3 Best Mop Heads for Applying Wax [2023 Review]

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Waxing your floor adds a beautiful shine and makes the surface less slippery while protecting it. You can have a durable and good looking floor at your home by waxing it once or twice annually. Before, you would only be able to apply wax by rubbing the paste on the surface while kneeling down.

Now you can use no-buff wax and a mop for waxing floors. We have reviewed the best mop for applying wax on the market to help you pick the right mop for the job. We have also included a guide with the features you should look for before making the purchase.

Our Top Wax Mop Head Reviews 

Brand
Amazon Basics Cut-End Cotton Commercial String Mop Head
O-Cedar Looped-End Mop Refill
Rubbermaid Blend Mop
Product
(3 Pack) Mop Head Replacement, Mop Heads...
O-Cedar Heavy Duty Looped-End String Mop Refill (2...
Rubbermaid Commercial Products-FGE23800BL00...
Material
Cotton
Cotton
65% Post industrial recycled cotton, 35% PET recycled plastic
Item Weight
1.25 pounds
2.6 pounds
1.1 pounds
Brand
Amazon Basics Cut-End Cotton Commercial String Mop Head
Product
(3 Pack) Mop Head Replacement, Mop Heads...
Material
Cotton
Item Weight
1.25 pounds
Brand
O-Cedar Looped-End Mop Refill
Product
O-Cedar Heavy Duty Looped-End String Mop Refill (2...
Material
Cotton
Item Weight
2.6 pounds
Brand
Rubbermaid Blend Mop
Product
Rubbermaid Commercial Products-FGE23800BL00...
Material
65% Post industrial recycled cotton, 35% PET recycled plastic
Item Weight
1.1 pounds

Best Overall: Amazon Basics Looped End Cotton Commercial String Mop Head

(3 Pack) Mop Head Replacement, Mop Heads...

If you are looking for a cotton mop head with a large loop-end, the Amazon Basics Loop-End Cotton Commercial String Mop Head is an excellent choice for you. Surprised we’re recommending an Amazon product as our top choice? I know, so are we.

This 3-pack collection of mop heads means that you’re getting a lot of value out of a commercial grade mop head. Unless you’re only applying wax to a small area, chances are you will need more than one head to do the job right.

The large loop-end cotton head makes this model suitable for general-purpose and heavy-duty use, including applying wax on your floors. Loop end mops don’t fray as fast, and don’t leave any lint on your floor surface. Lint is BAD when you are applying wax!

The Amazon branded mop boasts of a narrow headband that measures 1.25 inches. The headband attaches to a handle securely, resulting in an effective mop that works well.  

Amazon suggests using the headband with the quick-change handle to let you do your job effortlessly. However, it’s important to mention that the handle doesn’t come with the mop.

For some people, the only issue with this cotton head is that it doesn’t dry quickly, which makes it deteriorate quickly and it can build some mildew if you don’t dry it well after using it. Overall, the loop-end mop head is an ideal choice for applying wax on your surfaces and comes with a limited one-year warranty.

What We Like

  • Suitable for general-purpose and heavy-duty cleaning
  • Ideal for industrial and commercial applications
  • Large loop-end cotton mop head
  • Highly absorbent 
  • Durable

What We Don’t Like

  • Dries slowly making it prone to mildew
  • Some might prefer cut-end
(3 Pack) Mop Head Replacement, Mop Heads...
  • HIGHER ABSORRBENCY & STRENGTH: These heavy duty string mops are made with superior quality, highly...
  • UNIVERSAL FIT: This set includes 3 x mop head replacements with universal fit, enjoying a superior...
  • FUNCTIONAL AND DURABLE : Looking for a way of keeping your floors clean and shiny, without having to...
  • PREMIUM GRADE: Unlike similar products on the market, these mop heads replacements are ultra-soft...

Best Name Brand: O-Cedar Looped-End Mop Head

O-Cedar Heavy Duty Looped-End String Mop Refill (2...

The O-Cedar looped end mop refill is great for both commercial and home wax application. This mop has a double looped-end design that ensures the strands do not fray. The heavy-duty mop head offers impressive performance and comes with a big 24-ounce head that covers a vast area while in use. You can also use it to mop any hard surface, making it versatile.

Made from highly absorbent cotton blend yarns that lift dirt and cleans well, there’s no doubt the head. Even though the O-Cedar mop ships them as two separate items, you can assemble them easily without any special tools. It’s also easy to use and is lightweight, letting you clean large surfaces effortlessly. 

The head of this double looped-end model fastens easily and securely to the handle. It also boasts of a standard length handle to let you maneuver easily in hard to reach places while cleaning your home. Additionally, the heavy-duty mop has replaceable components that are readily available and is easy to maintain.

Overall, the 24-ounce cotton head mop is top-grade and highly absorbent, making it an ideal choice for cleaning homes and waxing floors.

What We Like

  • Double looped-end design for preventing ends from fraying
  • Durable head with absorbent cotton blend yarns
  • 24-ounce head for covering a large area
  • Suitable for commercial and home use
  • Easy to use and lightweight
  • Easy assembly

What We Don’t Like

  • Poor quality clamp holder
  • A bit expensive
O-Cedar Heavy Duty Looped-End String Mop Refill (2...
  • Made from super absorbent natural cotton blend yarn
  • Double looped-end construction keep mop ends from fraying
  • Mop head fastens securely and easily to handle
  • Great for mopping any hard surface

Best Budget: Rubbermaid Blend Mop Head

Rubbermaid Commercial Products-FGE23800BL00...

