How to Clean (and Not Clean) Your Floors

Cleaning your floors properly can be a tedious task, especially if you’ve got pets and/or kids running around. However, regular maintenance will keep your floors in great condition for many years to come. Although it may seem straightforward, you’ll want to make sure you are aware of the do’s and don’ts of cleaning for your specific floor type.

Let’s walk through the basics of the floor cleaning process, including which chemicals to use and avoid, best tips and tricks for maximum results as well as some helpful insights for popular floor types.

Sweep First

If you don’t remove the dust, dirt, hair, food and other debris from the floor before you mop, you’re essentially just moving the filth around instead of cleaning it. Take some time to thoroughly sweep your floors, including underneath furniture, behind curtains and along rug edges, so that you can prepare your floors for actual cleaning. Skipping this step makes this entire exercise futile, so make sure to scoop up all that mess before you move on to the next step: selecting your cleaning solution.

Choose the Right Solution for Your Floor

The right cleaning solution for your floor depends on which type of floor you have. Here’s a breakdown of what to avoid and consider when preparing to clean your floor.

Hardwood – As one of the more sensitive floor types, hardwood floors should be treated with care. Use a basic white vinegar and warm water mixture to clean weekly or bi-weekly. Make sure your mop isn’t soaked, as too much moisture can lead to warped floors. If you don’t have white vinegar, you can use a pH-neutral soap or dish detergent with water as well.

If you encounter a particularly thick stain on older hardwood floors, try using steel wool lightly to rub out soiled surfaces. Be wary of using chemicals on hard finishes, as harsher chemicals can actually rub the finish off of the floor.

Laminate – For laminate floors, you can blend about a teaspoon of dish soap with hot water for mopping. Stay away from liquids with polish or oil in them, as these can damage the material. As with hardwood floors, try to use only a minimal amount of water in order to avoid excessive dripping between planks that could cause swelling or bubbling of the floor.

Luxury Vinyl Tile & Plank – This is a very hearty and easily maintainable floor type, so you’ll be able to use something with a little more acidity, such as apple cider vinegar, when you create your cleaning solution. This mixture will help sanitize your space without leaving soapy suds behind.

Ceramic Tile – You can keep it fairly straightforward when cleaning ceramic tile. Simply mix white vinegar and water and gently mop over the entire surface of your floors.

Natural Stone Tile – Since most stone tiles contain a decent amount of sealant, it’s wise to use a pH-neutral cleaner here. Refrain from using harsh substances such as ammonia, bleach or vinegar. Simpler is better, so stick with minimal soap and run a mop gently across the floors evenly.

Mopping 101

Now that you’ve got an understanding of what to avoid for the major floor types, let’s get to the actual mopping! As mentioned before, always avoid using too much water or allowing water to pool in puddles on your floors, no matter what type you’re cleaning. Dip your mop into your soap bucket and wring it out so that it’s only mildly damp, not soaking wet. This will save you from potential damage, but also cause your floors to dry more quickly. Then, dip your mop into a water bucket and rinse the soapy sections off, now allowing them to to dry (which leads to soapy residue).

Start at one end of a room and work backwards — don’t mop yourself into a corner and be forced to walk over your freshly mopped floors! Make sure to lift up furniture and get in all the hard-to-reach places to avoid gunk accumulating over time due to neglect.

Once you’ve mopped over the entire floor, go back over everything once more with fresh, warm water. Try opening your windows or turning on a fan to speed up the drying process. When you’re done with your mop, make sure to give it a thorough cleaning itself and let it dry before tossing it into the garage or closet. Cleaning your mop after each use makes the next cleaning session much easier and effective.

Squeaky clean floors not only make your house feel fresher and newer, they also increase your home’s appeal and protect your investment if you’ve renovated. Sweeping and lightly cleaning your floors a few times per month—with a few deep cleans every few months— is much more enjoyable to maintain than having to scrub relentlessly to remove heavy stains or buildup. Make it a regular habit, and make it easier on yourself in the long run!