Your mop bucket should be completely dry before storing away, as lingering dampness can lead to the growth of bacteria. (BestReviews)

Keeping a tidy house means winning the fight against bacteria and germs. Kitchen floors in particular harbor an enormous amount of bacteria, and little ones reaching for dropped food can increase exposure. But the right mop bucket can be an excellent partner in the war against germs. Ones with a generous volume can hold a hefty amount of water and wheels will make moving it a breeze. The Carlisle Commercial Mop Bucket can make mopping up easy with its 26-quart bucket and non-marking, quiet roll wheels.

Although it may seem like a simple decision, there are a few things to consider when deciding on a mop bucket that meets your specific needs.

A durable, rust-resistant wringer is necessary as it keeps your mop damp instead of wet. Without a wringer, you can create an unsafe environment if too much water is present on the floor, making for slippery conditions. You’ll find plastic mop buckets with a wringer that feature a squeeze lever to press out excess water. A funnel wringer bucket is a budget-friendly choice thanks to its clever yet simple design.

Size is truly a matter of what is needed for your floor space. It is usually best to select a mop bucket that isn’t too large since you want to maneuver it around your floor easily. You also won’t want it so small that it can’t hold the amount of water you need to clean your floor.

Some mop buckets come with an additional second bucket that allows you to keep the dirty water separate from the soapy, clean water. This style bucket will enable you to move more quickly as you clean since it doesn’t require stopping as often to change the water.

If you are looking to avoid spills, a mop bucket with a splash guard can help reduce accidental spillage and any messes that you make along the way. If you are considering a mop bucket with this feature, move it to the top of your list.

You want your mop bucket to be able to move with ease across the floor as you clean. Look for buckets that feature wheels, as these are the best bet for quick-moving clean-ups. One other element to consider is the lock wheel feature, which prevents the bucket from rolling away when working with it.

Although more durable, mop buckets with metal components are prone to rust and corrosion due to water exposure. If you are thinking of purchasing a bucket with a metal wringer, you may want to do a little homework and ensure your favorite cleaning solution will not negatively impact the components.

A simple mop bucket with no bells or whistles can cost between $10-$20. In the $20-$80 range, you’ll find mop buckets with a singular bucket and features like wheels and wringers. Mop buckets that start at $80 and higher are built to hold up under heavy-duty use and offer additional bells and whistles.

A. The best way to keep it clean is to fill the bucket with a gallon of water and add 3/4 cup of bleach. Let the solution sit for five minutes and, with cleaning gloves on, use a sponge to clean inside the bucket. You can then rinse it out and store it away.

A. The cleaner you use is dependent on the type of floor you are cleaning, as hardwood, linoleum and tile all require different formulas. It is best to read the label before applying cleaner to your floor.

Carlisle Commercial Mop Bucket: available at Amazon

Our take: If you are looking to tackle large spaces, this heavy-duty commercial grade mop bucket with its side wringer is an ideal choice for the job.

What we like: Built to last, this 26-quart quality mop bucket is designed to hold up under 50,000 mop cycles and is an excellent choice for large homes and commercial spaces. It effortlessly rolls with its four quiet swivel casters.

What we dislike: Some have reported the wheels to not be securely attached.

Rubbermaid 15-Quart Lightweight Pail: available at Amazon

Our take: You'll find a durable, uniquely designed mop bucket that is lightweight and easy to use.

What we like: This mop bucket works with a 10-ounce mop head and holds up to 15 quarts of liquid. The convenient foot pedal releases water, so you do not need to lift the bucket to empty.

What we dislike: The strainer is smaller than some would like.

Quickie EZ Glide Multipurpose Bucket with Wheels: available at Amazon

Our take: No heavy lifting is required thanks to this innovative rolling mop bucket with a 5-gallon capacity.

What we like: The universal shape will fit all mop head styles and has graduated marking, making it easy to measure liquids. The multi-directional rubberized wheels maneuver with ease and offer 360-degree rotation.

What we dislike: The plastic handle isn't as sturdy as those that are metal.

Hapinnex Spin Mop and Bucket: available at Amazon

Our take: Packed with features, this easy-to-use mop bucket is ideal for hardwood floors and can be used wet or dry.

What we like: The Hapinnex Spin Mop and Bucket comes equipped with two reusable microfiber mop heads and a cleaning brush. The bucket has a drain plug that releases dirty water without any need to lift it.

What we dislike: Some consumers feel the parts are a bit flimsy.

Unger Heavy Duty Professional Cleaning Bucket: available at Amazon

Our take: This 6-gallon mop bucket is durable and rugged with an ergonomic handle made for easy lifting.

What we like: This wide mop bucket can accommodate washers and squeegees up to 18 inches in size. The bucket features pour spouts and internal marking for simple and straightforward measuring.

What we dislike: The bucket can be heavy to lift.

Rachel Pintarelli is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

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