The Bona Hardwood Floor Premium Spray Mop is one of the most recognized cleaning tools for hardwood flooring. Bona has built its reputation on wood-floor-safe cleaning products, and this spray mop combines their formula with a well-designed mop system that makes hardwood floor maintenance quick and effective.
This review covers everything about the Bona Premium Spray Mop: features, how to use it correctly, refill options, pros and cons, and how it stacks up against competing spray mops. If you own hardwood, engineered wood, or other hard surface floors, this guide will help you decide if the Bona system is the right fit.
- What Is the Bona Premium Spray Mop?
- Key Features
- How to Use the Bona Premium Spray Mop
- Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner: What Is In It?
- Refill Options and Cost
- Pros of the Bona Premium Spray Mop
- Cons of the Bona Premium Spray Mop
- Bona vs. Competitors
- Tips for Getting the Best Results
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Bona Premium Spray Mop?
The Bona Premium Spray Mop is a manual spray mop system that uses a trigger-activated pump to dispense Bona’s wood floor cleaner directly onto the floor from a refillable cartridge mounted on the mop handle. It comes with a large microfiber cleaning pad and a machine-washable design that reduces waste compared to disposable pad systems.
The mop is designed specifically for sealed hardwood floors. Bona also offers versions for stone, tile, and laminate floors with different cleaning solutions, but the hardwood version remains their flagship product and bestseller.
Key Features
Refillable Cartridge System
The mop uses a snap-on cartridge that holds Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner. The original cartridge that comes with the mop is a 28.75-ounce bottle, and refill cartridges are widely available at home improvement stores, grocery stores, and online retailers. You can also purchase Bona’s 128-ounce refill jugs and pour them into the empty cartridge to save money over buying individual cartridges each time.
Trigger Spray Mechanism
A comfortable trigger on the handle controls the spray. Each squeeze disperses a fine, even mist of cleaning solution onto the floor in front of the mop head. The spray pattern is wide enough to cover the path of the mop pad in a single pass. The trigger has good ergonomics and requires minimal hand effort, which matters during longer cleaning sessions.
Microfiber Cleaning Pad
The included microfiber pad measures approximately 16.5 inches wide and attaches to the mop base with a hook-and-loop (Velcro) system for easy removal. The pad is machine washable and reusable for hundreds of uses. Bona also sells replacement pads individually and in multi-packs. The microfiber material picks up dust, dirt, and pet hair effectively without scratching wood finishes.
Flexible Mop Head
The mop head swivels and pivots, making it easy to navigate around furniture legs, under cabinets, and into corners. The low-profile head slides under most sofas and beds. The rubberized edge bumper on the mop base protects baseboards and furniture from scuffs during cleaning.
Dual-Zone Cleaning Pad
The premium microfiber pad features two cleaning zones. One side has a textured surface for scrubbing tougher spots, while the other side is smooth for general cleaning and polishing. This dual-zone design means you can address sticky spots without switching tools.
How to Use the Bona Premium Spray Mop
Step 1: Prepare the Floor
Sweep or vacuum the floor first to remove loose dirt, dust, and debris. This is important because mopping over grit can grind particles into the wood finish, causing micro-scratches over time. A quick pass with a microfiber dust mop or a vacuum with a hard-floor setting takes just a few minutes and dramatically improves mopping results.
Step 2: Attach the Cleaning Pad
Press the microfiber pad onto the Velcro strips on the mop base. Make sure it is centered and firmly attached so it does not shift during use.
Step 3: Insert the Cleaner Cartridge
Snap the Bona cleaner cartridge onto the mop handle. It clicks into place securely. If you are refilling a cartridge from a larger jug, fill it to the line and reattach it.
Step 4: Spray and Mop
Squeeze the trigger two to three times to spray a light mist of cleaner onto the floor directly ahead of the mop. Move the mop over the sprayed area in smooth, overlapping strokes. Work in sections, spraying as you go. Avoid saturating the floor. The goal is a light, even application that cleans without leaving standing moisture.
Step 5: Address Stubborn Spots
For sticky spots or dried spills, spray a slightly heavier application on the spot and let it sit for 15 to 30 seconds. Then scrub with the textured side of the pad using firm pressure. This handles most common kitchen spills and pet messes.
Step 6: Clean and Store the Pad
After mopping, remove the pad and machine wash it on a gentle cycle with mild detergent. Do not use fabric softener, as it coats the microfiber and reduces its cleaning ability. Tumble dry on low or air dry. Store the mop upright or hang it to keep the head off the ground.
Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner: What Is In It?
Bona’s hardwood floor cleaner is a water-based, residue-free formula that is Greenguard Gold certified for low chemical emissions. It contains no wax, no dulling residue, and is safe for all types of unwaxed, polyurethane-finished hardwood floors. The pH-neutral formula cleans effectively without stripping or damaging the floor’s protective finish.
This is a key advantage over generic spray cleaners, many of which contain vinegar, ammonia, or surfactants that can dull hardwood finishes over time. Bona’s formulation is specifically designed to maintain the clarity and shine of wood floor finishes.
Refill Options and Cost
Cartridge Refills
Replacement cartridges (28.75 oz) typically cost $7 to $10 each. This is the most convenient option but also the most expensive per ounce.
