How To Wash A Spin Mop Head In The Washing Machine: 5 Brilliant Tips -

Let me show you some easy steps to get your dirty mop heads to look (almost) new again.

Whoever designed the detachable spin mop head is an absolute genius!

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Before we moved into our new home, one of my first purchases was a Vileda Microfibre Spin Mop. I know, who buys a mop before moving into their new home?

I had heard amazing things about microfibre mops and I couldn’t wait to test them out myself. Let me just say right off the bat that they are absolutely worth the hype.

The only annoying thing is when it comes time to clean them. Microfibre mops are amazing for getting clean floors but they catch onto hair and fluff and can be a real pain to get them out. You want to wash it in a way that won’t alter its performance and will keep it in top shape to avoid frequent replacements.

Let me preface this by saying, I mostly handwash my microfibre mop because I want them to last a very long time. Not everyone has the time or patience to handwash so here’s the best way to wash it properly in a washing machine.

Can you wash a mop in the washing machine? Yes, you can! As long as it’s a microfibre mop.

Tips For Washing A Dirty Spin Mop Head In The Washing Machine

Tip #1

My first tip is to make sure you get a detachable machine-washable mop head. The fact is, as long as the head of the mop is detachable and is a microfibre mop, it can go in the washing machine unless the manufacturer’s guide states otherwise.

Detach it from its head and remove as much fluff and hair as you possibly can. You can do this by hand but I must warn you, it’s a long and annoying process. Microfiber mops catch onto hair, fluff, and anything on the floor and it can be such a pain to get them out. You can also use a lice comb to get as much out as possible.

Your deliverable: Check if your mop is machine washable, detach it from the base, and remove as much fluff and hair as you can by hand or with a lice comb.

Tip #2

Feel free to skip this step or only do this occasionally. If you want to give your mop a thorough cleaning and wash without damaging it, presoak it in some oxygen bleach or sodium percarbonate. If your washing machine has a presoak function do this step in your machine.

This will help loosen the dirt from the microfibers and give you a really good clean.

Your deliverable: Presoak your microfiber mop heads in clean water with some mild detergent, oxygen bleach, or sodium percarbonate for a really thorough clean.

Tip #3

Whilst some microfiber mops can tolerate hot water, it’s best practice to use warm water as constant use of hot water can weaken the fibers over time. Microfiber is made of polyester and polyamide (nylon). No two microfibres are made the same and you never know the ratio of polyester and polyamide you have in yours.

Generally, many microfiber mops are machine washable at 60°C but it is much better to wash them at 30-40°C. If the temperature of the water is above 30-40°C it can eventually ruin your mop. Every manufacturer’s goal is to sell more products so if you wash at 60 degrees and you ruin your mop within a short period, you are putting more money in their pocket. If you wash at lower temperatures and a gentle wash, you get to keep your mop heads functioning properly for much longer.

Your deliverable: Set the machine temperature to 30°C, 40°C, or cold water and wash on a gentle cycle.

Tip #4

Use less detergent than you normally would. Because of the nature of microfiber, they are highly absorbent and can hold on to a lot of the chemicals we expose them to. As you’ll likely be washing your mop on its own or with other microfiber cloths, you don’t need a lot of soap to get them clean. Excess soap can actually affect your mop’s performance as it’s so absorbent and this will ultimately affect its performance.

Also, when picking the soap to use, use one without too many additives that can clog the fibres of your mop.

Your deliverable: Choose a gentle detergent to avoid clogging up your mop and improve its performance.

Tip #5

My final tip is to not wash your mop with regular laundry. Lint from your cotton clothes especially towels, dirty rags, socks, etc will catch on to the mop fibers making them less effective. So try your best to wash it with other microfiber cloths or just wash it alone.

Also, clean the lint sieve of your washing machine regularly as that can affect your mop’s head as well.

Your deliverable: Don’t wash your detachable mop head with other fabric. Wash alone or with other microfiber cloths.

How To Dry Your Mop Head

Now that you’ve washed the detachable head of your mop, it’s time to dry it. But can you dry a mop head in the dryer?

Drying your wet mop heads in the dryer is a very debatable topic and there are so many arguments for or against this. Here’s what I think.

In order to get the best results, the most effective way to dry your mop head is to air dry them. Air drying keeps them lasting longer and you won’t need to worry about leaving them out for too long as microfiber mops dry relatively quickly.

You may dry it in the dryer if you have really bad weather or you are pressed for time. Remember to use a low heat setting and try to limit the frequency of tumble drying.

Best Practices

No matter how well you care for your mop, there is no doubt you may have to replace the head after about 3-4 months. Here are some best practices you can incorporate into your cleaning process to maintain your mop and keep it looking and working like new.

Wash immediately after use. If you are feeling lazy, soak it in a cleaning solution of water and a mild laundry detergent. If you leave dirt on for too long, it becomes much harder to clean.

Don’t use bleach. Bleach will erode the fibers and affect the performance over time.

Don’t use fabric softener as it will clog up the fibers and your mop will not be as effective

Don’t wash with other clothes. There is a good chance the lint from your clothes will be absorbed by your mop.

Air dry as much as possible or on a low heat setting without dryer sheets. Excessive heat can make them less effective.

Best Mop Heads On the Market

If you are in the market for a good and efficient microfiber mop, I highly recommend Vileda mops. I have been using the brand for close to four years and they are excellent at tackling dirty floors. I started with the spray mop pad and I now have the spin mop which has been so good at cleaning my hardwood floor.

I did a quick search for spin mops on Amazon and here are some with excellent reviews:

FAQs On Cleaning Your Mop Head

How often should mop heads be washed?

I suggest washing your mop head immediately after use. Don’t wait a second. This is the only way to keep them clean. If you are feeling lazy, just soak it in a bowl of water and dish soap or detergent and you can get to it later.

How do you deep clean a spin mop?

In order to deep clean your mop, first, soak in warm water and oxygen bleach for an hour or two. Wash as normal by hand or in a washing machine, then leave to dry. The oxygen bleach works really well to remove stains and make it white again without destroying its fibres.

How do I get my mop head white again?

In order to get your mop white again, I suggest using oxygen bleach as opposed to household bleach. Regular household bleach slowly erodes the fibres of your mop. Oxygen bleach however is far more gentle. Give your mop a good soak with some oxygen bleach and warm water and wash as normal. This will keep it looking white for a long time.

How To Wash A Spin Mop Head In The Washing Machine: 5 Brilliant Tips