The Mop Diaries

When it comes to cleaning floors, choices abound...and so do opinions about which tool is the best for the task! Below are our opinions on which tools are best suited to which jobs...

Swiffer - This versatile cleaning tool is about as American as apple pie. When outfitted with dry dusting pads, it is a surprisingly effective tool for trapping dust bunnies here, there and everywhere (tip: microfiber rags work just as well and are reusable). In addition, if you put a wet rag soaked in multi-purpose cleans on it, it transforms into a very efficient mop for light cleaning jobs. While it doesn't have the "muscle" of a traditional mop, it definitely does the trick for a fast & efficient clean-up! Really pinched for time? Use the old "spray & wipe" technique: using a dry dusting pad, intermittently spray the floor area with your favorite cleanser (we recommend Fabuloso or Krud Kutter) and wipe with the swiffer. You'll be surprised how fast and well this works for quick spruce-ups!

Microfiber removable/washable mop head - This is arguably our favorite mopping tool because it is relatively inexpensive, works well on high-traffic areas, and is reusable. Microfiber is about the best fabric around for trapping both dry and wet debris. And if you don't want to track dirt from one room to another, you can swap out mop heads periodically while you clean. In addition, because this fabric retains less water than a traditional rope mop, it's better for hardwood floors

Oversize spray & wipe floor cleaners - We often use these as well, especially when doing short-term rental cleanings (because generally these are very frequent cleanings so there is not a need for a high-powered floor scrubbing tool). Our favorite versions of these tools combine many features of a Swiffer with those of a spray & wipe mop. One to try is the Clorox Flip Flop Spray Mop

Cordless hard floor cleaning machines - if you have a little more money in your budget and need to clean areas without an outlet nearby, these can be a great tool. They don't have a hefty price tag (generally they run about $70-$140) and since most have separate compartments for clean and dirty water, you don't have to worry about recirculating dirty water on clean floors. The only downside of these tools is that they aren't great at deep cleaning caked-on dirt, but they're a nice addition to your cleaning "armamentarium."

Steam Cleaners - These are a great choice for those who want to avoid harsh chemicals and cleansers. They use steam to clean and shine just about any sealed hard surface flooring (except hardwood floors). There are many advantages to steam cleaning your floors, including that steam cleaning kills most bacteria due to the high heat used, steam cleaning is better for the environment because no harsh chemicals are used, and drying time is generally lower because less water is used. One downside is that you don't get that satisfying "just cleaned" smell that you get with traditional mop & bucket cleaning. In addition, many people will tell you that steam cleaners aren't particularly effective for tackling tough stains and they aren't ideal for use on hardwood floors...plus of course these machines aren't cheap!

Spinning Scrubbers/Polishers - Now these versatile tools are another one of our favorites because...you guessed it: they're versatile! Brands and specs abound, but what these machines have in common is that they are detergent-based (not steam-based) and use spinning discs or rods equipped with different coverings to scrub and polish sealed hard surface floors. The more advanced versions also clean carpet surprisingly effectively as well!

If you're having a hard time deciding which tool is best for your floors...give us a call and we can help you pick the right one(s)!

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