Looped-end Vs. Cut-trim Mop Heads

Contrary to popular belief, not all dust mops are created equal. And what works for one facility or application may not work for another. When purchasing dust mops, facilities have myriad options, including a variety of yarn types, mop ends and backings.

Fortunately, jan/san distributors can offer guidance to custodial departments and building service contractors as they navigate dust mop catalogues in search of the perfect match.

Dust mops typically come with cut or looped ends. Cut ends are more economical than looped ends and are often found on disposable dust mops.

“We offer a cut-end disposable dust mop, because in a situation where the customer wants something inexpensive, we’ve found that’s the best way to go,” says Mike Simerly, sales manager for Barrett Supplies and Equipment, Indianapolis. “It’s good for so many square feet, and then you throw it in the trash.”

According to Scott Franiak, regional account manager for Acme Paper and 
Supply Co., Inc., Savage, Md., cut-end mops are more appropriate for customers whom do not have laundry facilities as they are less likely to survive frequent washing.

“Cut ends are for situations where you’re not as concerned about the quality of that mop, because you know you’re going to be buying a lot of them,” he says.

Looped-end mops, on the other hand, are more expensive than cut-end mops and fare better in the washing machine.

“One of the reasons people choose looped-end mops is because they don’t tangle and become useless in the laundry,” says Simerly. “That’s one of the things that can go wrong with a washable cut-end mop.”

Looped ends are also purported to pick up a larger amount of debris.

“Traditionally it would be argued that a dust mop with a looped trim is a higher-end mop than a cut-trim mop,” says Ryan Banks, vice president of sales and marketing, Brady Industries LLC, Las Vegas. “The dust gets caught in the loops, so it can hold a larger load.”