The Best Mops for Laminate Floors, Tested and Reviewed

Mops for laminate floors help keep them shining like new, but choosing the right mop requires following an important rule of thumb: avoid excessive moisture. Using too much liquid to clean laminate floors can cause them to swell or warp, ruining their smooth finish. And while laminate is scratch-resistant, aggressive scrubbing can damage its surface and reduce its shine. That means a good mop for laminate floors should be gentle and only slightly damp.

To help you find a mop appropriate for the task, we put seven popular picks to the test over multiple weeks. After rating each for ease of use, effectiveness, build quality, and overall value, we selected the Microfiber Wholesale 18″ Professional Mop System as our favorite. 

Read on to learn more about the best mops for laminate floors and to see which features matter most when choosing one to meet your needs. 

1. BEST OVERALL: Microfiber Wholesale 18″ Professional Mop System
   ↓ Jump to Review
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Bona Premium Multi-Surface Sweep & Clean Mop
   ↓ Jump to Review
3. UPGRADE PICK: Bissell SpinWave Cordless Hard Floor Spin Mop
   ↓ Jump to Review
4. BEST FLAT: Oshang Flat Floor Mop and Bucket Set
   ↓ Jump to Review
5. BEST SPIN: O-Cedar EasyWring Spin Mop & Bucket System
   ↓ Jump to Review
6. BEST FOR SCRUBBING: Libman Wonder Mop
   ↓ Jump to Review
7. BEST FOR PETS: Swiffer PowerMop Multi-Surface Floor Cleaning Kit
   ↓ Jump to Review 

Mops for Laminate Floors Comparison

Our Top Picks

Each mop for laminate floors that made our list is nonabrasive and doesn’t leave moisture behind, helping you protect your flooring’s smooth outer layer. 

Our Ratings

With its extra-wide 18-inch swivel head, this professional microfiber mop from Microfiber Wholesale is made to tackle large cleaning jobs quickly. It covers a substantial amount of surface area with each swipe, and the 360-degree rotating head glides easily around furniture without feeling clunky. The sturdy stainless steel handle telescopes from 42 to 70 inches, allowing users of all heights to do everything from cleaning floors to dusting high corners. 

This kit comes with two mop pads and one dust pad, all of which are machine washable and made to attach securely to the aluminum mophead via Velcro strips. The dust pad has microfiber loops around the edge that trap dust and hair, while the mop pads feature a foam core with a soft microfiber layer to absorb spills and leave a streak-free shine. In our tests, this model was strong enough to remove dried-on juice and salsa but gentle enough not to scratch. Made for professional use, the overall build quality was excellent, though the height-locking mechanism on the handle will slip if you don’t twist it tightly. 

What our tester says: “This microfiber mop felt really solid compared to other options. It’s comfortable in hand and easy to adjust, and because it comes with mopheads and a duster, I find myself using it for way more than cleaning floors.”—Michelle Larson, Product Reviews tester and writer 

Get the Microfiber Wholesale mop for laminate floors at Amazon or Microfiber Wholesale. 

Our Ratings

The Bona Microfiber floor mop is nearly identical to our top pick in size and functionality, though it doesn’t feel quite as durable and it only costs about half as much. Its 16.56-inch-wide mop covers plenty of ground in just a few passes, and the aluminum telescoping handle is lightweight and easy to adjust between 34 and 52 inches for different users or tasks. It also has a 360-degree swivel head for easy maneuvering, and while this plastic head may not have the long-term strength of the aluminium one in our top pick, its rubberized corners do help protect furniture and baseboards against accidental bumps. 

This mop set includes two reusable microfiber pads: a fluffy dusting pad that grabs dust and hair and a mopping pad that handles dirt, dust, and light scuffs. Both are machine washable up to 500 times, making this model affordable and versatile for whole-home cleaning. Sure, it may not last quite as long as the more professional version, and it’s too big to get behind toilets, but it’s an excellent choice for those needing a budget-friendly yet effective option.

Get the Bona mop for laminate floors at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Target.

Our Ratings

Though it comes at a premium price compared to manual models, the Bissell SpinWave cordless hard floor spin mop takes the hard work out of mopping floors. Instead of scrubbing back and forth, this electric mop uses spinning microfiber mop pads that help it glide safely across all types of sealed hard floors, including moisture-sensitive laminate. The rotating pads gently lift dirt and scuffs, while the spray mechanism lets you control the amount of cleaning solution you dispense.

