Unless you’ve got an assortment of different floor coverings in your house, you may not have had the chance to appreciate the diversity of mops. There is one for each purpose, for example those for wet mopping massive areas, small ones, and mops for cleaning surfaces that water can damage.
String Mops
The string mop is the one to reach for if you have to wash a concrete or vinyl floor. The least expensive is a string mop with cut ends. You also may choose one with looped ends, which is absorbent and machine washable. A third choice is just one with strings made of polyester microfibers instead of cotton or rayon yarn. These aren’t as absorbent, but they do not promote mould growth and are more sanitary. They can be washed more than 500 times without degrading.
Flat and Steam Mops
Microfiber apartment mops are the best for cleaning hardwood flooring; they easily pick up dirt, even if dry or slightly moistened, so they do not produce a water threat to the wood. Most apartment mops have removable pads you’ll be able to launder, and a few come with a proprietary non-water-based cleaning solution. A steam mop is a variation of a flat mop with an attached electric steam generator; it’s an effective dirt buster but it should not be used on hardwood flooring because it can cause water damage.