What is better to clean the floor

Cleaning the floor may seem like an easy task. Just take an old T-shirt, dampen it, wipe it across the floor, and voila – a clean floor and a happy life. However, the reality is often disappointing: pesky lint gets stuck to the floor, dust stubbornly refuses to be washed away, streaks are left behind, or the linoleum ends up swollen. To tackle this problem effectively, let’s adopt a more thoughtful approach.

General rules of floor cleaning

There are specific sanitary and hygienic regulations that recommend washing the floor in a medium-sized apartment 2-3 times a week. It is not necessary to limit this cleaning routine to just the weekends, as is often done. It is actually better to distribute the workload evenly, preferably during free weekends.

Here are two examples of effective schedules: Monday-Wednesday-Friday for households with pets and/or children, or Tuesday-Friday for households without them.

For those who prioritize cleanliness around the clock, these schedules can be applied to less frequently used rooms such as the living room, children’s room, and bedroom, while more frequently used rooms like the hallway, kitchen, bathroom, and toilet can be cleaned on a daily basis.

Now that the schedule is set, it’s time to outline an action plan:

1. If you have furniture or objects that are easy to move and clean, it is recommended to move them to another room for cleaning. Many individuals make the mistake of spending excessive energy switching tasks while cleaning, while others do not move objects at all, resulting in a clean floor but dusty areas around furniture legs. However, during a thorough cleaning, it is necessary to move heavier objects such as sofas, beds, and cabinets.
2. If you didn’t have the chance to sweep the floor yesterday, it is recommended to do so today. By focusing on one task at a time, it is better to first sweep or vacuum and then wipe with a cloth, rather than constantly running around trying to remove crumbs or hairs from the cloth.
3. Prepare a bucket of water with a cleaning solution suitable for your specific flooring. If you prefer not to get your hands dirty or are concerned about allergies, it is advisable to wear rubber gloves. If using a mop, attach a cloth to it for cleaning.
4. When it comes to the direction of movement, you have two options: either start from the corners of the room and move towards the center, or start from the wall opposite the exit and make your way towards the exit. Choose the method that is most convenient for you.
5. About the direction of movement. There are two options: the first – from the corners of the room to the center, the second – from the wall opposite the exit, in fact, to the exit. Choose the one that is more convenient for you.

Attention! Remember to rinse the cloth after every two or three square meters!

• If there is foam from the cleaning solution, use a cloth soaked in plain water;
• If you are cleaning linoleum, softwood floor, or parquet (whether it is lacquered or not), make sure to wipe it with a dry cloth after cleaning. Otherwise, unsightly bubbles may form on the linoleum, the wood may start to rot, or the boards may shift relative to each other, causing the floor to become uneven.

How and what is the best way to clean different floors

Let’s focus more on the previous point and address each type of floor covering individually.

If you have hardwood floors, like larch or oak, you can clean them with any cleaning product. However, if the floors are made of spruce, pine, or ash, you just need to wipe them dry after washing, and they won’t require any additional maintenance.

Laminate flooring can handle wet cleaning to a certain extent, but it doesn’t react well to excessive moisture. Make sure to thoroughly wring out the cloth while washing and ensure that no puddles are left behind.

Parquet floors have an interesting characteristic: they won’t require much care after 5-7 years of installation, but initially, don’t forget to dry wipe them after wet cleaning.

When it comes to linoleum, make sure to wipe it dry to prevent any bubbles from forming.

Ceramics and porcelain tiles can be cleaned in any way you prefer! In general, ceramics are typically installed in high humidity areas, so they are able to withstand it. The only thing to be careful about is to avoid leaving streaks from cleaning products.

When it comes to poured flooring, there are no specific restrictions or limitations on humidity or cleaning solutions. However, it is advisable to use soft rags and avoid scrubbing the surface with a brush, as this could potentially cause scratches.

Let’s now turn our attention to the methods of washing. When it comes to ready-made store chemical liquids and gels, the process is straightforward: simply follow the instructions on the packaging. Many people prefer to use traditional methods, with solutions containing vinegar or laundry soap being particularly popular. Personally, I have no issue with these methods. However, it is important to remember that when using vinegar solutions, gloves should be worn to protect the hands from potential irritation. Additionally, when using laundry soap, it is recommended to wipe the floor with plain water after washing to avoid any streaks.

Now, onto the remaining topic – the necessary cleaning supplies.

Old towels for cleaning floors

Out of all the tools that have not been purchased, this particular one is the most fitting. The towel possesses a comfortable shape (unlike clothes, for instance), has excellent water-absorbing abilities, is not excessively rigid when wrung out, and is gentle enough for use on any surface. It is versatile enough to be used for mopping the floor manually or wrapping around a mop.

If you happen to be going to the store to buy some rags, you may select from the various materials listed below:

• cotton – absorbs water effectively, maintains its shape over time, and has exceptional durability;
• viscose – extremely resilient, does not leave behind any lint, but not suitable for heavy soiling;
• acrylic – lacks water-absorbing properties, hence best for dry cleaning purposes;
• polyamide – dries quickly, does not decay over time, and excellently cleans stubborn dirt;
• microfiber – a multipurpose material, excels in water absorption, and becomes almost dry immediately after wringing.