Since mopping isn’t necessarily our favorite task, we especially enjoyed testing this cordless model. It excelled at removing stuck-on salsa and mud, and we loved that the spinning mopheads almost propelled it forward—meaning all we really had to do was guide it. Considering its weight (9.5 pounds), not having to push it yourself is especially nice, though it’s still light enough to carry from room to room. 

Like most of the other picks on our list, its mopheads are washable, and it also comes with a tray for tidy storage. Other than price, the main downsides to this mop are that the runtime is limited to about 20 minutes and recharging takes nearly 4 hours. 

What our tester says: “This is the mop I tend to grab for quick cleanups created by messy puppy paws or whoopsies when we’re cooking. It’s great for getting off everyday dirt, and the rotating pads put out most of the effort, allowing me to essentially take a bit of a break while it works.”—Michelle Larson, Product Reviews tester and writer 

Get the Bissell mop for laminate floors at Walmart, Wayfair, Target, or Bissell.

Our Ratings

While keeping a mophead clean as you work produces better results, that’s typically easier said than done. Not so with Oshang’s mop and bucket set, which features built-in washing and drying slots that help keep the mophead both relatively clean and dry—ideal for laminate floors. 

As one of the only mops we had to read the instruction manual to use, testing this pick came with a bit of trial and error. The bucket has two chambers: one for wetting and washing the mophead and one for drying it. After submerging the mophead in soapy water, you push and pull it through the drying slot to squeeze out excess moisture. As you clean, you can rewet it and run it through the wash wringer to remove dirt and grime before using the dry wringer to prep it for safe use on laminate. 

While this system allows you to wash and dry the mopheads without touching them (they’re also machine washable), getting the mop out of the wringer can be hard if you aren’t holding it at the right angle. Still, once we got the hang of it, we were impressed with how clean and streak-free this mop made our floors, which made the learning curve worth it. 

Get the Oshang mop for laminate floors at Amazon, Wayfair, Walmart, or Oshang.

Our Ratings

Is it just us, or is this mop borderline iconic? As America’s number one spin mop (based on 2024 unit sales), the familiar O-Cedar EasyWring is a microfiber strip mop and spin-wringing bucket set. The built-in pedal-controlled wringer makes it easy to remove excess moisture for safe laminate floor cleaning, and the handle extends from 24 to 51 inches to accommodate users and tasks of different heights. 

The mophead on this pick is made of soft, fluffy microfiber strands that trap dust, dirt, and grime. Its triangular design sits on a swivel mount, allowing users to reach into corners and under furniture. And when the mophead starts to look less than fresh, you can throw it in the washing machine or swap it with a new head, which are sold in everything from 2-packs to 12-packs. Based on its popularity plus our extensive personal use, the EasyWring is a solid choice for anyone looking for a user-friendly and reliable tool for keeping laminate floors clean.

What our tester says: “This is the second O-Cedar EasyWring I’ve had, and I love it as much as I did the first. After using my original one twice a day to clean my small business, the foot pedal eventually wore out and stopped spinning the wringer. Given that it lasted about 5 years, that’s about $0.01 per use.”—Michelle Larson, Product Reviews tester and writer 

Get the O-Cedar mop for laminate floors at Amazon, Lowe’s, Tractor Supply Co., Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, or Walmart.

Our Ratings

Caring for laminate flooring doesn’t mean you have to skip scrubbing. With the Libman Wonder Mop’s patented GripStrips, it’s as easy to lift stuck-on spills as it is to protect against excess moisture, ensuring thorough deep cleaning. And for messes that require additional effort to clear away, the steel handle is strong enough to resist cracking and breaking, even with vigorous scrubbing. 

The Libman uses a slightly different design than the other mops with wringer mechanisms on our list. Rather than a built-in spinner or scraping slot, it has a handle wringer for squeezing it dry to clean hard flooring like vinyl, laminate, tile, and wood. While this allows you to use a spray cleaning solution rather than a bucket, the mechanism does require a bit of effort, which can be tricky if the handle or your hands are wet. And while it’s relatively long at 62 inches and isn’t height adjustable, it’s lightweight and easy to maneuver in tight spaces, which many others aren’t. Also, the mophead is removable and machine washable up to 50 times before needing to be replaced.

Get the Libman mop for laminate floors (with various numbers of refill heads) at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Walmart, or Target.

Product Specs 

What We Like

• Built-in spray for moisture control
• Lightweight and easy to maneuver 
• Thick cleaning pads are reusable and disposable 

What We Don’t Like

• Pads may detach on rough surfaces
• Disposable pads increase ongoing expense

Our Ratings

The Swiffer PowerMop multisurface kit includes everything you need to get started: the mop, two microfiber pads, a bottle of cleaning solution, and two AA batteries. Just like using a Swiffer Sweeper is a convenient way to pick up dirt, dust, and hair, the PowerMop is excellent for clearing away wet and sticky messes. Since each disposable pad has more than 300 scrubbing strips, they’re strong enough for pet accidents yet gentle enough for laminate floors.

