How I was was conned out of £62k by a Facebook scammer posing as a French single mother
It was a cold January afternoon in 2019 when Arthur Jackson finally left his wife. After 25 years of marriage he'd had enough of the arguments.
'I'd just got home and she started shouting,' recalls Arthur, 63. 'My Collie, Patch, doesn't like confrontation, so we sat at the bottom of the garden. He looked at me as if to say, 'Let's go'. So we did.'
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The 14 best mops for your home, tested on every type of hard flooring
When it comes to cleaning routines, mopping the floors can be a tedious task. Whether you're dealing with pet hair, mucky footprints and spills, or the day-to-day build up of dust, dirt and grime, it's important to find the best mops for you and your household to leave your floors looking spotless. It's possible to spend anything from £3 to £200 on a mop. Leading brands such as Vileda, Bona and Beldray have created everything from traditional string mops to spray, steam and robot vacuum models to help you tackle any surface in your home, whether it's hardwood floors, laminate, vinyl or the type of tiles that need extra delicacy and care. In addition to reviews for each mop, further below you'll find answers to frequently asked questions. These reviews are checked and updated regularly but if you're in a rush, here are my top five at a glance: The best mops: At a glance How to choose the best mop for you The range of mops available can be a little mind-boggling, but the right one should save you time, energy and money. There are string, spray, steam, spin, flat, microfibre, sponge, dust and electric mops, to name just a few. Knowing how they work is the key to choosing the right one for you. Hard floors – like hardwood, stone and tiles – may fare better with steam mops that 'avoid excessive water exposure and harsh chemicals, as this can cause warping', says Elizabeth White, Brand Manager at Bissell UK. Spin, flat and microfibre mops instead use fine synthetic fibres and tend to be quite large, so they can capture a greater amount of dirt, dust and bacteria compared to conventional cotton mops. There are also electric mops, which use oscillating or vibrating pads to help scrub the floor with ease, as well as steam and sponge mops, which take some of the time and hassle out of the task. Hard floor cleaners are also a popular purchase for reducing the need to scrub. Ultimately, the mop you need might differ depending on your flooring, the task at hand and your individual preference. How we test mops I tried each mop on a variety of different floors, from laminate and hardwood to tile and vinyl. Checking to see how they performed on spills, stains, dust and dirt. I spilled wet coffee grounds on the floor to see how much effort and scrubbing went into removing them and any stain left behind, while noting how comfortable the handles were and whether they could be adjusted to suit different heights. How easy each mop was to use and how smoothly it covered different types of floors (and whether it could get right into corners and tight spots) was a key factor, alongside the mop head itself. I tested how quickly I could remove and clean them, and how simple a job it was to replace them when needed. Finally, I considered any additional design features such as two-in-one spray and polish scrubber attachments and accompanying buckets to see how much they made the overall experience easier. If a certain mop came with its own cleaning solution, I tried this or I turned to the floor cleaner that I usually use, as and when needed. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our thorough, real-world tests will always help you find the best product. No manufacturer ever sees Telegraph Recommended reviews before publication and we don't accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. All reviews are based on independent expert opinion and our hands-on testing. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. The best mops of 2025 1. Best Buy Mop: Vileda 3-in-1 Turbo Spin Mop and Bucket Set Of all the mops that I tried, I can see this Vileda set being a go-to for many. The mop head combines thick microfibre strings and a dense middle pad to pick up and lift dirt, dust and debris. It worked smoothly across a mix of floor types and I found that I only needed to do one or two passes for the floor to be clean and shining. Unlike other spin or string mops which are circular in shape, this triangular shaped design actually lets you get right into corners and tight nooks. I also appreciated having an adjustable telescopic handle length. Most only add or detract around 20 to 30cm, yet Vileda's ranges from 85cm all the way up to 135cm, so