The interesting thing about mops is that so few people know how to use them effectively. Mopping was once a normal part of both residential and commercial maintenance. In 2020 though, it is somewhat of a lost art. Between new technologies and the expansion of the concrete jungle, we just don’t mop like we used to.
There are three different kinds of mops: wet, dry, and microfiber mops. Each type has its intended purposes. It goes without saying that those purposes are distinct and separate. You wouldn’t use a dry mop to clean up spilled liquids, for example, you would use a wet mop. Here are some tips and tricks for using each type of mop.
Dry Mopping is for Dirt and Debris
A dry mop is an elongated mop designed to address large areas of floor space quickly. Here’s what you need to know about dry mopping: it is intended to pick up loose dirt and debris. It is ideal for this sort of application because it is faster and more thorough than sweeping. Dry mopping also cuts down on the amount of dust in the air.
Consider large areas of concrete floor in a manufacturing environment. A dry mop is the perfect tool for cleaning up all sorts of industrial debris. Moreover, dry mopping as a precursor to wet mopping cuts down on the amount of work necessary to get floors clean with a wet mop.
Wet Mopping is for Soiled Floors
Soiled floors will still look somewhat dirty even after dry mopping. Enter the wet mop. A wet mop is a mop designed to clean floors with water and a liquid cleaning solution. The idea behind wet mopping is to soak the floor, let the cleaning solution do its work, then soak up water and dirt and rinse it away.
A typical wet mop is a cotton string mop that absorbs water quite readily. However, recent advances in technology have brought us microfiber mops that do just as good a job without being so heavy. A microfiber wet mop works on the same principle as a string mop.
There Are Right and Wrong Procedures
Alsco, a company who offers wet & dry mop rentals, says there are right and wrong procedures for both types of mopping. In a dry mopping scenario, the best strategy is to mop in rows, similar to what a farmer does when plowing fields. Going back and forth in side-by-side rows ensures a more thorough cleaning while simultaneously moving all of the dirt and debris to a central location for easier pickup.
The right procedure for wet mopping involves a one or two compartment mop bucket along with hot water and a cleaning solution. The key to wet mopping is allowing the cleaning solution to do its work. If you simply dampen the mop and run a single pass over the floor, all you are doing is spreading dirt around. Mopping the floor, rinsing the mop, and then soaking up dirt and debris is the right way to go.
Cleaning with a microfiber mop usually requires less work due to the lighter weight and great absorbency of microfiber products. But the choice of cleaning solution is still important. You will get more dirt up with a good cleaning solution than with water alone.
Mops have been around for centuries. They are basic tools with a lot of value in both homes and commercial buildings. It’s too bad more people are not comfortable with using them. As one of the oldest cleaning tools around, the trusted mop really makes a difference on dirty floors.
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