Refill Jugs
Bona sells 128-ounce (one gallon) refill jugs for $15 to $22. Pouring from the jug into the empty cartridge drops the per-ounce cost significantly. This is the most economical approach for regular use.
Concentrate
Bona also offers a concentrated hardwood floor cleaner that you dilute with water. This is the lowest per-use cost but requires mixing. It is a good option for households that mop frequently and go through a lot of cleaner.
Replacement Pads
Replacement microfiber pads cost $8 to $12 for a single pad or $15 to $20 for a multi-pack. With proper washing, each pad lasts approximately 300 to 500 uses, making pad cost negligible over time.
Pros of the Bona Premium Spray Mop
- Wood-safe formula. Bona’s cleaner is specifically formulated for hardwood and leaves no residue or dulling film.
- Easy to use. The spray-and-mop process is intuitive and faster than a bucket-and-mop routine.
- Machine-washable pad. The reusable microfiber pad reduces waste and ongoing costs compared to disposable pad systems.
- Effective cleaning. The microfiber pad picks up dirt, dust, and pet hair effectively, and the dual-zone design handles sticky spots.
- Lightweight. The mop weighs under three pounds fully loaded, making it easy to use and store.
- Wide availability. Bona products are sold at major retailers nationwide, and refills are easy to find.
- Good swivel action. The mop head pivots smoothly for maneuvering around furniture.
Cons of the Bona Premium Spray Mop
- Cartridge cost. Buying individual cartridges is expensive. Switching to refill jugs is strongly recommended.
- Not for waxed floors. The cleaner is designed for polyurethane-finished floors only. If you have waxed, oiled, or unfinished hardwood, Bona makes separate products for those surfaces.
- Light cleaning only. The spray mop is a maintenance tool, not a deep cleaner. It will not restore neglected, heavily soiled floors. For deep cleaning, you need a more intensive approach.
- Pad can drag when dry. If you do not spray enough cleaner, the microfiber pad can drag on the wood and feel sticky. Maintaining a light, even spray solves this.
- Handle flex. Some users report that the handle flexes slightly under pressure, especially when scrubbing stubborn spots. It holds up fine for normal mopping but does not feel as rigid as commercial mop handles.
Bona vs. Competitors
Bona vs. Swiffer WetJet
The Swiffer WetJet is the most popular alternative. It uses disposable pads and a battery-powered spray mechanism. The Swiffer is slightly easier to use since the battery does the spraying, but it generates more waste with single-use pads. Swiffer’s cleaning solution is a general-purpose formula that is not specifically optimized for hardwood. For hardwood floor owners, Bona’s wood-safe formula and reusable pad make it the better long-term investment.
Bona vs. O-Cedar ProMist
The O-Cedar ProMist is a budget-friendly spray mop with a refillable bottle and a machine-washable pad. It is a good value but uses a generic cleaning pad that is not as effective as Bona’s dual-zone microfiber. The O-Cedar also allows you to fill the bottle with any cleaning solution, which is more flexible but means you need to choose a wood-safe cleaner yourself.
Bona vs. Bissell SpinWave
The Bissell SpinWave is a powered spin mop that scrubs with rotating pads. It is more aggressive than the Bona for removing stuck-on dirt but also uses more moisture, which can be a concern on hardwood. For routine maintenance mopping, Bona is sufficient and safer for wood. For deeper cleaning sessions, the SpinWave has an edge.
Tips for Getting the Best Results
Always sweep or vacuum first. This single step makes the biggest difference in mopping results on any floor.
Use light spray applications. Two to three trigger squeezes per section is enough. Excess moisture is the enemy of hardwood floors. The floor should look barely damp after mopping and dry within a minute or two.
Mop with the grain. On hardwood, mop in the direction of the wood grain for the cleanest finish and to avoid pushing debris into the grooves between boards.
Wash the pad regularly. A dirty pad pushes grime around rather than picking it up. In a large home, you may want two or three pads so you can swap in a clean one partway through.
Use on other hard floors too. While the hardwood cleaner is designed for wood, Bona also makes formulas for laminate, stone, tile, and vinyl. The same mop body works with all Bona cartridges, so you can switch cleaners based on the room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Bona spray mop on engineered hardwood?
Yes. The Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner is safe for all sealed, polyurethane-finished hardwood floors, including engineered wood with a hardwood veneer top layer.
How often should I mop with the Bona spray mop?
For most households, once a week is sufficient. High-traffic homes or pet owners may benefit from mopping twice a week. Daily dust mopping between spray-mop sessions keeps the floor clean with minimal effort.
Can I put my own cleaner in the Bona cartridge?
Technically, you can refill the cartridge with any liquid. However, Bona recommends using only their cleaner to ensure the formula is safe for hardwood finishes. Using vinegar, dish soap, or other cleaners could damage your floor’s finish over time.
Does the Bona cleaner leave a residue?
No. Bona’s formula is specifically designed to be residue-free. It does not leave a waxy buildup, sticky film, or dull haze. This is one of its primary advantages over multi-surface cleaners.
Is the Bona spray mop worth the price?
For hardwood floor owners who mop regularly, yes. The initial cost of the mop system is modest (typically $30 to $40), and the ongoing cost of refills and replacement pads is reasonable, especially when buying refill jugs instead of individual cartridges. The convenience and floor-safe formula justify the investment for most households.
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