Mopping is a common chore for many people in the home or office. It is an effortless house cleaning task that can remove dirt, grime, and germs from surfaces. However, it can be frustrating to get the job done properly and have the desired results. Here are ten tips you can use to make sure your floors get as clean as possible and leave them sparkling for weeks to come.
Clear the Area
First, clear all clutter away from the floor and mop path before you start. A clean floorboard free of objects is going to be a lot easier to mop than one with shoes, clothes, toys, and other objects scattered about. It will also help keep the mop from being caught on and deformed by obstacles, resulting in marks on the floor.
Sweep Well Before Mopping
A broom is a valuable tool for breaking up large clumps of dirt and pet hair before you get down on your hands and knees with a cloth or sponge to wipe them up. If sweeping isn’t enough, use a dustpan and brush or shop vacuum cleaner attachment to whisk debris off the floor, so it doesn’t come back when you start mopping.
Use Warm Water
Although water does a fine job of mopping, it is not as effective as using warm water. The reason is that dirt and lint gather in the fibers of the cloth or sponge even when it’s wet. Hot water will break these clumps loose, and you’ll end up with cleaner floors.
Use a Liberal Amount of Cleaning Solution on the Floors
Trying to save a few cents by using less commercial floor cleaner is a big mistake. A thin solution will take longer to dry and leave your floors either wet, streaky, or both. So instead, use at least two cups of cleaning solution per gallon of warm water and remember to spray or pour it onto the floor surface, not onto the mop.
Mop in Sections
Instead of trying to cover your entire floor in one shot, mop in sections so you can get out of each area before it gets too dirty with dirt and lint. Starting at a door or corner will usually mean less time overall for cleaning. Mopping in sections will also help you clean any corners behind furniture or along baseboards much more effectively than trying to mop them in one pass.
Mop in Strong, Natural Light
Good lighting is essential for good mopping. When you’re mopping in natural light, it’s important to do two things. First, try and ensure that your lighting will add to the brightness of the floor rather than take away from it. For example, if you start your session in a dark corner and move into the room as you go, the light will change, and everything will be different from what you saw initially.
The best spot is somewhere where natural light can reach your floor, and this can easily be done if you use a corner window or side door to allow the light into your house or if the room is on an east/west axis with maximum exposure to morning/evening sunlight. Additionally, a window with a sheer curtain will allow plenty of light to pass through and onto the floor.
Rinse and Wring Out Your Mop
After cleaning your mop head, it’s important to rinse out any excess cleaning solution to leave a dry surface for the next time you use it. Just as the chemicals in your cleaner will create a thin layer of residue on the floor to make it easier for you to recognize dirt, water will leave a residue on your mop to help you tell how clean your floor is. If you don’t rinse the excess off, you’ll have a dirty mop and a floor that looks clean. The next time you start mopping, it will be harder to tell when the floor is actually clean because the cleaning solution will cover up your mop streaks. In addition, letting your mop sit in a bucket of water can lead.
Change Your Cleaner
When you mop your floor, your cleaning solution can turn darker than it was when you poured it into your bucket. If this happens, it’s a good indication that the cleaning solution is no longer as effective as originally intended. To keep your floor shiny, clean, and streak-free, change your cleaning solution every other time you notice your cleaning solution is starting to become visibly dirty and sticky. This will make an enormous difference in your cleaning and will help you avoid streaks.
Soak The Mop
Instead of wringing out your mop head after using it to clean the floors, soak the mop in a bucket of water with vinegar. Vinegar is an excellent cleaning product, and it will also help release dirt stuck to the mop. Additionally, soaking your mop head will help prevent static build-up and make it easier to remove dirt and grime built upon the head.
Let The FLoor Air Dry and Hang the Mop
Never use a blow dryer or other high heat appliance to dry your wood floors. This can cause the end grain to expand and contract at different rates, which leads to cracks that will have to be repaired professionally. You can open several windows and allow the floors to dry naturally if they can be worked away from the heat. Instead, hang your wet mop on a hook above the bucket so that it can drip dry, and be sure not to wring it out. This will leave you with a clean mop that is ready for the next use.
Mopping is a simple task that you can easily do at home. It doesn’t take a master of carpentry, and it doesn’t require anything fancy. With just a little planning, you can have your floors looking beautiful with minimal effort.
In addition, knowing the right tricks and techniques will help you clean your home faster and smarter than ever before. You can visit https://bluespringcleaning.com/ for additional tips and tricks that will help you to get the most out of your mopping ventures.
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Ave Denver Colorado 80223,
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