If you’re the kind of person who likes to see their house spotlessly clean, then you know how important regular mopping is. But while you may want to clean your house every single day, the process is tiring.
Luckily, such cleaning has been made easy due to the availability of different mops in the market. One such mop is the microfiber mop which reduces your cleaning time immensely compared to other kinds of mops.
However, when it comes to shopping for a microfiber mop, you might be intimidated by the different models on the market. It’s, therefore, very important for you to understand how it works, what differentiates it from other mops and what to look for when choosing the best one.
What Is a Microfiber Mop
The reason why they’re the best professional mops is because unlike other mops, they have heads that can be machine washed a lot of times before you even think of getting a replacement.
They have non-abrasive fibers that are gentle offering protection for floors thus making them even better than vacuum cleaners. This also means that they’re great for cleaning hardwood floors which are delicate and require a special kind of attention.
The good thing about microfiber mops is that they don’t push hair and dirt around which can happen when you’re using a vacuum cleaner. Instead, they trap debris giving you a thorough cleaning and some of them even come with separate pads that you can use to dry mop the floor.
Benefits of Using a Microfiber Mop
When it comes to cleaning, there’s a need to find a mop that can do an excellent job of cleaning and doesn’t ruin your floor. That is what microfiber mops offer.
Environmental Friendly
If you’re looking for a reason to go with a microfiber mop instead of the others on the market, it’s worth noting that these mops don’t use electricity.
This makes them environmentally friendly as well as safe if you have kids in the house. It also means that your electricity bills will not be high.
Don’t Require a Lot of Water
Compared to cloth mops, microfiber mops require little water when cleaning. Despite this, they offer better and more comprehensive cleaning due to the fact that there’s less scrubbing.
As such, they not only save you electricity but your water bills will go down as well.
Gentle On the Back
For those who have issues with their back, microfiber mops are the best option. This is because unlike other kinds of mops, you can adjust the length of the handle and the fact that they clean quicker means that you’ll spend little time bending.
Budget Friendly
While microfiber mops cost more than string mops, at the end of the day, they’re way more economical. Why is this? Microfiber mops are built to last longer than others with proper care.
In this case, even the most expensive ones you’ll find are more budget friendly considering how many mops of another kind you’ll have to replace.
Ease of Use
Microfiber mops are the easiest to use. First, you don’t need to scrub every inch thoroughly for that spotless look.
The head is adjustable enough to swiftly clean every corner of the house including under chairs and tables.
Weigh Less
Microfiber mops tend to be airy and as such, are lighter in weight compared to even the best vacuum cleaners while on a budget.
The fact that they’re lightweight is one of the main reasons why they continue to grow in popularity and are finding their way into many households. The low weight makes cleaning effortless and it also means that you don’t incur unnecessary pain especially on the back.
Low Maintenance
The maintenance of microfiber mops is like nothing you’ve ever seen before. They have removable heads which you can machine wash and that’s all the maintenance you need.
What carries the day however is that, no matter how many times you wash your mop, the fibers will never wear out and as such you’re looking at a lot of months of usage.
Type of Stains/Dirt Microfiber Mops Are Good and Bad For
Microfiber mops tend to be very absorbent and very easy to care for since you just need to throw them in the washing machine without worrying about ruining the fibers. They’re also non-abrasive which means that they never leave scratches on the floor especially if you have a laminate or hardwood one.
Compared to other mops, they’re easiest to use and clean and don’t leave debris behind like vacuum cleaners. Whether it’s dust or pet hair, microfiber mops work by attracting dirt just like a magnet would.
This is due to the fact that the nylon and polyester fibers in the pads are charged positively causing dust to cling to them. Traditional cotton or sponge mops, on the other hand, tend to push the dirt around but microfiber ones pick even the tiniest of specks.
When it comes to stain removal, most microfiber mops have an inbuilt scrubber that tends to remove even the most stubborn stains. You, however, need to be extra careful when you’re moping hardwood floors ensuring that you don’t scrape and damage your floor.
Types of Microfiber Mops
There are different types of microfiber mops – from the simple microfiber cloth that’ll cost you less than $10 to steam and spin mops. The kind of mop you choose will depend on your budget, floor type, as well as the type of cleaning you intend to do.
And just like you would purchase the best shop vacs, you also need to settle for the best microfiber mop.
Yacht Mops
Also referred to as string or deck mops, these kinds of mops have been around for so many years. They’re made from durable cotton that’s absorbent with the strings attached to a metal or wood handle.
They’re great for heavy-duty cleaning due to their durable cotton fibers and as such are great for cleaning decks or commercial flooring. They’re also highly absorbent though they aren’t the best for indoor cleaning due to the fact that they don’t leave a streak-free finish.
When cleaning you’ll need a wringer bucket to get rid of the excess water. As such if your mop has a larger head, the more water it’ll absorb hence a need for a bigger and stronger wringer bucket.
