Keeping your home in good condition is a never-ending process. Many questions arise, especially when it comes to flooring. What is the best way to clean it, which mop is best for it and, most importantly, how often should you mop the floor? In this article we will answer them all!
There is no universal answer to this question. As a rule of thumb, however, you should mop the floor at least once a week - especially in the rooms you use most often and where the risk of stains and spills of water or other liquids is greatest. Such rooms are the kitchen and the bathroom.
Other areas whose floors also require weekly maintenance are entrances and hallways, as these are the areas most frequently walked on, sometimes with shoes from outside.
The floor surfaces in rooms in your home that are not used often - such as the guest room - do not need to be mopped every week. It is enough if you mop them every two weeks or once a month.
Another point to consider is the number of people you live with - the more people, the more intense the movement on your floors will be. Therefore, the most general advice we can give you regarding how often you should mop the floor is – If you see visible signs of dirt, it's time to grab the mop. This can be once a week, but if you have more family members in your household, it can also be twice a week.
- Notice: Remember that it is extremely important to sweep or vacuum your floors before mopping. This will ensure you don’t spread dirt and bacteria. We'll explain to you right away which steps are necessary for optimal floor cleaning!
Guide to proper floor care – choose the best tools
There are many people who use disposable mops. However, we advise against this option as it is neither cost-effective nor good for the environment. Instead, look for eco-friendly options that are machine washable. Microfiber mops, for example, are ideal for this purpose. They also do an excellent job of removing dirt and leaving your floor shiny and streak-free. You can use them with plain water or use a cleaner specifically designed for your floors.
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Keep your mop spotlessly clean
For clean floors, it's essential that you keep your mop squeaky clean, as even small residues of dirt can cause a sour smell or breed bacteria. To keep your mop in good shape, rinse the mop head thoroughly with clean, hot (but not boiling) water immediately after use. If the mop head is easily removable, you can also wash it in the washing machine.
- A notice:To avoid spreading bacteria, never rinse mop heads or other cleaning tools in the kitchen sink.
Hang the mop to dry in a well-ventilated room. Most importantly, do not put it on the floor or store it in cupboards while it is still wet. The faster a mop dries, the less likely it is to acquire a bad smell. When the mop head has reached the end of its life cycle - indicators include matted fibers or a lingering odor - it's time to purchase a new mop.
Mop the floor properly – Follow these steps
Now that we've clarified how often you should mop the floor and which is the best device for it, it's time to tell you how to do it correctly.
- Before using the mop, clean surfaces thoroughly with a vacuum cleaner to remove dirt, dust, hair and other particles. If you skip this step, the hard work that follows will be doomed to failure!
- Fill a bucket with warm water (unless your floors are waxed, in which case you should use lukewarm water) and a small amount of detergent. If you use too much, traces of it may be left on the floor.
- When you're ready to mop, consider your method. Prepare well by starting at the back corner of the room and working backwards. This way you avoid stepping on a spot you just wiped. Squeeze the mop well after submerging it in water. If it's too wet, it will just spread the dirt around instead of removing it from the floor. It also leaves water stains.Tipp: You'll know you've squeezed the mop enough when the washed areas dry almost immediately.
- Run the mop over each area twice - once to distribute the solution and a second time with just clean water to remove it. If you don't go over it a second time, the cleaner will leave the floor sticky. If you can't get into the tight corners with the mop, wipe them by hand with a damp cloth.
- As soon as the water becomes cloudy, replace it with fresh water. But never pour dirty water down the sink, where it can spread bacteria. Instead, flush it down the toilet.
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