Mop - Definition and Overview

A mop is a tool for cleaning floors. A wet mop typically has a long handle and a head made of thick, soft strands of water-absorbing fabric. To clean a floor, the mop is soaked in a bucket of water or cleaning fluid and scrubbed against the surface. Some buckets include a wringer to strain excess water from the mop, so as not to saturate the floor. Mops are also often used to clean up liquid spills.

A dust mop or dry mop is designed to pick up dust. They tend to have much wider heads and shorter strands than wet mops.

See also Broom.