Cleaning floors after a tiring day is difficult, right? Well, it is. Floors get dirty every day for many reasons. A floor cleaning cloth is a primary solution for this problem. So, a question can arise in your mind which floor cleaning cloth is best?
There are many types of floor cleaning cloths in the market. Such as, microfiber duster, cotton, e-cloth, etc. Different cleaners have distinctive material properties. While Microfibres are used for cleaning floor dirt, pet cloths are for pet hair removal.
I have been working as a professional cleaner for a long time. From my experience, I am going to help you. In the later part of the writing, I’ll talk about 7 floor cleaning cloths and their every detail too.
In the above, you have got a primary idea about floor cleaners and their names. Now let’s jump into the deep. I will discuss each cloth in the next segment. This will help you to know and decide which floor cleaning cloths are best for your home.
Hence, stay hooked for more:
7 Different Types of Floor Cleaning Cloths:
When you go for a mop or cleaning cloth, you find these are labeled with different names. Why is that name tag? Because they are made from different materials. While some are made from natural sources, others are from modern synthetic fibers.
You will see these floor cleaning cloths either in a bundle or attached with a cleaning mop or rotary. All you need to know now is about their properties and functionality.
So, in the following segment, you’ll know in detail about 7 different types of floor cleaning cloths:
1. Buffing Pads:
Buffing pads are the most common floor cleaning materials. Different colors of buffing pads are used according to floor types. As well as the cleaning rule. While some buffing pads are for aggressive cleaning, others for shine and light. Let’s talk about different colors of buff pads and their usability :
Red Buffing Pads:
Red buffing pads are ideal for daily cleaning of the floor. Because its fibers are dense, it can be used for aggressive cleaning with a rotary machine. Let’s see what you should remember about while using it :
- The speed of the rotary machine should be anywhere near 300-900 RPM.
- Ideal for hard and dense cleaning.
- Suitable for everyday wiping and cleaning.
Ash Buffing Pads:
These are very lightweight and designed for gentle cleaning. Carpet pads are ideal after you vacuum a surface. Or surfaces that are not made of stones or tiles. Keep the following things in mind :
- Carpet buffs are suitable for wooden floors where you need gentle cleaning.
- The speed of the machine should be kept as low as possible. Not more than 400 RPM.
White Buffing Pads:
White buffing pads are the most lightweight, gentle, and soft types in this category. They are so lightweight that you are not allowed to use them on wet surfaces. Also, these points should be kept in mind too :
- The speed of your cleaning machine should not pass the speed of 400 RPM.
- These buffing pads are used for daily clean and floor polishing.
- Suggested to use over dry surfaces.
Green Buffing Pads:
Green-colored buffing pads are dense and aggressive. Ideal for removing tough stains from the floor and heavy-duty cleaning. Also, there are some of its characteristics :
- Green buffing pads are suitable for houses with more people.
- Good for cleaning stone or marble tile surfaces.
- A good match with low-powered machines.
Black Buffing Pads:
Of all the buffing pads, blacks are the hardest, aggressive and dense. These pads can go along with rotary machines that have power over 2000 RPM. As it is more aggressive, not meant for everyday use. Keep these things in mind :
- Use black buffing pads only when you need to finish on an entire floor. This is ideal for wooden floors which lose shine over time.
- The perfect time to use black pads is once a year.
2. Microfiber Floor Cleaning Cloths:
Microfiber is another popular floor cleaning cloth. The fibers are smaller than a living being’s hair. Made from synthetic blends of polyester and nylon. The threads contain plus and minus energies. As a result all dirt, stains, grimes get stuck in the microfiber cloth. It has the properties of catching germs and bacterias too.
Types Of Microfiber Cloths:
Microfiber cloths have effective properties. That’s why these are redesigned for multipurpose work. You can find these types of microfiber cloths generally:
- Dust Cleaning Microfiber.
- Floor Scrubbing Microfiber.
- Abrasive Microfiber.
And microfibre cloths can also be differentiated according to their weaves. Not all of them are made of the same weave pattern and length. Some of the common patterns of microfiber weaves are :
- Chenille Weave.
- Mesh Weave.
- Twisted Weaves.
- Diamond Weaves.
3. Cotton Fiber Cloths:
Cotton fibers are made from a natural source known as cellulose. Jute, Silk tree, and flax are sources of cellulose. Generally, the fibers are collected and spun to form durable long fibers.
Types Of Cotton Fibre Cloths:
Cotton floor cloths can be divided according to the quality of cotton. Normally there are four known grades of cotton fibers. Next time if you go for buying cotton floor cloths, check whether the labels contain one of these names:
- Pima Cotton.
- African Cotton.
- South American Cotton / Upland.
- Processed Cotton.
4. Diamond Abrasive Floor Pads:
Diamond abrasive floor pads are made from tiny microscopic diamond particles. Ideal for polishing and cleaning floors like stone, terrazzo, etc. And any types of hard floor surfaces with stains.
Types Of Diamond Floor Cleaning Pads:
You can find several types of diamond floor cleaning pads in the market. Some of them are :
- Diamond Abrasive Marble Polish Pads.
- Diamond Abrasive Ceramic Floor Pads.
- Diamond Wet Polishing Pads.
