floors
We discovered that the best models are determined by their type, the material that makes up the mop head, how easy it is to use, how compatible it is with multiple surfaces, as well as any other special features that top brands include in their products.
We discovered that the spray, flat, spin, electric, and wet/dry combination choices with microfiber pads were the most popular kinds of mops for laminate flooring. A good number of these recommendations are appropriate for laminate floors, but the vast majority of them are also appropriate for use on hardwood, tile, vinyl, ceramic, linoleum, stone, and other sealed hard floors.
Even though the vast majority of these picks do not have hands-free wringing mechanisms, certain picks come with large mop heads, manual hand triggers, 180- to 360-degree mop heads, additional accessories or scrubbers, as well as refillable bottles for ease of use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How often should I sweep and clean the floor?
A: At the absolute least, floors need to be cleaned once every two weeks. However, places that have a lot of foot traffic, as well as households with animals or children, may need more regular cleaning.
Q: How often should I give my mop a wash?
A: When the mophead begins to take up stains or when it develops a lingering odor, it is time to give it a thorough cleaning. There are also several mop heads that are removable, and if necessary, you may switch out the old one for a new one every two to three months.
Q: After I clean the floor, why does it still seem dirty?
A: A lackluster and unclean appearance may be caused by using an excessive amount of cleaning solution on laminate flooring. To get rid of the residue, you might use a cleaner designed specifically for laminate flooring, or you may steer clear of soap-based cleansers entirely and go for a moist mop filled with plain water instead.
Q: What can I use to repair the scratches on my laminate floors?
A: A repair kit that covers the scratches with a color that is an exact match for your laminate flooring may be purchased so that you can get the job done. In addition to that, you have the option of using do-it-yourself methods, such as wiping the scratch with a fresh tennis ball or a pink eraser, or filling it with putty or crayons that have been microwaved.
Q: Do I need to sweep the laminate flooring?
A: Yes. Before you use a liquid cleaner, a spray cleaner, or a mop to clean your floors, you should sweep them first. This eliminates any dirt particles that, when you apply the cleaning, may potentially damage the laminate.
Q: When it comes to cleaning laminate flooring, can I use a sponge?
A: No. When cleaning laminate flooring, you should never use a sponge since the rough surface of the sponge might create scratches. Brooms with stiff bristles and steam mops are two other examples of floor care products that should not be used on laminate flooring.
Final Words
In order for a product to make it into our list of top selections, it must, among other things, have a strong sales record, have great ratings from customers almost universally, and have features that are exclusive to it. After narrowing down our initial list of suggestions, we verify that the items in question satisfy our criteria by doing extra research and, on occasion, putting them to the test in person to assist homeowners, like you, in making the most appropriate purchase.
