Webster's dictionary defines a mop as "an implement for washing floors, having a bundle of cloth or yarn at the end of a long handle." Floor care professionals today realize that although mops have existed for thousands of years, more sophisticated tools and materials are now available that improve mop performance.

Looped-end wet mop

Choosing the right mopping tool for the job will increase productivity as well as product performance. Chemicals have become more sophisticated in recent years, yet the mop remains the most common tool for applying these new products. Using mopping tools that will save labor and reduce application costs is beneficial.

Determining the right mop for the job involves understanding which cleaning process will be performed and choosing the correct mop yarn, size and style to suit your needs.

Cotton cut-end wet mop

Mops are used for a variety of processes including damp mopping, wet mopping, stripping, applying floor finish, applying disinfectant, drying the floor, removing spills and flooding the floor. Different processes require different tools. When applying disinfectant, for instance, the floor should remain damp for 10 minutes to allow the disinfectant to have appropriate "kill time." Stripping also involves applying solution with the expectation that it will not dry immediately. Conversely, picking up spills calls for a dry floor surface upon completion of the task.

Cotton tailbanded wet mop

These jobs necessitate different mop fibers. Today's mop yarns are comprised of a variety of fibers including cotton, polyester, rayon, string, acrylic and antimicrobial treated material. Yarns with greater amounts of twisting are better for rough surfaces. Acrylic and polyester fiber have high tensile strength, less linting and lower absorption. These are good choices for stripping floors, applying finish and general purpose applications. Cotton and rayon yarns offer maximum absorption and are preferred for floor drying and launderability. Although cotton is the most economical fiber, it has a natural oil (pectin) that must be rinsed out with warm, soapy water prior to achieving maximum absorption. This break-in period can be time consuming and costly. Rayon conversely achieves maximum absorption immediately. Today blended yarns are available that mix qualities of the different fiber types.

Choosing the style of mop -- either looped end, cut end or tail banded -- may impact operator productivity. Tail banded mops offer a good spread for maximum floor coverage. Looped mops decrease linting and shedding. In many cases, launderable looped end mops are available. Cut end mops are the least expensive to purchase but have a shorter life expectancy and require a longer cleaning time.

Choose the mop that best meets your needs, realizing that the job task and labor costs should be influential factors in your final selection.