Nobody likes sticky, dull floors. If that’s the result you get every time you mop, there must be something you need to improve. Here are six common mistakes homeowners make when cleaning their floors. Try to avoid them next time you grab a mop!
Mistake #1: Cleaning with a soaked mop
Sometimes, homeowners start cleaning without wringing the mop. However, cleaning with a soaked mop makes water dirty faster, leaves a mess on your floors, and turns your efforts pointless.
Besides, the excess water ruins your floors by building up moisture and giving way to mold. If you have wood floors, beware; you might end up with cupped floors. Always clean with a well-wrung, slightly damp mop to avoid these issues.
Mistake #2: Skipping vacuum cleaning
Even if the floor seems only to need mopping, your eyes might trick you. If you go straight into mopping, you’d be scattering dust and dirt you missed. Besides, some dirt will be stuck on the mop, making the water in the bucket dirty in no time.
You shouldn’t skip vacuuming before using a mop, no matter how dust-free the floor looks at a glance.
Mistake #3: Neglecting to dry the mop
After cleaning the floor, leaving the mop inside a water-filled bucket is not good. Dirt and moisture will stay in the mop head, setting off a bad start the next time you’re cleaning the floor—not to mention the smell.
Keep the mop dry, and don’t neglect to pour the bucket’s contents down the drain.
Mistake #4: Going overboard with water or solution
Some homeowners eyeball the quantities needed to clean floors, leaving huge space for errors. Making a cleaning mix without minding the measures might result in a too diluted or strong solution which can damage your floors or leave them grimy and sticky.
Mistake #5: Choosing the wrong cleaner
You might damage your floors if you use the wrong solution, either by being too abrasive or leaving nasty residue after mopping. These are some examples of cleaners that do work depending on the type of floor:
- Tile flooring: Water and soap are enough, and they won’t break down the minerals from the tiles.
- Hardwood floors: Use the least amount of vinegar and a damp mop so that you won’t damage the finish.
- Vinyl floor: Trust in white vinegar’s acidity to cut through oils.
Mistake #6: Mopping incorrectly
If you happen to see streaks after cleaning the floor, the issue might be how you mop. Here’s how you can improve your floor cleaning technique:
- Damp your mop and start at the edges of the room. Then, in a zigzag or a narrow “s” motion, mop in a sequence of small areas towards the exit of the space.
- Leave your floors to dry, or go faster by using another dry mop, sponge, squeegee, or towel in a sequence similar to mopping.
Let the pros clean your home
You can easily avoid mistakes while cleaning floors, but keeping a tidy home without errors can be more challenging than expected, so why not let us help you? At No More Dust Maids, it’s our job to go above and beyond and deliver you a spotless home.
Click here to learn more about our top-quality cleaning services in Washington DC!