the problem with mopping

[ohdonna]

This may seem silly, but it's a real question that I came up with last night as I was mopping the kitchen floor for the ten thousandth time (we have pets and kids running through all the time): Why do we think that mopping actually accomplishes anything? Really, I'm getting the floor wet, pushing the mop around on top of it, and letting it dry. Didn't I just dilute the dirtiness and then spread it all over the kitchen floor? Sure, maybe a little of it gets soaked up by the mop, but I don't think it's very much. I shudder to think how dirty my floors still are after all this mopping.

Your thoughts? Recommendations?

[darkangelism]

swiffer

[Vautrin]

Welcome to the site .

Research seems to indicate that our homes may actually be too clean, and that allergies may develop as a result of that.

And if you or your kids do not already have allergies, there is no reason to overdo it.

[Luba]

Did I miss the Welcome thread, anyway, I'll say it now; Welcome Ohdonna, hope you post often; we need some new threads and new blood! Mine is getting a little stale..

Actually, GREAT post! I've been trying to get out of washing floors for years and you've come up with the greatest reason! Thank you!!

[stephaniesays]

Hi, OhDonna, I'm new here too but I thought I'd answer your post quickly before doing anything else on the site.

I totally know what you mean about just pushing the mess around -- why do we think that mopping is cleaning? What you need is something like a steam cleaner, in that it cleans and suctions. But of course not so powerful. Check out the Scooba. There are tons of reviews on sites like amazon.com, cnet.com, my3cents.com. Maybe if you read these you can see if the Scooba fits your needs.

Stephie

[Merika]

I'm with DA...I use one of those Swiffer mops with the thingy that you throw away after you use it. Sometimes I have to use two to get the entire kitchen and eating area. I buy the ones that are already wet instead of using the spray. I LOVE those things. Easy to use and they dry real fast.

[Ayla]

I use a swiffer for day to day tidying up...however once a week I get down on all fours and scrub the floors and baseboards good. then wipe it up with white towels that then get bleached.

[Merika]

Originally Posted by Ayla

I use a swiffer for day to day tidying up...however once a week I get down on all fours and scrub the floors and baseboards good. then wipe it up with white towels that then get bleached.

I don't do that but about once every three months. Due to having a dog I should do it more. I hate scrubbing the floor but it always looks so nice afterwards.

[TKDLady]

I tried to use a swiffer but the tile in my kitchen is a bit uneven and I end up on my hands and knees anyway. I use a mop and if you have cleaner with bleach or ammonia in it I think it kills the germs at least. I don't think I would eat off of it after cleaning it but it looks better and smells nice once it is clean.

[BattleaxE]

I'm a hands and knee's type floorwasher myself. After a good scrubbing then I take a damp towel and go over the floor with that.

[TKDLady]

When I get into a real cleaning mood, which isn't too often these days, then I will get on my hands and knees.

[Just__A__Thought]

Originally Posted by Ayla

I use a swiffer for day to day tidying up...however once a week I get down on all fours and scrub the floors and baseboards good. then wipe it up with white towels that then get bleached.

LOL! How much do you charge?

I have five dogs and I never do that. I have one of those rubber mop/brooms. Once I got used to not going in a circular motion it works great! I spray floor cleaner down (like a diluted pine cleaner or orange-type cleaner) 'sweep' with the round things down - which really get into the grout lines - then use the squeege side to sweep it into a puddle. Then I soak it up with a few papertowels. Then I go over it once more with plain water and it does a good job even in the corners.

I used to have linoleum and that was a horror to keep clean! If it didn't shine it didn't look clean and I spent hours washing and 'polishing' it - but with the tile I have it doesn't need a shine to look clean.

[Duke]

Originally Posted by BattleaxE

I'm a hands and knee's type floorwasher myself. After a good scrubbing then I take a damp towel and go over the floor with that.

Holy crap, I'm just curious on how you vacuum rugs. Instead of a vacuum cleander, do you wrap yourself in double-sided tape and roll all over the carpet?

[TKDLady]

Never thought of that! That might work well with the really big rugs! :wink: