Mops for cleaning premises are produced depending on the area that needs to be tidied up and the purpose of use. We will show you how to purchase equipment that is right for you. And also about where you can store a mop, rags and a bucket in the apartment, as well as other items to keep your apartment or house clean. The photos and videos in this article that we have selected for you will help you make the right choice.
What types of mops and mops are there?
The range of items for maintaining cleanliness can vary significantly by type of equipment and price. There are several stages of cleaning, for each of them certain types of equipment are used:
- Cleaning company workers start by using dry mops. They are usually made of wool and help collect debris (dust, leaves, sand). It is convenient and easy to work. They are perfectly machine washable and do not require constant spinning.
- At the next stage, wet mops made from stiffer twisted yarn begin to fight the remnants of various liquids, grease and dirt.
- Microfiber-based flat models are then used to make the floor surface slightly damp. They are pre-treated with special products, do not require constant soaking and are easily attached to the flounder with Velcro. These devices can be used to wash parquet or laminate surfaces.
- Budget cut mops made from cotton-based yarn are very short-lived and are not recommended for use once soiled.
- There are also loop mops, the service life of which is quite long, and they can also wash a large area in a short period of time.
This is interesting: cleaning companies more often use mops for dry cleaning. Using one, you can perform actions quickly and clean the floor in a room of about 800 sq.m. in an hour.
Main varieties and applications
Let's look at the types of this equipment.
They come in the form:
- trapezoidal;
- rectangular;
- triangular shape.
The texture is also different. The thickness of the threads and the length of the pile vary. Sizes may vary. Produced in the range from 35 centimeters to 100 cm.
Types of nozzles:
- May be combined. Microfiber is added to the rubberized elements. This is done because rubber washes away dirt better, and fiber attracts dust particles well.
- Tufting. The flat nozzle, made of cotton, is designed for cleaning moderately dirty floors.
- With flat nozzle.
- Loopbacks. These cleaning devices are made from 100% microfiber. Needed for disinfection of premises, as this material is resistant to aggressive environments. He is not afraid of chlorine-containing drugs. Therefore, they are used for washing in hospitals and clinics.
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With flat nozzle
Attaches to the base using pockets. The design is needed for cleaning rooms with any coating. The mop is put on the holder (flunder). Suitable for laminate, linoleum, parquet boards. Convenient for cleaning ceramic tiles. The nozzles are made from high quality materials. Microfiber loops cope with any dirt. Thanks to its own weight, you can move it across the floor without effort or pressure.
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Zakharova Irina Yurievna
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Area of use: cafes, canteens, healthcare institutions. Can be machine washed at 30-60 degrees.
With combination nozzle
Such devices consist of rubber and microfiber. Can penetrate into any hard-to-reach corners. This allows you not to lose shape and elasticity from water when wet. Resist rot and mold. Used in hotels, restaurants. Housewives also like to use them to clean their apartments. They wash without streaks, you can even wash windows and glass.
Tufting
This is a flat nozzle made of cotton material. Attached to the base using “ears” or loops.
Used for cleaning medium dirty rooms. Cotton absorbs water well and is highly wear-resistant. The floor becomes dry and clean. These nozzles are used to clean apartments. Suitable for office premises too.
The advantage of this option is its low price. And machine washable.
With wringer for cleaning floors
Consists of a mop with a telescopic handle, a platform and a metal centrifuge. The metal used is high quality, stainless steel. You can easily squeeze without worrying about the bucket breaking. Such equipment belongs to professional cleaning devices. Can be used at home and in business. Cleaning companies are required to be equipped with such equipment.
Professional cleaning equipment
Professional cleaning equipment is used, as a rule, for large premises (for example, an office or a conference room), where there is a huge amount of work to be done. Any self-respecting cleaning company has a certain set of tools to ensure that clients are satisfied with the quality of the services provided.
- Dry cleaning of premises cannot be done without various brushes and mops. With their help, they get rid of dust and dirt from both floors and wall coverings. Certain types are great for cleaning the most difficult to reach places. Sweepers are already used to restore order in large areas.
