How To Wash a Mop

Updated on September 2, 2022

Want to learn how to wash a mop? Cleaning your mop head sounds like a dirty task but it doesn’t have to be! In fact, you hardly have to touch the mop head with your hands to effectively clean it.

Making sure your mop head is clean and sanitary is an important part of owning a mop. The last thing you want is a germ-ridden mop pushing dirt and bacteria around your home, spreading smells and messes around when you’re trying to get your floors clean. You don’t want your small children or pets getting sick when you could easily prevent this issue.

Let’s take a look at how to get any type of mop clean and sanitary, ensuring the health of your family and cleanliness of your floors. There are a few different ways to clean your mop head easily in your own home.

See Also: How to Correctly Mop Hardwood Floors

Routine Maintenance

One of the easiest ways to clean your mop is to keep it clean from the beginning. Whether you are using a microfiber mop or a squeeze mop, there are a couple of things you can add to your normal cleaning routine to keep your mop head from getting too dirty.

Mop Wisely

First, when you’re mopping it is beneficial to use two buckets while you clean. The first bucket should have hot water and your desired cleaning solution in it. The second bucket should be full of hot water for you to rinse your mop head with.

You’ll dunk your mop head in the bucket of water and cleaning solution, mop an area of your floor, then rinse it in the clean rinsing bucket to prevent your bucket of soapy water from getting too dirty. As soon as either bucket becomes soiled, empty it and refill it.

Post-Mopping Care

The next way to keep your mop nice and clean is to be sure to thoroughly rinse it after each use. You can do this in your sink or your bathtub, depending on which is easiest for you to use. Run clean, hot water over your mop head until the water runs completely clean.

After every single use, be sure to rinse your mop head, ring out as much excess water as possible, and allow your mop head to dry completely before storing it. Making sure it is totally dry before storing it in a cool, dry space helps to prevent mold and mildew from growing.

Once your mop is moldy, it no longer safely cleans your floors, it just spreads that bacteria around which can be harmful to yourself, your pets, and your children. To learn more, take a look at the video below that shows how to clean your mop after each use:

Deep Cleaning Your Mop Head

While regular upkeep is very helpful in keeping your mop clean, it doesn’t prevent you from having to deep clean it every handful of uses. Of course, many types of mops have replaceable heads that you can purchase online, at local stores, or directly from the manufacturer, but who wants to spend that kind of money when you can deep clean your mop head at home?

It does no good to mop your floors with a mop head that is dirty and full of grime and bacteria. Follow these easy steps to learn how to clean your mop head in a few different ways.

Machine Washable Mop Heads

Many mop heads can simply be tossed in your washing machine to get them nice and clean. It’s not as simple as throwing them in with your laundry, though.

To wash your mop head in the washing machine, you’ll want to be sure it’s either alone or with things you don’t mind getting beat up, such as old towels or cleaning rags. Using your washer’s hottest setting, place the mop head in the washer and add a capful of bleach.

You do not want to use any fabric softener and be sure not to put your mop head in the dryer, as both of those can damage it.

That’s it! Once the wash cycle finishes, wring out any excess water and allow your mop head to dry completely before storage.

Dishwasher Method

If you own a machine-washable mop head but don’t own a washing machine or are unable to put your mop head in the washer, you can also run it through a dishwasher.

Place your mop head in an empty dishwasher on the top rack. Add a cup of vinegar to your detergent dispenser and run the dishwasher on the normal setting.

After it’s done, ring it out and let it dry before storing it.

Non-Machine Washable Mop Head

If you can’t wash your mop head in the dishwasher or washing machine, you can still get it nice and clean. Take a look at the video below to see two easy ways to wash your mop head without a machine.