Mops are pretty commonplace and a great tool when it comes to cleaning whatever the surface. Whether for use in a home or a business or otherwise, mops are everywhere. Ultimately, wherever there are floors, there will be mop present.
There are loads of different kinds of mops, and they all have their pros and cons. When it comes to deciding which type of mop to purchase, you're going to want to consider a couple of things:
Once you’ve answered all these questions for yourself, you’re ready to begin to look for the perfect mop. I’ll go into detail on the different kinds of mops and their uses.
Types Of Mops
Wet Mop
The mop that we’re all probably most familiar with, the mop with the many strands as its cleaning fabric, is called a cut end wet mop. There are also wet mops in different shapes, like a flat wet mop for example, but the cut end wet mop is the most common one.
Some different types of wet mops include cut-end mops, looped end mops, and microfiber mops.
Cut-end mops are the ones we're all probably most familiar with. These mops are very basic but get the job done. There's nothing about them that makes them particularly special, but they're good at what they do and very inexpensive. They're mostly used in homes and for the most part, can't be washed in the washing machine.
Looped-end mops are slightly bigger than cut-end mops. Looped-end mops are typically the mops that you'll see janitors using, due to their large surface area. They allow the individual to clean larger areas a lot faster due to their larger size. Loose end mops are more durable than cut-end mops and are machine washable.
Microfiber mops come in different forms whether it be cut-end, looped end, or flat, and they are made of various microfiber materials. These microfiber mops are usually made out of a combination of polyamide and polyester, which allows the mop to collect and trap the dirt easily it picks up until washed. Microfiber mops are considered to be the cleanest kind of mop head.
Finally, we have flat mops, which are a newer kind of mop and aren't as common as the other types. These mops can be very convenient, as many variations include a build in spray tank that you fill with water and floor cleaner which allows you to keep using fresh product and clean a lot faster.
These mops consist of a piece of fabric (usually microfiber) attached to a flat plastic mop end. Many flat mops have mop heads that are machine washable.
Dry Mop
A dust mop (or dry mop) is used primarily before wet mopping, and it’s utilized to pick up all the excess dust on the floor before applying water and cleaning products to it. Most dry mops come in the form of a flat sheet of microfiber or other material which attaches to a broomstick and is used like any other mop.
The dry mops are designed to pick up all kinds of dust to make for an easier job cleaning while using another kind of mop. Dry mops won’t clean your floors as well as wet mop will. They’re mostly used in the capacity that you would use a broom.
Getting rid of the excess dust allows for an easier time mopping later on because you won’t be dragging all that dust around and getting it all mixed up in the water.
Hot Mop
Hot mops work a little bit like steam irons. There's a compartment in which to add water, which is then heated and steamed, before being put on the floor. The hot water allows you to clean the floors better and also evaporates faster allowing for faster drying.
The hot mop tends to work best on surfaces where a regular mop would be used as well. Surfaces like bare floors, laminate, and hearths are all okay.
So What Is A Spin Mop?
A spin mop is a wet mop with a twist. The mop head itself is a lot like a cut-end mop, but it's flat and circular. The mop head also can spin 360 degrees. The material the mop head is made out of is usually a microfiber blend.
The bucket that the spin mop comes with features a spinning rinse basket. There is a mechanism in the handle of the mop which allows the mop to be spun, allowing for faster drying, and there is also a pedal on the bucket itself that will rotate the basket as well.
The mop heads on spin mops are especially absorbent and durable. The mop heads are also machine washable. The nice thing about the spin mop though, is that you can get a pretty great wash right there in the bucket.
By rinsing the mop head in clean water, spinning thoroughly and repeating the rinse, you can get a lot of that excess dirt off and have a mop head that’s ready to go again.
Why Should I Get A Spin Mop?
Mopping with the conventional classic wet mop and bucket can be quite the hassle. You have to clean the mop head every time, change the water in the bucket often while cleaning because it gets dirty, and then dry the mop which might not always be the quickest process.
Most people have a lot in their lives that they have to worry about on a day-to-day, and cleaning your home can become for lack of a better term, a chore. Cleaning your home shouldn’t be something that you dread, because not only does it make your life better, but it makes the people around you that are in your home happy too.