- Special trolleys are suitable for wet cleaning. They provide a base with space for several buckets and a mechanical mop wringer. Additionally, garbage bags or special containers can be attached to such a unit. Washing vacuum cleaners are also used for speedy cleaning.
- Don't forget about small equipment. Manufacturers began to produce dustpans with a long plastic handle, which simplified the process of using them. Thanks to improved technology, you no longer need to constantly bend over when washing. There is a lid on top that prevents waste from spilling out.
- With the advent of squeegees, cleaning glossy surfaces has become much easier. These brushes with a rubber nozzle remove residual moisture from glass and mirrors.
Of course, professional cleaning products included with the equipment help deal with dirt much easier and faster, so you shouldn’t skimp on them either.
Important : do not forget to protect your hands with rubber gloves and cover your face with a mask if you use aggressive chemicals for washing. This way you will protect your body from the negative effects of fumes.
What is flounder and what are its advantages?
Flounder is a modern mop consisting of a handle and a head to which a mop (a special rag attachment) is attached. A special feature of flounders is that they have a special system for attaching the mop head to the handle, which allows the washing platform to move in all directions, effectively avoiding obstacles such as furniture, chair legs and tables. All mops of this type are equipped with a quick cloth removal system, which greatly simplifies handling of the device. Due to its versatility, this tool has received many modifications, used both in professional cleaning and at home.
Flounder is a universal cleaning tool that can be used to effectively and quickly wash floors, walls, ceilings, and clean hard-to-reach spaces in corners and under furniture.
If we talk about the disadvantages of the mop, it is not intended for cleaning old stains and large dirt, where the use of force is necessary. This is a tool for daily cleaning with the following advantages:
- versatility - the flounder is designed in such a way that it can be used to easily care for horizontal and vertical surfaces, for example, wash a suspended ceiling or painted walls;
- ease of operation - the mop has a simple mechanism that makes it easy to remove and put on the mop, and also simply detach the handle from the head;
- reliability - the flounder mechanism is so simple that there is nothing to break in it, however, devices with metal elements have better wear resistance;
- multifunctionality - this cleaning tool can be used both for wet cleaning and for removing dust, if there is an appropriate attachment;
- cleaning speed - thanks to the large contact area of the platform with the floor, the cleaning process is significantly accelerated.
Which type to choose
When purchasing equipment to maintain cleanliness, it is necessary to take into account a number of factors: the material from which the floor covering is made, its area, degree of contamination, etc. You also need to think about what room the device is intended for: production, office or home. After all, the approach to cleaning directly depends on this.
Pay attention to such an important parameter as the quality of the nozzle. This is what determines how long it will last. The best option is to buy a mop and attachment from the same company. Devices like the Kentucky can be a good choice for beginners. In appearance, they resemble an ordinary mop with a base made of high-quality plastic or aluminum.
For a small kitchen, a floor mop with a wringer or a regular rope mop is suitable. In the latter case, purchase a round bucket; it takes up less space. For large rooms (institutions, hotels), you can buy frame devices with microfiber attachments. Their design makes it easy to rinse and wring out the fabric, while leaving your hands dry.
MOP selection criteria
Washing the floor with a flounder with MOP
The mop head should be selected depending on the type of cleaning and the room in which it will be carried out. When wet cleaning floors or windows, a cloth with a high cotton content is preferable. It absorbs moisture well, without leaving smudges or streaks. Rope mops are used in large rooms where the floor needs to be washed quickly, but at a slight loss in quality. Flat nozzles are suitable for houses with complex layouts. They will help remove dirt both on the floor and on horizontal surfaces. To figure out which type of mop is suitable, you need to pay attention to the markings on it:
- blue indicates a universal rag for household use;
- red marking indicates the possibility of cleaning in heavily soiled areas, including toilets;
- yellow color code - the ability to clean in educational and medical institutions;
- green allows you to clean in catering establishments.
Important! It is better to have several MOPs in each home. Each will be designed for a separate purpose - rags for cleaning floors, windows, dry surfaces.
