Keep your floors clean and in good shape by avoiding these errors.
Iryna Baranouskaya/Getty Images
Mopping can seem deceptively simple.
However, there are many common mistakes that can make the job harder than it has to be.
Photo:Iryna Baranouskaya/Getty Images
Applying the wrong cleaner, forgetting to sweep, or using a dirty mophead can actually harm your floors.
Abrasive cleaners could damage wood grain, and waxy cleaners could make stone sticky and dull.
Not vacuuming or sweeping before mopping
Mopping shouldn’t be the only way you clean your floors.
When you vacuum and sweep in tandem with mopping, your floors will thank you.
Otherwise, hair and lint can get stuck to the floor surface.
So, it’s best to reset the area of loose debris before wet mopping.
Hardwood floors dont use the same cleaning solution as ceramic tiles, for example.
Oil and ammonia-based cleaners can damage or discolor tile flooring.
Its also helpful to choose pH-neutral cleaners that will work on most floors (including hardwood and laminate).
Avoid harsh chemicals unless otherwise instructed.
“It’s best to take immediate action, before mopping, and use an appropriate odor eliminator.”
A store-bought cleaning solution or DIY vinegar solution can be effective in mopping away stains and unpleasant smells.
Many people forget to do a final rinse of the floors.
Rinsing helps remove cleaning solution as well as residual soil, Gagliardi says.
Remove and clean the mop head, or hose down those that aren’t removable.
Rinse thoroughly, with several changes of clean water, before allowing the mop head to air dry.