you can clean in a position which doesn't have you leaning over or straining and in turn, preventing you from experiencing a sore back after tackling your floors or under certain items of furniture. Like most of the microfibre options, you only need water to remove up to 99 per cent of bacteria thanks to the unique structure of their fibres which picks up any dirt or debris. This makes it a fantastic option if you're looking to go chemical-free with your cleaning routine or don't want the additional expense of buying dedicated floor cleaners. It doesn't hold too much liquid either, once spun by the accompanying bucket, which has a pedal to take the work out of wringing and stop any water from spraying or splashing back out. The bucket also has an easy pour spout, to save you from having to completely upend it to empty it, which will be a welcome addition for those with mobility issues or smaller sinks. Key specifications 2. Best Value Mop: Beldray Antibac 2-in-1 Spray Mop Score: 8/10 We like: The satisfying swivel head and lightweight design With the ability to be used wet or dry, this two-in-one spray mop comes with two handy pads; one made of microfibre to deal with dirt and stains, and a chenille pad for polishing floors and removing any dust or lint. It was easy to switch between the two and they washed well. It handles laminate and tile with ease and is comfortable to use, both in terms of holding the handle and angling it under items of furniture. The 300ml water tank capacity is not too large to be bulky or add weight to the device, while still letting you tackle a number of rooms or cleaning jobs without feeling the need to refill it. But what impressed me most was its 360-degree swivel head, letting me angle it under cabinets and into certain crevices which hadn't been reached in quite a while. I will say, even though the handle isn't adjustable or telescopic, which could be a downside for some, I didn't feel like it needed to be altered. But I am around five foot five, so it might not suit those who are considerably shorter or taller. Key specifications 3. Best Spray Mop: Minky Spritz 'n' Go Spray Mop Score: 9/10 We like: No need for a bucket and it worked well in corners We don't like: Mop head can be tricky to remove Combining the benefits of a traditional string mop with that of a spray mop, the Minky Spritz 'n' Go Spray Mop is handy if you've had issues with sopping wet mops or don't have space to store a bucket. As you're in control of how much (or how little) you spray, this makes it especially handy for wooden floors, which you should avoid getting too wet. The spray emitted a decent amount of water without over-saturating any areas. The super soft microfibre strands mean you can get right into corners and along skirting boards with ease. It coped well with dust, dirt and stains and I found that it worked well across a range of different floor types. Not having to drag a bucket around after me was another big pro as was the comfortable handle which was easy to adjust to any height. In all, it made cleaning fairly seamless. Key specifications 4. Best Flat Mop: E-Cloth Deep Clean Mop Score: 9/10 We like: Lightweight, easy to use, and only requires water If you find it tricky to squeeze all the water from a string mop, the E-Cloth Deep Clean Mop is a decent alternative. Not only does the head dry out quickly, saving you from worrying about transferring too much water onto the floor, it works with water alone to clean all flooring types. You don't need to use cleaning solutions thanks to its specially treated fibres, which essentially have a magnet-like effect, emitting a positive charge to attract dirt and grime. I found that rather than pushing debris around, it left me with a clean and most importantly, streak-free finish, especially on tiles and wooden flooring. The microfibre material also grabbed at dust and any fluff that might be hiding under furniture too, particularly when the pad had almost dried out fully. Slim and easy to manoeuvre, it handles corners and reaches under beds, armchairs and sofas well, while the decently sized pad covers a large surface area quickly, cutting down on the time that it normally takes me to clean an entire room, especially as I didn't need to go to and from a sink or bucket to wring it out. For quicker or lighter cleans, you can simply rinse the mop head under the tap, or wash it in the machine for a more thorough clean. It looked and felt as good as new after it had dried, meaning it was ready to use again in no time at all. Replacing the pad was also simple to do. Key specifications 5. Best Mop for Laminate Floors: Joseph Joseph CleanTech 2-in-1 Spray Mop You might be familiar with Joseph Joseph's handy storage