Because of the work that goes into mopping conventionally, you might be a little discouraged when it comes to cleaning your home, and that results in a lack of actual cleaning. There's a difference between tidying up because you have to, and having a deeply cleaned home.
The spin mop allows you to clean your home with minimal stress and effort deeply. The spin mop requires a lot less kinetic effort on your end. In fact, the spinning mechanism in the mop does all the work for you when it comes to drying.
Spin mops also use less water than other conventional mops which is both good for you and the environment. There are also certain types of spin mops which feature a separate compartment for dirty water, so the water that you spin off of your mop goes into the dirty bucket, and the rest of your water stays clean.
These mops also often feature angled heads and come in tons of different heights which allow you to reach the more tricky spots you wouldn’t be able to reach otherwise. All of these mops come in very sturdy designs which will last a long time due to their durability and quality manufacturing.
How To Use A Spin Mop
Spin mops may appear complicated to use at first, but they're quite simple. Once everything is set up and you know what you're doing, everything will be a breeze.
Assembly
The handle usually comes in three parts. These parts are first screwed in, and then the mop head is ready to be placed on. In some cases the mop head will already come attached, but if not it's reasonably simple to do. Once the handle is attached correctly, you shouldn't be able to remove it by pulling.
To attach the mop head, simply put the mop head on the ground, and push down with the handle. The mop head should connect automatically.
Use
When filling the bucket, make sure not to use too much water. Most buckets will have a line on the inside of the bucket showing the proper amount of water to use. Using too much water can lead to excess splashing and overflow when you’re wringing out the mop.
To wring out your mop, place it in the bucket making sure that it is secured in place, hold on the handle and firmly and use the pedal on the bucket to wring your mop dry at incredible speeds. You can choose exactly how dry you want your mop to be by holding as long and as fast as you wish to spin it.
After that, your spin mop works just like any other mop, except that the 360-degree head and flexible designs allow you to reach places you might not be able to with other mops. The ease and comfort of using a spin mop are instantly recognizable.
Tips For Using Your Spin Mop
Knowing When To Use It Dry
The microfiber strands on your mop head are extremely absorbent. By knowing when to use your mop head dry, you can clean up and absorb messy spills with ease, instead of spreading them around.
The best way to clean up spills is to slowly absorb them into a dry mop head, being careful not to spread the liquid around too much. You can then rinse the mop off, and thanks to the advanced spinning features should be spotless after drying.
How Much To Spin
The faster that you spin the mop head in the spin basket, the drier the mop head itself will be. You can choose whether you want to have your mop extremely dry for cleaning up spills and absorbing liquids and dust, or you can leave some moisture on your mop head allowing you to clean the floors.
You're not going to want to spin too fast, as you don't want your mop to be bone dry when going for a deep cleaning. However, understanding the right amount to spin your mop will be very useful to you when it comes to getting to job done quicker.
Learning How To Use YOUR Spin Mop
Spin mops come in all sorts of varieties. There are only so many general tips I can give without knowing just exactly what kind of spin mop you have. Many different brands of spin mops have certain nuances and exclusive features that require a little bit more learning about your specific product.
Spin mops are quite easy to get the hang of. There aren't too many things that I can tell you that you aren't going to figure out on your own once you get your hands on one of these things. However, there are a lot of specific things that you can do with certain kinds of spin mops.
I'm going to get into the different kinds of manufacturers and the different features of the various models, and hopefully, this can help you make a more informed decision when it comes to purchasing your spin mop.
Spin Mop Manufacturers
Hurricane Spin Mop
The hurricane spin mop is a little pricey compared to similar mops of the same quality. The product itself can come off as a little cheaply made, but it still gets the job done.
The mop head is a little clunky when it comes to swiveling, and is pretty small.
The microfiber mop head, however, is absorbent and undeniably more effective than a regular cheap cut-end mop head that you might get.
The main problem that people seem to have with the hurricane spin mop is its lack of durability.
There have been many a complaint of the foot pedal breaking off and leaks occurring from the place where the pedal attaches to the bucket.
The mop itself doesn't have a push spin feature like other spin mops and only has the pedal on the bucket for spinning. Just by looking at the product you can tell it's not the most sturdy and reliable and for the price, it may not be worth it to you.
