17 Different Types of Mops: The Complete List
You can only abstain from mopping for some time. But eventually, you just can avoid wiping those dirty floors. The inquiry at that point becomes, what type of mop do you need? While there are vast amounts of mops on the market, they, in reality, all fall into only a couple of classes. Here is how you can narrow down which different types of mops you need to clean your floors. We make the list of mops for you!
The idea of the mop is amazingly straightforward. At the start, a mop was a bit of wood with something that can get used to wiping floors attached to the bottom. For a very long time, this is what people meant when they mentioned a mop. In the course of the most recent couple of decades, mops have developed to uncanny degrees. The conventional mop that utilizes a bucket to dry is still the most widely recognized mop. Yet, in the current day, there are various types of mops that represent incredible efficiency in cleaning certain zones and can make life a whole lot simpler in cleaning these zones. There are of course many different types of mops, but the ones we’re about to talk about are the most common!
Here’s the curated list of 17 different types of mops, how they work every thing you should know about them:
- Flat Mop
- Dust Mop
- Disposable Mop
- Microfiber Mops
- Sponge Mop
- Robot Mop
- Brush Mop
- Rag Mop
- Electric Mop
- Spray Mop
- Steam Mop
- String Mop
- Spin Mop
- Cut-End Mop
- Looped End Mop
- Strip Mop
- Static Mop
1. Flat Mop
Flat mops are the most common mops you can find in most of the houses nowadays. They have a flat mop head, and you can attach flat mop pads to it. You can add a variety of pads like cotton pads, microfiber cloth pads and also reusable and disposable pads according to your preference.
Most of the mops in the market are the classification of flat mops with different pads and functions attached to them. That is because they are most convenient for cleaning and washing.
One of the advantages of flat mops is they use less water to clean. That is why they are perfect for vinyl plank floors, wooden plank floors and laminate floors. Excessive water can add extra moisture in between the planks and loosen the attachments.
Flat mops have other advantages that make them favorite to many housekeepers. Most of them are lightweight and easy to hold during mopping. So they don’t tire your hands down.
Flat mops include an adjustable handle so that you make them longer or shorter according to your height or the place you need to reach. They also have a 360-degree rotation system for maximum reach avoiding dead ends.
If you buy good quality mop pads for your flat mops, then you can use them for a long time by washing them properly. Microfiber cloth pads are great for flat mops for their extra absorbance. Most of them are reusable and can be thrown to the dishwasher without any hassle of touching the dirty pads.
However, flat mops are a bit small to cover large areas, and they are perfect for medium-sized rooms. However, you can find flat mops with a bigger head that covers a lot of surface in a short time.
2. Dust Mop
Different than most other types of mops, dust mop is something in between a broom and a mop. A dust mop will dust your floors or surface without using any water. That is why it is also called dry mop sometimes.
Even though they are not meant to be used with water, that doesn’t mean they can be replaced with a boom. A dust mop is used to attract stronger dirt and hold on to them. Whereas, a broom is used to wipe less dust.
Comparing dust mop to broom, dust mop is more useful to clean stubborn dirt and debris that are hard to take off. However, when you need to get a quick clean and want to cover a large surface, a broom will be more effective than a dust mop. Use a dust mop to for hard to reach areas and to scrub stubborn debris.
Well, a dust mop will not make your floors squeaky clean, and for disinfecting your surface, you will need wet mops other than this dust mop. Well, the good news is, there are lots of good brands that offer both dust mop and dry mop functions on a single mop set. They offer microfiber cloth pads and multifunctional heads that let you both dry and wet mop.
3. Disposable Mop
A good mop can be quite easy to clean and maintain. But not everybody is fond of maintaining mops. Especially when you have too many important jobs to finish other than taking care of a mop.
For your busy life, a disposable mop is a great option to save time and finish your work faster. The disposable mops can be attached to most of the mop heads available in the market. So you can buy these mops from online or local markets and add them to your existing mop.
