For the Record, I Do Mop... but I make it easy! | i should be mopping the floor
Homepage Projects and Crafts Free Fonts Free Printables and SVG Files Printables Journals and Planners Facebook Covers and Device Wallpapers Spring Projects and Printables


For the Record, I Do Mop... but I make it easy!

As you may know, last month these aMaZiNg floors from Metroflor were installed in our home. {To see our flooring in all of its glory, click here}.  I have to say, they've made my life a BREEZE! They're super durable, look outstanding, and are easy to keep clean.

I've had a few comments & emails with questions regarding cleaning this type of flooring. One comment focused on the color of the flooring we chose and regarding how dirt would "show more" on it. I will say, it hasn't been bad at all {and we haven't taken any extra precautions...we still wear shoes inside, etc.}. If I do see debris, I can quickly attend to it...which I enjoy much more than not seeing it in carpet and having to live with more debris than I cared to.

The guide below can be used to clean any type of hard flooring. It's what works best for me & my schedule.




Everyday Quick Care for Hard Floors {or every other day the way summer treats us}:

I try to go over the floors with a dry duster daily. It's so easy and picks up everything on the floors. There's a wide variety of dry dusters out there...I read several reviews and decided on the Rubbermaid Reveal Dry Duster Head...simply because I already had their mopping system and the pad worked with it.

If I need to, I can do a simple spot clean on my daily routine with my Mrs. Meyer's All-Purpose Cleaner {which has the neutral PH of 7 or less that my floors adore!!}.

I love that the dry duster can go under everything...even the couch! 

I'm certainly not advocating one brand of mop over another, but these are the two pads for the Rubbermaid Reveal mop...the top one is the dry duster, the bottom is for the wet mopping. Both can be washed up to 100 times.

The daily dry dusting and spot cleaning do an amazing job of keeping my floors looking great {seriously, these floors are a stinkin' dream!! I LOVE them!}...they constantly look "fresh".

But once a week {errr....every 10 days}, I do heavy duty cleaning and give them a big once-over!

Weekly Cleaning for Hard Floors:

After doing all of my regular cleaning, my floor care comes last, after everything else is clean. It's best to work from the top down {as in, I start by dusting my ceiling fans}, that way as you progress down, the dust/dirt/grime progresses down with you. When you're done with your cleaning, all the dust should be either on your floor or your cloth {BTW, I highly recommend cleaning with microfiber cloths like the one above...I also use it for my daily spot cleaning of my floors and it's fabulous and easily washed}.

After everything {except the floor} is cleaned, I do a major pile-up and get the smallish stuff up & out of my way. This is how my mom cleaned and that's where I learned it from....surely we aren't the only crazies that do this?!? Right?

This is sooo much easier than moving chairs or attempting to clean around them. A fond memory from my childhood was to play "choo-choo" on the breakfast room chairs my mom would line up in the den while she mopped her kitchen. Cleaning day= Choo Choo day.

Then I go around and pull all of the dust/debris from the corners {and baseboards} into the central areas of the rooms/hall so they can easily be picked up with a quick run of the vacuum. I use the Swiffer 360 dusters {even though they're technically not their flooring duster...to me this works better since I can catch baseboard dirt/dust, too. Two birds. One stone.}

After all dust is pulled away from the walls {which also eliminates having to use my vacuum tools...which is kind of a pain with all the varied attachments}, I vacuum...really well. I keep my Swiffer duster with me to go under tables and couches and over air returns. It makes this job go very quickly....I basically combine about three steps into one. Three birds. One stone.

Then....it's time to MOP! For my daily spot cleaning, I use the Mrs. Meyer's stuff in the spray bottle. For my weekly cleaning, I use the Prevail 1-Step Neutral Cleaner. It's fAbUlOuS and earth-friendly, too! It makes my floors shine and look AmAzInG! This can be purchased at most major flooring dealers or through the Metroflor company. And it lasts forever.

I fill up my mop's reusable solution bottle with water to the water line and solution to the solution line...seriously, I couldn't mess this up if I tried. I screw the cap back on and gently shake it to incorporate the product with the water.