O-Ceder Spin Mop
The O-Ceder spin mop is probably one of the most well-reviewed spin mops available on the market. Especially considering its price, the O-Ceder proves to be quite a bang for your buck so to speak.
source: ocedar.com
The mop head itself is made up of extremely durable microfibers that won’t be ruined by the rigorous cleaning it may go through.
The mop head is also slightly triangular, allowing you to even further get to those hard to reach spots.
The pivoting head is a lot better designed than other products, and allows for a smooth pivot and turn.
The mop also features a telescoping handle, which lets you further extend the length of the mop handle to your convenience and preference.
The bucket also features a splash guard to prevent water from getting out of the bucket. This proves particularly useful with the O-Ceder because not only does the basket spin but also features a wringing function which will help dry your mop head.
For the price, the O-Ceder spin mop is one of the better options available on the market.
Mopnado Spin Mop
Instead of a pedal on the bucket, the Mopnado spin mop features a push-spin design. To spin the mop, you push down on the handle, and the head spins in 360 degrees. The faster you push down on the handle, the faster the mop head spins.
The Mopnado is a little pricier than other kinds of spin mops, but also has a couple of unique features.
source: mopnado.com
For example, not a lot of other spin mops feature the push-spin technology.
The Mopnado also offers a diffuser on the inside of the bucket which works sort of like a washing machine to further get the dirt off of the mop head.
The mop head itself is pretty high quality. It's very absorbent and ready for use either dry or wet.
The microfibers are very good at picking up dust and soaking up spills.
The mop head also has a swivel function allowing you to get to those hard to reach places more easily.
The mop heads are also machine washable and good for a couple of years at least. The higher price of the Mopnado might discourage you from buying it but needless to say, it's a quality product that probably won't disappoint.
Casabella Spin Mop
The Casabella spin mop is probably one of the most aesthetically pleasing spin mops on the market. It features a very elegant design and many features that aren’t present on the other spin mops mentioned.
The Casabella spin mop has a stainless steel wringer basket, and push down handle for wringing and spinning. The Casabella spin mop also has an easy to remove and fill soap pump which sits right next to where the water goes.
The bucket also has wheels for easy transport and a sliding handle. Another cool feature is the drainage hole at the bottom of the bucket. When it’s time to drain your dirty water, all you have to do is simply remove the drainage nozzle and let the water flow out.
source: casabella.com
The Casabella even comes equipped with a built-in drawer for storing sponges and brushes.
The mop head itself isn't necessarily the best for corners but its very high quality and will do a very good job.
For all the Casabella offers, the price point is pretty fair. If this sounds like the kind of spin mop that's right for you, it's going to last you a long time, so the price isn't that bad.
Spin Mop Maintenance And Cleaning
When it comes to the maintenance and cleaning of your spin mop, most of the problems that you'll encounter are well within your ability to fix. The higher quality spin mop that you purchase, the less likely you're going to be to run into problems, so keep that in mind.
One general tip when it comes to keeping your mop heads in the best possible condition is to clean them right after any use. If you allow the dust and dirt to settle on your mop after you clean the floors, it’s going to be a lot harder to get off later on.
The best thing to do is to wash off all that dirt right away, that way you have a mop that stays clean, and you’ll be ready to get started right away the next time you want to use it.
In the case of a part breaking, a lot of spin mops will offer a warranty. See if your situation is covered under the warranty if you have one and if not, extra parts are usually available for purchase online on internet marketplaces like Amazon or the manufacturer's website.
If you’re wondering how to remove the mop head from the spin mop, it’s extremely easy and makes cleaning a lot simpler. To remove the mop head simply put it on the ground, hold the handle upright, put your foot down on the mop head, and pull on the handle. The mop head should pop right off.
Most mop heads are made out of durable microfibers but are still subject to regular wear-and-tear. Make sure not to go too hard on your spin mop. If you bought a spin mop that maybe isn't as sturdy as others, pressing hard on the handle and scrubbing extra hard can lead to a number of issues.
Conclusion
There are all sorts of mops available for purchase, and spin mops are one of the most exciting types. Now that you know about all the various kinds of mops uses and nuances, you'll be able to make a more informed decision when it's time to purchase one.
source: mopnado.com
Going with a spin mop might not be the right choice for you, but if you have the extra money to spend, and want to cut your cleaning time down a little bit and lower the workload on your end, it’s something you may want to consider.
Resources:
Wikipedia
wikiHow
CreekLineHouse
HSE