Bee/Sponge Mop
Like string mops, sponge mops have been around for long and are an excellent choice if you have linoleum floors. They’re also great for cleaning walls due to the fact that the sponge can reach and scrub build up as well as stains on the wall.
Compared to other mops, sponge mops most of the time don’t wring out well which doesn’t mean that they aren’t ideal for laminate or hardwood floors.
They’re also hard to maintain in that they’re hard to keep clean and most of the time will end up dirtying the floor when you’re cleaning.
Microfiber Twist Mop
The microfiber mop from a distance may look similar to a yacht mop, but one difference you’ll note is that instead of the cotton strings that yacht mops have, microfiber twist mops have microfiber strings.
If you’re looking for an all-purpose cleaning mop, then you can’t do better than the microfiber twist mop.
This is because they can be used for heavy duty mopping just like yacht mops and at the same time, the microfiber strings are delicate enough to be used on hardwood, tiles and stone floors.
They’re also super absorbent and don’t leave streaks behind if you wring out the mop well.
Flat Head Mops
Flat head mops have grown in popularity and it’s no wonder to find them in many homes today. They’re an excellent choice if you have a laminate or hardwood floor.
Since moisture can ruin these floors, flat head mops are designed with a cleaning solution reservoir. When cleaning, all you need to do is spray just a little bit of the solution on the floor and wipe it with the mopping head.
The good thing about these mops is that they don’t leave behind streaks and as such will leave your floor looking clean and shiny. Flat head mops are also great for granite and marble floors since they need very little moisture allowing you to polish the floor nicely.
If you decide to go with a flat head mop, it’s advisable that you get more than one pad to replace for better cleaning when the one you’re using gets too wet.
Dry Mops
Dry mops also referred to as dust mops, are ideal for cleaning smaller spaces. They’re excellent for in between cleaning to maintain the original condition of your floors.
The mop works by picking hair and dust but may leave debris behind hence a need to use another kind of mops like a microfiber twist or a portable steam cleaner for a more thorough cleaning.
Microfiber Mop on Different Surfaces
When you’re looking to purchase a microfiber mop, it’s only natural that you would want to know how they work on different floors so as to retain the original look of your floor.
Laminate
Laminate floors are made from a combination of wood, plastic and resin, they’re extremely easy to maintain and will always retain that shiny look.
When it comes to caring for your laminate floors, therefore, you need a mop that will not only leave your floor clean but will retain its beauty and condition.
Microfiber mops basically glide across your floor picking up pet hair and dust. The swivel nature of the mop head makes it easy to cover large areas at a go.
When it comes to caring for your laminate floor, use a vacuum to remove big debris. When doing this ensure that you’re using the best vacuum for hardwood floors.
You could also use your microfiber mop. Next, dampen the mop pad with warm water, spray on your choice of cleaning solution and proceed to mop the floor.
Replace the pad when it gets too dirty. When you’re finished ensure that you rinse it and then throw it in the washing machine.
Hardwood
Properly maintained hardwood floors end up lasting longer and will not need constant refinishing. When it comes to caring for hardwood floors, microfiber mops are the best.
This is because they clean hardwood floors better than other traditional mops. The reason behind this being the surface area which means that it can hold more dirt as well as liquids.
The shape of the fibers causes them to act like a squeegee collecting and scraping dust. Microfiber mops are also light in weight and most importantly will not leave scratches on your hardwood floor ruining its appearance.
Tiles
Ceramics and tiles are some of the most popular flor options for kitchens and bathrooms since they aren’t only easy to clean but give the house a stylish look. Unlike laminate or hardwood floors, tile floors are able to handle water and moisture and still last longer.
Microfiber mops are highly absorbent and able to soak up water as well as moisture making them ideal for cleaning tile floors.
The ones that you can use to clean your tile floor include steam cleaners, spin mops and flat mops. They’ll get the job done and will not ruin your tiles.
Carpet
When it comes to caring for carpet floors, you need microfiber carpet pads. The pads mount on any speed rotary floor machine easily and use less water as well as chemicals.
They’re also highly absorbent leaving your carpet dry. When it comes to removing stubborn stains on the carpet floor, a microfiber steam mop used together with a carpet stain remover will work wonders.
How to Choose the Best Microfiber Mop
Microfiber mops are perfect for any kind of floor from laminate, hardwood, tiles and carpet floors. You can use the mop either wet or dry both of which will do the job perfectly.
When buying a mop, you may get confused due to the many models on the market. As such it’s important to know what to look for when choosing a microfiber mop so that you can buy one that suits your needs.
Accessories
When buying a mop with microfibers, you might wonder what accessories it comes with. These accessories are mostly in the form of pads.
Ensure that you choose a product that has extra pads. You’ll find them useful when you’re cleaning and one pad gets dirty and can’t clean anymore.
Surface Types
Majority of microfiber mops can be used with any form of hard flooring from laminate, hardwood to marble. There are exceptions, however.
If you realize that the mop head could end up damaging your floor, you should rather settle on another one even if it turns out more expensive. A mop that has scrubber attachments isn’t ideal for any floor that can scratch easily.
