How To Mop The Floor

How To Mop The Floor

House cleaning is important in maintaining the health and cleanliness of your home. The type of flooring varies across the board; common flooring materials include ceramic tiles, marble, linoleum, terrazzo, vinyl or hardwood. How you clean one isn’t exactly the same as you would another, so you need to be specific in you approach for best results. This post will guide you through the techniques of mopping and cleaning the different types of flooring.

How To Mop Different Types Of Floors

The following are tips for mopping common floors you will find around you.

Ceramic tile floors

Ceramic tile floors are preferred for places that experience a lot foot traffic, dirt, or moisture. Before you begin cleaning a ceramic tile floor, move away all the shoes, furniture, and anything else that might stand in your way while mopping. Follow these steps as you clean your floor:

• Remove all dirt, sand, and other debris with a broom or vacuum cleaner.
• Scrape off any sticky residue on the tile using a plastic putty knife.
• Mix a half cup of vinegar into a bucket full of water, and then add a half tablespoon of dish soap. Do not add too much soap as that can make the floor look dull.
• Before you start mopping your floor, rinse the string mop head under running water to wash away any debris stuck on the fibre.
• Once you are done mopping with soapy water, follow this up by wiping the floor with plain hot water.
• Allow the floor to air dry. You can also dry the tile with a clean cloth or towel to remove any dirt you may have missed. Wiping with a dry cloth also prevents water spots from forming.

Marble floors

Marble floors have been around for thousands of years. The material is preferred due to its beauty and sophistication. Marble is a stunning material, and like other natural stones, marble should be cleaned regularly and carefully to prevent staining and deterioration. Below are steps to mop your marble floors clean:

• Dry mop you floor to get rid of dust and other debris.
• Add 3 tablespoons of baking soda and a moderate amount of liquid soap into a quarter of warm water. You can also buy a commercial stone cleaner as an alternative to this homemade solution.
• Fill a bucket with clean tap water and set aside.
• Dip a soft cloth or soft-bristled scrub brush into the soapy solution and scrub the floor.
• Rinse your sponge or brush regularly in the clean water that you set aside and change the water when it becomes dirty or soapy.
• Make a paste out of a cup of plaster, talc, diatomaceous earth, and water and stir continuously until a cream-like mixture forms.
• Wet stained areas with distilled water and a thick layer of poultice paste.
• Cover the poultice paste stain with plastic wrap and secure all the edges with tape.
• Leave it for about two days until it is scorched.
• Remove the plastic wrap and wipe out the poultice with a wet cloth and sponge.
• Apply a commercial stone sealant.

Linoleum floors

Linoleum floors were first introduced to the market in the 1860s and have been around since. They are durable, environmentally friendly, and hypoallergenic. With proper care, a linoleum floor can last many years. They are available in a variety of colours and designs, making them suitable for both homes and businesses. To clean this floor type, follow these steps:

• Use a dry microfiber mop to remove dust and debris in high-traffic areas daily.
• In low traffic areas, use a soft-bristled broom or a vacuum cleaner attachment to remove the dirt and debris.
• Use a damp mop and a solution containing a gallon of water, a cup of vinegar, and a few drops of dish soap to clean the floor.
• Allow the floor to dry well before stepping on it.

Vinyl floors

To keep your vinyl floor looking clean, you need to wash it at least once a week. First, vacuum or dry mop the floor to remove the dust, hair, and dirt. Then, mop it again, this time using a wet mop and a cleaning solution for vinyl floors. There are many commercial vinyl floor cleaning products on the market, but you can also use a mixture of vinegar and water as an alternative. For deeper cleaning, follow the steps below:

• Remove fruit juice, wine, ketchup, and tomato sauce stains using a paste of baking soda and some water.
• Apply the baking soda paste on the floor with a soft towel and wait until the stain peels off.
• Clear the baking soda paste on the floor using a water-vinegar solution.
• Apply alcohol to the spot and scrub using a soft bristle brush where you encounter tough stains from ink, paints, crayons, and lipsticks.
• Do not use steel wool or any other abrasive material as they can scratch the floor.
• For nail polish stains, use the polish remover.
• If the stain is from scuffs, spray WD-40 on a towel and use it to rub the scuffed area until the mark goes away.
• Clean the WD-40 off the floor with vinegar and water solution.

