Vinyl floors in our busy households suffer from a lot of wear and tear. Build-ups of dirt and grime cause them to lose their shine. Vacuuming helps to clean up some of the dust but doesn’t always leave your floors looking that good.
But mopping combined with your sweeping and vacuuming will turn your vinyl floors from having a flat matte appearance to being sparkling clean. You can maintain their attractive appearance with a bit of care using a vinyl floor mop.
We’ll tell you all the features you need to look out for when choosing the best mop for vinyl plank floors. And our reviews of the top products will help you choose a mop that’s right for your needs.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
:Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop Cleaning Kit
What We Like
- No Need for Batteries
- No Need for Batteries
- Effective Coverage
What We Don’t Like
- Limited Heavy-Duty Cleaning
“Save more and waste less”. This is Rubbermaid’s pledge with their spray mop cleaning kit. And we think it’s a great versatile pick for vinyl floor cleaning.
The microfiber pads on the mop head are thick and provide a thorough cleaning of all types of floor surfaces. Plus, they’re also environmentally friendly – the pads are reusable and can be washed in your machine up to 100 times.
The manufacturer tells you what cleaning solution is best depending on whether you’re cleaning tile, stone, cement, vinyl, or hardwood floors. Finally, the mop head has a scrubbing pad on one edge. This is non-scratch and suitable for all floor types. So you can simply rotate the mop if you’ve got stubborn dirt to clean up.
- $40.54 on Amazon
Key specifications
Weight 1.38 pounds
Mop Head Type Spray/Flat mop
Mop Head Material Microfiber pad
Handle Length 54 inches
Best Budget
:Turbo Microfiber Mop Floor Cleaning System
What We Like
- Extended Handle
- Family-Friendly Length
- Large Mop Head
What We Don’t Like
- Velcro Durability
Read Full Review: Turbo Microfiber Mop Cleaning System Review
You don’t need to spend a fortune on a quality mop for your vinyl plank floors. This super absorbent microfiber mop is very affordable. But it also does a fab job at cleaning up dirt and pet hair from your home. You can also use it on wood, tile, and laminate floors.
The reinforced microfiber pads can be used for dry or wet mopping. You’ll get 2 of these included in the kit. Plus, there are also 2 scrubbing pads which are ideal for cleaning up grease and dried-on messes.
And, the mop head rotates 360o making cleaning everywhere easy. You’ll be able to reach under furniture and into hard-to-reach places.
- $22.49 on Amazon
Key specifications
Weight 1 pound
Mop Head Type Flat mop
Mop Head Material Microfiber pad
Handle Length 60 inches
Best Spin Mop
:O-Cedar EasyWring Spin Mop & Mop Bucket
What We Like
- Easy Wringing
- Designed for corners
- Convenient Storage
What We Don’t Like
- Bucket May Mark Floors
Read Full Review: O-Cedar EasyWring Microfiber Spin Mop Review
Give this O-Cedar mop a spin and get clean vinyl floors. You can keep your hands clean and dry by using the built-in wringer on the mop bucket that comes with it. Plus, the splash guard prevents water from escaping the bucket when you’re spinning.
You don’t need to use the harsh chemicals found in a cleaning solution. You can just use plain water and the deep-cleaning advanced microfiber will pick up dirt and grime. And it’ll remove over 99% of bacteria like E.Coli. The microfiber mop head is also reusable and will last for up to 3 months.
Whether you want to wet mop or dry mop, the microfiber works just as well. And it’s safe to use on hardwood floors and tiles as well as on your vinyl plank flooring. So you can use it on the whole house!
- $34.97 on Amazon
Key specifications
Weight 4.9 pounds
Mop Head Type Spin mop
Mop Head Material Microfiber
Handle Length 48 inches
Best Flat Mop
:Microfiber Wholesale Professional Microfiber Mop
What We Like
- Stainless Steel Handle
- No Streaks
- Versatile
What We Don’t Like
- Heavy
Great for everyday and heavy-duty mopping. The manufacturer says that you can “start cleaning like a pro with this microfiber mop kit”! Their flat mop is suitable for home and commercial use.
This microfiber mop offers versatile floor cleaning. You can use it as a dust mop to gather up pet hair and debris. And then with just plain water, you can use it as a wet mop to clean up spills and stains. Plus, it’s safe for hardwood floors, stone, laminate, and tiles as well as for your vinyl floors.
You’ll get 3 reusable microfiber pads that can be cleaned in your washing machine. There’s no need for a bucket or any elbow grease needed for wringing. Only a small amount of water is necessary. And the instruction manual will also provide you with some pro mopping tips!
- $34.98 on Amazon
Key specifications
Weight 4.6 pounds
Mop Head Type Flat mop
Mop Head Material Microfiber pad
Handle Length 70 inches
Best Spray Mop
:Bona Pro Series Luxury Vinyl Floor Mop
What We Like
- Multipurpose Cleaning
- Easy To Store
- Great Vinyl Floor Cleaner
What We Don’t Like
- Not the best Spray Function
Read Full Review: Bona Spray Floor Mop Review
Spray away with this mop from a trusted brand. Bona has been partnering with floor care professionals for over 100 years. So you know you’re going to get a good quality product.
