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Consider floor surfaces and household needs before choosing a suitable mop or broom from the variety of products available.
With vacuum cleaners available in portable and handheld sizes in a range of styles and with a variety of functions, the household reliance on brooms and mops to keep floors tidy has decreased. Despite this, it is still useful to have a broom or mop on hand to keep wood, tile or linoleum floors free from day to day mess and keep outside areas clear of leaves and debris. Hard Bristle BroomsHard bristle brooms are useful for driveways and outdoor steps, paths and paved areas. While it is possible to clear these areas with a hose or pressure cleaner, it is far more environmentally friendly to simply sweep leaves and other debris from the area. An outdoor broom can also be used to clear pools of water away from doorways or other areas after heavy rain Soft Bristle and Straw Brooms The most traditional option for inside use, a soft bristle broom is a good all-purpose aid for cleaning non-carpet flooring. Care needs to be taken when choosing these brooms, as straw brooms particularly can be too abrasive for some floor surfaces. These brooms have the advantage of being relatively inexpensive. Electrostatic Brooms Electrostatic foam or rubber broom heads, either alone or combined with a bristle head, are useful for areas where dust and/or pet hair is an issue. The foam attracts the dust and cat and dog hair and holds it, removing significantly more from the floor surface than a standard broom. As an alternative, cut the leg from a pair of pantyhose/stockings and pull over a soft bristle broom head. Use this to sweep areas with dust or pet hair for a more efficient result that the broom alone. Traditional Mops Traditional mop heads are often slow to dry and can harbour bacteria if not cared for properly, not to mention becoming quite smelly if put away wet. Wringing out these mops can also be quite difficult. They are more resilient than some modern mop styles on rough surfaces. Purchase a mop where the mop head screws on to the handle to allow for easy replacement when required. Cloth MopsStrips of microfibre, thin foam or other materials forming a mop head are popular and dry much faster than traditional mops. Less water is required to use these mops and it is possible to wring most of the water out before using on the floor, minimising the time that floors are wet and slippery. It can be difficult with this style of mop head to get the same amount of force to clean difficult to remove marks. Flat and Sponge Mops Flat mops use a replaceable cloth attached to a flat mop head for cleaning, often with an inbuilt spray for water/detergent in the mop head. They use minimal water and are far more hygienic than traditional mop heads. Sponge mops generally have removable sponge heads. These sponges need to be replaced periodically, although not as frequently has mop cloths. Replacing the cloths results in an ongoing expense, with the possibility of several cloths required for each use if cleaning a large area. Sponges last longer, but also need to be replaced reasonably regularly. sConsider Floor Surfaces and Storage when Purchasing Mops and Broom Many mops and brooms now come with telescopic handles reducing the amount of storage space needed. Store brooms and mops out of sight in a laundry or basement cupboard or hanging rack on the back of a laundry or utility room door. Ensuring that mops are completely dry before storing will help the mop to continue cleaning efficiently. Different floor surfaces require different levels of care. Consider what surfaces need cleaning and purchase a mop and broom that will care for the majority of areas. Consider whether the mop or broom head is replaceable to minimise future expenses.
The copyright of the article How to Choose a Broom or Mop in Home Management is owned by Susan Whelan. Permission to republish How to Choose a Broom or Mop in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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