products, however, the company has just released a spray mop with a design unlike any that I've come across before. It has a folded section at one end to make getting into corners and cleaning skirting boards all the more easy. The mop head can also be completely tilted so that the folded section of the scrubber pad can spot clean certain areas caked on dirt. You can still use the spray function when it's in this position, meaning it tackles stains with ease. It worked well on all floor types, even if the brand recommends taking extra care when cleaning wooden or light coloured flooring, but it cleaned my laminate floors well. I also liked the added bonus of the wall-mounted storage bracket. It's not surprising that Joseph Joseph can be counted on to keep your home looking as neat and tidy as possible, and I certainly appreciated that it helped me establish a dedicated place to hang the mop and keep my floor clear. Key specifications 6. Best Steam Mop: Shark Steam & Scrub Automatic Steam Mop with Steam Blaster A steam mop uses heat to kill bacteria and germs while sanitising your floor without the need for harsh chemicals, and can also give you a deeper clean than regular mops. This Shark model topped the list of steam mops on our round-up of the best steam mops and steam cleaners and it's easy to see why. Whereas some mops had me breaking a sweat as I gave certain stains and spills a good scrub, the automatic spinning pads rotate 150 times a minute to gently but effectively remove any stains, dirt, grease or grime, essentially doing all of the work for me. You can alternate between three steam settings of 'light', 'normal' and 'deep', the latter of which made quick work of the wet coffee grounds, and the accompanying steam blaster mode proving an added bonus for tackling marks and stains that were tougher to budge. I also liked that it came with an extra set of replacement pads, so I always had at least one set ready to go when the others were in the washing machine. You need to be careful when mopping around any cables or cords though, as these could easily get tangled in the rotating pads. It's also that bit trickier to reach right into corners because of its circular shape. Key specifications 7. Best Mop for Tile Floors: Bona Premium Spray Mop for Hard-Surface Floors Score: 8/10 We like: Comes with bottle of Bona Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner, has a large water tank and mop pad We don't like: Significantly heavier than other spray mops – especially with a full tank If you're looking to start mopping straight out of the box, Bona's Premium Spray Mop for Hard-Surface Floors comes complete with a full-size 34oz bottle of its Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner and a microfibre cleaning pad. Having not tried the Bona cleaning solution before as I typically use soapy water or water alone to mop my floors, I found it left tiles, wood and laminate flooring clean and streak-free. It only took one or two passes for me to see why it is one of the highest rated hard floor cleaners online. Surfaces dried quickly, too. While I was happy with the results on all of the hard floors that I tested it on, I found that my bathroom tiles consistently benefited from using this mop; it removed splashes and dust in seconds. Even though it wasn't tricky to manoeuvre it was significantly heavier than many of the other mops that I tried. In fact, when I attached the full one-litre cleaning solution bottle to what was already a heavier mop, I struggled to comfortably lift it upstairs and around the house. The foldable element means that it's easier to store and takes up less space overall, however. Key specifications 8. Best Mop for Wooden Floors: OXO Microfibre Spray Mop with Slide-out Scrubber You should try to limit how much water you use on wooden floors to avoid them swelling and warping, so opting for a flat or spray mop that lets you control exactly how much water you use. While the bigger microfibre pad helps to tackle larger rooms and areas, the OXO can quickly be used for spot cleaning by switching to its targeted scrubber pad. I was weary of how difficult it might be to detach and reattach the two mop heads, but found they simply slot in and out. The slide-out scrubber was particularly impressive. It has a coarseness to it, so I didn't need to reach down and apply a fair amount of pressure on dirt and stains like I would usually, or use another cleaning device to shift it. It's not rough enough to scratch or damage the flooring, though. The mop itself is lightweight and as it's a spray design, you don't need to worry about carrying a bucket from room to room either. My only real issue is its lack of a telescopic or adjustable handle. It will probably be