Wet cleaning must be done regularly. To make the process less of a burden, there are devices that are designed specifically for this purpose.
One of these is a mop with a push-up attachment. However, with frequent use, its cleaning surface becomes unusable.
Read the article about how to change the attachment on a wringer mop without breaking the device, as well as where and how much you can buy it for.
Which mop is better for cleaning the floor?
Routine housework, oddly enough, for some people can be quite a pleasant and relaxing activity: many love to cook, some love to wash or iron, some absolutely love to wash dishes or windows, and some wonderful men love to vacuum. But there are few people who like to wash floors - this dirty and physically difficult work does not give any pleasant emotions, except perhaps the final result. Modern stores offer a variety of devices for cleaning floors - is it really possible that none of them can make this unpleasant job more convenient and easier? Wanting, on the instructions of our economic editorial team, to thoroughly understand this issue, I asked my friends about what they use to wash the floor, and also collected information about a variety of devices designed specifically to make floor washing as comfortable as possible.
General rules
Before you get ready to wash the surfaces you walk on, you need to familiarize yourself with the general rules for this manipulation. These rules apply to all types of floors. Regardless of how you plan to wash the floor, with your hands or with a mop, you must first remove all objects that you can from the surface. This way, the area will be free, and cleaning will become much easier.
It is very important to clean the floors with a broom before wet cleaning. Thin twigs will help pull dust out of far corners and crevices. You just need to work with a slightly wet broom: in a bucket of water, slightly moisten the tips of the rods, then lightly tap on the edge of the bucket to shake off excess droplets.
Now you can start cleaning the floors. This is done from the most distant corner of the room, gradually moving towards the exit. These are general recommendations, and now let’s figure out how to use a mop, which detergents are suitable for which types of surfaces, and how to make surfaces clean without using a mop.
Simple mop with rag
Of the 7 survey participants, 2 people use the simplest option - wrapping a rag around a mop or floor brush. One friend was lucky to distribute household responsibilities in such a way that her husband got to wash the floors, and he has not yet complained about the not very convenient equipment. And another friend returned to this option because it seemed more reliable to her compared to others:
“I tried to wash the floors with a mop with a self-wringing sponge, but for me personally, this model turned out to be much more inconvenient than it was useful. I also had a very comfortable flat mop with a rectangular microfiber pad. I liked it, but for some reason it quickly broke down. I want to buy the same one, but I can’t get around to it yet. In general, if you pick up a good soft rag and cut a hole in the center of the cloth for putting it on the brush, then it will be quite convenient to wash the floors.” (Elena)
Care
To ensure long-term use of the nozzle, you need to put it in order after cleaning. Microfiber should be washed with warm water or washed in a washing machine. Do not use bleach or conditioner on the material. The first agent has a destructive effect on fibers, and the second leaves a film that worsens the characteristics of the fabric.
Do not wash the nozzle with terry or other fluffy items that leave pellets and fibers in the water. Otherwise they will stick to the material, and then it will leave marks. The nozzle must dry out; it must be protected from excessive heat, since it is synthetic and will melt in contact with high temperatures.
Flat mop with microfiber pad
Many people like this option, it is convenient and effective to use: the design is flat and easily moves in all directions, with its help you can wash the floor in the most inaccessible corners, and the fluffy microfiber nozzle perfectly collects all the dirt. In addition to my friend Elena, who plans to buy such a mop again, 3 more survey participants constantly use this option.
“After a regular mop and rag, it’s like heaven and earth! The nozzles are comfortable, they collect all the dirt perfectly and glide easily across the floor, so you don’t have to put in much physical effort. Buying a new nozzle is not a problem - they are available in any supermarket. I really like this mop - I think it’s the best option!” (Inna)
How to choose the right replacement sponge?
Rules for choosing a replacement mop head:
- Specify the brand name of the mop. If the attachment is made by another manufacturer, it may not fit the original product.
- To eliminate the possibility of error 100%, you can take the old nozzle with you to the store. It is lightweight and does not take up much space in your bag.
- If the purchase is made online, it is necessary to take measurements and compare them with the product being purchased.
- The mounting holes of the new and old nozzles must match completely.
The new nozzle must be made of the same material as the previous one. Externally identical products may not coincide with the base by several millimeters, which is why it will not be possible to use them.
