An electric mop outperformed a traditional mop and bucket in a hands-on comparison, drying floors in about 15 minutes compared with 40 minutes for the conventional method. The Philips One Up 5000, tested against a standard mop with Flash cleaner, also separated clean from dirty water and required no repeated bucket refills.
The electric mop test
The cordless Philips One Up 5000 arrived almost fully assembled. The only setup step was removing the large cartridge and filling it with warm water. The detergent sits inside the cartridge and is dispensed by pressing a button; a second press of the power button starts the mop, which emits a faint sound and illuminates.
The mop was marginally heavier than a regular mop but glided smoothly across the floor. Water drained quickly from the flat, fully rotating pad. Stains and marks were lifted effortlessly, and the whole process was considerably faster than the conventional method. The detergent had only a faint scent but proved effective.
Key features and maintenance
Because water is stored within the mop, there was no need to return to a bucket to re-wet it. The standout feature was that dirty water is drawn back up into the mop and deposited into a separate cartridge. After mopping, the only task is emptying the dirty water cartridge. The pad is machine washable, which the tester considered a real bonus compared with cleaning a traditional mop.
The mop has been owned for more than a month and, despite weekly use, has not needed recharging. It is designed to tackle grease, stains, sticky dirt and fine dust on hard floors and laminate surfaces.
The traditional mop comparison
The traditional method used Flash Multipurpose Cleaner Liquid Lemon in warm water. The instructions specified two lids (60ml) of cleaner in five litres of water, and the one-litre bottle cost £2.25 from Heron. The strong lemon scent smelled fresh and clean, though the tester wondered whether it might suit kitchens and bathrooms better than living rooms. The cleaner bubbled well and spread easily, with the ratio providing more than enough solution. The laminate floor took 40 minutes to dry.
The verdict
The traditional mop and bucket remains a reliable choice, with the bonus of disinfectants in various fragrances. However, since acquiring the electric mop, it has become the go-to for floor cleaning. It is straightforward to operate, removes the need for a bucket and uses considerably less water. The greatest advantage is that clean water remains separate from dirty water, rather than repeatedly plunging a mop into an increasingly grimy bucket.
The one downside is cost. The Philips mop is available from retailers such as John Lewis and Argos for £150. Alternatives include Karcher's Electric Wiping Mop Cordless Hard Floor Cleaner at £139 and Shark's Classic Steam Mop, currently reduced to £44.99 from £64.99. While considerably pricier than a conventional mop, an electric mop is well worth it for those looking to transform their floor-cleaning routine.
