Dust mops pick up dirt, dust, and debris better than your typical broom and dust pan because of the material the mop head is made from. Most dust mop heads are either microfiber or cotton. Microfiber mop heads/pads have a positive charge whereas dirt and dust have a negative charge, thus the relationship is like that of a magnet. Cotton dust mop heads are gentler on a floor than a broom's bristles and by contrast also work better than microfiber on rough surfaces because the cotton is more resilient to snags.