The Best Mop for Tile Floors

Tile is one of the easier flooring types to clean, and there are a variety of ways you can do it. Vacuum cleaners and brooms are certainly options, but a mop is usually the best choice. Dry or wet, these stick-based cleaners can make dirty tiles shine in a matter of minutes.

While any type of mop will work on tile surfaces, some perform better than others. The best mop for tile floors should be able to keep your rooms clean, but also needs to get to the grout. In our guide, we are going to touch on several styles of mops. That includes systems that can sanitize while they clean along with more traditional mops.

How to find the Best Mop for Tile Floors

Choosing a mop isn’t something that should stress you out, but you can spend a lot of time and money looking for the right one. With that in mind, here are a few simple areas to keep in mind when you are shopping for the perfect mop.

How much tile do you have in your home?

While we’ve seen homes with tile flooring throughout, it’s usually just found in a handful of rooms. How many rooms you need to clean and their size will have a large impact on the type of mop you choose. You can clean a small tile kitchen or bathroom with any type of mop but may spend more time than is necessary on stains if you pick the wrong style.

Smaller tiles will leave you with more grout lines to contend with, something that can seriously slow down your progress. If you have a lot of tile in your home or other bare surfaces that can withstand a wet mop, consider your mop an investment and look towards powered systems instead of a manual mop.

Types of Floor Mops

There are a lot of different types of mops available to consumers today, even if they all serve a similar purpose. Here are the most common styles used for cleaning tile, and what you can expect from each style.

Cleaning Width

Cleaning path width is important whether you are pushing an upright vacuum cleaner or looking for a cheap mop for tile. It can be a hard measurement to come by, but it’s a number you will want to keep an eye out for if you are purchasing a manual mop.

The wider the cleaning head on your mop, the more area you can cover at once. In large to medium-sized rooms, it can save you a lot of time. It can also be a hindrance in tight spaces. Consider the areas you need to clean and the objects in those rooms. If you need a wide head that’s highly maneuverable, look for a mop with a 360-degree neck.

Pole Length

Another overlooked area with floor mops is pole length. It’s something that can make or break an otherwise amazing mop, and one reason we excluded a few popular options from our list. It’s also an area where you need to consider your height or the height of anyone that will use your new mop.

If you have to bend over to mop, it’s not good on your back. A tall mop can also be awkward to use if you’re vertically challenged. The best mop for tile floors should have an adjustable or telescoping pole – unfortunately, that option isn’t nearly as common as you’d think.

While we found several high-quality mops with that feature, they were few and far between with certain styles. Simply put, take the height or pole length of any mop seriously, or you could end up with a bent pole and a sore back.

Weight

We’re not going to spend much time here as a mop shouldn’t be heavy, regardless of what type of mop it is. Manual mops of any kind are the lightest, so you can expect a weight between 1.5 to 4 pounds for microfiber, traditional, and spray mops.

Steam mops and Spin mops can weigh around 8 to 10 pounds if they are in the lightweight class. The main thing to keep in mind with the weight of any mop is the stairs. If you have tile on several floors, you don’t want to drag anything heavy up several flights of stairs.

Build Quality

Mops aren’t the type of cleaning device that come with long warranties like a vacuum cleaner. Steam mops and certain types of systems should have a standard warranty, but you won’t get a 2 to 3-year guarantee from a microfiber mop with replaceable heads.  A strong pole is the first thing to keep in mind with build quality, although it’s not the only point of failure.

The connection point on standard stick mops is usually the first thing to fail on poor quality products. With any spray mop, you will need to be wary of the nozzles which are prone to clog up over time. Leaky nozzles are common on cheap spray mops, but steam cleaners or any mop that uses a cleaning solution can leak.

Cleaning Solution

If you are just interested in a dry mop, you can skip ahead to our next section as you won’t need to worry about buying or mixing cleaning solution. With a wet-dry mop, you can mix your own type of cleaner. That’s handy and cheaper than having to buy refills, although not as easy to deal with as a solid refillable system on a spray mop.

Cleaning solutions for spray mops can be geared towards different types of surfaces. Going from hardwood to tile is as simple as switching a bottle, but eventually, those costs can add up. On average, you can expect to pay between $8 to $16 per refill depending on the size of the bottle and brand.

Cleaning Pads

The mop head or cleaning pad is the first line of defense against dirt. The design of the pad can have an impact on how quickly you can clean a room, and we’re not talking about the width or length. There are two basic styles of cleaning pads for every mop on our list with soft or “scrubby” pads. Both will work on tile, but the latter typically has textured or coated strips to help with stain removal.

The other area to keep in mind with mop heads is the cost of replacements. Eventually, you’ll need to replace the cleaning pad or mod head, no matter how tough it is. Microfiber pads are usually machine washable, while some wet mops will have pads that are only good for one cleaning. It’s always a good idea to check the cost of replacement pads beforehand, along with their ability locally and online.

The Green Factor

Are you an eco-friendly household? If so, you may have few concerns about just how “green” some of these cleaning systems are. While none of these mops will produce carbon monoxide or require an extreme amount of power, not everyone is a fan of using scented cleaning chemicals on their floors. Those solutions are safe, but no substitute for water.

