Mopping the floors at home

A kitchen or bathroom floor needs a mop now and then.

The right mop depends on what you want it to do, and on how much room you have to keep it.

The main kinds of mop

A string mop is the classic mop and bucket. It soaks up a lot of water and copes well with bigger stains. It also takes up more space, and Which? says it is less suited to floors that can warp, such as hardwood or laminate.

A spin mop works in much the same way. Its bucket has a spinning part, so you wring the head out with a foot pedal instead of by hand.

A flat mop has a pad that you wet before you start. A spray mop is a flat mop with a bottle on it and a trigger to spray water or cleaner. Some flat mops take disposable pads that go in the bin after each clean.

A steam mop is an electric cleaner that heats water into steam.

Wood and laminate floors

Too much water can make a timber floor swell and warp. Which? suggests mopping wood with a mop that is only slightly damp.

Sweeping often and wiping up spills straight away means the floor needs mopping less.

Laminate can be mopped too, with a mop that is nearly dry. Many people use a flat mop on it for that reason.

Which floors take a steam mop

Which? says steam suits floor tiles and their grout lines.

It advises against steam on unsealed hardwood, because sudden changes in heat and moisture can warp the wood. Steam can strip the sealer from stone, which makes mould more likely. Vinyl, including luxury vinyl tiles, can lose its shape in the heat, and the glue can loosen.

Laminate is less clear. Some flooring makers advise against steam on it, while Which? says low to medium power for a short time, without too much steam, should be fine.

Check the steam mop maker's guidance before you try it on a new floor. You can look up any steam mop in the government's list of product recalls.

How to mop

With a string or spin mop, fill the bucket with water, and cleaner if you use it. Wring the mop until it is only damp.

Working on one small section at a time keeps it manageable. Some people go left and right, and others prefer a figure of eight.

When you finish, wring the head out well. Before washing it, check whether it can go in the washing machine and the tumble dryer.

Flat and spray mops hold less water, so vacuuming loose dirt first helps.

Damp floors and falls

A mopped floor stays slippery for as long as it is damp. Leave a dry way through the room while it dries.

The NHS advises anyone at risk of a fall to wear shoes or slippers that fit well, stay on and have a good grip.

What goes in the bucket

Hertfordshire's fire and rescue service says never to mix cleaning products, even ones that look alike.

Keep each product in its original container and follow its instructions. Open a window while you clean. If you change products, rinse the floor in between.

Store cleaning products out of reach of children and pets.

Useful links