Flash Gordon... the Star Wars cleaner (Flash Power Mop)

Member Name: LadyAudley

Product:	Flash Power Mop
Date:	07/01/08 (182 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Convenient, quick, light

Disadvantages: Not very green, scrubbing action is rubbish

The flash mop is less a kitchen aid and more of a light sabre.

OK, so it isn't THAT exciting. It's still just a mop. But it makes very light work of wooden or tiled floors. And it does make a buzzing noise that could give a very imaginative cleaner the idea that they were wielding a weapon of the future.

The basic kit costs around £20 (but available more cheaply if you look out for the right offers). The mop consists of an aluminium handle with a handy hanging loop and a cushioned grip, and a bottom section with a receptable for the cleaning fluid, and a velcro-laden pad holder. To use, you simply click in the cleaning fluid, whack a pad (basically designed like a giant sanitary towel) onto the end of the mop, and you're ready to go. No faffing with buckets and cloths, and no rubber gloves needed!

One of the reasons this mop really works is that it has a small battery-powered squirter. Press a button in the handle of the mop, and cleaning fluid is sprayed onto the floor in front of it (hence the light sabre "buzz"!!). This really works much better than wipes, which tend to run out of cleaning fluid in a matter of seconds, leaving you more completely in charge to direct the fluid towards areas needing a bit of extra attention. The cleaning fluid itself smells fresh, works extremely well even on grease and grime, and dries quickly, and the pads do a great job of absorbing everything and keeping it locked away.

As this might suggest, you need to keep up a supply of three disposables: cleaning fluid (around £2.50 a bottle), cleaning pads (usually about £3 for 6) and AA batteries, so this isn't the cheapest floor-cleaning solution on the market by a long chalk. These run out at different rates. One gleaming white cleaning pad will clean up to three rooms before you dispose of it, aghast at how much dirt it has managed to soak up. A bottle of cleaning fluid lasts me about 4-6 weeks, washing the bottom floor of my house once or twice a week. The batteries, however, go on for ages and ages- I've had my mop for a year and a half, and mine are showing no signs of flagging.

One gripe I havewith the mop is the scrubber. This is a small piece of scourer which comes with the cleaning pads. It is designed to stick on the side of the mop so that you can tackle tough stains by turning the mop to one side. However, it's actually extremely difficult to manouevre the mop this way with the cleaning fluid attached - though it's very well balanced when you're using the pad, the moment you try to scrub, it slips and slides all over the place. I find it easier just to apply a bit of elbow grease, personally.

Another factor to consider is sustainability. I feel guilty every time I dispose of one of the pads - this isn't half as green (or cheap) a method of cleaning the floors as a good old fashioned floor cloth.

All in all, though, this is one gadget that really has made my life easier - it's quick, hygienic and easy to use.

Summary: Alright, so it's not a light sabre. But it works.