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What is the Best Way to Mop a Floor?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

The best way to mop a floor varies, depending on what kind of floor you have. For example, wood floors benefit from a very light damp mopping with cold water and a mild wood-friendly soap solution, while stone floors can be washed with hot water and more aggressive soaps. While the basic mopping technique remains more or less the same in all cases, your choice of soap is crucial.

Before you mop a floor, gather the supplies that you will need, including a mop, a bucket, a cleaning solution of choice, and a broom. Rag mops are best for textured floors, as they will actually lift dirt from the floor, while sponge mops are great for smooth floors. As a general rule, use mild cleaners on stone and tile, while more harsh cleaners can be used on linoleum. On wood and Pergo flooring, you may want to avoid using soap, unless the installer of the floor has specifically recommended a particular type of soap, as you do not want to damage the floor.

Wood floors should be cleaned with a damp mop.
Wood floors should be cleaned with a damp mop.

Start by clearing the floor of all objects and debris. If you are going to be cleaning in that room, do it before you mop the floor, so that you do not knock dust and other materials onto a freshly cleaned floor. Take the time to shift furniture to another location while you mop a floor, to ensure that you really clean the whole floor. Then, sweep or vacuum the floor to pick up large chunks of debris.

A damp mop is a great way to clean a hardwood floor.
A damp mop is a great way to clean a hardwood floor.

Fill your bucket with hot water and your soap of choice; if you want an especially sparkling floor, you can use vinegar, but be aware that vinegar may stain or damage floors made from wood and stone. Dip the mop into the water, wring it out well, and start mopping. Rag mops should be moved in a figure eight motion, while sponge mops can be swept across the floor in a straight line. Work from top to bottom of the room towards the door while you mop a floor so that you don't end up mopped into a corner, and dip and wring the mop frequently to flush dirt from the mop.

Stone floors can be washed with hot water and more aggressive soaps.
Stone floors can be washed with hot water and more aggressive soaps.

If you have not mopped in a long time or the room is especially large, you may need to change the mop water partway through your mopping session. It pays to take the time to do this, as otherwise you will be smearing dirt across the floor, rather than fresh water and soap. After you mop a floor, allow the floor to dry completely before moving items back onto the floor, and rinse your mop well, hanging it to dry so that it will not mold or mildew before you use it again.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a HomeQuestionsAnswered researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a HomeQuestionsAnswered researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

motherteresa

There are some cleaners on the market that in addition to cleaning add a pleasant smell to the area. It is almost enticing you to mop more often.

I prefer that, to the strong type of smell of the cleaner that "tells" you your floor is clean but oh my, the smell is so overpowering.

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    • Wood floors should be cleaned with a damp mop.
      Wood floors should be cleaned with a damp mop.
    • A damp mop is a great way to clean a hardwood floor.
      A damp mop is a great way to clean a hardwood floor.
    • Stone floors can be washed with hot water and more aggressive soaps.
      By: mimadeo
      Stone floors can be washed with hot water and more aggressive soaps.
    • Before mopping a wood floor, sweep it free of dust and debris.
      By: JackF
      Before mopping a wood floor, sweep it free of dust and debris.
    • Use of vinegar on wooden floors may cause staining or damage.
      By: hsagencia
      Use of vinegar on wooden floors may cause staining or damage.
    • Soaps can damage some wood flooring.
      By: Iriana Shiyan
      Soaps can damage some wood flooring.
    • Wet mops are usually used for cleaning up spills on hard floors.
      By: arenaphotouk
      Wet mops are usually used for cleaning up spills on hard floors.