The Flash Speed Mop outperformed a traditional mop and bucket in a head-to-head test, drying floors in 15 minutes compared to 40 minutes for the conventional method. However, the traditional approach remained better for larger spaces.
Cleaning floors is among the hardest chores in any home, as floors are one of the dirtiest surfaces and quickly pick up dirt, dust, crumbs and spills. The Flash Speed Mop offers an alternative: a lightweight flat-head mop that requires no bucket of soapy water, instead using attachable wet wipes.
Traditional mop and bucket test
Using Flash Multipurpose Cleaner Liquid Lemon mixed with warm water, one half of a living room floor was cleaned. The instructions recommended two lids of the cleaner (60ml) in five litres of water, with the solution available in a one-litre bottle priced at £2.25 from Heron.
The cleaner produced an intense lemon scent and worked up an impressive lather once the mop was added, gliding effortlessly across the floor. The cleaner-to-water ratio seemed just right, producing more than sufficient solution. After cleaning the needed area, plenty of product remained for other rooms. The laminate floor was left to dry for 40 minutes.
Flash Speed Mop test
The Flash Speed Mop uses a specific flat mop rather than a traditional one. A starter kit with six floor wipes and the mop is available from various retailers, including Tesco, for £11.50. The mop is significantly lighter than a conventional mop and can rotate 360 degrees.
Wet floor wipes are sold separately in a tub; a 24-pack costs £7 at Tesco. To use the mop, a wipe is taken from the top and fastened over the flat section, clipping into four corners on the underside. The wipe carried a pleasant lemon fragrance, much like the Multipurpose Cleaner.
The wipe dripped while being attached, so it should not be done over rugs or carpeted areas. Once secured, the mop is used like a standard one. The floor became damp, and marks and stains lifted away. The rotation feature made it straightforward to navigate around corners or along skirting boards.
Verdict
The wipe successfully dealt with the remaining half of the lounge and the bathroom before starting to feel dry. It no longer swept across the floor with the same effortlessness, and when turned over, it was clearly covered in dirt, so it was thrown in the bin. The cleaned floor was entirely dry within 15 minutes.
The Flash Speed Mop is simple to use and especially ideal for smaller spaces. Cleaning a whole house would need a substantial number of wipes, making it more appropriate for quick clean-ups, particularly as the wipes cost more than the Multipurpose Cleaner. It removes stains, delivers a fresh fragrance and dries considerably faster than a mop and bucket.
For larger spaces, the traditional mop and bucket remains the better option, despite the extended drying time. That said, the Flash Speed Mop is still a valuable purchase, proving most useful as a handy solution for quick clean-ups between more comprehensive mop and bucket sessions.
