Best Mops & Buckets

Types of mops and buckets

Today's mops and buckets have progressed in many ways from traditional mops and buckets to have fancy features such as self-wringing mechanisms, water spray technology and mops that kill bacteria by releasing steam. The more advanced the type of mop, the most expensive it will be as well.

Cut end mops and spin mops

Also known as string mops, these are the most common types of mops that you can purchase and are also the cheapest. They have large, shredded ends made of either cotton, rayon, a poly-cotton blend or other absorbent materials and are a good choice for tackling big messes. They can’t be washed and usually don’t have detachable heads and therefore will need replacing every few months or so depending on usage. They come with buckets with a wringing compartment - which will need to be done manually.

Spin mops function similarly to cut end mops but with the addition of a bucket that has a foot or hand pedal to wring the mop. Spin mops are not as large as string mops typically but are still very useful to have when cleaning medium-sized areas.

Looped end mops

Looped end mops provide extra surface area compared to cut end mops and allow you to clean larger areas more easily. They are also less likely to fray with heavy usage compared to cut end mops.

Flat mops

These types of mops contain a pad attached at the end which picks up dirt or mops wet spots. Some flat mop pads can be washed in a washing machine and be reused, otherwise, they can be replaced. Flat mops are designed to clean very small areas that do not encounter a lot of traffic and may not be suitable for tough stains. They don’t require a bucket to use.

Sponge mops

A step above the flat mop is the sponge mop which uses a sponge instead of a pad or a cloth. The sponge absorbs much more than the pad does and therefore can be used over larger areas and for longer without replacing.

Spray mops

Spray mops work similarly to flat mops, however, they have a spray mechanism built inside which releases a mixture of water and cleaning solution onto the floor. This solution can then be wiped up with the bottom of the pad.

Steam mops

Steam mops heat water and release steam to kill bacteria and sanitise your floors. They require no use of chemicals or cleaning products in order to function. While not being as big as a string mop, the steam mop is perfect for cleaning homes and offices as there is no need to keep a bucket around for it.

Dust mops

While the previous mops mentioned are usually used whilst wet, dust mops are used dry and rid the surface of dust, dirt and other kinds of debris before wet mopping. Also known as Swiffers, they act as a combination of cut end mops and flat mops, but are normally larger and a great alternative to brooms since they are better at picking up dust.

Microfibre mop heads

Microfiber materials can absorb just as much as, if not more than, a sponge. While a sponge is nearly impossible to clean perfectly, microfiber materials are very easy to clean. Microfiber mops are made from a combination of polyester and polyamide that easily collects and traps dirt until it is washed away. These are the most sanitary types of mop heads and are compatible with flat, cut-end, spin and steam mops.

Robot mops

Want clean floors without any of the manual labour? Robots are here to take your place and give you a break. They work in the same way as spray mops but travel around a room by themselves and scrub down your floors whilst doing so. They can’t replace vacuum cleaners, however, and you may have to manually mop any large spills or tough stains yourself.

What to look for in a mop and bucket

Now that you know about all the different types of mops, there are still a few things you need to consider before making your final decision.

Floor surface: Consider the type of flooring you have and which mop would be the most suitable to clean it. Unsealed flooring would benefit from either dry or damp mopping. Due to the delicate nature of laminate flooring, steam mops would not be suitable for use on them, whereas manual mops that don’t use heat would be.

Yarn ply: This number describes how many threads of fibre are twisted together to form an individual strand of mop yarn. The more threads, the stronger the mop, however, the less absorbent it is. The most common are 4 and 8-ply mops.

Antimicrobial: In some mops, there are fibres locked into the yarn that contain an antimicrobial additive. This protects the mop head from deteriorating by preventing the growth of bacteria, mould, mildew and yeast.

Absorbancy: Depending on the size of your rooms, you’ll want to consider how large you’d like your mop heads to be. The larger the head, the more space it can cover in a room before it needs rinsing and wringing.

Typically, the sizing chart works in this way:

• Small mop heads hold 250-300ml of liquid
• Medium mop heads hold 500-600ml of liquid
• Large mop heads hold 700-950ml of liquid
• Extra-Large mop heads hold 950-1,100ml of liquid

Using the right size mop head will help eliminate water wastage.

Durability: When investing in a cleaning product, the last thing you want to do is to replace it every few months because it has broken or become too dirty and cannot be washed. Looking for replaceable or washable mop heads and sturdy, non-plastic handles to ensure your investment is a worthwhile one.

Ergonomic design: The best mops and buckets are designed with comfort in mind. Using a mop with a wringer on its handle or a bucket with a foot pedal will prevent you from having to bend down each time. The handle length and weight should also be at a convenient place to ensure you’re at your most comfortable when cleaning.

Weight and portability: Cleaning can be a laborious task, but it doesn’t need to be a back-breaking one, too. Take time to consider how easy-to-move the tools you wish to purchase are. Perhaps you need to manoeuvre between the upstairs and downstairs whilst cleaning and a heavy bucket can make that all the more difficult which is why portability is essential in choosing an excellent bucket for mops.

If you do decide to go with a heavy bucket, check that it has rubber wheels for smooth and safe handling even on sensitive laminate flooring.

Price: Luckily, no matter your budget, you’re guaranteed to find a tool to help remove stains and make your floor shiny and clean. Basic mops and buckets can provide an excellent clean as long as you’re willing to put in some elbow grease.

The bigger your budget is, the fancier the features you can invest in such as a microfibre washable pad, a steam cleaner that doesn’t need chemicals to work or a robot cleaner to do the work for you.

You can read reviews on the best mops and buckets on our website today.