The Differences between Dry and Wet Mops

Caring for the floors in your building is a big part of maintaining the value of the property. In some cases, it is also a safety issue. You cannot afford to have floors that are not clean, which is why Alsco provides customers with both wet and dry mops.

Of course, wet and dry mops have different functions, and it’s helpful to understand the difference between them and how they might be useful in your business.

The Two Kinds of Mops

“Wet” and “dry” explain the characteristics of these mops pretty well. A wet mop is used with water and a cleaning solution. If you’re using a wet mop in a dry mop situation, you won’t get the floor as clean as possible. The same is true when using a dry mop when a wet mop would be more appropriate.

As its name suggests, a dry mop is used without water. Cleaning solutions are still appropriate in some cases, but they are most often sprayed and allowed to dry before the mop is used. A dry mop is more for loose dirt and debris than for cleaning embedded debris or dealing with stains.

Proper Wet Mop Procedures

We have had clients stop using wet mops on more than one occasion simply because they didn’t understand how to use them correctly. The thing about wet mops is that incorrect procedures can actually make a floor dirtier than when you started. But this does not indicate a weakness in the wet mop.

Using a wet mop properly starts with hot water and the cleaning solution. After you sweep the floor to remove loose dirt and debris, you use the wet mop to thoroughly soak the floor. It is best to work in sections so that one section can soak while the others are being cleaned. Here’s how it works:

1. Soak a section of the floor and allow the water to stand for a couple of minutes. The heat, water, and cleaning solution will loosen the dirt and debris.
2. After rinsing the wet mop, wring it out to remove as much water as possible.
3. Clean the floor by running the wet mop over the standing water in a back-and-forth pattern.This soaks up the water and dirt at the same time.
4. Rinse the mop, wring it out, and pass over the section one more time to get all remaining dirt and debris.

Wet mops, by design, are extremely absorbent. This absorbency is the key to their effectiveness. Soaking the floor loosens the dirt, then a rinsed and wrung-out mop absorbs the water and dirt as it passes over.

Proper Dry Mop Procedures

Dry mop procedures are a lot less involved. A dry mop works as both a broom and a cleaner simultaneously. When using a dry mop, the mop head should not leave the floor during individual strokes. Go back and forth over the floor in a uniform pattern, overlapping a few inches on each stroke.

Every few strokes, lift the mop head and shake it out in the trash can or plastic bag. If you are using a spray on the floor, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the most effective use. When you have completed your dry mopping, you should have a pile of dirt that can be picked up with a broom and dustpan.

Alsco supplies both dry and wet mops along with other industrial and commercial floor care products. Please contact us for more information.