If you're a parent, chances are you've cleaned your house... a lot. Having kids around is a guaranteed way to always have a mess on deck. No matter what, or how frequently you clean, it can seem like there is always more to be done, due to the fact that kids are adorably messy little creatures.

One of the tools in your cleaning arsenal is probably a mop. Although a mop seems like a pretty straightforward cleaning item, there are actually different types, and the one you need to use will depend on the surface that you're trying to clean.

Types of Mops and When to Use Them

Although there are a few different types of mops, the easy way to choose between them is to figure out what your goal is- what is the type of surface that you are cleaning? Is it a high traffic area? Are you cleaning up a spill?

These are all factors to consider when it comes to trying to find which type of mop is best for the job.

READ THIS: The 10 Best Mops of 2019

Sponge Mops

Sponge mops are good for cleaning tile floors. They have a head that is a sponge, and wringers to get rid of excess water. Sponge mops are good because they can scrub stuck-on food and grime in high traffic places, such as your kitchen. One thing to be aware of is that sponge mops need to be cleaned properly to avoid bacteria growing and colonizing in the head. Most sponge mops have heads that are replaceable which is also a plus.

String Mops

Cotton string mops are pretty versatile, and can be used on most surfaces. the strings can cover a lot of area and get tight into corners which is a plus. They are usually pretty good at scrubbing, which makes them useful for floors that collect a lot of dirt. Floors can be uneven, as the strings can cover a lot of surface. A downside to string mops is that they can be hard to clean, they can stay wet and get kind of musty.

Dry Mops

Dry mops are usually used for dust, and as such they are best for floors that have a lot of dust and small bits rather than floors that need proper washing/scrubbing. Dry mops typically have a flat head with some sort of fabric or removable fabric material to collect dirt and dust. To clean them, you can shake the debris out of them outside.

Steam Mops

Steam mops have a water resevoir that heats up creating steam for cleaning. Steam mops are good for high traffic areas with lots of dirt, as they are very effective at cleaning flat surfaces. Steam mops can be used to disinfect surfaces, which adds another dimension to the cleanliness of your floor.

Spin Mops

Spin mops (or twist mops" spin around, and it's by this mechanism that they can clean your floors to a sparkling finish. Spin mops are great because they can get floors pretty clean without the elbow grease required for scrubbing. Some spin mops come with adjustable handles, which means they can easily clean different areas without the user having to do a lot of stretching or bending.

Microfiber Mops

There a few types of microfiber mops. The reason why they are popular is that microfiber typically cleans better than other materials, which makes it a more sanitary option. The head of most microfber mops can be removed and washed, which means they are simple to clean. They are best for dry or semi-wet cleaning, not so much for large spills. Microfiber mops are best for daily use, not for heavily soiled areas that need scrubbing.

All these mops are useful, however you will want to pick one that best works with your needs.

Trying to pick a mop can be difficult because of all the different choices you have. The best way to approach which to choose is to research the different brands and types, and figure out what will work best for your particular needs.

If you're looking for some more information about different types of mops to guide your choice, check out this list of the 10 best mops of 2019.

Happy shopping, and happy mopping!

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