Mop pads wear out gradually. The goal is to replace them before they start:
- streaking
- smelling
- shedding fibers
A realistic replacement cadence
- Light mopping (1–2x/week): every 2–3 months
- Typical use (3–5x/week): every 1–2 months
- Heavy use (daily, pets, spills): every 3–6 weeks
Signs you should replace now
- Pad stays smelly even after washing
- Fibers are compressed/matted
- Streaks persist even with clean water
- Pad no longer fits snugly
Best practice
Rotate two pads: one in use, one fully dried and ready. This reduces odor and improves consistency.
Next steps
- Use the Part Finder to open your exact model page (pads vary by model).
- Read How to clean mop pads (without ruining them) for washing tips that reduce odor.
- Browse the Robot vacuum parts hub to compare schedules by model.