However, you can also wash and reuse disposable mops when you feel like doing so. But usually, they are made to be discarded right away.
Disposable mops are often seen to be used in offices, stores or institutions. That is because having employees to clean the dirty mop pads are quite challenging and less money-saving. Moreover, those institutions often get dirty in one single day, and the mop pads don’t get that cleaned after washes anyway.
4. Microfiber Mops
Microfiber mop is the type of mops that has microfiber cloth pads on the mop head. It is highly popular nowadays because of its high absorbency and how effective it is for cleaning.
Microfiber mops are an excellent choice for vinyl plank floors and laminate floors. They are quite gentle, so they hardly do any damage to the surface. But the high absorbance makes your floor all nice and sudsy.
Most importantly, microfiber mops are very easy to use. They are machine washable so you can throw them in the washer right after the clean. Plus they can be reused for 100 to 500 times depending on the quality of the pads.
5. Sponge Mop
A sponge mop is another mop type to effectively clean up spills and scrub off sports off the floor. If you tend to spill juice or liquid meals too frequently around the house, or you have kids or pets that run around spilling things, then a sponge mop can be an excellent budget option. Their super absorbency makes sure your house stays nice and clean all the time.
A sponge mop includes a sponge attached to the mop head. This sponge has high absorbent power and can suck up the maximum level of the liquid.
Sponge mops are also easy to use and maintain. To clean the sponges, you don’t need to take them off the mop head. By just pulling a trigger several times, you can wash them at ease and reuse up to hundreds of washes depending on the quality.
However, a sponge mop is not a great option to clean dirt and for regular mopping. They don’t glide across floors as well as other types of mops. So it’s harder to get the perfectly nice and sudsy vibe by using this type of mop.
6. Robot Mop
We live in 2020, and we know how technology is replacing so much old stuff. Robots mops are effective for all the clean freaks out there who tend to get irritated with a tiny amount of dirt. Well, this is quite understandable considering the recent situation of our world.
When you are too busy to clean your house, there are two options you get left. One, you can hire a professional cleaner to clean your surface. This option might provide better performance and won’t cost you much at a time.
The other option is to have a robot mop that will clean your house on a fixed schedule that you set. To get your robot mop moving and start working, you won’t need to make calls or let another human in your house.
Having a robot mop means you set it up and forget. Most of the robot mops will dry, damp and wet clean so this means fewer appliances in the house. They also reach out to the dead ends and make the floor perfectly clean. And as they are too small in size, they take very little space in the house.
However, few robot mops tend to make noises during cleaning. So be sure you stay away from those. A good quality robot mop from trusted bands will be great for this issue.
7. Brush Mop
Brush mop is a kind of mops that you need for heavy cleaning. Sometimes our houses can get really dirty and stained when you get too busy with our stuff. Or some of us face this issue when they move into a new apartment because the previous owners didn’t care enough for the stains.
Well, to solve this issue, brush mops will come real handy. A brush mop comes with a brush attached to the mop head. Unlike cotton string mops or microfiber mops, brush mops can clean stubborn debris real quick and give the house a nice and sudsy look.
Brush mops have several uses. You can use them as both dry and wet cleaning. They are excellent to use both outdoors and indoors, depending on what purpose you want to fulfil. Plus they are easy to wash after cleaning.
However, do not use brush mops on a regular basis on floors. They will likely cause damage to your surface and scratch the floors. They are mostly harmful to vinyl plank floors or laminate floors.
8. Rag Mop
Rag mop is related to string mop. The structure and shape of both mops are almost the same. But unlike string mops, a rag mop includes a rag attached to the mop head. Whereas, the string mop includes traditional cotton strings.
It might seem quite unusual than the conventional mops, but this mop type also has its own way of cleaning. It has decent absorbent power that will make cleaning as effective as a string mop.