- Diamond Dry Polishing Pads.
- Diamond High RPM Polishing Pads.
5. Synthetic Floor Cleaning Cloths:
Synthetic floor cleaner cloths are made from different compounds and chemical synthesis. These artificial fiber cloths are popular cleaning materials. You can find it as pads, like towels, mopping brushes, and other forms.
Types Of Synthetic Floor Cleaning Cloths:
Synthetic Fibres are made from a common process named polymerization. So the fibers also contain the properties of elasticity and plastic. Some of the common types of synthetic floor cleaner cloths are:
- Nylon Synthetic Cloths
- Polyester Cloths
- Rayon Synthetic Cloths
- Acetate Synthetic Cloths.
6. Coconut Husk Floor Pads:
Coconut husk floor cleaning pads are becoming popular nowadays. These pads are made from husks that are separated from coconut shells. Its fibers are tough and ideal for hard cleaning sessions.
Types Of Coconut Husk Floor Pads:
There are two types of coconut husk floor pads. One is used for hard cleaning, the other for lightweight clean and polishing:
- Coconut husk pad made from hard coconut shells.
- Coconut husk pads that are made from green coconut shells.
7. Pet Rake Floor Cleaners:
Pet rakes also known as pet brooms are mopping brushes. Mostly made of silicon-based bristles. These rakes are ideal to remove pet hairs and dust from floors and carpets.
Types Of Pet Rakes:
There are several varieties of pet rakes that come with :
- Polymer/Rubber Based Bristles.
- Synthetic Bristles.
- Push broom bristles made of natural fibers.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Different Floor Cleaning Cloths:
Below, I make a comparison table with the advantages and disadvantages of different floor cleaning cloths. Let’s check it:
| Floor Cleaning Cloths | Advantages Of Different Floor Cleaning Cloths | Disadvantages Of Different Floor Cleaning Cloths |
| Coconut Husk Floor Pads | Cheap and widely available everywhere. Shows surprisingly better results after floor scrub or polish.Ideal combination while waxing wooden floors. | Not ideal for every type of floor cleaning.Not recommended for high-speed cleaning with a rotary. Prone to damages and has a short life. |
| Microfiber Floor Cleaning Cloths | Cheap and reusable.Better cleaning properties.Germs and bacteria removing ability. | Microfibers can’t intake much cleaning agents. As more solutions are needed for cleaning.Bad for nature because of its plastic properties.No laundry is possible.Can’t be cleaned with hot water, and can damage cloth fiber. |
| Cotton Fiber Floor Cleaning Cloths | Long useful life.More absorbance power of cloth fibers.Washable and laundry possible. | Absorber of liquids. takes time to dry completely.The shrinking tendency causes damage in cotton fibers. Expensive than microfibers and differs in quality. |
| Diamond Abrasive Floor Cleaning Pads | Ideal for floors such as stone, tiles that discolors over time.Effective in both low speed and high-speed rotary and polish.Clean tough and old stains.Environment friendly and easy to perform tasks. | Multiple pads are needed for cleaning. High cost and manual labor for polishing. Tiles/stone floors need restoration after polishing. |
| Synthetic Floor Cleaning Cloths | Long durability that natural fiber cloths.Show better resistance against wet surfaces.Fibers don’t get damaged or shrink because of water. | Not suitable for heats. Especially with hot water while cleaning floors.Absorbs fewer cleaning solutions, makes cleaning lengthy. Not good when dumped into nature after cleaning life ends |
| Pet Rake Floor/Carpet Cleaner | Hard strands are ideal for perfect cleaning.The bristles pull out pet hairs and particles stuck with carpets and floors. | Rake components are not built strong sometimes. The functionality of buttons is hard to control. |
Related Questions:
Which Is The Most Eco-Friendly Floor Cleaning Cloth?
All microfibers and cotton-based floor cleaning cloths are eco-friendly and safer to use. Microfibres have dense strands that pull out dirt, grimes, and dust. And muddy particles easily from floor countertops.
Does Cleaning Floor With Microfiber And Water Work?
Microfibers are effective when it comes to floor cleaning. What’s interesting is that these clothes don’t need additional cleaner agents. The fibers are dense and strands are much longer. That helps microfibers to pull out dirt without any agents. Only water and microfibers can wipe out dirt from the floor in most cases.
Is Cotton Better Than Microfiber Floor Cloths?
Both cotton and microfiber cloths have their pros and cons. But one advantage that microfibers have over cotton is germ removal. The threads of microfiber cloth are so tiny that they can wipe away bacteria and germs from the floor.
How Can I Clean Floor Cleaning Cloths?
Clean floor cleaning cloths according to their given manuals. Some are prone to heat, some may have problems with water. Some may need dry cleaning. So it is wise to clean each of the cloth according to the given instructions.
Can I Wash Microfiber Cloths With Water?
Microfiber cloths are washable with both machine and water. However not with hot water. Also not with other fibers in the washing machine. This can damage the microfiber threads.
Final Words:
Floor cleaning cloths are a great addition to household cleaning. They are useful to wipe out dirt as well as to bring shine over floors. Use floor cleaners according to your floor types. And keep them clean as their instruction manuals suggest. This way you can use these for a long time.
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