Fall is a beautiful time to explore the great outdoors, but you need to
take extra care to keep all that beauty outside your home. No matter how
careful you may be, mess will inevitably find its way inside. When that
happens, it’s time to break out the cleaning supplies and fight
back. We previously wrote about
tips to help you vacuum, but what can you do to tackle those floors that you can get soaking wet?
Get Your Supplies
You don’t want to start cleaning only to realize that you forgot
an important tool. Here’s a simple checklist for you to follow:
- Mop
- Two buckets or sinks
- Paper towels or rags
- Broom and dust pan or vacuum
- Mopping solution
Every floor is different, so you’ll want to make sure everything
you’re using is safe and won’t damage your floors. Follow
all manufacturer’s directions, and make sure to only use cleaners
that have been tested and proven to be safe for your floors.
Sweep or Vacuum the Floor
Dust and can be sneaky fellows to deal with, so you want to sweep up as
much of it as you can before you start getting your floor wet in order
to prevent muddy puddles from forming. It’s also the perfect time
to take note of any especially gunky or sticky areas that may require
extra attention.
Fill Up Your Sinks or Buckets
There are pros and cons to both sinks and buckets; on the one hand, buckets
are very easy to move around and position based on the part of the floor
you’re mopping, but the water in them might get so dirty that you
need to clean them out before continuing. On the other hand, sinks are
incredibly easy to drain, scrub, and refill, but they aren’t quite
as mobile as a bucket. Either way, be sure to use hot water and mopping
solution that won’t damage your floors. Also, only use as much solution
as is recommended – using extra will only leave residue behind once
you’re done cleaning.
Don’t Use a Dripping Mop
After you dunk your mop in the sink or bucket, make sure to wring it out
before introducing it to your floor. Using a dripping mop might damage
your floors, and at the very least will extend the length of time it will
take them to dry.
Time to Mop
Plan out your mopping route before you begin. It’s always best to
keep your feet on un-mopped floor, so start at the top of the room you’re
in and work your way down. If you have a rag mop, use a figure eight motion
for best results, and for a sponge mop move it in a straight line. When
you come to one of your noted problem areas, press down a bit harder and
rub quicker.
Rinse, Rinse, Rinse
Don’t forget to rinse your mop out every so often. This is where
the second sink or bucket comes in – you don’t need to add
any cleaner there, just make sure it stays filled with warm water so you
can rinse the grime off your mop, wring it out, and dip it back in the
solution-filled container. Try to do this every couple minutes so you
don’t just wipe dirty water all over your floors, and make sure
to replace the water as it gets cold. If you have any hard to reach edges
and corners, use the rags or paper towels.
And there you have it! With these simple tips, your floor should be spotless
in no time. However, not everyone’s busy schedule allows them to
carve out enough time to do a proper clean throughout their house, which
is where we come in. At The Maids Dallas, our crew of professionals use
our specialized 22-Step Healthy Touch Deep Cleaning System to get your
house spotless. Fill out our online form to start your cleaning process,
or give us a call at (972) 471-9509 to ask for a free price estimate!
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