Master the Art of Mopping: Essential Hacks and Expert Tips for Spotless Floors
We can all agree that vacuuming has to be done at least once a week, but what about mopping? Most of the time, this underrated task gets the short end of the stick. That is to say, it’s often not done at all. But, if you’ve got pets, kids, and guests who don’t take off their shoes – it’s a must. To lend a hand, we’ve compiled some tips to help you mop as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Start by watching this informative and quick video from Sheets Laundry Club, before checking out the guide below. Time to level up your mopping game and get those floors sparkling!
Prep Time: Clearing the Floor
Before you even think about dipping that mop in water, it's crucial to prep your space by clearing the floor. Setting the stage for a smooth and effective mopping session means picking up any toys, shoes, and other clutter that might have scattered around the floor. Roll up rugs and move them out of the way if you want a really deep clean. You can even have them dry-cleaned if it has been a while since they were refreshed.
Which Mop Is Best?
There are a million mops on the market, so how do you know which to choose? Primarily, it will depend on what type of flooring you have. Here’s a quick overview of the best mops for certain situations:
- Tiled and hard surfaces: A traditional string mop or sponge mop. You can also use a steam mop for sanitation (do not use on hardwood)
- Hardwood or laminate floors: A microfiber mop
Natural Cleaning Solutions To Try
You don’t have to use harsh chemicals to get a streak-free, clean floor. Try these easy natural mopping and cleaning solutions on sealed flooring for a safer shine.
Zingy Vinegar & Citrus
Mix white vinegar with water in a 1:1 ratio. Add slices of citrus fruits like lemon or orange. The way this clever cocktail works is that the vinegar cleans, while the citrus masks the vinegar smell, leaving a fresh scent.
Sizzling Baking Soda
Have some baking soda left over from your last batch of cookies? Sprinkle a little on the floor before mopping. This helps to neutralize odors, leaving the room smelling clean. And, as a bonus, if you need to banish bad smells coming from the refrigerator, try placing an open box of baking soda on a shelf to absorb all the odors.
Soothing Essential Oils
If you love the smell of essential oils as much as we do, try this easy solution: Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, like lavender, lemon, or eucalyptus, to your mop water. They add a pleasant fragrance and have natural antibacterial properties for a clean finish.
Fresh Fabric Softener
You can even tap into your laundry supplies to help you with your floor mopping and cleaning. A small amount of fabric softener in your mop water will leave a fresh scent. Just be careful with the amount to avoid slippery floors.
Laundry Detergent Sheets
Dissolve a small piece of laundry detergent sheet, like the lavender-scented ones from Sheets Laundry Club, in warm mop water. This can provide a light, pleasant fragrance as you mop, matching the fresh scent of your clean laundry. This is perfect if you want to have one signature scent for your home, as you can use the same fragrance everywhere.
How to Mop a Floor by Sections
Mopping floors can seem overwhelming. We recommend breaking it up into sections so that you can get every spot clean while avoiding stepping on the wet floor. Starting in the furthest point from the entrance to the room, mop backwards in sections towards the middle of the room and keep going until you’re done. Remember to rinse your mop every few minutes to avoid spreading dirty water around.
Drying Your Floors
How long does it take floors to dry after mopping? Well, that depends on how you dry them. There are two camps when it comes to drying. Some people like to let their floors air dry, which is completely fine as long as you aren’t walking across the floor while it’s wet. If you like naturally-dried floors, be sure to open the windows to let as much air circulate as possible to speed up the process. The other option is to do a quick sweep through with a microfiber cloth or dry mop to absorb moisture. If you are mopping wood floors, this is ideal as it prevents water damage or warping.
Mopping Up the Mess with Sheets Laundry Club
See, mopping isn’t all bad, right? We love clean floors almost as much as we love clean laundry, especially when both are done with natural, non-toxic ingredients that smell great. While mopping takes a bit of time, it can be broken up into sections and is 100% worth it when you see your floors shining.
Here at Sheets Laundry Club, our expertise extends beyond the laundry room, so be sure to stay tuned for more mopping and cleaning tips and tricks on our website! Give us a quick follow on social media @sheetslaundryclub and if you’re interested in never having to worry about running out of laundry supplies again, check out our handy dandy subscription boxes. Packed with all your favorites, this box will arrive on a regular basis to make sure you’re always stocked and ready for whatever mess life throws your way.
Jamie Dorman
Jamie Dorman is the Social Media and Content Manager at Sheets Laundry Club. She has been in advertising for 11 years and is passionate about keeping our clothes and planet clean with eco-conscious products. She is also an avid reader, recreational guitarist and her favorite Sheets Laundry Club scent is Sea Breeze.