A mop with a microfiber pad or mop head is best for hardwood floors. Both our top overall pick and the best mop for small jobs come with microfiber pads, but we think the Bona Hardwood Floor Premium Spray Mop is the best mop for hardwood floors you can buy. This is because it comes with a hardwood floor cleaner, and its microfiber head can also be used for dry mopping.

Miller said that mop heads made out of microfiber are a good choice for a versatile and effective mop, especially for dry and wet mopping. "A good microfiber mop actually has a natural static charge to it," he said. "So when you're cleaning a floor, that static charge attracts dirt and debris and hair and lint and all that stuff."

Miller added that using a microfiber head to dry mop floors every day can prevent damage from dirt, food, and other particles from being dragged across the floor. 

Stapf said that microfiber mops generally hold less moisture, making them a good choice for preventing water damage to hardwood floors. "If you want to speed up the drying process, you can go over the floors with a microfiber sweeper or open the windows," she said.

Although some flooring materials — namely, hardwood and some engineered laminate materials — require a more delicate touch, most hard flooring is safe to mop.

Ceramic tiles and linoleum are sturdy and typically sealed well enough to be mopped without incident, but floors with more seams, like hardwood and vinyl plank, can be more vulnerable to excess moisture. For these floors, use only the minimum amount of liquid necessary to complete the task, and never allow water or cleaning solution to sit or pool for any extended period.

If your floors are severely worn, cracked or buckled, you might want to consult a flooring professional about repairs before beginning a mopping routine.