Which mop

Using less cleaning solution is incredibly important because many professional cleaning products contain chemicals that will eventually be washed down the drain after being used. They are then absorbed into the air, soil, and water. Microfiber mops can cost up to three times more than a cotton mop head. However, they also last longer, standing up to more frequent washings some up to and maintain effectiveness longer.

According to an EPA study , the density of microfiber allows it to hold six times its weight in water as compared to regular cotton mops. This means that one mop head can go for about square feet at a time before being stored for washing.

On the other hand, regular cotton mops can go for about square feet before needing to be dunked back into the water and wrung out. Ease of use is associated with a few characteristics such as maneuvering, carrying, ease of wringing out, setting up, and ability to clean both small and large areas. One consideration to make would be if there was a very large, greasy spill that you needed to clean in an industrial complex.

In this case, microfiber may not be the best option due to its small fibers and a cotton mop would most likely do a better job and be easier to use. Both cotton mops and microfiber mops can be easily laundered after each use. However, microfiber mops typically withstand the repetitive laundering process better than their cotton counterpart which take a toll with each wash.

Cotton mop heads tend to shed strands and easily knot during the process, only adding to their shorter shelf life when compared to microfiber. SIGA comes into its own. A microfibre mop with a double-sided cloth, flexible degree swivel head, and a telescopic handle, domestic drudgery becomes an exercise in precision cleaning whether up high in cobweb-covered corners or down low amongst the unidentified filth on the floor.

Perfect for hardwood, laminate and tiled floors, the reversible cloth features a dust and dirt destroying microfibre sponge on one side and a polishing cloth on the other to really buff your floor the kind of flawless finish you can see your face in. Add to that the inclusion of three reusable microfibre replacement heads, plus a handy Dirt Removal Scrubber designed to loosen the most tenacious of tarnishes, and the MR.

SIGA brings mastery to your mopping. Key features - Brand: MR. When you absolutely, positively got to kill every trace of bacteria on the floor, accept no substitutes, the Aqua Revolution from Spontex is your weapon of choice. A spin mop and bucket system that separates clean and dirty water into isolated bucket compartments using an ingenious in-built pump mechanism, the mop head only comes into contact with clean water when you rinse it.

So, what you can take from that is that this Spray Mop has been designed with the ultimate gripping comfort and convenience in mind. With no bucket required, just fill the attached spray bottle with cleaning fluid and let the large microfibre pad do its business.

Come to a tough stain? No problem — squeeze the perfectly positioned trigger and dispense detergent! Stubborn stain proving overly persistent? The large, easy pivoting head makes light work of whipping away all manner of dirt and dust, and the machine cleanable pad means you can just wash it and go time and again.

Sign up for our daily newsletter Newsletter. The microfibre mop head cleans up all dirt with two speedy swipes though, and the telescopic handle means you can adjust it to suit your height. The mop head struggled to clean corners and grouting on test, due its round shape, but it is machine washable and our floors were dry just 11 minutes after cleaning. This flat mop seems made for sprucing up hallways and kitchens.

Its large head makes quick work of big spaces and is flexible enough to clean under appliances or furniture. It performed particularly well on vinyl and the cleaning cloths are attached with Velcro, meaning they can be easily removed for machine washing. Simply a scaled-down version of the previous mop, this miniature model is perfect for bathrooms as it's nifty enough to reach into awkward spaces. Like it's big brother, it fared fantastically on vinyl.

However, it tends to redeposit a small amount of dirt and it struggled to clean grouting thoroughly. The microfibre head is attached to a sturdy telescopic handle, which features a handy clip to stop the mop from falling over in the bucket. It removed almost all dirt during testing and tackled grouting with aplomb. Our most expensive mop happily comes with plenty of cleaning concentrate, which helped it produce first-class results across all types of flooring.

Its flat microfibre head glides quickly and smoothly and emerges looking good-as-new after a spin in the washing machine. However, this spray mop proved stiff to put together, and a more adjustable, comfortable handle wouldn't have gone amiss for the price. This more affordable spray mop is a breeze to use, thanks to a wide swivel head that glides smoothly and can be quickly disassembled for compact storage.

It cleaned all surfaces brilliantly, but while our floors dried quickly, there were some smear marks left behind that needed rubbing away.

Our other small gripe was that the trigger started sticking after only a few sprays. If you're looking for a budget buy, try this second entry from Addis. We saw particularly impressive results on tiles and vinyl floors, and it comes with a refill head. For the price, there are some compromises though. It struggled with grouting and left streaks on wooden floor, and the heads aren't machine washable.

There's no telescopic handle either. Overall, it does a decent job, and is a great basic option. This mop was a fast mover in small spaces, comfortable to use and effective at reaching tight or awkward corners. The mop head edges flip up too, so you can clean skirting boards, while the flat design fits neatly under appliances. And if you deal with muddy paw prints, you might want to look for an alternative, as the mop became saturated with dirt quickly.

It freshened up muddy floors without clogging and left our tiled floors looking mostly clean and shiny. It's also too bulky to carry but its large capacity requires infrequent refills. This cheap and cheerful mop and bucket duo comes in three parts, making storage that bit easier.

The microfibre head features a scourer for tackling stubborn dirt and sticky dots for grabbing stray hairs take note, pet owners!