If you thought a mop was only best used to clean floors, absorb split liquids or mop up dust, it’s time to think again.
Although a mop works wonders on most hardwood floors – be it laminate, vinyl or wood – according to experts, this handy cleaning gadget can also be used on other surfaces you might not have thought about, such as your ceilings or walls.
To help you make this piece of kit work harder, here professional cleaners share their cleaning tips on all the other less-known ways to clean with your mop and just how to do it.
All the surprising expert-approved ways to clean with your mop
1. Use your mop to clean your bathtub
Wondering how to clean your bathroom like a pro? You might already declutter your bathroom before dusting it and freshening up tiles and grout. But if you’re looking for an ingenious way to refresh your tub without putting your back out, use your mop.
‘For those who find bending over challenging or when space is limited around the bathtub, a mop can be a helpful alternative to cleaning by hand,’ Dr. Beckmann spokesperson, Natasha Brook, says.
‘A steam mop with a handheld attachment works best on bathtubs, and you can use the microfibre pad attachment to gently clean along the edges and bottom of the tub for a thorough clean.'
However, as Natasha flags, just be sure to use a mop head that’s safe for your bath surface to avoid scratches or damage.
If you’re struggling to decipher between the best steam cleaner for you, this addition takes the top spot in our guide because it quickly preheats, has a wide range of uses and doubled as a handheld steam mop, making it the perfect tool for your tub.
2. Cleaning windows
Trying to learn how to clean a window with no streaks? Well, the answer could lie with the tool you’re using.
‘Mops can also make cleaning windows and glass doors easier, especially if they’re hard to reach,’ Natasha says. ‘Simply use a glass-friendly cleaning solution to remove fingerprints and streaks from interior and exterior windows.’
We favor this eco-friendly Method Mint Cleaning Product Glass Cleaner Spray, which you can pick up cheaply from Target. Or, if you're keen to make your own glass cleaning solution, you could try out our dish soap solution for streak-free windows.
Either way, before you start, it's worth discovering the tips, tricks, and things people with clean windows always do to help you achieve sparkling glass year-round.
3. Dusting the ceiling
One of the most overlooked spots you are (probably) forgetting to dust? Your ceiling. But according to Carolina Kazimierski, co-owner & president at Sophia’s Cleaning Service that's where a mop steps up to the challenge.
'A microfiber flat mop works incredibly well for collecting dust and cobwebs from hard-to-reach corners,' the expert says. 'Just lightly spray the pad with a dusting solution or even water and swipe gently across the surface. It’s a game-changer for high ceilings if you don’t have access to a special extension duster.'
However, Carolina highlights that you should never over-soak your mop, especially when cleaning drywall or porous surfaces. Explaining why, she says: 'You don't want water dripping into the crevices where your walls and baseboards meet. Also, avoid harsh chemicals or bleach on painted surfaces since it can strip finishes or leave streaks.'
The expert also warns against using the same mop head pad from your bathroom on your kitchen or living room for a "more sanitized clean".
'Many of our cleaning teams love O-Cedar’s microfiber flip mop because it’s super lightweight and easy to wash,' Carolina says. It's extra-large double-sided mop head also gives you the choice to flip between a chenille head to attract dirt, dust and hair and a powerful microfiber side to wipe out dirt, dust and grime.
4. Refreshing baseboards
From a TikTok-approved dryer sheet hack to a vacuum hack, there are many ways to clean the baseboards in your home. But now you've got one expert-backed way that's quick, easy, and effortless – and that's by using a mop.
'Using a damp mop pad across the face of baseboards can lift off dust and grime without kneeling or hand-wiping,' Carolina says. 'We like to pre-spray the pad with a mild all-purpose cleaner and go along the edges of each room. It won't beat hand washing baseboards, but it works well for maintenance cleanings or quick dust-ups.'
'For baseboards, we go with Mrs. Meyer’s multi-surface concentrate,' Carolina says. 'It smells great and does a good job without being too harsh.'
5. Dust walls
Debating how to clean walls and rid them easily and quickly of dust?
'Use a mop', suggests Sabrina Fierman vice president at New York’s Little Elves. 'Cover a dry sponge mop with a cotton rag and use it to dust walls, working from top to bottom. Simply change the rag when it is dirty and repeat the process until the rag is clean and there is no more dust.'
Just don't use a wet mop to clean walls or a dry mop on wet walls. 'It will smear the dirt,' Sabrina adds.
'We only recommend and use sponge mops,' Sabrina says. 'We don’t like rope or rag mops, because you can’t clean them well. The mops themselves hold on to the dirt, then they drip and spread dirt around. That defeats the purpose!' This comes with a scrub brush.
Meet the experts
All of these surprising ways to clean with a mop can help you achieve a spotless space.
But for more ways to create a sparkly clean home, discover the luxury cleaning tools for an impressively tidy home and the ultimate cleaning supplies checklist to help you perfect your chores.
