A Thing or Two About Mop String

Crystal Cleaning Janitorial knows a thing or two about mop string. While some may be wondering, “isn’t it all the same?” it really isn’t!

Before you read today’s post, did you get a chance to read last week’s post: A Thing or Two About Mops? Be sure to check it out!

Are All Mops just a Bundle of Strings?

Well yes, but technically there’s a lot more to it than that. To keep things simple, let’s break down the composition of mop heads into the three main types of string: Twine, PY Yarn, and other yarns.

Twine Yarn

Twine is a strong thread composed of two or more smaller strands twisted and then twisted together. It is thinner than other types of yarn, although it can be difficult to tell just by looking. Overall, twine is most suitable for rougher areas, including safety flooring, and doesn’t lint as much as some other yarns. Kentucky, Exel, and Socket mops are available in twine.

PY Yarn

PY is a thicker yarn than twine and is excellent for smooth surfaces like lino and laminate flooring. It is a perfect everyday solution for most interior flooring. You can select PY for your Kentucky, Exel, or Socket mop. They do, however, tend to lint (lose fibers) more, so they are less suitable for applying polish where the lint could spoil the finish. Therefore I’d recommend using a flat mop or a window cleaning applicator (without the sourer) for this purpose.

Other Yarns

It’s essentially impossible to look at every other yarn. Still, it’s worth looking at some popular alternatives to twine and PY.

“Revolution” is a mop head made by Exel which uses a mix of cotton and synthetic yarn that absorb and release liquid more readily than conventional mops.

“Big White” is another Exel innovation that is light, absorbent, and inexpensive. Because it is almost wholly lint-free, it is ideal for situations where hygiene is a priority, such as medical applications and clean rooms.

“Multifold” is a combination yarn for hefty duty applications, and is made for Kentucky systems and is the most popular Kentucky mop on the market.

Weight of the String

Whatever yarn, whatever fitting, you will also have to choose the weight if mop head. When choosing weight, the rule of thumb is that the heavier the weight, the higher the volume of liquid you can move. When sizing up the physical area of the floor, be sure to choose a mop that can handle the job. A bathroom would demand a smaller mop than a large lobby area, for example.

A Thing or Two About Color Coding

Mops conform to the cleaning industry standard.

• RED – General Washroom

• BLUE – General Low-Risk Areas

• GREEN – General Food & Bar Use

• YELLOW – Clinical Use.

A Thing or Two About Specialty Mops

Keep an eye out for “specialty” mops like the Kentucky “Roughneck,” which has an abrasive center band for scrubbing stubborn marks like those left by rubber heels. If you thought that there were enough choices already, other options and innovations are arriving all the time. For example, the “Prairie Mop” is a cross between an Exel Mop with a Kentucky Mop.