I’ve been cleaning my kitchen and hardwood floors for what seems like forever, and I never had the feeling they stayed clean for long. Then I found out I was doing the cleaning all wrong.
I Was Drowning My Floors in Soap
All you have to do is visit Target, Walmart, or your favorite grocery store and notice that a wide variety of cleaning products are available to clean floors. I’ve probably tried at least half of them and never read the directions for any of them. My process typically involved adding enough liquid to my bucket to create lots of bubbles. In turn, I made sure some of those bubbles made their way on the floor. The wetter the floor, the better the job was, how I always thought.
One day, I took a moment to look at the floor after a cleaning. I then realized a lot of residue had built up. This residue, I finally recognized, acted like a magnet for dust, dirt, and pet hair, making my floors get dirtier faster. It also dulled the finish and led to streaks.
Less Soap, More Shine
I finally figured out how to wash my floor so that it would shine better and last longer. There are several steps to follow, and they are all preferable to using a robot vacuum that has a mop system.
First, be sure to sweep or vacuum the flooring thoroughly before considering mopping it. This means going over it more than once if necessary. In my household, we have two spaniels. Although they don’t shed excessively like some breeds, such as Labs, they do leave their mark. In particular, I can sometimes see some of their hair become dust bunnies and float around the floor. Suck these up before doing anything else.
Once the floor is free of pet hair, dirt from shoes, and more, it’s time to get your mopping bucket ready. I recommend reading the directions on the cleaner and paying careful attention to whether it’s diluted. Be sure to use only the recommended amount of cleaning liquid, or, better yet, use a little less.
Don’t worry if there aren’t a lot of bubbles, or at least fewer than you used to have. Most likely, you’ll have less following this method, and that’s okay.
Next, get to work. Be sure to clean and empty your mop into the bucket often. When the water gets excessively gray or black, or you start to see gunk rise to the top, empty it, clean the bucket, and start again.
Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned the floor with the solution, it’s time to rinse the mop and bucket clean of any remaining cleaning residue. Only then should you fill the bucket with fresh, cold water and then rinse your floor to remove any residue.
I suggest walking away then and letting the floor thoroughly dry before walking on it. This means ensuring pets and children stay away from the area while it’s drying.
Vinegar Also Works for Floors
As I noted, there are numerous cleaning solutions available for floors. I don’t have a preference, and honestly, sometimes I buy the one that’s on sale, always making sure it has a pleasant scent, such as lemon or pine.
If you don’t care about adding fresh scents, some people recommend using a mixture of vinegar and water to clean floors and ditching the commercial cleaning brands altogether. My mom swears by this approach, but I’m not a fan of the smell of vinegar. However, I will say that this is probably the most environmentally friendly way to clean your home’s floors. It’s natural, biodegradable, non-toxic, and an inexpensive solution. It’s also not on the list of products that you shouldn’t store under your kitchen sink.
Using less soap or cleaner when mopping your floors offers a range of tangible benefits that can impact your home, health, and wallet. The most significant advantage is that it prevents the build-up of a sticky residue. When you use too much product, you finally recognize that it leaves a thin film on your floors that acts like a magnet, attracting and trapping new dirt, dust, and grime. This is why floors often seem to get dirty again so quickly after cleaning.
Skip the Bubbles and Keep It Simple
By using a minimal amount of soap or opting for a no-rinse formula, your floors will not only be immaculate but also stay that way for a more extended period, reducing the frequency of your cleaning chores and the appearance of streaks or a dull haze.
Over time, you will also recognize that using less cleaner will protect your floor better while also saving you money.
Finally, although I don’t use vinegar when cleaning my floors, I do tend to use cleaners that are more environmentally friendly than many conventional cleaners. They’re easy to find in a store and typically have some certification on the label. Look for markings that indicate “EPA Safer Choice,” “Green Seal,” “UL ECOLOGO,” or “Ecocert.” They signify that the product is much better for the environment than other products.
There you have it, there is a better way to clean your home’s floor. This involves a little vacuuming, less cleaning liquid, a thorough rinsing of the floor, and time to let it dry. A clean floor coupled with streak-free windows makes for a great home.
