The Best Way to Mop a Kitchen Floor
All floors need regular cleaning to keep them in good condition and looking their best. In particular, you should mop the kitchen floor every few days to get rid of the layer of grime caused by the high traffic levels and the inevitable stains and spills from food and liquids. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Broom
- Dustpan and brush
- Hot water
- Bucket
- All-purpose cleaner or homemade cleaning solution
- Mop
Instructions
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1
Remove all obstacles from your kitchen floor. Place chairs on top of the table. Sweep the entire floor including around and under furniture that you cannot move. Pay attention to corners and hard-to-reach areas.
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2
Fill your bucket with very hot water and add all-purpose kitchen floor cleaner or homemade cleaning solution. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the all-purpose cleaner.
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3
Dip your mop into your bucket and wring it out.
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4
Place your mop on the floor in front of you and start moving it back and forward, exerting a little gentle pressure. Move it side to side, in an "S" shape or figure of eight pattern.
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5
Flip the mop over and repeat the back and forward and side-to-side pattern with the other side.
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Rinse the mop, wring it out and go over the section you have just cleaned one more time to make sure you have picked up every last dirt particle.
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Move onto the next section of kitchen floor, following the same process until the entire floor is clean. If you have not mopped your kitchen floor for a long time, or if the floor is particularly stained, you may need to get rid of your water and fill the bucket with fresh water and cleaner half way through your session. This prevents dirt and grime being smeared across the floor.
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Wait until the floor is completely dry before walking on it.
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Rinse your mop thoroughly and hang it up to let it dry out and not grow moldy.
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Tips & Warnings
If you want to create your own cleaning solution, mix 1/4cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of vinegar with 1 tbsp. of liquid soap. If you want a fragranced cleaner, add a few drops of lemon, orange, peppermint or lavender essential oil.
If your kitchen floor is tiled, use a gentler cleaner than you would on a linoleum floor.
Traditional rope fiber mops work best on kitchen floors, which are normally made of linoleum or tiled. It will make your task easier if you have a bucket with a mop-wringing attachment.
Begin at the corner of the kitchen furthest away from the door and mop your way out of the room to keep traffic across the wet sections to a minimum.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Creatas/Getty Images
