Why mop the floor

Never skip this tip because dust and debris can leave scratches on the floor. After you are prepared to mop your floor, you should mix your cleaner with warm water. Fill the bucket with water half-way so the mop can be completely submerged in the water when you dip it.

If you have a dried out mop, then it will need to soak in the warm water before you begin cleaning. Mopping floors in small sections can make getting rid of grime build up and debris easier. When you break the floor up into sections, you should only wipe the floor with the mop three to four times.

This will help spread the cleaning solution over the area, rather than scrubbing the dirt. Another tip to remember is to wring your mop out when you finish a section. Make sure you wring out your mop over the bucket. Then you should wipe the small section with the wrung out the mop. It is also imperative to rinse your mop out, so you won't spread dirt on to other parts of the floor. If your floor is made out of hardwood, you may need to rinse your mop twice.

When you mop your floor, your cleaning solution can become visibly solid, and it can get darker. Using dirty water will not get the floor clean. Dirt on the floor surface can cause scratches and etches that ruin the shine and make the floor look even dirtier.

Even frequently mopped, undamaged floors may still look dirty if mopping leaves behind streaks. The method of mopping to avoid streaks is the same for all flooring materials, but the proper cleaners vary depending on the type of floor.

Using the right technique paired with the correct cleaner results in lustrous streak-free floors. Sweep the floor thoroughly with a broom or a hard floor attachment on a vacuum cleaner. Remove all surface dirt and dust, especially in corners and around the edges of the room. Any loose dirt or dust left on the floor increases the chances of streaking when you mop.

Wring it out well before placing it back into your cleaning bucket. When the rinse water gets too dirty, dump it in the toilet and replace it with clean water. Dip your mop into the bucket and wring out extensively.

The mop should be damp for the best application. Soaking wet mops can damage your floor over time. After cleaning a small area, rinse the mop in your clean hot water bucket.

Make sure all dirt is off the mop before placing back into the cleaning bucket. Mop from one end of the room backward to avoid stepping where you just mopped. If you are using a sponge mop, clean in straight lines. If you have a string mop or rag mop, clean in a figure eight pattern to take advantage of the mop design. Now you know how to mop a floor. Remember, damp mopping is still the best way to make your floor look spotless.

Use Swiffer-style mops for daily floor upkeep, but deep clean your floors once a week with the best mops and cleaning solutions for your surface. Infrequently used rooms, such as formal living areas or guest rooms, can be mopped every other week, or even once a month, so long as they're vacuumed once ever seven days this will remove dust and grit.

An all-in-one mop is an easy way to touch up floors in between cleaning sprints. It will allow you to whisk away kitchen spills or muddy foot or paw prints without going to the trouble of dragging out a bucket. Keeping your mop impeccably clean is essential, since even a little bit of leftover soil can result in a sour smell or breed bacteria. To keep yours in good shape, rinse the mophead thoroughly in a bucket of clean, hot but not boiling water immediately after mopping.

If the mophead is easily detachable, you can rinse it in a utility sink, instead to avoid spreading germs, never rinse mopheads or other tools used for cleaning in the kitchen sink. Hang the mop to dry in a well-ventilated area. Most importantly, do not set mops on the floor or put them in closets while damp.

The quicker a mop dries, the less likely it is to become malodorous. When your mophead has reached the end of its lifecycle—indicators of this are stained fibers or a permanent odor—dispose of it appropriately. Before mopping, sweep or vacuum the floor to remove grit, hair, and other large particles. Removing the everyday accumulation of dirt first makes the task of mopping less arduous.

Be sure to blot dry any wet areas before sweeping or vacuuming; otherwise, you'll dirty the floor further by spreading the grime. Fill a bucket with warm water unless your floors are waxed; in this case, you should use tepid water and a small amount of cleaner —generally, a squirt or two is sufficient. Using too much can leave behind a residue, which will make floors look dull.

Start in the corner farthest from the entrance and work your way backwards, towards the door. Keep the bucket on an unwashed portion of the floor.