Now, I gave up a traditional mop years ago {or as I like to call her...Sloppy Moppy}. The whole bucket/dirty water/wringing thing just grosses me out. In order for my germ-a-phobe tendencies to stay under wraps, I end up changing out my water a dozen times before I'm done. It was beyond annoying. And I hate the idea of mopping and swishing water up against my furniture...the kitchen is one thing, but in living areas with couches and nice wood pieces, I just can't be friends with Sloppy Moppy anymore.

It's also not advised to use a steam mop on the type of floating floor that we have. That's find with me...I was tired of dealing with that thing! :)

I go through and spot clean any dirtier spots that I notice. I don't wipe this up, I simply spray and allow it to penetrate the spot. When I'm mopping that area, the mop simply picks it all up in one fell swoop.

I will say this particular mopper is WAY better than my old battery-operated Swiffer one {that had to remain plugged into the charger to retain any type of power}. This one has a powerful spray that is powered by a manual trigger...it doesn't even require batteries! I soak the floor with the solution and drag the mop across it.

Again, SUPER easy to get into tight spots....and places I would never bring Sloppy Moppy.

It's also easy to get up against the baseboards, too. And the cleaner lasts me for two whole mops. And the awesome Prevail cleaner requires no rinsing. I'll usually mop twice just because it's so awesome to see the floors so sparkly! {Yes, I mop twice}.

Is there anything better than a fresh mopped floor? Love it.

To find out more about my Metroflor Flooring journey {with their Konecto line of flooring}, please click here. 









I party here: Create & Inspire Linky Party (Angie@Little Inspiration)Dare to Share (Pam’s Party Planning & Practical Tips)Dwell on Fridays (Dwell on Joy)Fabulous Friday Link Party (My Crowded Kitchen)Fancy This Fridays (Truly Lovely)Fantabulous Friday (Katie@Little Becky Homecky)Fat Camp Friday (Miranda@Mangoes and Chutney)Feature Yourself Friday (Rachelle@Fingerprints on the Fridge)Flaunt it Friday (Kate@Chic On A Shoestring)Foodie Friday (Not Your Ordinary Recipes)For the Kids Friday (Rachel@Sun Scholars)4 Real Friday (Jessica@Mom 4 Real)Free For All Party (Marni@Sassy Sites)Friday Favorites (Jerri@Simply Sweet Home)Friday Favs (Amy@Naptime Crafters)Friday Flair (WhipperBerry)Friday Frolic (Karen@Pocket Full of Pink)Friday Fun Finds (kojoDesigns)Friday Link Party (Tasha@Creation Corner)Frugal Friday (Wendy@The Shabby Nest)Frugalicious Friday (Jane@Finding Fabulous)Fun for Kids Friday (Local Fun for Kids & Smile Monsters)Fun Stuff Fridays (Toys In The Dryer)Home and Family Friday(Becca@Home is Where My Story Begins)I’m Lovin’ It (Cheryl@Tidy Mom)Inspiration Friday (At the Picket Fence)It’s a Hodgepodge Friday (It’s a Hodgepodge Life)Kitchen Fun & Crafty Friday (Jill@Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons)Linky Party (Beth@Living Life Intentionally)Look at Me, I’m So Crafty! (Stacey@Fun to Craft)My Favorite Things (Stay At Home Nation)Pity Party (Mique@Thirty Handmade Days)Refresh Your Nest Friday (Carrie@Making Lemonade)Shine On Fridays (One Artsy Mama)Show and Share Day(Chris@Just a Girl)Show and Tell (Chrissy@For Mamas)Show and Tell Friday (Cindy@My Romantic Home)Show Off Friday (Nicole@What-About.co)T.G.I.F. Linky Party(Tracy@Craft Junkie Too)Tickled Pink (Holly@504 Main)VIP Party (Sommer@Designer Garden)Bacon Time (Mindie@Bacon Time With the Hungry Hypo)Lovely Crafty Weekend(Rachael@Lovely Crafty Home)Once Upon A Weekend (Family Ever After)Project Party Weekend (Rachel@Bubbly Nature Creations)Saturday is Crafty Day (Laura@along for the ride)Saturday Nite Special (Donna@Funky Junk Interiors)Saturday Show & Tell (Mackenzie@Cheerios & Lattes)Saturday Showcase (Bowdabra Blog)Saturday Spotlight(Craft Envy)Sharing Saturday (Mia@Mama Mia’s Heart2Heart)
Serenity Now {Amanda@Serenity Now}Show and Tell Saturdays (Lorie@Be Different Act Normal)Strut Your Stuff Saturday (Six Sisters Stuff)Sweet Saturday Link Party(April@Gingerbread)Sweets for a Saturday (Lisa@Sweet as Sugar Cookies)Watcha Got Weekend (Lolly Jane)Weekend Wrap Up Party (Jen@Tatertots & Jello)Creative Bloggers’ Party & Hop (SJ@Homemaker on a Dime)The DIY Project Parade (Roeshel@The DIY Show Off)K.I.S.S. = Keep It Simple Sunday (Christina@The Tattered Tag)Not “Baaad” Sundays (Lamb Around)Sew Darn Crafty Party (Karen@Sew Many Ways)Sundae Scoop (Jamielyn@i heart naptime)Sunday Linky Party (Jen@Petite Hermine)Sunday Showcase (Stephanie Lynn@Under The Table & Dreaming)Sunday Showcase Child Centered Link Party (Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas and Classified: Mom)Sunday Slice (Snips & Spice)Sweet & Simple Sunday (Cups By Kim)Think Pink Sundays (Flamingo Toes)

