The best mop for cleaning your ceiling depends on what type of ceiling you have. Our top picks are:
- For Dusty Ceilings: Swiffer Ceiling Fan Duster
- Ceilings 12 Feet and Taller: Kossonia 85-Inch Mop
- All Ceiling Types: O-Cedar Microfiber Spin Mop
- For Textured Ceilings: Professional Microfiber Mop
- Popcorn Ceilings: O-Cedar Pet Pro Broom
Read on for more details on these selections so you can choose the best one for your home.
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Can You Use a Mop on a Ceiling?
You can use a mop to clean most types of ceilings. Whether your ceiling is smooth, textured, plaster, ceiling tile, or wood there’s a high-quality mop that will get the job done right. However, if you have a popcorn ceiling it’s important to be careful about what tools you use for cleaning. Cleaning popcorn texture with the wrong tool can break the texture, destroy your ceiling’s appearance, and create a mess.
5 Best Mops for Cleaning Your Ceiling
We created our list of top ceiling mops in order to fit your needs. Below are the ideal mops for several different ceiling types. Check out our recommendations to find the one that best fits your needs.
Ultimate Ceiling Dust Remover: Swiffer Ceiling Fan Duster
If your ceiling collects dust, cobwebs, and other debris quickly the Swiffer Ceiling Fan Duster is the best choice. It quickly grabs dust and traps it, so you won’t spread the mess to your walls and floor. When it came to deep cleaning my family’s 200-year-old farmhouse, nothing beat the Swiffer duster for making the ceilings look their best.
Best Long-Handled Mop for High Ceilings: Kossonia 85-Inch Mop
Say goodbye to standing on chairs and stepladders to reach 12 and 15-foot ceilings. This long-handled mop from Kossonia extends your reach with its 85-inch handle. That’s over 7 feet of reach! Even better, this mop comes with chenille and microfiber heads to make cleaning different ceiling surfaces a breeze. Our favorite feature is the triangular mop head that fits easily into corners for quick cleaning.
Most Versatile Ceiling Mop: O-Cedar Microfiber Spin Mop
This O-Cedar microfiber mop has over 66,000 5-star reviews. None of the competitors come close. It’s easy to see why this mop is so heavily praised. The braided microfiber head traps dirt and dust. Plus, the head fits to the shape of corners. Whether your ceiling is made of drywall, plaster, or even wood, this mop will do an excellent job cleaning. So, it wins extra points for its incredible versatility.
Best Mop for Textured Ceilings: Professional Microfiber Mop
Ceilings with plaster texture can trap dust and dirt, but a good microfiber mop makes quick work of the mess. We chose this professional-grade, wide-head microfiber mop for these ceilings. The handle is sturdy, so it won’t bend even when extended to its full length of 70 inches. The swivel handle keeps the mop maneuverable so the 18-inch-wide head won’t be a nuisance when you’re cleaning around ceiling fans and light fixtures. Of all the mops on the list, this one cleans large ceilings the fastest.
Top Choice for Cleaning Popcorn Ceilings: O-Cedar Pet Pro Broom
You may notice we didn’t choose a mop for the number 5 spot on our list. That’s because mops have a tendency to destroy popcorn ceilings. In order to clean the popcorn texture without breaking it, use this soft broom made by O-Cedar. The V-shaped bristles remove more debris in one sweep, while still being gentle enough that you won’t damage your popcorn texture. It really is the best tool for the job.
What is the Best Cleaning Solution for Mopping Your Ceiling?
Start by dry-mopping your ceiling to see if you can get the results you want without using any moisture or cleaners. If the ceiling still shows dust, dirt, or stains after dry-mopping, use a solution of warm water and mild dish soap to mop your ceiling. Lightly dampen the mop before using it on your ceiling. Avoid using a thoroughly soaked or dripping mop, since this can create a mess.
- Use a dry mop to clean the ceiling first—this may be all you need.
- If your ceiling is still dirty after dry-mopping, use a mix of warm water and dish soap to mop the ceiling.
- Do not use aggressive cleaners on your ceiling—they can destroy or discolor paint.
- Spray ceiling stains with this 3% hydrogen peroxide before mopping.
Do not use heavy-duty cleaners when you mop your ceiling. They can stain or discolor the ceiling itself. If you have ceiling stains from roof leaks or other sources, spray them with 3% hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle. Next, allow 3–5 minutes for the peroxide to work. Then, mop the area with a solution of warm water and dish soap. This will eliminate ceiling stains and discoloration.
What is the Best Mop to Clean a Ceiling?
If your ceiling is very dusty or has a lot of cobwebs, use a long-handled duster to clean the ceiling prior to mopping. For ceilings 12 feet or higher, the best mop is one with a handle at least 7 feet long. To clean almost any type of ceiling, choose a mop with a head of braided microfiber. Broad-headed microfiber mops are great for cleaning textured ceilings. However, if you have a popcorn ceiling, do not use a mop. Mops break popcorn texture, which can destroy the appearance of your ceiling. Instead, use a soft-bristled broom to clean dirt and debris off your popcorn ceiling.