Durability
When buying a mop ensure that you look into its long term use. Though most microfiber mops last longer than other regular options, there are still those among them that wear out faster.
Choose a mop that’ll go a mile longer. It’ll cost you extra but at the end of the day will be a worthwhile investment.
Washable Head
Microfiber mops are popular because the heads can be thrown in the washing machine. Ensure that you follow instructions on how to care for your product and, whatever you do, don’t use fabric softeners as they end up ruing the product’s head.
Warranty
If you’ve ever used a microfiber mop, you know just how important warranty is. Look for warranties which can vary from lifetime to replacement for wear and tear.
Ensure that you read carefully the warranty’s instruction to know what you’re getting yourself into.
Dimensions
When it comes to mop’s dimensions, there are two things you need to pay attention to. First is how big its head is.
The bigger it is the easier it’ll be to clean since it’ll cover more areas. Second is the length of the handle. Ensure that you get a product that has the right height in order to avoid things like back pain.
Bucket
While you don’t require a bucket when cleaning with a microfiber mop, sometimes it may come in handy. This is especially if you intend to clean places like the bathroom or kitchen in which case you may require to purchase a mop that has a bucket.
Does More Spending Mean More Quality
When it comes to microfiber mops, you want to get the one that’ll not only last you long but can do the job required without ruining your floor. In this case, consider going for more expensive models.
What you’ll realize is that these models are of the right dimensions to cover larger areas when cleaning. The handles can be adjusted and they’re made of fibers that last you longer than the rest.
How to Use Microfiber Mops
Compared to other regular mops, microfiber mops are the easiest to use since you don’t even require a wring bucket when cleaning. They’re light in weight weighing below two pounds which means that you’re exempted from things like back pain.
Step 1 – Attach the Frame to the Pad
When cleaning, put the pad on the floor and then attach the frame on top. Ensure that you mop around chairs, tables and every area where dust normally accumulates.
Step 2 – Back and Forth Motions
You can also use it as a wet mop by simply wetting and wringing it. Just like you would when dry mopping, put the pad on the floor and attach the frame. Ensure that you move the mop back and forth for a thorough cleaning.
This is especially when you’re cleaning areas like the kitchen and the bathroom. You may use a vacuum cleaner like the shark vacuum or a floor sweeper to remove debris before proceeding with the cleaning.
Step 3 – Adding the Cleaning Solution
Take a bucket and add cleaning solution. Soak the pad in the bucket for about an hour which is the minimum saturation time.
You can then adjust the height of the handle and place it on top of the pad so that it attaches. Proceed to mop the floor as you would normally do.
When cleaning with a microfiber mop ensure that you don’t apply too much pressure to avoid breaking it and injuring yourself.
How to Replace a Microfiber Mop Head
Microfiber mops basically can withstand about 500 to 1000 washes depending on the model after which they begin losing their efficiency and have to be replaced.
When replacing it, the frame of the mop easily attaches to its head and hence when replacing all you need to do is pull off the dirty head by pulling the tag and replace it with a clean head.
How to Wash A Microfiber Mop
Laundering microfiber mop heads after every clean will ensure that they serve you longer. The reason why they’re popular is that they can be machine washed, unlike other regular mops.
When doing this, however, ensure that you don’t wash them together with materials that have heavy lint because they attract lint due to their adhesive power which would mean cleaning them again. Launder then in low temperature and avoid using fabric softener.
This is because fabric softener ends up clogging the open spaces of the mop and as such, it’ll not be able to clean efficiently. You can also wash its head by hand using warm water and ensuring that you air dry it.
Also, avoid using bleach to clean the head and instead launder it together with other microfiber materials.
FAQ
What is the best microfiber mop for hardwood floors?
A good mop will always make a difference when cleaning the floor. Hardwood floors require special attention due to the fact that water can damage the floors. While you may use a handy mini car cleaner to clean the floor, spray mops are the best option for your hardwood floor.
Microfiber mop versus dog hair
Microfiber mops have abrasive pads that are gentle on the floor. Unlike vacuum cleaners that push debris and hair around thus not cleaning the floor effectively, microfiber mops attract dog hair like a magnet trapping it for that thorough clean.
Conclusion
When it comes to caring for any kind of floor, microfiber mops are at the very top. The fibers on them are made of polyester and nylon hence very absorbent.
They can be used, however, as both dry and wet and depending on the kind of cleaning you’ll be doing, there’s a need to choose a mop that’ll meet those needs.
Look for things like dimensions, the durability, surfaces you’ll be cleaning, warranty, accessories, head and even whether the mop comes with a wring bucket. At the end of the day, you want to purchase a product that’ll not only clean but also last for a long time.
Photos from: perfectlab / depositphotos.com, mariakraynova / depositphotos.com, belchonock / depositphotos.com, AndreyPopov / depositphotos.com, vav163 / depositphotos.com and inside1703 / depositphotos.com.