This durable mop has a stainless steel handle and 2 places that are soft-touch. As a result, you can get a firm grip on the mop whilst cleaning. The microfiber pad is machine washable. And it’s 16.5 inches wide giving you good coverage.
Plus, the cleaning solution is pH neutral and based on Bona’s professional formula. It also comes in a 34-ounce cartridge that you can refill when it’s run out.
- $54 on Amazon
Key specifications
Weight 5.5 pounds
Mop Head Type Spray mop
Mop Head Material Microfiber pad
Handle Length N/A
Best Sponge Mop
:Yocada Sponge Mop
What We Like
- Ease of Use
- Easy Water Removal
- Easy Wringing
What We Don’t Like
- Inconvenient Brush/Squeegee Attachment Usage
Wipe your vinyl floors clean with this flexible sponge mop from Yocada. The honeycomb design makes the sponge extra absorbent. And it dries quickly and has good breathability.
This mop comes with 2 sponges. So you don’t need to worry about buying any replacements for a while. And the sponge heads are easy to remove so that you can clean them regularly.
The handle can be extended up to 52 inches. An attachment has a brush on one side. This will be useful for scrubbing more stubborn bits of dirt. And a squeegee on the other side allows you to clean up liquid spills efficiently.
- $24.50 on Amazon
Key specifications
Weight 2.3 pounds
Mop Head Type Sponge mop
Mop Head Material Sponge
Handle Length 52 inches
Most Versatile
:BISSELL CrossWave Floor and Area Rug Cleaner
What We Like
- Two-Tank Technology
- Easy to Assemble
- Little Maintenance
What We Don’t Like
- Noisy
Complete 2 chores in 1 go! This Bissell CrossWave is both a vacuum cleaner and mop. It can be used on sealed hard floors to clean up dust and dirt. And then you can switch to the washing mode to give your vinyl floors a deep clean.
The dual-action brush roll is made of a microfiber and nylon mix. These work to lift and clean up debris. You’ll get 2 spare rolls plus a bottle of multi-surface cleaning solution. And this can even be used to wash area rugs as well as your vinyl floor.
Finally, if you’re an animal-lover, then a Bissell appliance is a perfect fit for you. The brand is dedicated to our furry friends. Every time one of these vacuum cleaner/mops is sold, they make a donation to their Pet Foundation.
Read Next:The 7 Best Vacuums for Vinyl Floor Plank
How to Choose the Best Mop for Vinyl Floors
Wringing Mechanism
Check what type of wringing mechanism the mop has (and whether you want a bucket as well or not). This is needed to squeeze excess water from the wet mop. You can then clean more effectively as your vinyl plank floors won’t get too soaked or slippy.
You’ll find this mechanism on either the handle of the mop or in the mop bucket. The former is popular for household use because they’re easy to use. And more versatile as you don’t need an accompanying bucket. The mops are self-wringing. And this is normally done by you twisting the handle or squeezing a trigger to get rid of excess moisture.
On the other hand, a string mop comes with a bucket that has a wringer in-built. A lever is operated to get rid of the water. Spin mops come with a specialized bucket. This has a mechanism that will do the work for you and spin the mop head to wring out all the water.
Handle
Look at what the mop handle is made of. It needs to be comfortable for you to hold and easy for you to grip and move around.
Most mop handles are made of plastic, wood, aluminum, or stainless steel. Sturdy handles made of wood or metal are ideal for deep cleaning. You’ll be able to thoroughly scrub your vinyl floors and these handles won’t break or bend.
But plastic can also be a good option. These can offer a more economic grip. And manufacturers can use them to add buttons or spray triggers.
Also, check whether there’s a soft part for you to grip. Or a curved shape that is more comfortable. Finally, check the length and make sure it’s long enough for all your cleaning needs.
Corded or Cordless
For electric mops, look at whether they’re corded or cordless. You’ll need access to a power outlet while using a corded mop. And even cordless models need charging between uses.
You’ll also find that electric mops will offer different cleaning modes. This might include, for example, one that is suitable for cleaning wooden floors. And some might have swivel heads or pads that are removable. So cleaning your vinyl plank flooring should be quick and easy.
Extra Features
Consider what other features you might want with your mop. Some come as a kit with a bucket, others come with replacement cleaning heads or pads. Also, see how much these are to replace for when the ones you have run out.
Another handy feature is a telescopic handle. You can then adjust the length so that people of different heights can use the mop. And so you can reach areas such as under couches and tables.
FAQ
You can dust mop your vinyl floor every day. For wet mopping, this might also be needed daily in high-traffic areas. These could be entrances to your home and/or the kitchen floor.
A damp mop is needed probably every other day in areas where there’s less footfall. And for low-traffic rooms and areas, you can wet mop your vinyl floors around once a week.
No, do not use a steam mop to clean vinyl plank flooring. They’re not safe and most manufacturers of vinyl floors don’t recommend that you use one.
Your vinyl plank floor is water-resistant up to a point. But the combination of heat, steam, and moisture that comes from a steam mop can cause the surface to warp and bend. Luxury vinyl flooring is synthetic. So it won’t stand up well to heat and damp conditions.
If you do have a steam mop, always follow what the flooring manufacturer advises when it comes to cleaning vinyl floors
