How to Hand Mop a Floor
No one likes to walk on gritty, dirty floors, especially in one’s bare feet. Nothing is more uncomfortable than stepping on the noodles flung on the floor by a two-year-old diner or to find one’s socks wet because the dog tipped his water dish.
Things You Will Need
- 1 or 2 buckets
- commercial floor cleaner or vinegar
- terry cloth or other textured rags
- plastic gloves
- knee pads or a floor mat
- medium-stiff brush
Because a home is a place where people want to be as comfortable as possible bare-feet and socks will often be the norm in your house. As a result, regular sweeping and mopping of a floor is essential to the comfort and cleanliness of the home. There are many options available to today’s homemaker when it comes to mopping the floor. There is an array of mops available from rag mops, to sponge mops, to mops with disposable pre-treated rags. The consumer can find the choices overwhelming. However, most people agree that hand-mopping is the best way to be sure that your floor is completely clean and it allows you to wipe the baseboards off at the same time.
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Prepare for mopping by thoroughly sweeping or vacuuming the floor. Fill a bucket with water and cleaner. Use the manufacturer’s directions for the water to cleaner ratio. If using vinegar, use one cup white vinegar in a bucket of water.
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Dip your rag in the wash water, then wring it out until it is damp but not dripping. Scrub a small section of the floor clean, wiping the baseboards as you go along. Work in small sections in whatever pattern works best for you and the space that needs cleaning Work fresh sections in a pattern that prevents you from crossing over cleaned areas. Overlap the sections slightly so that you ensure that all areas are washed one time.
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Rinse your rag out regularly. When the wash water gets dirty, dump it out and prepare a new bucket. After the floor is completely mopped, dump out the wash butter and fill the bucket with clean water. You will use this to rinse the floor.
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Rinse the floor immediately after you wash it. Rinsing will be more effective if you wipe up the soap and remaining dirt before it has a chance to dry. Dip clean rag into the water and wring it out thoroughly. Use it to rinse the floor. Work in sections similar to the method used for washing the floor. Refresh your rag by rinsing it regularly.
Tip
If you prefer, you can wash and rinse at the same time. Using two buckets, wash a small section of the floor and then rinse it before moving onto another section of floor. Wear plastic gloves to protect your hands and use knee pads or a cushioned mat to protect your knees. Scrub out stubborn spots and stains with a stiff bristled brush.
Tips
- If you prefer, you can wash and rinse at the same time. Using two buckets, wash a small section of the floor and then rinse it before moving onto another section of floor. Wear plastic gloves to protect your hands and use knee pads or a cushioned mat to protect your knees. Scrub out stubborn spots and stains with a stiff bristled brush.
Writer Bio
Melissa Howard is a writer and a photographer. Before leaving the business world, she worked as a technical writer. She now writes for a variety of online journals and businesses. Her photography can be found at Pbase. Her freelance work includes children, weddings. and teaching seminars.
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