The Rubbermaid Blend Mop Head features 35% recycled plastic and 65% recycled cotton, which makes it super-absorbent and an ideal option for light-duty cleaning. Blended mops are a great option for everyday cleaning as they deliver impressive cleaning power.

The mop also features looped-ends for reducing fraying that is often associated with cut-end mops. You can wash the Rubbermaid Mop Head up to 50 times, making it durable. It’s also perfect for industrial and commercial applications, including waxing floors of various surfaces.  

This blue blend head is large as it weighs 24 ounces to let you apply wax to big surface areas. Additionally, it comes with a handle designed to be durable and sturdy. Whether you are applying the wax to a large or small area, you can count on this blended mop to give you the results you desire.

You can maneuver easily around furniture with this the mop, it’s lightweight and it only weighs 1.1 pounds. This mop is an excellent option for those looking for a model for light-duty applications that is also highly absorbent.

What We Like

  • Blended mop with impressive cleaning power
  • Ideal for industrial and commercial use
  • Looped-ends that minimizes fraying
  • 24-ounce blended mop head
  • Durable and sturdy handle
  • Easy to maneuver
  • Inexpensive

What We Don’t Like

  • Sometimes the head comes off
Rubbermaid Commercial Products-FGE23800BL00...
  • Constructed of up to 65 Percent post industrial recycled cotton content and up to 35 Percent PET...
  • Looped ends reduce fraying associated with cut end mops
  • Launderable up to 50 times for long life
  • Suitable for commercial and industrial applications

Wax Mop Head Features Needed

Mop heads come in several sizes and different materials since each floor maintenance task, such as applying wax, requires the right tool. This guide aims to equip you with the information you need when looking for the best mop for applying wax.

Mop Head Materials

Mop heads feature different types of materials. Each material has its own advantages and drawbacks that you should know.

Rayon

This is a semi-synthetic fiber from cellulose with a texture that is similar to nylon. This material is an excellent choice for applying disinfectants and floor finishes. Rayon also resists mildew, dries quickly, and provides good absorption for waxing floors. The only issue with this material is that it shrinks when you wash it.

Microfiber

These mop heads offer good cleaning power and are highly absorbent, making them a good choice for spreading finishing solutions on a floor surface. They are also built using fine synthetic fibers. Although they can be expensive, they are also durable and you can wash them several times without damaging them. Microfiber is also a great option for general-purpose cleaning. 

Synthetic

You can bleach synthetic without damaging and is resistant to mildew. These elements make these types of mop heads an ideal choice for places in need of thorough cleaning and disinfecting, like in healthcare facilities.

Cotton

These mop heads deteriorate quickly if you don’t dry them well after use and they’re also prone to mildew because they dry slowly. Cotton mop heads are a good choice for light-duty cleaning. However, they’re the most affordable and highly absorbent, making them good for waxing floors.

Blend

These mop heads are perfect for disinfecting and cleaning surfaces regularly and are made using synthetic and cotton fibers. This combination gives them a good balance of performance and affordability.

Headband Styles

Mop headband styles determine how you will attach the head to the mop handle. There are three types to choose from including:

Narrow Headbands

These headbands attach to quick-release handles and measure 1-1¼ inches wide. They are affordable and you won’t need to change them as quickly as their wide-band mop counterparts.

Wide Headbands

These types of headbands grip the head tightly and attach to jaw-style handles. They measure 5 inches and are convenient and quick to change. However, they can be expensive.

Screw Top Headbands

These headbands are the most economical and they attach to mop handles through threaded screws. However, you can’t easily wash them as they are built with metal components.

Mop Head Sizes and Colors 

Most companies use headband and tailband colors to determine the looped-end mop size. These are: 

  • Blue for Extra large
  • Green for Medium
  • Yellow for Small
  • Red for Large

Their weight also determines the sizes of cut-end mops in ounces. Popular sizes include:

  • 8-10 ounces (small looped-end)
  • 16-20 ounces (medium looped-end)
  • 24-32 ounces (large looped-end)
  • 32-40 ounces (extra-large looped-end) 

Value

Other mop heads may not give you the best results. The most crucial thing to consider is the features and accessories that come with the model. Also, be careful not to ignore other essential features. We recommend shopping around and comparing the different models.

What Kind of Mop Do You Use for Waxing Floors?

A traditional string mop or a microfiber mop is best for waxing floors. Choose a mop with a clean and absorbent head, as dirt and debris can easily scratch or damage the floor surface during the waxing process. A microfiber mop is often recommended for waxing floors because it is gentle on the floor and picks up dirt and debris effectively. When using a traditional string mop, it is important to wring out the mop thoroughly to prevent too much water or wax from being applied to the floor finish.

How Do You Clean a Mop After Waxing?

To clean a mop after waxing, follow these steps:
1. Rinse the head thoroughly with hot water to remove any excess wax.
2. Fill a bucket with hot water and a small amount of dish soap or laundry detergent.
3. Place the head in the bucket and agitate it gently to loosen and remove any remaining wax.
4. Rinse the head thoroughly with clean, hot water to remove any soap residue.
5. Hang the mop head up to air dry completely before using it again.
For a microfiber mop, it is recommended to wash it separately in a washing machine to ensure thorough cleaning and to avoid damaging the mop fibers.

Wrap Up

Waxing floorscan improve the look of your surfaces, whether hardwood, tile, or any other type of floor. It can also provide your floor with a protective layer and make it durable for a long time. The mops on our list are ideal for applying wax as they will leave your surfaces looking great. Choose the mop with the features you are looking for to give your floor a makeover.

Allen Michael is the Founder and Editor of Home Viable, a website that he started to provide readers with tips on home efficiency and automation. He draws on his engineering background combined with his family-of-four experiences for his articles.