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Quick and efficient floor cleaning method
Floor cleaning is a crucial step in the cleaning process, but to do it professionally, you need to consider various factors, especially given the diversity of flooring materials available today.
In this article, Calibee will share the rules for floor cleaning, the basic cleaning process, and considerations for different common types of flooring materials.
How frequently should floors be cleaned?
As a general rule, high-traffic areas such as kitchens, entryways, and hallways should be swept or vacuumed every 1-3 days and mopped once a week. While mopping is essential for keeping floors clean, regular sweeping or vacuuming is crucial for protecting the floor’s finish and extending its lifespan. This is because it removes dirt and sand that can damage the floor when walked on.
Important Rules for Floor Cleaning
Before you start mopping, keep these 4 rules in mind to ensure you’re doing it correctly:
Lift and Move Objects on the Floor: Move items like under the bed, furniture, and rugs. You’ll be surprised by the amount of dust in these hidden corners.
Sweep (or Vacuum) in a Specific Pattern: Always sweep (or vacuum) from top to bottom, left to right, and from inside out before mopping. This will ensure you don’t miss any cleaning areas. Even if the floor looks clean, hair and small dust particles will still be left behind, and mopping again will take more time to address them.
For Wooden Floors: When mopping, make sure to go with the grain of the wood.
Dry All Surfaces Quickly: Ensure all surfaces are dried quickly after mopping.
Basic Tools:
– A soft broom or vacuum cleaner for sweeping the floor
– A dustpan for collecting trash and dirt
– A mop
– A bucket for mixing the floor cleaning solution
– Floor cleaner
Procedure:
Step 1: After gathering all your tools, arrange the items in the room to facilitate cleaning. Lift and move items on the floor and don’t forget to clean any hidden corners such as under beds, cabinets, sofas, and carpets. These areas often accumulate a lot of dust and dirt.
Step 2: Before mopping, sweep or vacuum the floor thoroughly to avoid making the floor sticky. Treat any noticeable stains or spots that you find during sweeping or vacuuming. Use a sponge with soap or your preferred cleaner (just ensure it’s safe for your floor type).
Step 3: Mixing Floor Cleaner
For ceramic tile floors, you can use almost any cleaner, whether it’s an all-purpose cleaner, dish soap, or plain white vinegar – ceramic and porcelain tiles are not easily scratched or discolored. Calibee’s favorite method is to mix warm water with a floor cleaning solution and add a bit of vinegar.
Step 4: Next, you should start mopping from the top down, beginning with the uppermost floor and moving down to the lower floors. This helps you avoid dirt falling onto areas you’ve already cleaned.
Mop in a zigzag pattern, with each stroke overlapping ⅓ of the previous stroke. This technique ensures that dirt and spills are effectively removed without spreading them around.
After each round of mopping, you need to thoroughly rinse the mop before continuing with the next pass. Each area should be mopped at least twice to ensure the floor shines as desired.
Step 5: Finally, return moved items to their original places and clean the cleaning tools before storing them: wash the mop and clean the bucket. This helps keep the tools sanitary and reduces the risk of bacteria and mold.
How to Clean Grout Stains:
Grout, especially light-colored grout, is prone to staining. If regular cleaning methods don’t work, mix baking soda and water to create a paste. Apply this paste to the stain and let it sit for a few hours or overnight, then scrub the stain with a nylon brush (or a toothbrush in urgent situations).
Some people suggest using a steam cleaner for grout stains, but prolonged use of steam can damage grout. To avoid any risk, use the baking soda paste and apply a silicone-based sealant after cleaning to protect the grout.
Notes for Cleaning Granite and Natural Stone Floors:
Marble, slate, and granite floors can be cleaned similarly to ceramic and porcelain tiles, but there are a few important considerations:
- – When sweeping natural stone floors, use a broom with soft bristles, as these surfaces are more prone to scratches compared to ceramic and porcelain tiles.
- – Make sure you use the correct type of cleaner for your floor: Slate and marble cannot tolerate any acidic substances, such as vinegar, while granite requires a mild cleaner with a neutral pH to prevent color changes. Many mildew cleaners on the market today are highly acidic, so it’s important to be extra cautious when choosing a safe mildew cleaner for marble.
How to Clean Concrete Floors:
Concrete tiles made from traditional cement-based concrete are becoming popular due to their cost-effectiveness and variety of colors and designs. Cleaning them is straightforward.
– The thorough cleaning of concrete floors should be done by sweeping or vacuuming first, then mopping with water mixed with a mild, non-acidic cleaner. Wet the tiles evenly before scrubbing, using a flexible nylon brush as an appropriate tool.
– A specialized concrete cleaner and scrub brush will often remove deep stains.
– DO NOT use metal brushes, acidic cleaners, or bleach for cleaning concrete tiles.
– After scrubbing the floor with the cleaner, rinse it by mopping with clean water.
Like other natural stone tiles, concrete tiles need periodic sealing. Use a high-quality concrete sealer and apply it after the floor is thoroughly cleaned and completely dry.
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