Mops and brooms are essential cleaning tools, but squeegees can do many things they can’t. Plus, squeegees are more hygienic overall, largely because they’re significantly easier to clean and dry after each use. If you’ve only ever used a squeegee on windows, you might be surprised at just how useful one is for a variety of jobs, both indoors and out.
The top model overall is the RAVMAG Silicone Broom because of its high durability, moderately flexible blade and a versatile rubber-bristled broom that makes it great for cleaning up a huge variety of messes.
What to know before you buy a floor squeegee
How to choose the right-size floor squeegee
The right-size floor squeegee for your needs hinges on exactly how you’ll be using it. For small rooms such as bathrooms or laundry rooms, or for messes located in corners and along baseboards, a smaller squeegee is king. Even some of the smallest options, coming in at around 1 foot wide, are especially useful in tight spaces.
If you’re planning on using it in more wide-open spaces, a bigger squeegee can greatly increase the efficiency of your regular cleaning tasks. If closing the kitchen every night involves extensive mopping (and if you have a properly installed floor drain), combining a squeegee with a durable floor brush like the Unger Professional HydroPower makes it worlds easier to get every bit of grime off the floor.
Cleaning pet hair with a squeegee
One of the less intuitive and more useful features of a floor squeegee is how well it can tackle pet hair stuck in carpet. Of course, a simple handheld scrub-brush is a great way to refresh most rugs and pull out pet hair, dust and other contaminants. But if you want to avoid getting on your hands and knees and exerting all that effort, a floor squeegee does nearly as well and requires a fraction of the work.
Floor squeegee features
Floor squeegee blade material
Most squeegees for home use are made from synthetic thermoplastic rubber that has a good blend of durability and flex. Rubber models are ideal for smooth surfaces and can handle slightly textured floors, but won’t be able to remove liquids from deep tile-grout or heavily textured surfaces. Thermoplastic rubber is relatively common, but true silicone rubber is less porous and notably more durable.
If you need to tackle heavily soiled floors on a regular basis, consider a squeegee made from Neoprene foam like the Haviland 0736. This advanced material is highly resistant to oils and maintains its flexibility in both high and low temperatures, making it ideal for use in restaurants, although it’s not engineered to hold up to powerful solvents.
On the other end of the spectrum, soft foam models like the Alpine Industries Heavy-Duty are designed to absorb as much liquid as possible. This absorbency, along with the foam’s softness, make it suitable for tile and synthetic flooring that’s too rough for a rubber or Neoprene squeegee to clean properly.
Floor squeegee handle types
If you’re looking to save money, consider buying an inexpensive squeegee head and pairing it with a simple, wooden broom handle. A tapered handle should fit in most such squeegee heads. Nicer models, and especially those meant for home use, usually come with a mated handle. Some of the best options utilize durable steel handles with rugged powder coating. Even affordable models like the FURemover Broom, however, sometimes come with convenient telescoping handles. This not only makes it easier for tall people to use but also makes it simpler to store.
Floor squeegee rubber bristles
Some squeegees, including our top pick, sport deep, rubber bristles that add considerable versatility. Rubber brushes are surprisingly effective at general sweeping tasks on hard floors and, surprisingly enough, really shine when it comes to cleaning rugs and carpets. While many rubber squeegees do a good job at removing stubborn pet hair from carpet, those with rubber brushes do even better.
Floor squeegee cost
You can find simple, commercial-grade squeegees for just over $10, but at that price they usually don’t have a handle. For something with a more versatile design, possibly including a rubber-bristled brush, plan on spending as much as $50.
Floor squeegee FAQ
Do I need a special squeegee for spreading blacktop?
A. Yes. A quality blacktop squeegee has a significantly stiffer blade than one used for cleaning, simply because blacktop is so much thicker than water and cleaning chemicals. Blacktop squeegees also don’t have any helpful features and tend to be highly affordable because they may not last very long with regular use.
Does a rubber brush help to scrub out stubborn spots?
A. No. If you need to do heavy-duty cleaning, a squeegee can help once you’ve already scrubbed the hard spots. For that, consider a quality deck brush like this one from Better Boat.
Do they make swivel squeegees for floors?
A. No. Swivel squeegees are used specifically to minimize streaks and missed spots when cleaning windows. They’re not as efficient as straight squeegees, but they are more effective at getting perfectly streak-free glass. A swiveling head, however, isn’t useful on a floor so you won’t have to worry about it.
Which floor squeegee should I get?
Best of the best floor squeegee
RAVMAG Silicone Broom: available at Amazon
Our take: A compact option designed for home use that’s good for a wide range of tasks.
What we like: At 15 inches wide, it’s small enough to fit into corners easily but just large enough for big messes in a home kitchen. It’s made from non-porous and highly resilient silicone material. The soft bristles make it considerably more versatile than unitasker squeegees. It’s especially great for getting pet hair out of rugs.
What we dislike: It’s more expensive than most other options, but luckily it should last for many years with proper care.
Best bang for your buck floor squeegee
Rubbermaid Commercial: available at Amazon
Our take: This model from trusted brand Rubbermaid is simple, straightforward and inexpensive.
What we like: There’s not much to this one. The rubber blade has above-average flex and the frame is rigid and resistant to corrosion. Should hold up for a reasonably long time, even with regular use, and costs very little to replace.
What we dislike: Doesn’t come with a handle and is too big for small spaces, like many residential bathrooms.
Honorable mention floor squeegee
FlexSweep Heavy Duty: available at Amazon
Our take: Rock-solid materials and design of the squeegee and its handle are second to none for commercial use.
What we like: The FlexSweep is about as durable as a floor squeegee gets. It’s so strong that its handle is even advertised as unbreakable. The dual Neoprene blades are about as resistant to oil and corrosion as can be, and once you do run through a set, replacement blades are readily available.
What we dislike: Extremely expensive for a simple squeegee without a rubber brush attached.
Chris Thomas 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.
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