Mopping is a common household chore, familiar to anyone with a tile, linoleum, or hardwood floor. But there are modern appliances that make mopping more effective. Spray mops dispense cleaning fluid at the press of a button, letting you wet the floor according to whether you’re mopping a particularly dirty area, or just doing a routine cleanup. That eliminates the need for lugging around a bucket of water through the house when you want to mop. Since you control the amount of water, there is less risk of having to sop up the excess--something that is commonplace with the traditional mops. Also, spray mops are typically supplied with special microfiber pads, for different types of surfaces, or pads that are more abrasive for the tougher cleaning jobs. Some spray mops allow you to adjust the height, which can prove to be less of a strain on your back, arms, and shoulders. They also are surprisingly lightweight--some spray mops are made from aluminum, and weigh as little as two pounds.

We’ve composed this buyer’s guide to help you make the right decision when selecting a spray mop. It'll help you:

• Choose the right type of spray mop,

• See useful tips about that type of spray mop,

• Read reviews of different spray mops, and what customers are saying,

• Select the right brand of spray mop, and

• Compare prices and find the best deals.

• Battery-powered: There are spray mops that dispense the cleaning solution by means of a battery-powered dispenser. The Swiffer WetJet Spray Mop uses such a design. The disadvantage is that you will have to replace the batteries if you see that the solution starts to come out irregularly when you press the button (or doesn’t come out at all).

• Mechanical: There are other spray mops where the cleaning solution is dispensed mechanically, by just pressing a button. The Dirt Devil Quick-Clean uses this design.

• Swivel head: People are pleased with the swivel head on some models of spray mops. Since the head can move 360°, it allows you to maneuver around furniture legs. Also, many have a handle that can be adjusted so that it is practically parallel to the floor. This lets you clean underneath a sofa or bed without having to move them.

• Not just for floors: Some spray mops are equipped with attachments to let you clean other parts of your house as well. The Ubesto 3-in-1 spray mop kit also can wash windows with its window cleaner pad. It also has a wiper attachment, to wipe the glass clean after washing it.

• Check how cleaning pads attach: In many designs of spray mops, the pads attach by means of Velcro. That’s convenient and hygienic, both in attaching and detaching the pad.

• What surfaces can the mop clean: Spray mops with microfiber pads are safe for all sealed hard floors surfaces--including tile, marble, ceramic, finished wood, vinyl, and laminate. At the same time, manufacturers warn that it shouldn’t be used on unfinished, oiled, or waxed wooden boards. It is also not recommended on non-sealed tiles or carpeted floors. This is because these surfaces may be water-sensitive, and the mop can actually damage them.

• Cleaning solution: Spray mops have a container of cleaning fluid that you carry around. Many brands let you either use the cleaning fluid provided by the manufacturer of the mop, or supply your own fluid. The Ubesto Spray Mop can carry around 600 ml of solution in its container. On the other hand, Swiffer makes a number of floor cleaner solutions, in different scents: original scent, citrus scent, and lavender and vanilla scent.

• Different types of pads: The Swiffer WetJet has two types of pads, depending on how serious a cleaning job you have. There are regular pads and extra power pads. At the same time, don’t confuse the pads for the different products. The Swiffer dry cloths aren’t made for use with the Swiffer WetJet. Their pads are not meant for repeated use--you have to dispose of them after every cleaning.

• Economical: Spray mops can also be more economical than traditional mops in the long run. Some models use reusable microfiber pads. These should be washed after every use. But, microfiber is surprisingly durable. One brand, Homevative, says that you can easily use one of their pads as many as 100 times! Also, since you refill the container with soapy water, you don’t have the waste of disposing of bottles every so often. It’s recommended to use just two tablespoons of cleaning solution in the 600 ml container.

• Homevative--are makers of home care products, located in Cortlandt, New York. They aim for products that are economical and also easy to use. Their flagship product is their microfiber spray mop, which comes with a spray mop kit of microfiber pads that can be used multiple times.

• Ubesto--is an online retail trading company that was founded by Ms. Noor Bakshi in London, England in 2017. They primarily sell household and kitchenware products, but also have a section of children’s toys and sporting goods.

• Swiffer--is a Procter & Gamble brand. Swiffer is a maker of home cleaning products. They manufacture kits for sweeping, mopping, and dusting. Their spray mop is a battery-powered model. They also offer a number of fragrant cleaning solutions with their spray mop.

• Dirt Devil--is a company that makes home care products. Their main product lines are vacuums, hard floor cleaners, and carpet washers. The company started in 1905 as the P.A. Geier Company in Cleveland, Ohio. The ownership of the company changed hands several times until it became "Dirt Devil" in 1981. Their products have a distinct, bright red "devilish" appearance.