A century ago, describing a mop was simple: a rag attached to a stick. Today, the evolution of mop design gives you more choices to pick the best model for the kind of floor you have. Here are some of the different mop types, their uses, pros and cons, and other factors you need to know before purchasing.
Flat Mops
Flat mops are one of the most popular types of mops worldwide. They are easily recognizable with their flathead, where a disposable or washable pad is attached. This type of mop works for every kind of floor.
A flat mop is ideal for everyday cleaning. It’s easy to use and assemble. You can use it to clean tight corners, although it doesn’t work well in wiping out stuck-on food particles. It doesn’t take a lot of space in your storage room. Best of all, it comes at a reasonable price.
Most flat mops are small, so it takes a while before you finish cleaning. If you have a big house, a flat mop is not a good fit.
Sponge Mops
If you have kids or pets who keep on spilling liquid on the floor, consider sponge mop as part of your cleaning tricks. These mops have sponges as mop heads to absorb liquid quickly.
Sponge mops are also great at cleaning and very easy to use. Since they absorb liquid, they conveniently clean the spot without spreading more mess around it. They also work great as a scrubber since they provide the proper traction and pressure to the floor. Above all, the floor dries quickly when you use sponge mops since the excess moisture is absorbed.
You can easily replace the sponge head when needed. Many modern designs use an extendable handle for convenience and easy storage.
One lousy note about this type is that it doesn’t glide well on the floor. The friction between the surface and the sponge becomes trickier to manage. This is true especially in the latter stage of cleaning when it becomes heavier after absorbing too much water.
Cut-End Mops
If you’re on a budget, a cut-end mop is your best bet. Most stores that sell cleaning products have them, so you can buy them any time you want. They are used almost everywhere for all types of floors.
Being cheap comes with some disadvantages. First, the fibers would usually tangle with each other, which makes cleaning tricky and inefficient. You need to buy several mop heads every year, which is not practical in the long run.
If you don’t want to buy mop heads every time, you have to clean them right after each use. Try to untangle the fabrics and remove debris and pet hair. Leave the mop to dry and be ready for subsequent use.
Dust Mops
As the name suggests, a dust mop is used only for cleaning dust. It is a good pair with a wet mop. You can use the dust mop to remove the dust first before using the wet mop. It can also be used to remove dust and cobwebs on the ceiling or clean the fan blades above you.
Dust mops work like a broom but are more effective since it takes out more dust as it glides. The mop head is large enough to cover more spaces, making this ideal for large buildings such as schools and malls.
The drawback to dust mops is that it’s only good at removing dust, not for heavy-duty cleaning. It is also hard to clean since you need to remove dust, pet hair, and other debris before putting the mop pad in the washing machine.
String Mops
Another very popular mop is the string mop. You can see this mop almost anywhere- schools, hospitals, malls, and other big places.
It usually comes with a mop bucket which you can use to wash the mop head and wring out the water. You can also use the bucket to make your own detergent.
Some disadvantages of using a string mop include constantly changing the water in the bucket, difficulty squeezing out water, and leaving the floor so wet that it might cause an accident.
Strip Mop
A strip mop is akin to the string mop but uses strips of fabrics instead of strings. It can be used as wet and dry. Dry works great against dust as the strip removes dust easily without spreading it around.
When used as a wet mop, it works the same way as the string mop. However, it’s not as big as the string mop so they’re not ideal for large areas. It works best for homes and offices. It has removable heads which you can wash and use many times.
For its cons, it has the same disadvantages as that of string mops.
Steam Mops
Steam mops are one of the most sophisticated mops today. It uses electricity to produce steam which is effective in removing dust and stains. This type works great on hardwood floors and carpets. If you have both in your house, this mop is perfect.
With a steam mop, you don’t need to carry around a pail of dirty water. The head can swivel, which allows the machine to get into low and hard-to-reach spaces. This makes it ideal for stretching out into tight spaces below cabinets and furniture.
Steam mops have an adjustable setting which makes them effective against stains and spills. It also comes with washable cloth so you can use them many times over. However, it also means that you need to wash the mop cloth after each use as it tends to be dirty.
Since it uses electricity, it can cause a spike in your energy bill. It can also produce annoying noise for some people. You also need to sweep or vacuum first before using steam mops.
Spin Mops
Spin mops look like the modern version of string mop in the sense that they have string mop heads and come with a bucket. The only distinction is that a spin mop’s bucket comes with a spinner. This makes it easier for you to squeeze out excess water.
A spin mop is essential for cleaning the kitchen but not for large commercial places. Also, you need to constantly change the water since it can get dirty quickly. But overall, spin mops are easy to set up and use.
Microfiber Mops
Microfiber mops are taking the cleaning industry by storm. Many users comment that they find it easy to use and absorb liquid as good as sponge mops. They are easy to clean after each use.
Buying this type of mop is also practicable since the mop pads are reusable many times. Amazingly, the pads work great even after so many uses.
However, take note that microfiber mops are not designed to take away tough stains and dirt. It is also more expensive than other types of mops.
Static Mop
A static mop is used exclusively for dry cleaning. It uses microfiber pads, which act like static, collecting dirt, dust, and debris.
This type of mop is used to clean the floor before wet mopping. Effectively traps dust so you don’t have to clean the same spot twice.
On the bad side, a static mop doesn’t have a sturdy design. It’s not ideal for big spaces and cannot handle tough cleaning.
Brush Mops
Another popular choice is a brush mop, which works as a broom and mop in one body. You can use the broom to remove visible dirt and wet scrub the stains away. This is very effective for places that get stains a lot, like hospitals and kitchens. Works great both indoors and outdoors.
The downside to brush mops is that they can leave scratches. It also has a hard time cleaning corners as it doesn’t swivel.
Which Will You Choose?
Before buying a mop, consider your needs. If you need it for home use, get one mop that can do both dusting and wet mopping. For industrial places, a mop that can do rigorous cleaning is indispensable.
At the end of the day, you want a mop that can clean the floor fast and easily.