Which method of washing the floor is preferable: by hand or with a mop?

Mop – for hard-to-reach places

Only a mop can cope with dirt under sofas, beds and cabinet furniture. The range of cleaning devices is so wide that you can easily choose the right device for yourself.

To ensure that the cleanliness of floors under furniture does not cause any difficulties or doubts, buy a telescopic mop with a folding handle.

Online stores also offer a special gadget for these purposes: an ultra-thin mop for hard-to-reach places. The mop bends easily without the risk of breakage and allows you to clean not only the surface under washing machines and refrigerators, but also the joints of sofa cushions and high cabinets.

Manually – more thoroughly

A regular mop cannot cope with ingrained dirt, and also leaves streaks – that is why Many people prefer a more reliable way to get rid of stains and dust. To effectively remove dirt, add floor cleaning product, soda or bleach to warm water, wring out the cloth well and move from the corners to the exit.

It is the cloth in your hands that allows you to wipe the baseboards and all sorts of joints. Otherwise, a special attachment is required.

With a mop – faster

Using an additional tool significantly speeds up cleaning. That is why a mop is used in public institutions – it helps to tidy up large areas, which means it is indispensable when cleaning a multi-room apartment or house.

Just like with manual cleaning, you should move from the far corners to the middle of the room, then to the exit.

Washing by hand is more difficult

This process takes both strength and time. But the more thoroughly the floors are washed, the less often you will have to clean. Unfortunately, during work the body experiences noticeable stress on the back and legs, as well as the shoulders. It is especially difficult for people with osteochondrosis, pregnant women and the elderly to cope with the task.

When you come into contact with dirty water containing household chemicals, you damage your nails and the skin of your hands, so be sure to use protective rubber gloves when washing.

A mop is more technologically advanced

For those who are “on a first name basis” with gadgets, cleaning is not a problem. Modern rags on a mop perfectly collect all the dust and are wrung out well, without spreading dirt. There are several types of devices made from different materials:

• Rope mop with a wringing mechanism and a bucket.
• With a sponge attachment and a wringing lever.
• With a microfiber attachment on Velcro.
• Steam.

For more effective removal of dirt, many users first prefer to dry clean with a broom or vacuum cleaner, and only then do the washing.

Washing with your hands as exercise

For healthy lifestyle supporters, cleaning is another activity that will help get rid of extra calories and use idle muscle groups. When wiping the floor manually, the muscles of the back, shoulder girdle and press are used. To make physical activity beneficial, do not kneel: wash the floor, bending over and moving the shoulder girdle.

It is believed that an hour of washing floors will help burn about 240 calories: you will lose the same amount in 45 minutes of dancing.

A mop takes up space

Every thing in the house needs its place – a convenient organization of space makes life easier and the interior more attractive. A mop also needs its own corner – but it shouldn’t get in the way or spoil the decor.

If you have a special closet or storage room for cleaning equipment, you’re in luck. If not, you’ll have to find a place for unsightly things: in a closet, in a toilet, in a bathroom or a dressing room.

For owners of compact apartments, there are folding devices that can be hidden under a bathtub or in a nightstand. The device will suit everyone who values order and neatness.

Hand washing is cheaper

The fact is that buying any mop is fraught with additional costs, and hand washing is the most budget-friendly activity. To clean an apartment, even a rag is enough – clothes that have become unusable or a towel.

Some users prefer microfiber, but cotton should not be discounted either – it is a natural material that can withstand frequent washing and bleach, and does not leave lint.

Washing the floor by hand is a familiar and effective way of cleaning for many economical people. At the same time, the mechanisms of modern mops are being improved, replacing simple devices. If you want to achieve perfect cleanliness, it makes sense to combine both cleaning methods, wiping the corners with a rag and the main surface of the floor with a mop.