Flat Mop vs Spin Mop | Which One is Better Keep Your Floors Sparkling Clean?

Flat Mop Vs. Spin Mop

What is a Flat Mop?

A flat mop is a mop that has a wide, flat head which is usually covered with a microfiber pad. This pad is usually removable and is stuck on the mop using either velcro or glue. A unique thing about these dust mops is that the heads are able to rotate a full 360°. And when this quality is combined with its wide and flat shape, it makes them great for reaching and cleaning under furniture without having to move them.

Furthermore, as they have a square-shaped head, it makes them great for properly reaching and cleaning out corners which many other mops fail to do. Another great thing about these dust mops is that many of them have a cylindrical cleaning compound dispenser attached to the mop handle with a tube running down to the head of the mop. And as this dispenser is operated by a button near the top, you can easily use it to dispense cleaning liquid into the head while mopping. This eliminates the need for a water bucket.

What is a Spin Mop?

Spin mops, on the other hand, are shaped like traditional cotton string mops with smaller, rounder heads, That are usually made of microfiber. But unlike a traditional mop or string mop, spin mops come with a bucket that has two compartments, one for holding the water mixed with the cleaning solution and the other for wringing the mop. And so, with the help of the wringing mechanism, you can easily remove excess water from the mop head without a lot of effort.

This is because there is usually a lever or a pedal for the part that, when pushed, spins the compartment holding the mop inside the bucket. Because of this, you do not have to physically squeeze and rinse out the water from the mop yourself. The rinsing mechanism not only helps remove the excess water but also removes the dirt that sticks on the mop and makes sure that it stays at the bottom of the bucket. This is great for ensuring that you do not spread the dirt back onto the floor when you dip the mop back into the bucket for a rinse.

Advantages of Flat Mops Over Spin Mops

Flat mops have a lot of great features, which make them a great cleaning tool for your house. One of these features is their signature wide and flat head that is able to rotate quite a lot which makes it easy for you to reach tight spaces without having to actually change your own position. Furthermore, as they are quite flat and thin, they can easily reach under furniture like sofas, which you would otherwise have to move when mopping with a regular or a spin mop.

Also, many flat mops come with a cleaning liquid dispenser attached to their handles. And as these dispensers are connected to the head of the mop, you can easily have them dispense the cleaning liquid, when necessary, while mopping via a button or a lever. This eliminates the need for a water bucket and makes the whole cleaning process much easier and faster.

And if you live in a double-story house or work in a building with no elevator, then this feature can also come in handy as the lack of a water bucket makes it easier for you to move the mop up and down the stairs. Furthermore, with spin mops, there is a chance of cross-contamination because you are using the same dirty water solution to clean your floor. And even though the spin mechanism can remove the larger dirt particles from the mop head, the germs and pathogens remain on it.

Also, spin mops are prone to leaving marks on the skirting of your walls. This is because they have more volume than a flat mop, and so they can drag across the skirting when you clean against the walls and leave stains on it. Flat mops, on the other hand, do not have that volume and lay flat against the ground. And so during cleaning, they do not touch the skirting because of which no water stains are left on it.

Advantages of Spin Mops Over Flat Mops

If a flat mop does not come with the cleaning liquid dispenser, then you would need to use a water bucket with it for proper cleaning. And if the water bucket is not specifically designed for the flat mop, then it can get quite difficult to dip the mop in and out of it for cleaning. Furthermore, due to its bulky size, when you dip it in water for cleaning, it retains way more water than a standard mop which makes it quite heavy.

Furthermore, rinsing it can also be quite tedious, if the mop does not come with a custom bucket. This bulkiness also makes the flat mop more difficult to maneuver than a spin mop as you need to have a certain skill to make it go the way you want. While a spin mop, on the other hand, is much easier to maneuver as it is less bulky with a smaller, more round head and lightweight build.

Also, a spin mop is easier to clean than a flat mop as you can just refill the bucket with fresh water and add some detergent or some bleach to it. Then, leave the mop to soak in it for a few minutes to ensure that the water has thoroughly seeped into the head and killed most of the germs and pathogens. Once done soaking, pour out the bleach water and fill the bucket with fresh water. Then using the spin mechanism, wring out the mop to remove the bleach from it. Rinse it with fresh water, wring it out again, and you are done.

But when it comes to cleaning a flat mop head, although you can use the same cleaning method, due to the lack of spin and dry mechanism, you would have to wring out the mop head out yourself. And if the mop head is not easily detachable, then the process can be much more difficult. Furthermore, it can take a much longer time to dry than a spin mop as the latter dries almost instantly because the mechanism wrings most of the water out of it.

FAQs

Which is better, spin mop or flat mop?

There is no direct answer when it comes to the comparison between flat mop and a spin mop. This is because both have their own advantages and disadvantages that make them great for different types of cleaning. And so, if you are looking for a mop that is easy to clean as well as easy to maneuver, then a spin mop is the one for you. But if you are looking for one which lets you clean under furniture without you having to move them and cleans the corners of walls quite well, then the flat mop is a great choice.

What is the easiest mop to use?

When talking about the ability to maneuver, a spin mop is a better option as it is less bulky than a flat mop (see slate floor mops). But when it comes to convenience, a flat mop with a cleaning solution dispenser is the better choice as it does not require any water bucket that you need to lug around while mopping your floors. Flat mops are also convenient because they are able to clean under furniture without having to move them as their heads are flat against the ground with the ability to rotate.

Are spin mops worth it?

The spin mop performed admirably in all of our tests, finishing last only in two. Using the mop as a spot cleaner, water and soda spills were easily wiped away. Additionally, the Mopnado Deluxe Stainless-Steel Rolling Spin Mop tied for the top spot in mobility.

Are spin mops durable?

A spinning mop is durable and absorbent. The mop covers a larger surface area. Larger wheels make it easier for it to move over uneven surfaces. The mop handle can rotate 360 degrees.

How often should you mop your floor?

In high-traffic areas, such as kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, and entryways, mopping is necessary every week. As long as rooms that are rarely used, such as formal living rooms or guest rooms, are vacuumed once every seven days (to remove dust and grit), they can be mopped every other week or even monthly.

Related Mop Guides: Mop vs Swiffer | Best mop for Vinyl floors | Cleaning a mop

Wrapping Up

When it comes to flat mop versus spin mop, there does not seem to be any clear winner because both of them have their own advantages and disadvantages. And in the end, it all really depends on the type of cleaning that you are going to be doing. And so, with the information provided in this article, you can decide for yourself which one you prefer for your cleaning by taking into account both the advantages and the disadvantages of each mop.