Mopping vs wet vacuuming—which is better for your home?

When it comes to keeping your hard floors clean, you might be torn between traditional mopping and the more modern wet vacuuming. Both methods have their merits, but which is right for your home? 

Having tested over a dozen wet/dry vacuums from top brands over the last couple of years in my home, I’ve found that the best wet/dry vacuums have come a long way. From self-emptying and self-cleaning robot vacs that mop and vacuum your floor without you lifting a finger to vacuums that can even tackle your upholstery and valet your car, it’s clear to me that if you want a new appliance that has multiple uses around the home, a wet dry vacuum is a no-brainer.

Having said all that, not all of us want an all-singing, all-dancing appliance. We just want to clean our floors as quickly and as easily as possible. And not everyone has the budget for premium features like self-cleaning and self-drying. With that in mind, I’ll take you through the key differences between wet/dry vacuums and mops in terms of their uses, design, features and capabilities so you’ll have a better idea of whether you need a mop or a wet/dry vacuum to meet your household’s needs. I’ve also spoken to some cleaning industry pros for their expert insight.

Mopping vs wet vacuuming: what's the difference?

The main difference between mopping and wet vacuuming is their cleaning approach. Mopping involves manually wiping floors with a wet mop, while wet vacuuming uses suction power to remove wet and dry debris. 

I spoke to Taylor Riley, a cleaning expert and co-owner of Impact Cleaning Professionals. “My first suggestion to any household is to have at least a mop and bucket, and if your budget allows, to also invest in a wet/dry vacuum,” says Riley. “A mop and bucket are inexpensive and can provide a thorough clean. However, a vacuum mop is ideal for increasing efficiency and delivering a better clean for daily use. Instead of preparing a mop bucket, you can quickly deploy a vacuum mop for spot cleaning.”

For general household spills and regular cleaning, a wet/dry vacuum can save time by combining wet and dry cleaning into one task, leaving behind a thoroughly clean floor. However, as Riley points out, “The only downside to a wet/dry vacuum is its difficulty in cleaning corners and scrubbing stubborn, set-in debris, where a traditional mop is the better choice.”

However, a mop might be preferable for certain messes like pet accidents or foul-smelling spills, as you can easily wash or replace the mop head after use.

Taylor Riley

Taylor Riley is an entrepreneur and a co-founder of Impact Cleaning Professionals, a commercial cleaning company specializing in post-construction, turnover and event cleaning in Polk County, Florida.

Mopping vs wet vacuuming: Price

When it comes to cost, there's a significant difference between mops and wet/dry vacuums. Mops are generally much cheaper, with basic models available for just a few dollars. On the other hand, wet/dry vacuums can range from moderately priced to quite expensive, with some advanced models costing hundreds of dollars.

While the initial investment for a wet/dry vacuum is higher, it's worth considering the long-term value. Wet/dry vacuums offer multiple functions and can replace several cleaning tools, potentially saving you a lot of money in the long run. I spoke to Delah Gomasi, managing director and CEO of cleaning company MaidForYou, to hear more. “In terms of cost per use, the cheapest wet/dry vac will outperform the cheapest mop,” says Gomasi. “You'll need to replace the mop head after about ten uses. The wet/dry vac will last well over three to five years of regular use before you'll need to purchase another.”

“In terms of cost, a vacuum mop is at least ten times more expensive than a traditional mop and bucket,” admits Riley, “But the increased productivity more than justifies the investment.”

Verdict: A wet/dry vacuum cleaner is a better investment in the long term, saving you money based on a cheaper price per use and potentially replacing several other cleaning tools, depending on what model you choose.

Delah Gomasi

CEO & Director of MaidForYou, Delah bootstrapped his business from scratch and became a professional cleaner in the process. He loves all things business and finding out the latest and greatest in cleaning trends, cleaning equipment, tools and technology.

Mopping vs wet vacuuming: design and features

Mops are simple in design, typically consisting of a handle and an absorbent head. They're versatile and can be used on various surfaces, including floors, walls, and even ceilings. Some mops even come with interchangeable heads for different cleaning tasks.

Wet/dry vacuums, especially more advanced models, come with a range of features. Some offer self-emptying and self-cleaning capabilities, while others include attachments for upholstery cleaning, carpet washing, and even drain unblocking. 

Verdict: While you can't improve much on the simple design of a mop and bucket, wet/dry vacuums trump mops on versatility. As prices come down over time, you're more likely to get premium features, such as self-cleaning and self-emptying, for less.

Mopping vs wet vacuuming: effort

When it comes to the effort required, there's a noticeable difference between mopping and using a wet/dry vacuum. Mopping, while generally light and easy to maneuver, requires a fair amount of physical effort on your behalf. Before you even start mopping, you'll need to vacuum or sweep the floor to remove any dry debris, pet hair, dirt and crumbs. The mopping process can also be quite labor-intensive, especially if you’re dealing with particularly grimy floors. After mopping, you'll need to rinse the mop head and dispose of the dirty water, adding extra steps to the cleaning process.

On the other hand, wet/dry vacuums can significantly reduce the effort needed for cleaning. They combine the functions of vacuuming and mopping into one step, eliminating the need for separate dry cleaning before tackling wet messes. This can save considerable time and energy, especially when cleaning large areas.

There’s no reason why you can’t use a combination of both, according to our experts. “At home, I use a wet/dry vacuum daily to clean heavily trafficked areas quickly,” says Riley. “Especially around the dinner table where our toddlers frequently spill food and liquids. Every two weeks or so, we do a more thorough clean with a traditional mop to ensure all the edges, corners, and stubborn areas are spotless.”