A steam cleaner is the greenest type of mop outside of a traditional string mop as it only needs water and electricity. The cleaning pads are cloth and washable which cuts down on waste as well. Wet-dry microfiber mops are the next best option, while a spray mop that uses one-and-done cleaning pads is the worst in terms of waste.

The Best Mop for Tile Floors

Tile flooring can be a beautiful addition to your home, and it’s also easy to clean if you are using the right tools. You don’t need a panel of certified mopping experts to help you find the best mop for tile floors, but you will need some help narrowing the field. Whether you need a mop that’s good for a quick clean or want a system that can deep clean grout lines, there is an option out there for you.

Steam cleaning is a technique that’s been around for ages, although steam cleaning mops are still fairly new on the scene. Bissell has always been ahead of the game with cleaning products, so it’s only natural the PowerFresh Slim Steam Cleaner makes an appearance on our list.

This steam cleaner looks like a stick vacuum from the head up. It has a detachable pole, only weighs 6.4 pounds, and even has a clear bin the in front. Well, that 12-ounce bin is for water, not dirt, although the PowerFresh Slim excels at removing it from tile floors. It sanitizes while it cleans, but that’s not the only trick Bissell packed into this machine.

When you remove the pole from this steam mop, it transforms into a handheld steam cleaner. This allows you to tackle tile showers or countertops but also lets you clean grout thanks to a handy accessory. It only takes around 30 seconds of this system to get up to full speed, and you’ll get steam when you pull the trigger, not in a continuous stream.

While you won’t need to use a cleaning solution with the PowerFresh Slim, you will need to wash the pads and replace them occasionally. There are two types of pads designed for this mop. Both are soft microfiber, but one has scrubbing strips for additional cleaning power. The mop has a wide 13” cleaning path width and gives you plenty of room to maneuver with a 25’ cord.

A steam cleaner can be overkill for a small bathroom or kitchen, but this one is well worth your time if you have larger areas with dirty grout. The fact it doubles as a handheld steam machine makes the price more palatable as well. The Bissell PowerFresh Slim 2075A comes with a clothing steamer tool, bristle scrub brush, grout tool, and several other attachments.

In our guide, we discussed how you don’t need an expensive or high-powered mop to keep your tile clean. The 360 mop from Turbo Microfiber is proof of that. It’s also the most eco-friendly option on our list and a mop that will outlive others.

The thing that initially caught our eye on this mop, aside from thousands of glowing reviews, is the fact the Turbo 360 is built to last. It has an aluminum mop handle with a metal head, which means the plastic parts are kept to a minimum.  The handle is adjustable from 35 to 60” and only weighs 1.2 pounds, so it certainly won’t strain your back.

Mopping will be faster with this mop as well. The mop head is 17” wide and covers a lot of ground, but can swivel to get around and under furniture. Thick, plush mop heads are used with this microfiber mop, which are ideal for tile, wood, laminate, luxury vinyl and other smooth surfaces. You will need to supply your own cleaning solution, however, although that’s not necessarily a drawback.

This is a wet-dry mop that you can use to pick up dry debris or with a cleaner of your choice. The pads are also washable, not disposable which makes the Turbo Mop eco-friendly. The microfiber pads are rated for around 100 washings and don’t require any special care, while Deep Clean Scrub pads allow you to remove tougher stains. Replacements for both styles are cheap.

There’s really no drawback to the Turbo Microfiber mop, and while it’s more expensive than many spray mops, it’s much more versatile. This mop includes four cleaning pads to get you started with two scrubbing pads and two microfiber pads.

When you’re in the market for a spray mop, Swiffer is the first brand that comes to mind for most consumers. There’s a good reason for that, and the Swiffer WetJet Spray Mop Starter Kit is a system we highly recommend.

Like all spray mops, the WetJet has a reservoir towards the mop head that holds cleaning solution. In this case, it’s a 500ML bottle that fits into a holder and is safe for finished wooden floors and sealed tile according to Swiffer. Once the cleaning solution is loaded, you simply need to press a button to wet the floor before cleaning it with a pad.

The ability to control the flow is nice, and their cleaning pads are easy to use. They feature a LOCK STRIP which firmly attaches the pad to the mop head. When dirty, you just need to grab an edge and pull to remove and replace the pad. The company has several types of cleaning solutions available, and while the liquid and pads are relatively inexpensive, it will add up over time.

At 3.6 pounds, the Swiffer WetJet is lightweight and easy to assemble. It’s also easy to maintain, which is good as one of the dual cleaning jets will eventually clog up. It’s common with these types of mops, and one of the only common complaints with the WetJet. You’ll also want to keep your height in mind with this one as the pole is fixed and can feel a bit flimsy.

The WetJet is a great option for tile as long that’s dirty and needs a quick scrub. This mop allows you to do away with buckets and it definitely won’t take up much space in a corner. Cleaning pads can get expensive over time depending on how many you need per session, but third-party pads are an option as well.