16 comments:

  1. Kristi, this looks like a great mop, I know I'm going to need one! I have lots of hardwood and tile, and the swifter is just not adequate, plus so many disposable pads, and a regular mop is like you say, sloppy! Great post!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I will have to try those cleaners! I have the same mop and very similar floors, but every cleaner I have tried leaves a streaky film! I now just use hot soapy water, and have my husband follow me with a towel to dry up the water right away so I don't get streaks!! Ahhh such an annoyance! I wish I could just clean the floors by myself (as I am sure does he)! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love your idea of stacking furniture on furniture. When I clean I move EVERY piece of furniture in the room. I clean the area w/o furniture and then moved it all to that area and clean the other part. I think I'll try your method! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I so wish my floors looked as nice as yours!!
    but with all my 4 legged friends, my floors always look 'hairy' lol

    hugs
    -gina

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have three boys and a big dog and am constantly fighting to keep my floors clean-thanks for the tips, I especially like your idea about the swiffer 360-I'm adding that to my shopping list right now! Here from TT&J!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Kristi: This is super helpful--thank you so much for posting! My hardwood floors thank you as well!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great tips!

    Mrs. Delightful
    www.ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I need to try that mop and cleaner brand. Your floors look wonderful. Thanks for sharing,

    ReplyDelete
  9. So you do mop! LOL! Your floors look fantastic, love all the tips!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I had the Swiffer too - it no longer works :( I've been using Bona for awhile and then I just got the Hoover Steam Mop and it's working well. I installed our wood flooring almost a year ago and it has CHANGED MY LIFE! Having two little boys and white carpet was a daily nightmare. Such great information Kristi - you're being featured tonight at Mom On Timeout. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love all your tips!! I LOVE our hardwood floors but am always cleaning them! I have to try the swifter 360 thou! I love vinegar on my floors...makes them sparkle!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I use that same rubbermaid "mop". Love it. Never saw the dry duster...definitely going to buy that addition to the system! Thanks for the tips. I hate mopping and I agree, ole sloppy moppy was the worst!

    ReplyDelete
  13. It will no more be problematic to get rid of the dirty stains in the bathroom and kitchen, as you may Google for the locally based cleaning service provider that can provide affordable solutions instantly.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I generally follow the advices of my grandmom and parents about cleaning the greasy marks on the wall and floor tiles.
    Thanks!
    roombafan.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks for your tips, I will work on it soon but have you tried using olive oil in these hard floors to make it look shine? I am not sure might be possible it will make the floor slippery but I tried it on wooden tables and it makes a shiny look which just looks perfect.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ashley! I haven't tried olive oil! This has worked out so well for us, I haven't had to look for other options. Thanks for stopping by! xoxo

      Delete