Some advanced wet/dry vacuums take convenience even further. For instance, robot wet/dry vacuums like the Eufy X10 Pro Omni can autonomously clean your floors, return to their docking stations, empty themselves of dirty water and debris, and even clean and dry their mops. This hands-off approach can be a game-changer for those with busy lifestyles or limited mobility. You can even set cleaning schedules, no-go zones, and areas for deep cleaning, customizing the cleaning process to your specific needs.

I spoke to Petya Holevich, a cleaning expert and supervisor for Fantastic Services, to find out more about the benefits of wet/dry vacuums in terms of physical effort and ease of use. 

"Mops work significantly more slowly and are more laborious to use," says Holevich. "You have to put a lot of physical strength in to wipe a surface and use two hands for the task to result in satisfactory cleaning results. If you combine that with the constant need for dipping and wringing the mop, it's even more work."

"On the other hand, wet-dry vacuums increase the speed and convenience of cleaning. Some models can cover a very large amount of surface for a single hour, which makes the cleaning task around 3 to 4 times quicker than mopping."

Holevich rightly points out that most homes these days have a variety of floor styles, from hardwood flooring to laminate and carpet, so it makes sense to have a vacuum cleaner that can tackle all of them. 

However, it's worth noting that not all wet/dry vacuums are created equal in terms of the effort required. Some canister models with large water tanks can be heavy and need some strength to move around, which could be challenging for some users.

Mops and buckets are compact and easy to store. Wet/dry vacuums, particularly those with multiple attachments, require more storage space, which could be crucial if you have limited storage space in your home.

Verdict: Wet/dry vacs save a lot of time and effort compared to lugging around a mop and bucket, particularly if you have limited mobility or a busy lifestyle. Scheduling cleans with a robot wet/dry vacuum can offer a hands-off approach to cleaning that a mop and bucket can never provide. 

Petya Holevich

Petya Holevich is an experienced house cleaning and laundry expert with over five years of dedicated time at Fantastic Services. Her journey with the company not only contributed to the maintenance and organisation of immaculately clean domestic spaces but has also put her at the forefront of training new teams, honing her leadership and communication skills.

Mopping vs wet vacuuming: energy efficiency

When considering the environmental impact and energy efficiency of cleaning methods, there are notable differences between mopping and wet vacuuming. “In terms of energy efficiency, your standard mop is more efficient as it does not require any electricity,” says Gomasi. “Whereas a shop vac or wet/dry vac must be connected to the power to operate. Although there are wet/dry vacuums that are cordless and battery-operated, I've found that in terms of energy efficiency, they don't come close to standard wet mopping.”

Mopping is more energy-efficient, as it requires no electricity to operate. A traditional mop and bucket system relies solely on manual labor, making it the more environmentally friendly option for energy consumption. Wet/dry vacuums, on the other hand, do require electricity to function, but many are designed with energy efficiency in mind. Look for models that advertise energy-saving features or those with Energy Star certifications. Robot wet/dry vacuums, while using electricity, can also be programmed to clean during off-peak hours, potentially reducing energy costs.

It's important to consider water usage as well. While mops typically use more water – with average bucket sizes in the U.S. ranging from 2 to 5 gallons – many wet/dry vacuums can achieve the same cleaning results with significantly less water, often needing only about a quarter of a gallon. This reduced water consumption can be a significant factor if you prioritize water conservation.  

Verdict: The jury's out on this one. While a mop and bucket don't require any electricity, they can use a lot of water, whereas a wet/dry vac, while using electricity, uses far less water each time you clean. 

Mopping vs wet vacuuming: Our verdict

Both mopping and wet vacuuming have their place in home cleaning. Mops offer simplicity, affordability, and versatility for various cleaning tasks around the home. They're great for quick clean-ups and don't require much storage space.

Wet/dry vacuums, on the other hand, have evolved into powerful, multi-functional tools capable of efficiently tackling tough spills and stains. They offer convenience and efficiency, especially for homes with pets, children, or frequent spills.

Your choice ultimately depends on your specific needs, budget, and available storage space. A mop is sufficient if you're looking for a simple, cost-effective solution for occasional cleaning. However, if you want a versatile cleaning tool that can handle various surfaces and types of messes, a wet/dry vacuum could be a worthwhile investment that can significantly reduce the physical labor involved in keeping your floors clean.

Mopping vs wet vacuuming: FAQs

Is a mop or wet dry vacuum better for edge-to-edge cleaning? 

While many wet/dry vacuums can get super close to the edges of floors, with some leaving only a few millimeters of uncleaned floor, mops can generally do a better job on edge-to-edge cleaning. But there’s no reason why you can’t quickly run a mop around the edges of your floors before or after you wet/dry vac to get 100% surface cleanliness and peace of mind.  

Which is more hygienic - mopping or wet/dry vacuuming? 

 A wet/dry vacuum is generally considered more hygienic than a mop and bucket. It uses only clean water to wash your floors, while dirty water is siphoned off into a separate tank. On the other hand, a mop requires you to use the same water repeatedly, running the risk of spreading dirt and germs across your floor.  

"Mops don’t really remove dirt from the surfaces you’re cleaning but rather distribute it around," says Holevich. "There has even been research that showed that regular mops can leave between 30 to 60% of dirt behind after you’ve finished cleaning. Also, the mop and bucket you have to dip the cleaning tool in become dirty as soon as you start cleaning and continue to grow increasingly dirtier as you go. This usually happens regardless of how many buckets you use. On the other hand, a wet-dry vacuum can eliminate almost 99% of dirt and leave the surfaces you’re cleaning uncontaminated."