Most of the mops sold for tile floors today are small and geared towards ease of use. There’s still a place for traditional bucket-based systems, however, including the EasyWring Microfiber Spin Mop from O-Cedar.

This simple cleaning system can handle things a spray mop cannot, and brings a lot more to the table than the classic rag mop.  The bucket is sturdy but easy to carry with a built-in handle. A splash guard inside the bucket keeps water in its place while a foot pedal lets you wring the mop with ease. You won’t have to bend over, and the whole system weighs a little over 5 pounds before you add liquid.

As for the mop, it features a telescoping handle which is accommodating for users of any height with a range of 24 to 48”. The microfiber head has a triangle-shaped design that allows you to get into tight corners along with a 360-degree neck. It can be used wet or dry and is machine washable although the company recommends replacing the head every 3 months.

Whether you have large tile rooms to clean or prefer a classic solution to an age-old problem, the O-Cedar EasyWring is a fine choice. You can use any type of cleaning solution you like with this system, and replacement heads are affordable. They also last considerably longer than 3 months, according to a number of favorable reviews.

Spin mops have been around for years, and sit somewhere between spray mops and robotic class. Bissell is made a mark in this niche, and while they have several machines available, the Spinwave 2307 is your best choice if you love the convenience of cordless cleaning.

The Spinwave is a unique device and similar to a wet mop with a nozzle that sprays a cleaning solution onto your floor when you need it. It has a 28-ounce tank and is easy to maneuver although a bit heavy at around 11 pounds. It’s still light enough to carry if you have a tile or bare surfaces on an upper story, and you will never have to worry about tripping over a power cord.

Bissell designed this version of the Spinwave with a runtime of 20 minutes thanks to an 18-volt battery. That should give you enough time to clean a few smaller rooms, but it will take several hours to recharge fully. The cleaning path is 14” on the 2307, which is even more impressive when you consider the head houses two spinning cleaning pads.

The fluffy cleaning pads are designed to work with tile and other sealed hard surfaces. Official pads are available in two varieties with scrubbing or soft pads, depending on your needs. They are machine washable, but also cheap to replace compared to similar systems. Cleaning solution for this system is affordable as well and available in a half-dozen formulations.

With a price similar to a budget-friendly stick vacuum, the Bissell Spinwave isn’t a cheap mop, but a specialty machine that takes the work out of mopping. It’s safe for use on any type of sealed hard floor and is very easy to use as well. You’ll receive a 1-year guarantee on this system along with two trial-sized bottles of cleaner and four cleaning pads.

Bona is a company that specializes in cleaning products from polish and pads to mops and other quick cleaning alternatives. Our top choice from the company is the popular Bona Stone Premium Tile & Laminate floor mop, which has several features that help it stand out from the pack.

This floor mop has a simple design but is extremely effective on tile flooring and other hard surfaces. It has one of the widest cleaning paths of any mop on our list at 16.5”, which is wide enough to clean several rows of tile at once. That alone can cut your cleaning time in half. While the handle is not adjustable, homeowners found it comfortable to use thanks to a small, but nifty feature.

Unlike most stick mops, this one comes with a secondary grip halfway down the pole. This gives you an extra measure of control over the mop, and we’re big fans of the flexible rubber corners on the head as well. The spray is controlled through a trigger system, and there’s a small hook behind the handle which allows you to hang the mop from a wall when not in use.

As for the cleaning solution, this mop has a refillable cartridge system that sprays a fine mist on your floor when you pull the trigger. That means you can refill the tank instead of replacing it or use your own concoction instead of paying for cleaner. That cartridge holds 34 ounces of liquid, and the pads can be washed up to 300 times before you’ll need to replace them.

There’s really no downside to this spray mop, which is on reasons you’ll find it listed consistently among the best-selling mops. Bona’s cleaning mix is cheap, and their official pads will outlast others. Some consumers weren’t impressed with the scrubbing prowess of the pads compared to other brands, however, although third-party cleaning pads are an option as well.

Our second steam mop is another device from Bissell, although with a completely different design than the first. The PowerFresh 1940 Steam Mop is corded, and while it works just as well as the PowerFresh Slim on tile, it’s cheaper and has a couple of interesting features to boot.

This svelte steam cleaner tips the scales at 6 pounds and has a power rating of 1,500 watts. It has a large 16-ounce water tank, which can hold H2O or a scented mixture sold by the company. While it’s a continuous steamer that doesn’t offer steam on demand, there are three levels of steam to choose from. Cords can be a drag, but this one provides plenty of reach at 23 feet and it wraps cleanly around the back of the mop when not in use.

A swivel steering system means this steam mop is easy to maneuver as well. It doesn’t come with any accessories or tools to clean grout, but there are two unique additions. A flip-down scrubber on the back of the machine can cut through grime, and there’s a “carpet glider” attachment, which can’t steam clean your rugs but does a great job at freshening them up.

The Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop 1940 is an affordable alternative to the Slim and a better option for larger areas. It’s not something you would want for hardwood or engineered flooring as considering it’s a continuous steam mop, but it will work magic on tile floors. It comes with a 1-year warranty from Bissell along with two fragrance discs and two cleaning pads.