During testing, one of our favorite things about this Swiffer was the fresh scent of the floor cleaner for laminate surfaces, which was somehow strong enough to linger for a couple of hours—though it was far from overpowering. And while it seemed odd at first that a manual mop would need batteries, we came to appreciate how fine a mist that small amount of power allowed the sprayer to produce. That’s actually what makes it so great for laminate flooring—it puts out the perfect amount of solution for cleaning without oversaturating. 

What our tester says: “I love this mop for quick cleanups when I don’t want to bother with a bucket. And as much as I’m not a fan of disposable products, these pads actually last surprisingly long (we’re going on a week). Plus, when you have two dogs and a cat, some mopheads are better tossed than washed.”—Michelle Larson, Product Reviews tester and writer 

Get the Swiffer mop for laminate floors at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Walmart, or Target. 

Jump to Our Top Picks

How We Tested the Best Mops for Laminate Floors 

Since many homes have more than one type of flooring, we started our selection process by researching which mops are gentle enough for laminate floors yet still capable of serving as effective mops for vinyl, tile, linoleum, hardwood, ceramic, and stone. From there, we narrowed down these dozens of popular options to just seven for testing, prioritizing positive reviews, desirable features, and price. 

For testing, we assembled each mop and rotated through using them to clean daily dirt over the course of 3 weeks. We also conducted side-by-side trials, giving each option a go at tackling stuck-on juice and salsa. During use, we paid attention to extra features, such as telescoping handles, included buckets, and rechargeable batteries, to see if they increased each mop’s overall value. To assess versatility, we also used them on ceramic tile, our finished garage floor, and even a few walls. If the mop had a machine-washable head, we ran it through our washer at least twice to gauge durability. 

What to Consider When Choosing a Mop for Laminate Floors

Since laminate flooring is sensitive to moisture, choosing a mop that won’t get sopping wet is important to prevent damage. That means considering basics like mop type, mophead material, and wringing mechanism, as well as additional features like spray mechanisms, adjustable handles, and included extras.

Type

The best mops are available in a range of types, including string, strip, flat, spray, sponge, electric, and steam mops, but not every one is right for laminate. 

• String mops have a mophead consisting of fabric strings, often made from cotton. These mops are very absorbent but can be hard to wring out. Since they hold a lot of water, they are too wet for laminate flooring. 
• Strip mops are similar to string mops, but they use synthetic fabric strips rather than cotton strings. The synthetic fabric is often less absorbent than cotton, so it can be an appropriate pick for laminate flooring. 
• Flat mops are generally great for laminate flooring. These lightweight and easy-to-use mops have a flat head with a cleaning pad, which is often made of microfiber, an excellent material for cleaning delicate hard floors.
• Spray mops are generally flat mops that include a spray mechanism on the handle. Spray mops are a convenient option that incorporates the cleaning solution into the mop, eliminating the need for a separate, unwieldy bucket. With the tap of a button or pull of a lever, a spray mop can distribute cleaning solution to ensure a thorough cleanse.
• Sponge mops have a spongy head, often with a honeycomb texture, which is great for scrubbing durable flooring. However, since the sponge absorbs a fair amount of water, it’s not an ideal material for a laminate or hardwood floor mop.
• Electric mops do most of the scrubbing themselves. These corded or battery-powered mops have rotating or vibrating mop pads to deep clean floors with minimal effort. 
• Steam mops use hot steam to break down dirt and grime. Due to the high water content, many manufacturers recommend against using steam mops for laminate flooring. 

Mophead

Common household mophead materials include cotton, synthetics, microfiber, and sponge. These various materials affect how soft, abrasive, or absorbent a mop is, as well as how well it cleans various messes. 

When it comes to laminate flooring, a microfiber mop is a popular pick, as this material is affordable, gentle, and effective. This type of mop often has a washable microfiber pad that’s soft, easy to keep clean, and dries quickly. Other synthetic materials, like chamois, also work for laminate floors. 

Absorbent cotton and sponge mopheads are excellent scrubbers, but they tend to hold too much water for laminate floors. To prevent damage to flooring, it is best to avoid these mop types. 

Wringing Mechanism

A mop’s wringer gets rid of excess water from the mophead. Since laminate flooring needs a drier mop, the wringing mechanism is an important feature to consider. 