Terrazzo floors

Terrazzo is an Italian style of flooring that offers an old-world look found in many older homes around the world. It’s installed on walls or floor surfaces and its speckled texture gives your floor a unique look; however, their drawback is they get dirty quickly. The following steps will help you keep your terrazzo floor clean for longer:

• Spray cleaning solution on a soft mop and use it to wipe your floor. Use even strokes, and do not leave streaks as these would cause permanent marks. You can also use neutral cleaners that will stay put for up to 15 minutes if needed with no worries about staining or harming your terrazzo floors. Take caution when choosing a cleaning product. Go for one that works best with your floor’s colour scheme.
• After mopping your floor, use a bucket of freshwater to rinse it off and remove any residual cleaner. Wait until your terrazzo has dried before allowing traffic through. You may need an appropriate brush designed specifically for buffing terrazzo surfaces.
• Use floor wax to give your terrazzo floor a shine. Buffing should be done with care around areas that show signs of degradation or wear from traffic because the material can’t withstand high pressure and excessive weight.

Hardwood floors

Hardwood floors are a beautiful addition to any home. With the proper care and maintenance, these flooring types can last for decades! Here is how you should clean them:

• Vacuum or mop your floor at least once a week to keep it clean and shiny. Be sure not to use an attachment with the beater bar, as this can damage wood floors. For light traffic areas, the simplest cleaning implements will do; otherwise, clean up more often if you have multiple pets, small children or frequent visitors who track dirt in with their shoes.
• If you want to keep your home clean, dust mopping isn’t enough. You’ll need a liquid cleaner for an occasional deep cleaning session. Commercial wood cleaners work really well, but you can also prepare homemade solutions like vinegar with lukewarm water and use the solution to clean your wooden floor. Be sure to follow manufacturer instructions on each type of product before using them if you prefer commercial cleaning solutions.
• Cleaning wood floors is easy if you have the right cleaning solutions and tools. Just saturate a rag or sponge mop in your chosen solution, wring it out thoroughly so that there’s not too much liquid on the floor when mopping; be careful how much cleaner comes out as excesses can damage your flooring. Make sure no dirty water gets missed as you dry off excess moisture because standing puddles can cause problems down the road.

Why Should You Hire A Professional Floor Cleaner?

If you’re struggling to keep your floors clean and shiny, it’s time for a professional floor cleaning service. They will be happy to give tips on caring for your floor, so they keep looking great. Here are a few reasons why hiring a professional floor cleaner is a good idea:

They know what floor cleaner to use

A professional floor cleaner will know the right cleaner for your specific type of floor. If you’re having trouble getting them clean or you use the wrong cleaning agent, it could damage and cost you thousands in replacement charges. Hiring a professional cleaning service will ensure that the correct type of cleaner is used on your floor. Hiring professionals is the best thing to do if you want your floor taken care of properly.

They have all the cleaning equipment

Many people find it hard to make space in their homes for all necessary cleaning tools, but you can always hire professional cleaners. These professionals will have access to floor-cleaning machines and other equipment such as vacuums and scrubbers that are required when cleaning carpets or removing tough stains like blood from tiles. Hiring someone means you don’t need any skill – they’ll come with everything needed.

They save you time

Hiring professional floor cleaners will give you more time to attend to other pressing issues and, at the same time, get your home properly cleaned. If you are held up at work or in your home, outsource your floor mopping duties to a professional floor cleaner so that you have time and the mindset to focus your attention on other things.

Hire A Professional Floor Cleaner

It’s vital that you keep your floors well-maintained, especially if they are made of natural materials like hardwood; these surfaces can easily get dirty from everyday use. Cleaning such floors can be a tough task, especially when you do not have the equipment needed for the job. A good way around this problem would be to hire a professional cleaner with the skills and tools to clean floors, get rid of all the stains and give it a fresh look.