If you’re anything like me, then you mop one day and the next it seems like you didn’t even clean. Mopping can be tricky, especially when you have a big family that’s always coming in and out of the house. Here are a few tips to help make and keep your floors cleaner for just a little bit longer.
Mop Type
First, you want to determine what mop is best for your floor and which one you like best. Also, you want to consider the size of your mop, as well. A mop that’s too big can be difficult to maneuver in your kitchen, but one that’s to small will take you forever to clean with!
Soap
Choose a soap that you like but that is also strong enough to clean your floors (without ruining them). If you’re not a fan of chemical soap from the store, just try mixing hot water, vinegar, and some dish soap.
DON’T Wring Out
The next three steps are called the “Slop Mop” method. It’s apparently the “correct” way to mop and makes your floors pretty clean. Dip your mop in the water but DON’T wring it out. Let it drip for a few seconds, though.
Slop Down the Mop
Once it’s dripped for a while, just slop it right down onto your floor. The excess water and cleaner should be spread onto a small section of the floor.
Wring Out
Put the mop back over your bucket or sink and then wring the rest of the water out. Once you’ve done that, put the mop back on the ground and mop up the water on the floor. This apparently lets the cleaner do its job without much elbow work on your part. Repeat these three steps for the rest of your floor!
Remove Clutter
Don’t take the lazy route and try to mop around rugs, chairs, and stools. Put a little extra work in at the beginning and remove any clutter or furniture that may get in the way. This will make it 100 times easier to clean those spots and you’ll make sure to actually pick up all the dirt and grime.
Sweep First
Before mopping, make sure you sweep first to get rid of any big messes or pieces of garbage. Water mixed with big gunk can make your floor dirtier. Sweeping first keeps the dirt to a minimum so the mop can do the rest.
Start in Corner
Always start in a corner and work your way towards an exit. You don’t want to get your floor all clean just to have to dirty it up in order for you to cross it and leave the kitchen.
Let Floor Air Dry
Unless your floor streaks easily, it’s best to just let it air dry naturally. You can open the windows or a door if you want, but usually it doesn’t take too long to air dry. This makes the clean look more natural; just make sure you or anyone else in the family doesn’t go in and muddy up the wet floor!
Floor Type
Depending on your floor type, there may be a better, more specific way to clean. Whether it’s hard wood or marble, look online to see what others with the same floor have said about keeping it clean. And good luck!
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