How to Fix a Mop

A mop is an excellent cleaning tool that you need to use regularly to keep your house’s floors clean. Just like any other tool, a mop also wears over time and becomes ineffective.

That’s why it’s important to know common mop problems, along with their solutions. In this article, we’ll discuss how to fix a mop if it has become problematic.

How to Fix a Mop

There are different types of mops available in the market. Here we’ll discuss common problems and their solutions related to popular mop types.

Spin Mop

A spin mop comes with a built-in wringing function that allows you to make it damp quickly by removing excess water. Here’s a list of the most common problems that occur in spin mops.

Spinning Failure

Spinning failure commonly occurs when the spinning mechanism of the mop is fully tightened. The easiest way to solve this problem is to loosen the locking mechanism by giving it a few spins counterclockwise.

It’ll allow the mop to start spinning again. If it doesn’t solve the problem, the gear inside the wringer cap is probably broken and you’ll need to get it replaced.

Spinning failure can also happen due to a clogged drying chamber of the dual compartment bucket. In this case you’ll need to remove the drying tub and clean it thoroughly using hot water and detergent. Then, install the unclogged drying tub in its place and it’ll start spinning again.

You’ll need to make sure that you clip the drying tub properly because a detached tub can also keep the mop from spinning.

Affected Absorbency

A spin mop usually has a microfiber head that offers excellent absorbency. But the mop fibers start to deteriorate with time and fail to absorb the cleaning solution properly. The easiest way to solve this problem is to replace your mop head with a new one.

String or Strip Mop

The main difference between a string and a strip mop is the design of their strands. 

• A string mop offers long strands made of cotton or synthetic material. 
• A strip mop comes with long strips usually made of cotton or microfiber.

The working mechanism of both mops is pretty similar as they’re used for wet/damp mopping, as well as wax application.

With time a string or strip mop starts to leave its long strands behind. It usually happens when you don’t clean your mop head after every use and it becomes infected with mold and bacteria.

That’s why it’s important to clean your mop head and hang-dry it after each mopping cycle. If you notice that your string/strip mop is leaving strands behind and doesn’t clean the floor effectively, consider replacing its head with the new one.

Sponge Mop

Sponge mops come with a head made of highly absorbent mop and it’s commonly used to clean laminate, vinyl, and wood floors from water spills, such as pet urine incidents. The most common problem with these mops is a damaged mop head that leaves small pieces of sponge behind.

You might also notice an affected absorbency level. If you notice any of these problems, you’ll need to buy a new sponge mop head to replace the damaged one.

Flat or Dust Mop

A flat mop comes with a thin mop head, which is usually made of microfiber. It’s a great tool to clean floors that require a minimum amount of wetness, such as laminate and wood floors.

A dust mop also comes with a flat head and it’s used for sweeping floors to prepare them for wet mopping

Most flat and dust mops also offer a swivel function that allows you to tilt the mop to 180 degrees angle. It makes the mopping process easy, especially while cleaning hard-to-reach spaces.

Damaged Mop Head

The common problem with flat mops is a damaged mop head that doesn’t clean the floor effectively. The thin head of the mop wears faster than most other mop types. To solve this problem, you’ll need to buy and install the new flat mop head.

Affected Swivel Function

If you find it difficult to tilt your flat mop head, you’ll need to inspect the swivel mechanism. It connects the mop head with the handle and it might be clogged with dust and debris. In such a case, you’ll need to open it and clean it using hot water.

Steam Mop

A steam mop is a modern cleaning tool that uses water to clean floors. It has a built-in water reservoir and boiler that produces steam, reaching a temperature of up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Not only does it clean the floors but it also sterilizes them because of the high temperature.

Blocked Nozzle

The best way to prevent blocked nozzle problems is to use distilled water in your steam mop. That’s because this problem occurs when you use tap water containing minerals that clog up the system.

When the nozzle is blocked your steam mop fails to produce the steam that you need for mopping. To fix this problem, you can empty the water reservoir and fill it with a half cup of vinegar overnight.

It’ll dislodge the minerals blocking the steam and your mop will start working again. Keep in mind that you must not add vinegar to your mop’s reservoir regularly and it can lead to corrosion.

Water Tank Leakage

Another problem that can occur in a steam mop is that there is pressure leakage. In this case you won’t see any steam coming out of the mop. It usually happens when the cap of the mop reservoir is not fully tightened or the reservoir itself is damaged.

To solve this problem, you’ll need to fill the reservoir with water and make sure that its cap is fully secured and tightened. If you notice that your water tank is damaged, you’ll need to call the manufacturer to get it replaced.

Other Steam Mop Problems

Here’s a list of some other problems that can occur in a steam mop. 

• Low Water level: Sometimes a steam mop doesn’t work because of a low water level. Make sure that your water reservoir is filled. 
• Water Not Heated Properly: Steam mop usually takes about 30 seconds to two minutes to heat properly.  So make sure that you give it that time. 

Final Words

Just like any other tool, your mop requires regular maintenance. It involves cleaning your mop after every use, storing it in a dry place, and replacing the mop head timely. 

We hope this guide will help you understand how to fix common problems related to your mop so that it can keep working effectively.