an adequate length for most, but this feels like an oversight. It also means that it may be too long for certain storage caddies, cupboards or hanging racks, which is slightly frustrating. Key specifications 9. Best Mop for Pets: Bona Pet System Microfibre Floor Mop Set Score: 8/10 We like: The pads are some of the biggest on the market Whether you need to deal with pet hair, dander or a few accidents, Bona's Pet System is designed specifically with pet owners in mind. However, you don't necessarily need to have one to benefit from this system. It has two microfibre pads, one with a flat pile and a thicker more absorbent option. The first thing that I noticed upon unboxing it was how big the two pads were, which sped up cleaning time and allowed me to cover a larger surface area in minutes. I also liked the rubber corners, which stop any accidental scratches or damage from occurring up against skirting boards, especially if you're in a bit of a hurry. Both pads worked equally well across laminate, tile and other hard floors, and they can each be washed up to 500 times before needing to be replaced. There are replacements available for both type of heads, but they are some of the more expensive, at around £10 each. In my opinion, however, including the two in this set only adds to the value for money of the original bundle. Key specifications Type: Flat mop Care: Each pad is machine washable up to 500 times Suitable floor types: All wood and hard floor surfaces Reusable heads available and associated cost: Replacement heads available – around £10 of the individual pads 10. Best Microfibre Mop: Minky Opti-Clean Spin Mop The design of Minky's Opti-Clean Spin Mop, and in particular its dual cavity bucket, manages to separate dirty and clean water by spraying clean liquid upwards while a mini bristled cleaning brush removes any dirt or debris that has accumulated as you rinse the mop. This keeps dirty water inside the bucket and meant the mop felt clean and relatively dry each time that I gave it a rinse. You don't need to step on a pedal to wring it out either. Instead, you simply pump the handle up and down to spin it around. There's also a little valve and spout at the base of the bucket, which empties out the dirty water, with a similar clean water spout at the top – again keeping the two separate. Like the other microfibre mops that I tested, it cleaned different flooring without requiring too much scrubbing. But because of its rounder shape, you can't get right into corners, so I had to use an alternative cleaning method to ensure I wasn't missing this small section of floor each time. The cleaning pad can also be removed swiftly and you get two as part of this bundle. You can then purchase any additional or replacement pads for around £6 each. Key specifications 11. Best Spin Mop: Leifheit Clean Twist Disc Mop with Wheeled Bucket The Leifheit Clean Twist Disc Mop was one the easiest to use mops that I tested, notably speeding up my cleaning routine. The wheeled bucket made it much simpler to move from room to room, and much like the Minky Opti-Clean Spin Mop system, a few presses of the handle into the bucket controlled the moisture it wrung out, instead of me having to press down on a foot pedal. It cleaned my laminate floors particularly well because I could remove excess liquid from the mop head easily, but it cleaned quickly and efficiently across all the floors I tested it on, with the mixture of microfibre strings picking up and holding onto any dirt and debris before depositing it into the bucket. Key specifications 12. Best Sponge Mop: Yocada Sponge Mop If you find yourself regularly mopping up spills and excess moisture or you like to use a bit more water when washing your bathroom or tiled floors, a sponge mop could be the best for you. The sponge on the Yocada can be wrung out as you use it thanks to the lever towards the base of the telescopic handle. It also comes with a handy squeegee and bristles to help you deal with caked-on of dirt and stains, leaving a streak-free finish behind. It can get into corners and I found it worked especially well in my bathroom and around my sink and toilet. But, the replacement sponges are even more expensive than the mop itself. After some serious searching, I was found the official Yocada refills in a pack of two for just shy of £30. Key specifications 13. Best String Mop: Vileda SuperMocio Microfibre & Power XL Mop Traditional string mops let you get into tight corners and under certain items of furniture with ease. Combining a mixture of fibres (the red strands remove dirt and marks while the more absorbent white strands deal with grease), the Vileda is suitable for a range of floor types. Just ensure that it is wrung out fully