I confess to a touch of sour grapes.

Because I couldn't find a mop I liked, I developed a philosophical crankiness toward mops in general. Reusable spongy or ropey mops were spreaders of dirty water and breeding grounds for bacteria. Disposable mopping cloths were wasteful and barely cleaned anyway. The only way to really clean a floor, this martyr decided, was to get on all fours with a bucket of warm, soapy water, and a pile of cleaning rags.

However, secretly I obsessed over mops. How could I not dream of the perfect mop as I crawled over my thousand plus square feet of white tile with wet, aching knees? Who would rescue me with an effective, hygienic, earth-friendly, hassle-free mop?

Oh, hello Method.

Apparently, Method agrees with my idea of what would make a better mop. The new Omop's design is a thoughtful improvement on floor cleaning systems such as the Swiffer, because instead of washing with a moistened, disposable pad, it uses a washable microfiber mop pad. The Omop All Floor Starter Kit includes the Omop (unassembled in four pieces), microfiber pad, three compostable sweeping cloths, and a bottle of lemon ginger floor cleaner.

Assembly is simple and straightforward, but the 18 page instruction manual is amusing enough to read even if you don't need it. This booklet includes information on how to care for the microfiber, why the sweeping cloths are superior to similar products, and recipes to be served directly on the tile (because the floor is clean enough to eat off of - get it?). After clicking the mop together, it can't be unassembled, and it has a sturdy, solid feel. To clean, either attach the microfiber pad with the easy velcro fasteners, or wrap a compostable sweeping cloth around the sides with finger pinches. Squirt some lemon ginger cleaner here and there on the floor, and make it clean.

The microfiber pad.

Mopping with microfiber is a great concept, and Method did well by making their pad thick and pull on and off the mop with velcro (the velcro is on the mop, not the pad). When used wet for a deep cleaning, the pad is thick enough to put leverage against stubborn floor markings. Used dry with the floor cleaner to maintain a polished look, particles of dirt and shed hairs are effectively grabbed by the microfiber and stay there until it is washed. After a light cleaning, I rinse and wring the pad out in the sink, then hang it to dry. About once a week, I put it in the washer and dryer.

Method sells additional microfiber pads separately, and I intend to purchase at least three more. This isn't because I have to replace them as they wear out. Microfiber actually cleans better as it gets older because the little microscopic hooks break down further and can grab dirt more tightly. Having more pads on hand is a good thing, though, in case I am laundering one and my mother calls to say she will arrive at my house in five minutes. I also recommend buying extras if you have a lot of floor to mop. Most people don't have as much tile as me, but one pad can only deep clean about half my house. After that, it gets too saturated with dirt, and it starts turning dust into mud, just like a common sponge mop.

The microfiber's biggest shortcoming is a lack of any scrubby edges. The soft, cushiony texture is no match for a sticky spill or dried tomato sauce. If my daughter drops her open face peanut butter and honey sandwich, I still have to clean it on my hands and knees with the rough side of a sponge.

The compostable sweeping cloths.

Even after reading Method's literature on why these cloths are so special, I am unimpressed. They are made of 100% corn, should compost beautifully, and do a fairly good job of sweeping hair and loose dirt in preparation for mopping. However, how many people really compost? Most of my friends don't even know what composting is or why they should do it. They would throw these sweeping cloths in the trash after using them, no matter how many times Method writes "compostable" on the packaging. Also, saying they are better than other disposable sweeping and dusting cloths isn't saying much. After traveling through my kitchen with one, enough debris remained on the floor to sweep up a small pile with a broom.

Using the Omop.

The Omop is curved so you stand up straight and push forward rather than stooping for leverage and control. This forced me to learn a different mopping motion than I'm used to, but it's ultimately much more comfortable when you have a lot of mopping to do. To get under furniture, you flip the mop over so that it curves the other way. This isn't a tool that glides and swivels nimbly over the floor. The handle seems built to take serious abuse, though I'm not sure what Method expects their customers to do to the mop. I wish the head would swivel so it could get into corners and around edges more easily. The shape and heft make the Omop difficult to store. It could hang from a sturdy hook, but there has to be enough room to accommodate the curve. Mine sits on the floor of a broom closet. It takes up more than it's fair share of space, which would be much more obnoxious if it weren't so versatile that I was able to get rid of two other floor cleaning tools.

The lemon ginger floor cleaner.

A little bit of this cleaner squirted directly on the floor goes a long way. If I use the right amount, I have gleaming floors and a pleasantly scented home. Too much makes the floor ridiculously slippery. I wish the Omop had some kind of holster on the handle to carry the bottle of cleaner with me from room to room. If I'm only mopping a small space, it is easy to squirt and wipe, but this is cumbersome when I mop the whole house. I love the bright, clean fragrance, and streak-free finish.

Nine hundred and ninety-nine out of 1000 white tiles agree that the Omop is a keeper.

My hands and knees have had quite enough. A clean floor makes or breaks my house, so a mop that is effective and pleasant to use makes a big difference in my life. The Omop could be improved, but it's still a great alternative to traditional reusable mops and wasteful disposable systems. The packaging even makes them pretty enough to give as housewarming gifts.



Recommended: Yes