Rope mop and bucket with mesh for squeezing
Despite the fact that all grocery departments of supermarkets are filled with such devices, they turned out to be not very popular. Of all the housewives I interviewed, only one friend has such a mop:
“I bought it a long time ago when I was trying to find a convenient solution for cleaning the floor. I didn’t use it for long and soon purchased a flat mop with a microfiber attachment. What I didn’t like about the rope mop was that, despite the special mesh, it still doesn’t wring out well. And we have laminate everywhere, and for me this is very critical: you can’t leave water on the floor, otherwise all the boards will become deformed. Therefore, the rope mop moved to the country. What else can I say about convenience? I don’t know, I much prefer a flat mop with microfiber.” (Olga)
Criterias of choice
Excellent functionality
Before you buy a particular model, you need to analyze your needs and desires. For example, some people don’t like to squeeze the nozzle out with their hands, some people need it for washing laminate flooring, and others need it for tiles. Therefore, when choosing, a number of criteria should be taken into account.
Functionality
It is important to analyze what tasks the mop will be required to perform. So, for example, if there is a lot of furniture in the house that is difficult to move, it is better to choose the option with a triangular nozzle. In order not to suffer from back pain, you should give preference to a mop with a telescopic spin handle.
On a note! In a house where there are animals, it is better to purchase a model with additional holders in which you can place special brushes for cleaning.
Material quality
Of course, one mop will not last for years. But still, the period of use should be long. In order for the end result to be just like this, you need to pay attention to the little things: build quality, various inclusions in the nozzle material. So the cotton in the composition will only contribute to better moisture absorption.
Mop size
Collecting dust and dirt over large areas is a problem that takes a lot of time. To make the task easier for large surfaces and reduce the amount of cleaning, it is better to choose models with an impressive nozzle size.
These are the key points to focus on when choosing a mop. Using them, you can choose the most optimal and convenient option for any apartment.
Miracle microfiber mops with automatic spin
My mother told me about such a system, having bought it under the impression of an advertisement on TV. Having tried the set in action, she was very pleased and immediately decided to give it to me and order another copy for herself. Her delight knew no bounds: according to her, nothing could be more convenient - the mop does everything itself, washing the floors with such a device is not at all tiring and takes literally a few minutes!
Having assured my mother that I would find the same set on the Internet, but several times cheaper, I plunged into the search and discovered many options for these devices, which were similar to each other in their basic idea, but were very different in details. The exact same set as my mother’s was no longer on sale, and I had to seriously study the features of different models and user reviews.
Features of use
Since almost all mop handles for cleaning floors of this brand are equipped with a telescopic device, it would be useful to learn how to use them.
In the initial position, the handle of the best-selling “Household” mop is fixed. If there is a need to change the length of the handle, you should take the blue part of the handle with your right hand, and the inner white part with your left hand and turn the blue part towards you several times in relation to the white one. When ease of rotation is achieved, it becomes clear that the fixation has been successfully overcome. Next, with your left hand you should extend the white inner part to the required length and, rotating the blue part of the handle away from you, fix the mop in this position.
How to change a mop head
To connect the telescopic handle and the platform, you need to extend and fix the inner part of the platform at a distance of 20 cm, and, holding this part, screw it to the platform. To remove the platform, hold the inside of the handle and unscrew it from the platform.
How to remove a cloth from a flat mop
Microfiber or cloth attachments are attached to the platform with strong Velcro, and the attachments have corners into which the platform fits. Therefore, in order to remove the attachment (rag) from the mop, you need to remove it from these corner pockets and forcefully detach it from the sticky platform.
Folding bucket with two compartments
First, by searching for “Cinderella cleaning kit” (as it was written on my mother’s box), I found this device. After reading user reviews on the Internet, I decided that due to its folding design, it is still not very convenient to use. For example, how to move it from place to place when the bucket is filled with water? Fold and unfold every time? You can learn more about this set from the promotional video - perhaps I just couldn’t appreciate this model, but you will really like it:
Health Benefits
This is evidenced not by manufacturers, but by research. Over the past 15 years, healthcare organizations across the United States have launched programs to change cleaning practices. Instead of conventional mops, devices with microfiber began to be used. Health benefits include:
- Since the device requires less moisture, it is lightweight. Cleaning won't take much effort. After the procedure there will be no back and neck pain, injuries or illnesses.
- The rag does not need to be twisted or wrung out using force, so there is no strain on your hands.