before tackling wooden and laminate floors, as it can hold water. The mop head made quick work of gathering up crumbs from the base of my kitchen cabinets and got into corners with ease. The brand suggests using this mop with water alone, saving you from buying additional cleaning solutions and sprays and I was happy with the results when testing its efficacy. The floors looked and felt clean and it lifted splashes of coffee, dirt and other miscellaneous marks after a few quick swipes. The handle is comfortable enough to hold while using it, too. Key specifications 14. Best Robot Vacuum Mop: Hoover HG4 Hydro 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop The Hoover HG4 Hydro combines the benefits of the best robot vacuums with a mopping function, making it a versatile piece of equipment to add to your cleaning routine. Fill the tank with clean water, attach the mopping pad underneath and then set it up on the app to tell it exactly where to mop and you can leave it to work while you do other things. After testing both its mopping and vacuuming capabilities, I was surprised by how good a job it did at mopping my bathroom and entryway. It didn't get all the way into corners, but given its shape this was to be somewhat expected. It didn't leave the floors soaking wet though and they dried in no time at all. The mopping pad peeled off easily to pop it in the washing machine but connecting it to my Wi-Fi network was a struggle. I thought that this might have just been an issue with my home, but from consulting reviews, it appears that this is something other shoppers have also encountered. While it is a definite investment at £249, it gives you the adequate robotic cleaning at a more affordable price. It's probably best suited to lighter cleans, but you can effortlessly change between vacuuming and mopping without having leaving your sofa or even being in the same room. Key specifications Mop FAQs What do professional cleaners use to mop floors? 'Professional cleaners tend to go for flat microfibre mops with a sturdy, adjustable handle,' says Henrique Conceicao, Area Manager at Total Clean. 'Microfibre picks up dirt effectively without needing loads of detergent, and it's gentle enough for most floor types.' Once you've given the floor a once over with one of the best vacuums, then bring out the mop. When it comes to large areas or commercial settings, you'll often see them using a mop with a built-in spray system or even a dual-bucket setup – one for clean water, one for rinsing – to avoid spreading grime around, he adds. 'The key is efficiency and hygiene, so anything that helps them clean faster and more thoroughly with less cross-contamination is usually top of the list.' Is steam mopping better than regular mopping? 'Using a steam mop is far superior to using a traditional mop because it cleans and disinfects your floor at the same time,' says Katie Lilywhite, Floorcare Expert at AO. 'This removes the need to clean your floor using any chemicals and provides a solid appliance to remove dirt, bacteria and stubborn stains on your flooring.' Paul Hambidge, Managing Director of Factory Direct Flooring, says that after conducting a swab analysis, he found that steaming cut bacteria on floors by 77 per cent overall. Regular mopping cut 70 per cent of bacteria, while floor wipes were the least effective as they only cut germs by 46 per cent on average. In most cases, the best cleaning method depends on the type of floor you have, and even the room you're cleaning. 'For instance, steaming was particularly effective in bathrooms, where it reduced bacteria found there including staphylococcus, bacillus and pseudomonas by 97 per cent on average. Regular mopping was the best method for vinyl floors, also cutting germs by 97 per cent,' Hambidge added. Which mop is better, flat or spin? This is mostly down to personal preference. However, 'flat models are simpler and easy to manoeuvre around tight corners or perhaps your furniture. Spin mop heads differ by offering more scrubbing power, but at a sacrifice to their mobility,' Lilywhite says. Can steam mops be used on laminate floors? Generally, it's not recommended to use steam mops or steam cleaners on laminate floors. 'This is because the laminate's inner core is made up of high-density fibreboard. While the occasional spill when dealt with quickly is okay, excessive moisture could attack the inner core and damage your laminate. The humidity from a steamer could eventually cause it to warp, loosen or peel,' Hambidge says. Instead, you should be aiming to use a damp mop, which has been thoroughly wrung out to remove as much moisture and water as possible. You can also spot clean any spills with a damp cloth as soon as they happen.