For having a rag mop, you don’t need to buy a full set. Just purchase some rags from the online or local store that can fit into your current mop head and you are good to go.
Well, rag mops are quite effortless to use and maintain. You can detach the rags after cleaning and wash them in the dishwasher or as your preference. Then you can store them for your next use.
9. Electric Mop
An electric mop is a convenient option for those who want a cleaning tool with the least hassle. As these mops are powered by electricity, you won’t be needing to operate it manually. All you have to do is set the mop up and hold it against the surface you want to clean.
Most electric mops have multifunctional quality like vacuuming, steaming and scrubbing with one unit. So having one good electric mop with replacing a couple of items from your house like brooms, water buckets for mopping, mop pads and etc. this saves you from the hassle of buying those items every other month separately.
Electric mops are not bulky most of the time. So they do not take up much space either. Moreover, these mops make your work more convenient and save your time and energy.
10. Spray Mop
Spray Mop is one of the most convenient mops out there. A spray mop is designed with an attached liquid container. You can pour your favorite cleaning solution or just water into the water, and by pressing a button or trigger, the mop will spray the liquid accordingly.
Spray mop is one of the fastest units you can use to clean your floors. The mop is gentle but effective enough to clean your vinyl plank floors or laminate floors. For the best quality one, you can always control how much water flow you want. So no worries about getting your floors too wet or damp.
As a spray mop spray water or solution automatically, you get rid of the hassle of wringing the mop every other minute. Moreover, you don’t have to carry a bucket around while you are mopping with a spray mop. Thus it saves more of your energy and time.
Spray more are also economical and environment friendly. The cloth pads that come with the mop set are usually machine washable, and they last after hundreds of washes. So, you are out of the hassle of buying new cloth pads every month. Also, it ensures you don’t touch any dirt before, during or after cleaning the floors.
11. Steam Mop
A steam mop is a type of electric mop that makes steam to clean floors, surface and carpets. It heats up water to almost 250 degrees Fahrenheit from a reservoir that is included in the mop.
Steam mops are useful to clean stubborn debris and make your floors squeaky clean. After cleaning with a steam mop, your house is left feeling hygienic and fresh.
However, steam mops are most beneficial for hard floors and carpets. Do not use steam mops on vinyl plank floors cause it will do more damage to your floors than cleaning.
12. String Mop
Most people, when they hear the word “Mop”, string mop is what they picture instantly. String mops are one of the most common mop types, and they are also among the oldest types.
A spring mop holds the traditional structure of mop. It comes with a bucket, and you can attach different types of pads to the mop head. Usually, cotton string mops have been used all over the world. Now microfiber pads have been starting to replace the cotton ones.
The cotton string mops have their advantages and disadvantages. The cotton string mops are famous for their extra absorbance of dirt and debris. Using these mops, you can easily clean the hard to reach corners.
What is more, cotton string mops can mop a wide surface quickly, and it can clean more liquids at a time. They are quite gentle and easy to use.
However, the cotton string mops are not the most effective ones to remove germs. Studies have shown that a cotton string mops removes 27% fewer germs than a microfiber mop. Also, microfiber ones last longer and clean more surface than the string ones. That is why, nowadays, microfiber mops are taking the place of cotton string mops gradually.
13. Spin Mop
Another fascinating way to mop your floor is by utilizing a spin mop. But they are somewhat unique. Spin mops primarily work similarly to a conventional mop. But as an addition, you can turn these mops to help dispose of stains and get your ground surface clean quicker. These types of mops are super-efficient when it comes to tidying up your rooms, without having to sweep them extremely hard.
Some of the time these spin mops are called twist mops. You will make a twisting movement with your wrist to turn them. It will be fit to get set to work to clean out stains and other messy spots of your deck once the mop begins turning. They have become an incredibly popular alternative that people use every day to make sure their floors look stainless.
