Need suggestions on mop

[Droppedonmyhead]

I have gone from a house that was basically ALL carpet to a condo that is basically ALL tile. In the last house, I used a Swiffer because I only had 2 bathrooms, the kitchen and entry way that were tiled. So it was easy and fast. But now with all the tile in the condo, I don't feel the Swiffer is the best choice any more.

It's been a LONG time since I had a mop and I got totally confused when I went looking at them. The different brands and types of mops have increased dramatically. What type of mop of you use and what type do you think would be best for my situation?

[MsMarieH]

I have a shark steam mop and I really like it. It has the terry cloth "sleeves" that fit over the end with velcro and can be pulled off for washing.

If I had bought it (instead of my Darling Husband who can't follow the directions I give him), I would have bought the one that has a removable hand held steamer too.

Overall though, I really like it.

[Droppedonmyhead]

I have a shark steam mop and I really like it. It has the terry cloth "sleeves" that fit over the end with velcro and can be pulled off for washing.

If I had bought it (instead of my Darling Husband who can't follow the directions I give him), I would have bought the one that has a removable hand held steamer too.

Overall though, I really like it.

I have seen those on tv but I didn't know if they really worked as good as they say. Glad to hear that they do. I have a friend who used a Hoover steam mop and she loved it, but then turned around and stopped using it for a microfiber mop.

[paelthom]

I use my old swiffer mop and put a washcloth on the head. I spritz the floor with my homemade cleaning solution which is mostly diluted bleach and dawn or white vinegar and dawn.

[Ceashels]

Having cleaned many types of tile floors with many types of mops....

How deep is the grout line between the tiles?
Is your grout sealed?
Is it smooth or rough?


I had a client with a deep grout line and using anything that just pushes the dirt along just pushed it into the grout valleys.

A rough grout will catch more dirt than a smooth one and it will "grab" any type of sponge head if you go the sponge mop choice.

I find the best mop head for sponges is Quickie. It has a cellulose sponge head that helps pull dirty water back off the floor. Some of the other leading brands have stupid little sponges that can't hold water and tend to just smear water on the floor.

Steam mops may help lift the dirt out of grout lines I find I periodically still need to scrub areas in some homes periodically.

Who has a mop you can borrow?

Libman has a "rag strip" mop that is really nice. It uses a twist cone to wring dry and the head can be popped off and thrown in the washing machine. Really nice if you don't like getting your hands messy.

[Droppedonmyhead]

Having cleaned many types of tile floors with many types of mops....

How deep is the grout line between the tiles?
Is your grout sealed?
Is it smooth or rough?


I had a client with a deep grout line and using anything that just pushes the dirt along just pushed it into the grout valleys.

A rough grout will catch more dirt than a smooth one and it will "grab" any type of sponge head if you go the sponge mop choice.

I find the best mop head for sponges is Quickie. It has a cellulose sponge head that helps pull dirty water back off the floor. Some of the other leading brands have stupid little sponges that can't hold water and tend to just smear water on the floor.

Steam mops may help lift the dirt out of grout lines I find I periodically still need to scrub areas in some homes periodically.

Who has a mop you can borrow?

Libman has a "rag strip" mop that is really nice. It uses a twist cone to wring dry and the head can be popped off and thrown in the washing machine. Really nice if you don't like getting your hands messy.

I'm not sure about the grout. The line is wide and dips down below the tile a bit. I have no idea if it is sealed. I don't believe it is because the grout appears darker in some areas and lighter in others. Almost as if an area rug had been placed over the lighter grout. The grout does feel rough to the touch.


Thank you so much for the information.

[akolb]

i just got a bissell deluxe steam mop and I am loving it for laminate and tile with grout!

[lisaflex]

i have the dry swifter, the wet cloth seifter and the shark. i thik they are all just okay.

my cleaning lady likes the libby ropey mop and then i just buy replacement heads every month or so...

i just like to sweep w/ an old fashioned broom and dustpan and then go over it w/ dry swifter to be sure that i have picked up all dog hair and crumbs. then i usually shark mop it.

cleaning lady does the deep cleaning

[ladykemma2]

my entire house is tile

i sweep with a broom and dustpan. then i mop with a string mop, then do the "pippi longstocking" thing of running over the floor with old towels with my feet to pick up the water from the floor.

1 towel does my living room kitchen and one towel does my master bedroom and bath.

[ravenmaniac]

On my hardwood floors I love my shark steam mop or my "swifter" with thin wash cloths and Murphy's Oil Soap.

I do not have ceramic just vinyl so I use homemade cleaners and my swifter mostly. Sometimes I use my sponge mop to clean my vinyl floors and a towel to dry them.

[Molemommy]

I got a libman mop that has the swiffer ( I hated the swiffer just pushed dirt and hair around) idea but it is a reusable pad that sucks up dirt and hair (i have two labs and two boys) and that is all i use it also has a canister on it that you can fill with your own cleaner I use half vinigar half water and it works wonders... you just take the pad off and throw in washer.. I got two pads. The mop was 15.00 but boy is it a powerhouse.. .Love it...

[wjcalderon]

Libman has a "rag strip" mop that is really nice. It uses a twist cone to wring dry and the head can be popped off and thrown in the washing machine. Really nice if you don't like getting your hands messy.

This is the kind I use most of the time. What I like the best is that you can machine wash the mop head.
With a regular string mop or a sponge mop, it's harder to get the mop head clean after you use it.

I got a libman mop that has the swiffer ( I hated the swiffer just pushed dirt and hair around) idea but it is a reusable pad that sucks up dirt and hair (i have two labs and two boys) and that is all i use it also has a canister on it that you can fill with your own cleaner I use half vinigar half water and it works wonders... you just take the pad off and throw in washer.. I got two pads. The mop was 15.00 but boy is it a powerhouse.. .Love it...

I have one of these, too. I use it mostly on my hardwood floors.
I wish I had waited and got the Rubbermaid version.
It costs a little more, but you can buy an extra "bottle" and switch out cleaners if you need to. I don't use the same cleaners on my hardwood floor that I do on the vinyl ones.

[Droppedonmyhead]

Thanks everyone for the information. Gone are the days where your only choices were string mop or sponge mop. It's been over 10 years since I've had to have a heavy duty mop and I was so confused.

[wanderlusting]

Our entire house besides the bedrooms is tile. And it's a light colored tile so EVERYTHING shows. With two crawlers, I am obsessed with floor cleanliness.

I love my Bissell steam mop. Gets up all the gross stuff. And then once a week I do a regular mop with floor cleaner

[savvy_sniper]

I have a Shark steam mop and I love it. The floor is clean and feels wonderful under my bare feet!

I hate the wet Swiffer and hubby loves it. I guess I am allergic to the smell for starters. I also find that it leaves a slightly sticky residue and the dirt just clings to it so the floor needs to me mopped more often.

Not so with the Shark steam mop. I can sweep in between mopping.