- After cleaning, the floor is slightly moistened and dries quickly.
- Reducing the amount of detergents has a beneficial effect on health, since many people experience irritation of the mucous membranes, respiratory tract, and skin. No need to carry a heavy bucket with you. This cleaning will be quick, easy and effective.
Oval bucket with two compartments
My mother's set was similar to these models. They have different names and have some design differences, but in general they are all the same: they are an oval bucket, one compartment of which has a rapidly rotating basket for squeezing out the mop, and the other is intended for rinsing. There are two types of sets that differ from each other in the rotation mechanism: some are activated by the foot - by pressing a special pedal at the base of the bucket (my mother has this option), and others rotate the basket by pressing the mop handle, inside of which a special spring is installed . There is also an alternative type of product, which combines two methods of rotation - both the pedal and the mop handle. The following video demonstrates just such a universal option:
All these kits differ from each other in the presence or absence of an automatic rinsing . For example, my mother’s kit does not have this function, and in order to rinse the mop, you need to lower it into the free part of the bucket and swirl it thoroughly in the water. But some models with a manual rotation mechanism are additionally equipped with an automatic rinsing function. It is implemented in the form of a special stand at the bottom of the bucket, on which the mop is placed and quickly washed by lightly pressing the handle, causing it to rapidly rotate in the water.
Frequent types of breakdowns
No product is 100% protected from possible breakdowns. The main reason is often a violation of operating rules. Mechanical impacts in the form of shocks, collisions and falls have a bad effect on the appearance and performance of the device. To avoid replacing the unit, you should handle it carefully and carefully, following the rules for operating the washing device.
Attention! You can repair the handle or platform for the nozzle on expensive products yourself, using the instructions on the Internet, depending on the model. Regular wooden mops are the easiest to purchase again. They are inexpensive, so a new purchase will cost less than repairing an older model.
The consumer market is supplemented with new models every day. Gradually, mops include more functions, making the cleaning process easier. Today, the demand for them is at a high level, and in almost every home you can find a lazy mop.
*Prices shown are current as of September 2022.
Changing the sponge on a squeegee mop in three steps
Step one: remove the old sponge. To get rid of the worn-out jaw or what is left of it, you need to unscrew the four screws that secure the part to the movable hinge. Here the first difficulty arises: those screws that are closer to the center of the spine are quite problematic to get to. Although the spine itself moves in the longitudinal direction, it will not be possible to hold it in place and unscrew the screw at the same time. A couple of extra hands wouldn't hurt here.
Action two: routine repairs. Since the mop is disassembled, why not check its technical condition? Using pliers, you need to tighten the nuts on the mounting bolts and studs, and check that the plastic coupling is securely attached to the mop handle. If this unit becomes loose, it is better to immediately make additional fixation with several self-tapping screws.
Step three: install a new sponge. Having removed the store film from the part, we install it in place. We must not forget that the sponge can be moved along the squeezing mechanism so that the hinge parts do not interfere with tightening all four screws. By the way, it is better to tighten the screws immediately until they stop, and not to tighten them first: this way the likelihood that the sponge will quickly become loose will be minimal.
The White Cat brand, which entered the Russian market about 10 years ago, produces environmentally friendly products, devices and products for effective cleaning without the use of chemicals. The brand belongs to the Swedish network company Smart, which produces and sells mops for washing windows and floors, all kinds of sponges, napkins, attachments, and rags. And it is a trading house (TD), under whose brand all products are sold.
Products differ from similar ones: ease of use, convenience, lightness and beautiful design, as well as long service life and high quality. They allow you to reduce time costs, the required amount of health and strength, and also bring pleasure from the process of bringing your living space to cleanliness and order.
Choosing a detergent
It is incredibly important to choose the right floor cleaner. There are a huge number of different floor cleaning products on the market today, but there is a product for each type of flooring. So, for parquet it is necessary to choose a delicate composition that will not damage the floor.
Cleaners that contain alcohol are not suitable for linoleum. Powdered cleaning products are also not recommended. Such concentrates will darken the coating or leave whitish streaks.
Floor tiles should not be cleaned with liquid soap. It is better to rub a little laundry soap into the water or find a detergent containing acid. This product will remove dirt and destroy germs.
For laminate flooring, try to buy a detergent with a neutral pH level. Abrasive substances must not be used to clean floor coverings made of this type of material.
