FAQ

What is microfiber made of?

Microfiber is a fiber made from some sort of synthetic material like nylon, polyester, or polypropylene. Microfiber gets it name because each fiber measures under a denier, making it around ⅕ the thickness of a hair. Microfiber used for cleaning is called split microfiber, naturally because the fibers themselves are split. This makes the material excellent at catching things like dust particles, hair and debris, but it also makes it extremely absorbent. That absorbency means you won’t need a bucket full of water to use microfiber mops.

What can microfiber mops be used to clean?

Microfiber mops are very versatile. If there’s something you ever thought to clean, there’s a good chance a microfiber mop has been used to clean it. Microfiber mops have been used to clean floors, walls, ceilings, windows, porches, cars, and more. The replaceable pads that come with most microfiber mops make it easy to switch when needed as well, so you can go from dry mopping the walls to wet mopping the floor at a moment’s notice.

What surfaces are safe to clean using a microfiber mop?

Microfiber mops are safe to use on almost any solid floor surfaces, from vinyl to tile to hardwood and laminate floors. Microfiber mops have been used on concrete and metal floors as well without problems. Many microfiber steam mops can even be used to clean soft floor surfaces like carpets.

Do I need to use a cleaning chemical with my microfiber mop?

It depends. For day-to-day use, you can get a lot of results just using a dry microfiber mop on many surfaces, unless you have a spill or a sticky substance on the floor in need of a solid scrub. If you need to wet mop a surface, some plain water can make a big difference, since microfiber is great at catching loose particles while cleaning. Many moppers use a solution of water and vinegar, dish soap, or both when they need to dig deeper, and others opt for a commercial cleaning solution for a deeper clean, or just for convenience.

What are some recommended cleaning solutions for microfiber mops?

As mentioned above, you can mop without cleaning solution effectively for many, if not most, tasks. If you’re seeking a deeper clean, or just to save the trouble of having to mix a solution, many people choose a mopping solution like the ones you can find here. Generally speaking, microfiber mops don’t need as much cleaning product as cloth or sponge mops to be effective.

How is a microfiber mop better than a cotton mop?

Microfiber mops are much better at picking up dirt and particles than cotton due to the split fibers, making them more effective for the average cleaning job. They’re also better at disinfecting, and the replaceable pad help keep them from collecting bacteria. Read this article for a more detailed comparison between microfiber and cotton mops.

How do microfiber pads attach to the mop?

Connections will vary based on the mop. Some microfiber mops use a velcro-type surface to attach mop pads to the head, and others tuck into slots or have parts that hook around some sort of latch. These mops tend to be compatible with more different types of replacement mops pads. Some other microfiber mops, like the spin mops, have proprietary pads that attach to a specific connector built-in to the pole.

How can I clean microfiber mop pads?

Microfiber pads are easy to clean. Most of them are machine washable, and many can be quickly washed by hand. You can’t just throw them in with the rest of your laundry, though. The microfiber in the mop pads starts to break down after repeated washes, and the material is sensitive to heat. In addition, lint makes microfiber less effective. Wash your pads on low temperatures, dry on low heat or air dry them, and avoid washing with cotton or other lint-producing fabrics. Read this article to learn more about washing your microfiber mop pads.

Can microfiber mop pads be used to dry the floor after wet mopping?

Microfiber pads are very absorbent, so if you want to attach a dry pad to your mop to clean up any excess water after wet mopping, you can do so effectively. Most of the time, though, this won’t be necessary. The high absorbency of microfiber means that a microfiber mop can hold a lot more water than other types of mops, so you usually won’t have much, if any, water to concern yourself with drying after you wet mop.

Are microfiber mops better for dry or wet mopping?

One of the great things about microfiber mops is that they excel at both dry and wet mopping, so you don’t have to choose. A good microfiber mop will render a standard straw broom obsolete since it does a much better job of collecting particles and debris, whereas a straw broom just pushes the dirt around and often even sends it flying away from where you want it to go. The advantages microfiber mops have in picking up loose debris, dust, dirt, and hair continue to shine during wet mopping. The microfiber mop tends to clean with less water and fewer chemicals while being better at removing bacteria than the alternatives. You can read more here about the advantages and disadvantages of wet mopping versus dry mopping with a microfiber mop.

What is the best way to get a microfiber mop wet?

It’s easy to wet a microfiber mop. Just hold your microfiber pad under the faucet and get it good and wet, then wring it out. Water alone is good enough for many jobs. If you feel you need some cleaning solution, just spray some onto the head after you wring the water out. If you only want the cleaning solution to use on a particular spot, you can just spray the solution directly on the spot and mop the rest of the floor without it.

What is the difference between a regular microfiber mop and a steam mop?

Steam mops are for people who want a seriously deep clean and don’t want to use any cleaning chemicals to do it. They use the power of steam generated from boiling water you add yourself to clean your floor. Steam mops are a lot more expensive than the average regular microfiber mop, but they’re popular because they can do deeper cleaning with less physical effort and without cleaning solutions. As a bonus, many steam mops come with settings or attachments that let you use them on carpet.

How long do microfiber mop pads last?

Microfiber mop pads can last for quite a while. First of all, an unused pad doesn’t break down, so you don’t have to worry about using your pads before they go bad. By the same token, if you mop less frequently, you can expect to change pads a lot less often as well. Mop pad manufacturers will have different statements on mop pad reusability. Many will claim your pads can be washed 100 or more times, while others will claim you can wash their pads hundreds of times over without problems. The difference could be a difference in the pad quality or just the company’s confidence level, but the fact remains that microfiber pads are very resilient on the whole.

What are some benefits of reusable microfiber mop pads vs disposable pads?

The biggest advantage that reusable microfiber mop pads have is right there in the name; you can keep using them instead of throwing them away. Most mops with disposable pads have a lower up-front price, but over time the cost of the disposable pads quickly adds up. In many cases, a mop with disposable pads can bypass the price of a more expensive microfiber mop by the first purchase of disposable pads. You’ll also produce less waste by not throwing out a disposable pad every time you mop.