The spin mops such as the ones made by O-cedar and Bissel have a few qualities that make it stand apart as a good purchase. The first is that it includes an extending handle. You can effectively adjust the handle of the mop to make arriving at specific spots simpler than at any other time. It makes it so that you won’t need to squat down or attempt to get into an uncomfortable position just to be able to mop the floor in one finicky spot. It likewise accompanies a helpful bucket and handbasket. You can easily move it around your household and tidy everything up adequately. As it is a budget-friendly mop, this would even make for a decent buy for business purposes. Making it an excellent buying choice for any individual who might want to possess a turn mop that is both effective and budget-friendly.
14. Cut-End Mop
Cut-end mops are among the most affordable mop types that you can buy. You will probably want to buy one of these if you’re going to effectively mop your floor without having to spend money on any additional products. You’ll be fit to find them at pretty much any store that conveys cleaning items. They function admirably to tidy up small stains and thoroughly mop your floor. The issue with cut-end mops is that they aren’t as durable as some of the other types. You may end up needing to buy another one of these mops a few times each year, depending upon how frequently you mop. So, it’s not much of a problem if you mop your floors infrequently. It is still noteworthy to be careful that these mops don’t keep going forever.
You can’t pull the mop head off of this mop to clean it viably either. It will end up getting decimated if you try to wash it in a machine, so you should never set the mop head in a clothes washer. But you will want to attempt to tidy it up here and there. It can be somewhat poorly arranged. It encourages you to maintain a strategic distance from form issues and keeps your mop sterile.
15. Looped End Mop
Looped end mops are much more absorbent than the cut-end mops referenced previously. It makes them significantly more straightforward to utilize when you have to tidy up spills. One of the essential reasons that individuals buy mops is to be able to tidy up spills when there has been an accident. Possessing one of these mops is going to make things exceptionally easy for you.
Another valid justification that you will want to consider when buying a looped end mop is that they are machine-washable. You will be able to quickly pull the mop head off of the broom and wash it up. It can expand the life of the mop significantly. But even though cleaning the mop head will make it last longer and spare you some extra, you should supplant the mop head in the long run for maximum efficiency. These mops are entirely reliable and will be competent to tidy up even massive stains effortlessly. It is the type of mop that you will usually see janitorial staff utilizing at business facilities. But it can likewise work impeccably in your home. It is intended to do challenging tasks. At that point, this one is going to turn out to be incredible if you need a trustworthy mop.
16. Strip Mop
Extremely indistinguishable to a squeegee in look, a strip mop that has a material head permits you to set water on the window and wipe zones without expelling the entirety of the water from the surface. It’s noteworthy that you pick one that has a head that is estimated accurately for your windows or you will run into trouble when you try to use this mop to wipe windows. They are not only helpful for expelling a portion of the water too, but they are also perfect for adding water to your windows when you can’t reach a certain height, a wipe or a cloth.
It’s additionally noteworthy to ensure that you pick a strip mop that is durable enough to scour your windows without it getting harmed or broken. It gives an incredible way to hose bits of material that are stuck on the glass, but you won’t be able to use the strip mop to get rid of whatever has dried onto your windows. That’s why some strip mops come with nylon wiping cushions which can effortlessly remove dry, hard stains with ease.
17. Static Mop
The main distinction between a static mop and regular ones is that rather than bristles attached toward the end, static mops have a similar plan as a shop brush, some of them have long microfiber stretched out as far as possible.
The way that microfibers transport something similar to static is the thing that gives them the name static mops. Much like some other types of mops, the static mop can be easily used to get rid of strange dirt or stains and carry them into a dustpan.
Wrap Up
Well, these were some fascinating mops that you can use to make your house fresh and hygienic. You can find these in the market easily, and all of them have their own way of cleaning your floors. We hope you can now differentiate among these mops and choose which one you need.
Hope you found this list of different types of mops useful. Let’s know in the comment below which one you are using right now or interested to buy later. We are interested to hear from you all.