Handle wringers often have a lever or a twist mechanism, which triggers the wringer to squeeze excess water from the mophead. Bucket wringers are located in the mop bucket. Basic bucket wringers need manual pressure to squeeze water out of the mop. A more advantageous option is a spin mop. Spin mops are string mops that feature a bucket with a spinning mechanism to wring out the mop for the user. Spin mops can dry the mophead quite effectively, enough for use on laminate flooring. 

Many flat mops and spray mops don’t include a wringing mechanism. Instead of the user having to dip the mop in a bucket and wring it out, users spray the mopping pad or the floor directly with the cleaning solution.

Handle

An ergonomic handle makes mopping more comfortable. Common handle materials include plastic, stainless steel, aluminum, and wood. Metal and wood are the sturdiest options, while plastic can feel more comfortable in the hand and can be shaped into ergonomic designs. 

Many mops feature curved handles, nonslip coatings, or squishy foam grips for added comfort. Some mops feature height-adjustable handles that allow for even more flexibility. The best mops for laminate floors have a sturdy and comfortable handle that withstands frequent use. 

Adjustability

A height-adjustable handle adds to a mop’s comfort and versatility. With an adjustable design, you can set the handle to the right height, so there’s no need to stoop or wrestle with an unwieldy tool while cleaning. Since some mops also double as dust mops for hardwood floors and painted walls, an adjustable handle can be ideal for cleaning high-up or hard-to-reach places. 

Maneuverability

The ideal mop for laminate flooring should glide across the floor and around obstacles. Well-designed mops are easily maneuverable to get into corners and under furniture. 

Flat mops are quite thin, and most are able to slide under furniture. Most feature a swivel head to make it easy to change directions and move around obstacles. Flat mops are also lightweight, which contributes to their ease of use. 

String, strip, and spin mops often have rounded mopheads. Thick fibers may allow them to clean into corners. However, since they aren’t as thin as flat mops, they may have more trouble cleaning underneath furniture. On the other hand, because they’re easy to condense, they typically fit better in tight spaces.

Like hardwood floor cleaning machines, electric mops can be larger and heavier than manual models, which may reduce their maneuverability. Still, their superior cleaning power makes them an attractive option, and those that are somewhat self-propelled are actually quite easy to push. 

FAQs 

Having the right mop is part of learning how to clean laminate floors properly. But for additional concerns about cleaning laminate floors, the following questions and answers can help.

Q. How often should I mop floors?

You should mop floors at least every 2 weeks as part of general cleaning, though high-traffic areas and homes with pets or children may need to be mopped more often.

Q. How often should I clean my mop?

Once the mophead starts to collect stains or picks up a lingering smell, it is due for a deep cleaning. Many mopheads are also replaceable and can be swapped out for a new one every 2 to 3 months, if needed. 

Q. Why is my floor still dirty after I mop?

Using too much cleaning solution can contribute to dull and dirty-looking laminate floors. Consider using a laminate floor cleaner to remove the residue, or avoid soap-based cleaners altogether and use a damp mop with plain water instead. For more tips, see our guide on how to mop a floor. 

Q. Is it OK to wash laminate floors with water?

Yes, it’s okay to wash laminate floors with water, though you need to be careful not to use an excessive amount. To prevent moisture from seeping into the seams and causing swelling or damage, your mop should be damp, not wet. Sometimes it’s easier to use a laminate floor cleaner for mopping rather than water so you can better control how much liquid you apply. 

Q. Are steam mops good for laminate floors?

No, steam mops are generally not good for laminate floors. While you may be able to use one on sealed laminate at a low setting, there’s still a risk of putting out too much moisture and damaging your floor. Many manufacturers recommend avoiding steam mops altogether to protect the laminate’s integrity.

Q. How often should you replace your mop?

Mops for floor cleaning should be replaced every 2 to 3 months with regular use, or sooner if worn, discolored, or smelly. Cleaning your mop and allowing it to dry fully between uses can help it last longer. 

Meet the Tester

Michelle Larson has a favorite picture of herself as a toddler, holding a mop at least twice her height by the handle. Though her current day-to-day efforts involve much more time writing and editing than cleaning, she estimates she’s mopped floors at work and home thousands of times. When testing and choosing products for this guide, she drew on that experience, her general love of testing, and her goal of making maintenance tasks like mopping as quick and easy as possible. 

Additional research provided by Jasmine Harding.

 

The Best Holiday Gifts for 2025

Whether you’re shopping for a new homeowner or a serious hobbyist, we’ve got a gift idea for you.

See the Gifts