Where and how best to store mops in an apartment
We will tell you about several convenient places that are easiest to organize as a warehouse for tools and cleaning products:
- If you have a large apartment and have the opportunity to allocate a separate room for equipment, then this is simply wonderful! Combine a place for washing and drying things, as well as a pantry where a floor cloth, mop and other equipment for cleaning the floor will always be at hand. Make a built-in closet in the wall, attach hooks to its doors from the inside and hang mops, buckets, and rags on them.
- There is no need to hide cleaning items from view. Buy a special board at a hardware store and place it in the toilet or hallway. Thus, this design can become an unusual piece of home decor. And you don’t have to look for a place to store cleaning rags, a mop or a bucket.
- You can set aside a small shelf for storing tools right in your living room, disguising it with flower pots or books.
Tip : choose rooms with good ventilation so that the mops dry faster after cleaning.
Remember: if you thoroughly and correctly prepare for cleaning, you can turn this process into an easy and even enjoyable activity! You shouldn’t skimp on special equipment that will help make your home cleaner and brighter, because order creates a comfortable environment, coziness and beauty.
Microfiber mop
A microfiber mop is attached to a holder using pockets or special tongues (often called “ears”).
The cleaning process with microfiber is considered one of the most effective and non-tiring, which is why employees of companies providing cleaning services choose microfiber mops. Customers are also attracted to such cleaning using a microfiber attachment, because in this case it is carried out much faster, quieter and not intrusive.
Microfiber is a fairly durable fabric consisting of synthetics that is not subject to shedding. Each thread is split during manufacturing and this split thread makes this microfiber suitable for any type of cleaning. In addition, small fibers make the material very hygroscopic, that is, the mop perfectly retains water in order to have time to clean, but it still does not drip. As a result, a microfiber mop does not require frequent push-ups, and the floor remains wet and dries quickly after the cleaning process, instead of being completely wet. Microfiber also has a positive charge that attracts dust, which has a negative charge. Particles of dirt and dust are attracted to the mop and are not distributed throughout the room.
These mops are also easy to use. The employee lifts a small weight and cleans with equipment that is much lighter. This mop is much easier to rinse and wring out than loop mops. In this case, a small volume of chemical compounds is used and the mops weigh much less, therefore, the cart becomes lighter and there is no need to repeatedly go to the water tap in order to pour out the dirty water and pour a clean solution into the buckets.
When performing the cleaning process with a microfiber mop, less liquid and disinfectant are used, which significantly reduces the weight that an employee of the company is forced to lift, that is, there is less likelihood of fatigue, lumbar pain, tension and other health problems. Since the holders are very light and maneuverable, the employee can largely avoid incorrect body position. Mops made of microfiber are much easier to spin than mops in the form of loops.
How to wash the floor after renovation work
Cleaning up after renovation is not an easy task. It requires effort and time. Often you have to wash off old paint from the floor that has dripped while painting a radiator, window, etc.
Some tips on how to remove paint from the floor
- Appliance care liquid will help remove old paint from the floor, provided that the paint is oil-based.
- If the paint is water-based, it will need to be softened first. To do this, you need a cloth moistened with water or soapy water. It should be placed on the stain. Leave for 20-25 minutes. After this time, it will be easy to remove the stain, but you will need a spatula or light sanding of the stain.
Removing lime and whitewash stains
Lime and whitewash stains are also common after renovation. It's easier to get rid of them.
How to remove lime from flooring? First, take a spatula and remove most of the lime. Next, you need to add 100 grams of any vegetable oil to a bucket of warm water. A rag for washing the floor is dipped in water and the floor is washed with it, and then again, with clean water.
What is the best way to wash the floor after whitewashing? The same means as lime. But in order to get it clean, you will have to wash it not just once, but 2-3 times. For better results, you can add a glass of salt to the water.
The dirtiest thing in a home is the floor. Pathogenic microbes can develop on it, especially if there are animals in the house. This can have a detrimental effect on your health and the health of your household. Therefore, you should not neglect our advice. It is necessary to carry out cleaning regularly using detergents and disinfectants. I think that you will now do this more often; you are now an expert in the question of “how to wash the floor.”
