Between The Swiffer & Pottymop, Which Bathroom Mopping Tool Cleans Best?

In one corner, we have the wet/dry mop champ, Swiffer, facing off against a new challenger, Pottymop. Which of these mopping heavyweights has what it takes to clean the bathroom best? Refs agree that it comes down to personal preference. For starters, how often do you mop? Cleaning the bathroom floor is a daily chore for some, particularly for those with little boys who don't quite know how to aim yet. Other than potty-training parents, many people don't clean their bathroom floor often enough. You should sweep and mop the bathroom at least weekly, and using proper tools goes a long way to deep cleaning your bathroom and keeping it clean. Having a dedicated bathroom mop might be best for constant cleaners.

Should one mop handle the whole house, or should there be a tag team? Using the same mop for bathrooms as the rest of the house raises concerns for cross-contamination. This is why many professional cleaners won't use a mop when cleaning your bathroom. Swiffer and Pottymop both address this concern by offering disposable pads — a bonus for cleaning a place as wrought with yuck and germs as the bathroom. 

If you prefer the ease of premoistened pads and an attached spray function or value the reliability of a trusted brand, a Swiffer might be best for you. However, if reaching corners and small spaces around the toilet is most important or you cringe at manually removing a soiled pad, you could be a Pottymop convert. Let's talk about the specific features these two cleaning powerhouses offer.  

The Swiffer Dry + Wet allows for sweeping with a dry dust cloth or adding premoistened pads, the Swiffer WetJet offers the same concept with the option of having a battery-operated cleaning solution sprayer, and the Swiffer PowerMop uses pads with scrubbing strips to get a deeper clean. Product reviews are mostly positive for Swiffer, describing the Dry + Wet sweeping/mopping tool as requiring minimal effort to get the job done and being easy to maneuver. Other positive comments discuss Swiffer's lightweight versatility and overall effectiveness on multiple flooring types. The WetJet and PowerMop sport similar responses from reviewers, adding that they do a great job and are easy on your back. One PowerMop review also mentions how it fits better around the toilet than other styles. 

Negative reviews for the Dry + Wet are mostly geared toward the cleaning solutions in the premoistened pads and sprayers. One commented that the wet pads leak from the packaging. Another review argued that the premoistened pads leave too much liquid on the floor. Additional criticisms for the WetJet and PowerMop are regarding issues such as faulty handles and sprayer function, strong smells with the cleaning solutions, and expense in the replacement pads and cleaning solutions.

Pottymop claims to be a mini bathroom alternative to Swiffer, intended to live next to the toilet. The manufacturer asserts that, unlike a Swiffer, it doesn't require setup and you don't have to touch the pad to throw it away. The product is only available for preorder until 2025, but early tester reviews on the Pottymop site are overwhelmingly positive, with most seemingly appreciating its convenience, design, and hands-free features. However, comments and reviews elsewhere point out a few criticisms. 

A couple comments on a YouTube short from @pottymop noticed that, even with the small triangular mop head, the Pottymop still doesn't fit between the toilet and the water supply or all the way behind the toilet. TikTok user @cleanhappyco posted a review saying the main problem she had was with the pad release function. The pieces meant to stay attached when you eject a pad come off with it, defeating the manufacturer's claims of a contact-free pad removal. Pottymop commented on the video that some of the units had a defect in the velcro, causing this issue, and agreed to send @cleanhappyco a replacement.

Other concerns from @cleanhappyco included that the base comes apart easily and doesn't have enough support to hold the mop upright, the pads don't seem to be very absorbent, and it doesn't come with any cleaning solvent options, meaning you will have to keep your own cleaner on hand. She said that while she appreciates the concept and shape of Pottymop, she doesn't feel the product packs the punch required to stay in the ring with the competition, as the "overall quality is just not there."