We’d like to bet that finding a durable mop that works well and actually cleans your floors to a sparkling finish is something of a challenge and a continual source of irritation for most of you. Well, we’re here to tell you, you’re not alone. We’ve been cleaning homes all over Sydney for over ten years now and have encountered more mops than you could shake a stick at (or mop handle ;)). So here are a few that are currently available on the market. The pros and cons of each, along with insights from our team of professional SOAPSTARS.
1. Vileda SuperMocio Action Mop
Right off the bat, this one is our absolute favourite. This one is a classic choice for effective cleaning, often overlooked in favour of more complicated, mechanical squeegee types, but this humble, regular mop is tops in our book. It features a durable construction and comes with a specially designed bucket and wringer for efficient water removal, and an extendable handle, squeeze bucket, and extra mop head.
Key Features
- Material: High-quality microfiber and non-woven strips
- Bucket and Wringer: Designed for optimal wringing
- Ergonomics: Comfortable grip handle
- Cleaning Power: Effective in picking up dirt and grime
Pros
- High Absorbency: The microfiber strips are highly absorbent, making it easy to clean up spills.
- Efficient Wringing: The bucket and wringer system ensures minimal effort in squeezing out water, plus, the user is firmly in control of the level or wringing to suit the task at hand.
- Durability: Built to last, the mop can withstand regular use.
Cons
- Price: At $83, it retails at a higher price point compared to other mops.
- Bulky: Not the most attractive in terms of colours, and a bit bulky to store.
Verdict
The Vileda SuperMocio Action Mop is ideal for those who prioritise durability and effective cleaning performance. Its robust design and efficient wringing system make it a reliable choice for heavy-duty cleaning. It’s easy to wash and literally wipes the floor with most modern mops.
2. Vileda Super Swish Spray Mop
This may be a convenient option for quick and easy floor cleaning, and it works relatively well for as long as the spray mechanism works. Which varies, depending on frequency of use. The integrated spray mechanism is handy as it allows you to control the amount of cleaning solution used and negates the need to move a bucket around with you.
Key Features
- Integrated Spray: Built-in spray trigger for dispensing cleaning solution
- Microfiber Pad: Washable and reusable
- Lightweight Design: Easy to maneuver
Pros
- Convenience: The spray feature eliminates the need for a separate bucket, making it perfect for quick clean-ups.
- Eco-Friendly: Reusable microfiber pad reduces waste.
- Ease of Use: Lightweight and easy to handle.
- Reasonably priced : at $45
Cons
- Limited Capacity: Smaller water tank may require frequent refills.
- Cleaning Power: May not be as effective for heavy duty work.
Verdict
The Sabco Super Swish Spray Mop is best suited for light cleaning tasks and quick touch-ups. Its integrated spray mechanism and reusable pad make it a practical and eco-friendly choice for everyday use. The downside is that, because you are not continually rinsing and squeezing the mop as you go, the pad gets dirty pretty quickly. This means you are effectively just moving dirt around, or you will have to change pads a number of times throughout the clean.
3. Sabco Breeze Mop
This simple squeegee sponge mop is designed for light cleaning with minimal effort. Its wringing mechanism allows for hands-free wringing, ensuring optimal water control.
Key Features
- Mechanical Wringer: Slide and squeeze action
- Replaceable Sponge Head: Effective in capturing dirt and dust
- Adjustable Handle: Customizable length for comfort and storage
Pros
- Hands-Free Wringing: Making it relatively easy to control the moisture level of the sponge.
- Versatility: Suitable for various floor types, including tile, laminate, and hardwood.
- Adjustability: The adjustable handle ensures comfortable use for different users.
- Price: One of the cheapest in our selection at $19.
Cons
- Durability: The sponge heads don’t last too long and are easily torn.
- No Bucket: Which needs to be purchased separately.
Verdict
This is a good entry level mop for light cleaning. You will go through a lot of sponge heads, and they will warp over time, limiting cleaning ability.
4. Kmart Extendable Floor Mop
Overview
The Kmart Extendable Floor Mop is a budget-friendly option that offers basic cleaning functionality. Its extendable handle allows for easy reach and versatility.
Key Features
- Extendable Handle: Adjustable length for reaching high or low areas
- Microfiber Pad: Removable and washable
- Lightweight Design: Easy to use and store
Pros
- Affordability: Budget-friendly price point at an incredible $6.
- Versatility: The scrubbing element of the head is useful to tackle stubborn marks.
- Ease of Maintenance: Washable microfiber pad is easy to clean.
Cons
- Build Quality: May not be as durable as higher-end models.
- Ergonimics: The handle when extended is too short, making cleaning more of a chore.
- No Bucket: Which needs to be purchased separately.
Verdict
An exceptionally good value for money item that is reportedly quite durable, despite the low cost. At $6 you could have one in every room, and though the short handle is a negative for extensive cleaning, it’s a positive on the storage front.
5. Vileda Easy Wring & Clean Turbo Spin Mop
Overview
The Vileda Easy Wring & Clean Turbo Spin Mop is designed for thorough cleaning with minimal effort. Its spinning mechanism allows for hands-free wringing, ensuring optimal water control.
Key Features
- Spin Mechanism: Foot pedal-operated wringer
- Microfiber Mop Head: Effective in capturing dirt and dust
- Adjustable Handle: Customizable length for comfort
Pros
- Hands-Free Wringing: The foot pedal spin wringer makes it easy to control the moisture level of the mop head.
- Versatility: Suitable for various floor types, including tile, laminate, and hardwood.
- Adjustability: The adjustable handle ensures comfortable use for different users.
Cons
- Price: Higher cost due to the advanced wringing system, but at $59 is actually cheaper than the SuperMocio.
- Storage: The bucket and spin system can take up more space.
Verdict
This is a good incarnation of our favourite SuperMocio mop, featuring a more traditional style mop head, and is great for getting into corners. The potential downside for us is that any fancy wringing mechanism is prone to breakage and is expensive to replace.
6. Sabco Clean Ease Flat Mop & Wringer Set
Overview
According to the marketing description, the Sabco Clean Ease Flat Mop & Wringer Set offers a combination of convenience and efficiency. It features a flat mop design and an innovative wringer system, making it easy to achieve streak-free cleaning results.
Key Features
- Flat Mop Design: Provides broad coverage and easy maneuverability
- Innovative Wringer: Designed for easy and effective wringing
- Microfiber Pad: Washable and reusable, ideal for capturing dust and dirt
Pros
- Ease of Use: The flat mop design allows for quick and easy cleaning of large areas.
- Reusable Pad: The microfiber pad is both effective and eco-friendly, as it can be washed and reused multiple times.
Cons
- Durability: The tabs which hold the cleaning pad to the mop-head are so small and delicate they tear after only a couple of uses from the (very stiff and hard to use) wringing function, rendering them useless.
- Bucket: Due to the bucket design with limited space, the water gets dirty very quickly and requires regular changes. It’s also hard to clear out all of the water and dirt, leaving grime and/or stale water in the bottom for your next clean.
- Cost: At $55, this one was an expensive mistake.
Verdict
Quite honestly, the biggest waste of money we have encountered. We ditched this mop after only two cleans.
Summary
A little like our SOAP cleaning ethos of using traditional methods, materials, and cleaning products, harnessing a bygone age of cleaning and polishing, our winning choice is the least fancy, with no whizzy features to break or fail, easy to clean, sturdy, and durable.
Your SOAPSTARS just love the Vileda SuperMocio Action Mop for its no-nonsense, design that simply does the job well.