We choose a mop for cleaning floors.
Choosing a mop for cleaning at first glance seems simple. After all, all you have to do is go to the store, choose any of the equipment and start cleaning, right?
Unfortunately, not quite. There are many different solutions available on the market. A industrial mop will work elsewhere, while a different mop for the floor will be useful in a home or small office.
To make it easier for you to choose the right solutions, in the offer of our store we present a wide selection of professional mops for cleaning, which will perform their task well.
What types of mops for cleaning do we distinguish?
Although floor mops can be classified in many ways, the simplest division is to distinguish between string (or strip) mops and flat mops.
String mops are most often used for cleaning small surfaces and for this reason they will not work well in an industrial plant. However, they are an invaluable help in an apartment or single-family home due to their compact design and low operating costs.
A big advantage of this type of floor mop is its very high water absorption, making it well suited for absorbing spilled liquids. On the other hand, its spatial structure makes it difficult to keep clean and the mop heads need to be replaced very often.
The equipment should also be thoroughly rinsed, as dirt easily gets between the straps and settles back on the floor, leaving unsightly marks.
A good example of such a device is the Kentucky cotton string mop or Splast brand mop. Both models have a very high water absorption capacity and are highly resistant to detergents. They can be machine washed at high temperatures and allow for thorough cleaning of both smooth and porous surfaces, as well as effective removal of water and dirt.
An alternative solution to the string mop is the flat mop, typically used for washing large, industrial or frequently used surfaces.
Cleaning services in schools, shops, and recreational facilities often use this type of mop for its high efficiency.
German company Vileda specializes in the production of mops for cleaning. The Vileda Ultra series of mop heads works great for cleaning large surfaces, with high absorbency and easy rinsing making models such as UltraSpeed Contract or UltraSpeed Safe perfect assistants for daily cleaning tasks.
What to pay attention to when choosing a flat mop?
A rectangular flat mop consists of several elements that should be considered when making a purchase.
The base of such equipment is always the frame. Choosing the right attachment method will maximize ergonomic work. This is particularly important when cleaning surfaces that need to be kept clean at all times, such as hallways or floors in hospitals and schools.
Large surfaces are best cleaned with an industrial mop with a pocket or speedy frame, which can be used with special inserts designed for intensive use and for wet and dry cleaning.
On the other hand, a hook and loop mop can be used for cleaning a small office. This type of solution is not suitable for absorbing large amounts of moisture, as the soaked strips begin to peel off from the frame.
How to choose a mop for floor cleaning based on the shape of the surface?
Not every solution will work in every place. Strip mops for dust are good at removing dirt from hard-to-reach places and corners. Their design allows us to easily remove dirt stuck in the corner of a wall, in the bend of stairs, or on an irregular surface.
On the other hand, flat mops for large surfaces efficiently remove dirt and moisture from a large area, but they are not suitable where the layout of the rooms requires more precise maneuvering. The type of surface being cleaned also determines the type of mop head.
The most common type of mop head is made of cotton material, such as Clean brand string mop. It is compact, absorbs moisture well, and is suitable for universal use. However, it is difficult to keep this type of floor mop clean due to the white color of the threads. It can be washed in the washing machine without any worries, even at high temperatures.
Another solution is a microfiber mop, which is used at the final stage of cleaning. It is not very absorbent, but easy to maintain cleanliness. This type of flat mops work well when wiping the floor close to the wall or in a corner. We can find this material in Splast flat mop.
A universal floor mop refill is a combination of three types of fibers - acrylic, microfiber and cotton. The hybrid construction ensures multi-purpose cleaning, high absorbency and efficiency, even when wiping rough surfaces. An example of such a combination is Vileda UltraSpeed, which belongs to the wide family of Vileda Ultra mops.
Finally, mop refills can be made of microfiber. This material has the same high absorbency as cotton and can be used interchangeably with classic strip or string mops. They are designed for wet mopping as well as for daily care and disinfection of wooden, ceramic, and stone surfaces.
Microfiber mops can be washed in the washing machine. A good example of this type of insert is the Clean pocket mop.
What cleaning accessories are worth buying?
When deciding to buy a mop, it is worth choosing the right handle, which should be replaced from time to time (especially when the handle slips or the thread wears out).
A floor mop can work on a heavy metal handle or a light aluminum one. What is the difference?
Metal handles are more resistant to mechanical damage, but they are also heavier. This makes it easier to press them down when we want to remove particularly stubborn dirt. This solution is most often chosen by cleaning companies that are focused on a large volume of tasks and high work efficiency.
On the other hand, an aluminum handle is lighter and it is more difficult to clean persistent stains with it. However, it is more convenient for older or physically weaker people.
A good investment is buying a mop with a wringer bucket, such as the Clean wringer bucket. This allows us to easily and quickly squeeze out excess water. The plastic buckets are solid and suitable for all types of string and strip mops.
A floor cleaning bucket can also be part of a larger cleaning cart, like this professional model from Splast equipped with two buckets of different capacities, a press for wringing out and a basket for additional accessories.
If we are annoyed by a mop with a wringing bucket, we can consider testing innovative solutions, such as a mop with a sprayer, which combines both functions.
This method works well on smaller surfaces, where we do not have space to store buckets or carts.
Professional mops for cleaning - what to keep in mind?
While in a small household the choice of mop is not as important and ultimately comes down to the owner's preferences, in the case of a cleaning company it is more complicated.
When choosing a mop for the floor, it is important to consider that employees will be cleaning various types of surfaces - both smooth and porous, fast and slow-drying. For this reason, it is worth stocking up on several different types of equipment to match the requirements of each room.
It may turn out that a typical, strip dust mop will be used very rarely, and a flat mop will work much better. In such a situation, it is good to rely on cleaning accessories from reputable companies such as Vileda Ultra mops or products from Splast or Clean.
How to connect individual mop elements?
Each mop consists of three parts - a refill, a frame, and a handle. The individual elements should be selected so that they fit together and, above all, the construction is suitable for removing a specific type of dirt.
Classic cotton, string mops with a bucket, and pocket frame mops are the best solution for household cleaning.
In a small store, a better solution will be a Speedy type frame, which significantly shortens cleaning time. Here, a cotton or microfiber refill will also work well.
On larger surfaces such as corridors or school or university halls, an acrylic mop attached to a frame or a multi-component Vileda UltraSpeed Trio mop will be more efficient.
Additional protection with rubber bands or straps will prevent the insert from falling out of the holder, and acrylic effectively collects dry dust, dirt, and sand. It is not worth using velcro mops here, as they are not very efficient in high humidity. Large surfaces are also not suitable for a mop with a bucket, but rather a cleaning cart.
Finally, in healthcare facilities, single-contact mops will be useful, allowing for surface cleaning without detaching the mop from it.
In the offer of the OLE.pl store, you will find mops, frames, and accessories suitable for all types of surfaces. Our consultants will gladly advise both individual users and large cleaning companies on which equipment is worth purchasing.
It is worth remembering that the cleanliness of flat surfaces not only affects the comfort of using the rooms, but also the safety of guests and clients.