Butterfly mop
Features of operation. The originality of the design lies in the working platform, which not only rotates around its axis, but also folds at an acute angle. Despite the relatively complex device, even a child can figure out how to use a butterfly mop. The sponge attachment made of absorbent material copes with dust, small debris, and pet hair. The material for the telescopic handle, the length of which is adjustable, is metal or metal-plastic.
Advantages and disadvantages of a butterfly mop:
- Suitable for washing various surfaces.
- Easily fits into any, even narrow, bucket.
- This mop is indispensable for cleaning corners.
- Used for cleaning carpets.
- It costs significantly more than simplified analogues.
Advice. In order for the butterfly mop to perform its task 100%, do not forget to promptly change the worn-out sponge attachment.
Floor cleaning equipment
The wooden mop and burlap rag have been replaced by modern devices that very vaguely resemble their ancestor. We have not stopped mopping floors, but a modern mop allows you to wring out the cloth without touching it with your hands. This is important when cleaning with disinfectant solutions, aggressive chemicals, or when washing stubborn stains.
Mops or flounders are an analogue of a rag, but have a narrower specialization. Rope mops are used for cleaning hard-to-reach places, washing in confined spaces, and collecting large amounts of water. Flat mops are good for cleaning laminate, tile, and parquet. Fleecy and soft (made of microfiber or cotton), they carefully but cleanly wash wooden floors, laminate, expensive parquet and natural stone.
Let's sum it up
The Russian cleaning equipment market provides mops from foreign and domestic manufacturers in a wide price range. The quality of the mop determines its durability and cleaning efficiency. If you take into account the type of room covering, its functionality, the areas of the room to be cleaned, the size of the objects to be cleaned and choose the right mop, it will last a long time, performing its functions efficiently.
- Significant reduction in the time required for cleaning.
- Improving the quality of cleaning.
- Detergent costs are reduced.
- Great durability (from 2-3 months), abrasion resistance.
- Used for cleaning walls, ceilings, corners, baseboards, steps.
- Possibility of cleaning using the spray method.
- It is wrung out using a wringer.
Pros of using mops
Mop: brief description, history
A mop is a tool used for cleaning floors. It may consist of a bundle of string or a piece of fabric, sponge or other absorbent material, hinged to the handle.
The word “mop” appeared in English in the middle of the 15th century and meant nothing more than a mop. The first homemade mops were primitive products where old pieces of fabric cut into strips were attached to a handle using the so-called “mop nail” (a long nail with a wide flat head).
Disinfection
Today there is a huge amount of household chemicals that are used to clean floors. They come in the form of powders, emulsions and gels. There are also products that can not only wash the floor, but also disinfect it. For example, Glorix floor cleaner. After the basic cleaning of the floor is completed, it is necessary to treat the floor surface with a disinfectant. And then carry out wet cleaning again to remove any remaining disinfectants.
If you are wondering: can pregnant women use Glorix? It is possible, since it does not contain chlorine or other aggressive components. Even using it every day, your pregnancy will only make you happy.
The evolution of the mop from a doormat to a high-tech product
Since that time, the mop and mop (flunder) have undergone many changes and improvements. Thus, in 1837, the American inventor Jacob Howe created a mop holder; in 1893, Thomas W Stewart patented his version of a well mop made from yarn, and also developed a clamp that made it possible to change its washing part.
In 1950, Thomas and Peter Vosbikian received a patent for a sponge mop, which became the prototype of the mop of our time. This design used a lever and a flat strip of metal to allow the mop to be squeezed out. In 1999, Scotch Brite proposed using natural cellulose as the cleaning surface of a mop, which, unlike ordinary fabric, does not leave lint on the surface being cleaned.
As you can see, the modernization of the mop continues, but at the same time, structurally, all flounders are practically unchanged, consisting of four main parts: the mop head, replaceable cleaning material, a handle and a mechanical fastener that connects them.