Floor Care
How Do I Choose a Mop? A Buyer's Guide
You went to buy a mop and quickly discovered that there are more choices, styles and applications for mops than you ever imagined. There are mops for commercial settings, residential settings, industrial spills, floor finish, clean-up and the list goes on!
We’ll set the record straight for you. By the time you’re finished reading this article, you will be able to entertain guests at a cocktail party by explaining the advantages of a looped end mop versus a cut end mop. Okay, we might be overselling it a bit.
To start you should know that there are three basic types of mops on the market today: the sponge mop, the string mop and the microfiber mop. Here is a look at each type of mop and a brief explanation of the pros and cons.
The sponge mop is all about convenience. It’s small size is perfect for tucking into the corner of your kitchen pantry; ready to spring into action in a moment's notice. Sponge mops have a built in wringer that adds to its ease of use. Plus, you can find a replacement at your grocery store. Sponge mops excel when employed for cleaning small areas.
We’ll set the record straight for you. By the time you’re finished reading this article, you will be able to entertain guests at a cocktail party by explaining the advantages of a looped end mop versus a cut end mop. Okay, we might be overselling it a bit.
To start you should know that there are three basic types of mops on the market today: the sponge mop, the string mop and the microfiber mop. Here is a look at each type of mop and a brief explanation of the pros and cons.
The sponge mop is all about convenience. It’s small size is perfect for tucking into the corner of your kitchen pantry; ready to spring into action in a moment's notice. Sponge mops have a built in wringer that adds to its ease of use. Plus, you can find a replacement at your grocery store. Sponge mops excel when employed for cleaning small areas.
The string mop is a classic and has the most choices. String mops come in a variety of sizes that are denoted by size either listed like a t-shirt (S, M, L, etc) or as a number, such as #24. The higher the number, the bigger and thicker the mop. For average commercial applications (think a janitor mopping a school classroom) the #24 mop is the choice. Residential use, perhaps to clean a bathroom floor, a #16 mop will do just fine.
Bigger isn’t better when choosing a mop for your home. If you are mostly going to clean the bathroom, a #16 mop will do just fine. If you chose a #32 mop, you will find it tol be difficult to clean behind the toilet. Also, the bigger the mop, the more liquid it can hold - which means it is that much heavier.
To keep fatigue low, consider a smaller mop for your home. If you are mopping the high school gym, then size definitely matters. That extra large mop is going to cover more square footage in less time.
String mops come in a variety of materials. For general cleaning purposes, cotton is the material of choice, as it is absorbent. However, a mop made of synthetic material, such as rayon, is perfect for spreading floor finish (commonly called wax, don’t get me started on the incorrect usage of wax!).
Finally, when choosing a string mop, you will want to consider if you want a cut end mop or a looped end mop. Looped end mops tend to be more durable and provide a more consistent mopping experience of the user. Whereas cut end mops have the ability to get into a tight spot easier, they tend to fray and fall apart sooner than their looped end counterparts. Cut end mops are cheaper (not just less expensive, cheaper) than looped end mops. If you are trying to choose between looped end or cut end, I recommend the looped end.
The microfiber mop is ideal for the environmentally conscious cleaner. Microfiber mops, made of a synthetic blend of materials, such as polyester, can hold upwards of seven times their weight of liquid. They are durable and can be machine washed.
Microfiber mops come in two styles: a “string” version and a flat version. The string version is a fine choice for residential cleaning. The flat version is good for areas where water control is important, such as mopping a wood floor.
Hospitals and other healthcare facilities that need to be cleaned frequently, without shutting down, are ideal for the flat microfiber mop. It uses less moisture to clean, which means faster drying time. Also, microfiber mops are naturally lint-free. In an environment where keeping dust to a minimum is essential, such as a patient’s room, the flat microfiber mop excels.
Microfiber mops come in two styles: a “string” version and a flat version. The string version is a fine choice for residential cleaning. The flat version is good for areas where water control is important, such as mopping a wood floor.
Hospitals and other healthcare facilities that need to be cleaned frequently, without shutting down, are ideal for the flat microfiber mop. It uses less moisture to clean, which means faster drying time. Also, microfiber mops are naturally lint-free. In an environment where keeping dust to a minimum is essential, such as a patient’s room, the flat microfiber mop excels.
The key to choosing the right mop for your needs is to match your needs with the right kind of mop.
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