A Sponge Mop and Cleaning
Versatility and convenience can make the difference between an arduous cleaning task and one that is quick and simple. A sponge mop is a cleaning tool that can go beyond the floors it was designed to clean to give you leverage, accuracy and enough pressure to thoroughly clean some of the flat surfaces not within arm's reach -- and without breaking your back to get it done. Does this Spark an idea?
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Cleaning Floors
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A sponge mop is a great choice for hard-surface flooring. Sweep the floors and its corners well, prior to mopping it. Prepare a bucket of warm to hot water and add to it the recommended amount of cleaning solution. Dip the mop into the bucket to saturate it with the cleaning water, and then squeeze it out to remove the excess water.
Mop entire floor, working in small sections, one at a time. Start at one end of the room, and mop the floor with push-and-pull strokes. Rinse the sponge mop, and mop over the same area again before moving on to the next section. Once the entire floor is mopped, you may notice that the floor dries faster than if it were mopped with a rag mop, primarily because it holds less water.
Cleaning Walls
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Add an extra sponge mop to the cleaning closet for cleaning walls. This is where the convenience of leverage that lessens the amount of elbow grease really shines. Walls are easier to clean with a sponge mop, especially the higher and lower points of the wall.
Prepare the mop and the cleaning water the same way you do for the floors, but select a cleaning solution that works well on walls, whether painted or wallpapered. After soaking the mop in the water and squeezing it out, start at the top of the wall and pull the sponge mop down to the bottom of the wall, similar to rolling paint onto a wall. Rinse the mop and continue to clean all of the walls this way.
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Other Uses
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Cleaning with a sponge mop is also effective for shower stalls, bathroom walls and cleaning cabinets, especially upper cabinets in a kitchen that are not very easy to reach by hand. Large furniture pieces, such as armoires, cabinets and consoles can also be cleaned with a sponge mop.
Use a sponge mop to clean the ceiling in a fraction of the time it would take cleaning it with ladder, a bucket and a cleaning cloth.
Take the sponge mop outside to clean the car, outdoor furniture, the front door, sliding glass patio doors, the shed and the lower parts of the siding on the house.
Maintenance
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The sponge head of the mop can deteriorate over time and after many uses. Prolong the life of your sponge mop by thoroughly rinsing it out after each use and storing it upside down, or in a hanging position, to completely dry between uses. Avoid using bleach with your sponge mop, as it shortens its life. If you have to use bleach, wash it well with a detergent before rinsing it and storing it to dry.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Pixland/Getty Images
