October 4, 2020
Essentials for Washing Floors
Everyone loves a clean floor, right? We might all have different methods for cleaning our floors but finding just the right combination of products and tools is magic and makes the chore of floor cleaning just a little more enjoyable.
Before I clean the floors, I always start by vacuuming to get rid of crumbs and dirt. If you have pets or a lot of dust, you may want to follow up with a quick sweep using a microfiber based floor duster. If you follow my cleaning routine, Wednesdays are Vacuuming Day and Thursdays are Floor Washing Day. This post shows how you can split these days up too if you are interested.
The mop that I use the most is a microfiber mop – here are 3 of my favorites. The first one on the left is OXO and can be filled with any cleaner, the middle one is Bona – great for hardwood floors – I use the Free & Simple solution because it is safe and non-toxic, and the last one is Full Circle. I love this one for using with a DIY spray cleaner – it works great for quick touch ups.
Here are a few other floor mops I’ve used and recommend if you want a floor cleaner. The Cordless Bissell Spinwave Hard Floor Mop is cordless, super convenient! Its claim to fame is how it cleans hardwood floors. If you are looking for a steam mop, my favorite is the Bissell Steam Mop – great for tile, vinyl, linoleum – it has different temperature settings for different floor types. Bissell Crosswave – great for any floor surface, has a wet/dry vacuum, and it can clean rugs.
Hardwood Floors:
Before using any cleaner, make sure that your hardwood floors are sealed. How to clean your wood floors is not always dependent on the kind of wood but rather the finish that is on them. If you aren’t sure what sort of finish is on your floors, check with the manufacturer. I prefer to use a refillable or microfiber mop versus a steam mop on my hardwood floors. While many people love the ease of a steam mop, my personal preference is to play it safe and use a more gentle, less moisture approach with a damp microfiber mop – just use a spray floor cleaner and spray and wipe you go. I also use a refillable spray mop with a microfiber pad.
Unfinished or Bamboo Floors:
If you have unfinished, waxed, or bamboo hardwood floors, the best approach is to use a barely damp (with water) microfiber mop pad. Always check with your manufacturer’s instructions first.
Common Issues:
If you are using a microfiber pad, dampen it before starting and rinse often while washing the floors. If you have streaks with a steam mop and rinsing the mop head frequently doesn’t solve the problem, you might need to use distilled water (purchase by the gallon at your local grocery or drug store). If you have hard water the minerals in your water may be contributing to streaking and residue on your floors.
Favorite Cleaners:
When it comes to just what brand or formulation of floor cleaner I prefer, I like to give a range of options and solutions. Some people love making their own cleaners while others prefer the pre-mixed, ready to go options. I only recommend products that are non-toxic and safe to use around people and pets, but these are all products that I use and love.
If you are looking for the most economical and green choice, then making your own cleaner is the way to go.
All-Purpose Floor Cleaning Recipe:
- choose either castile soap or Sal Suds (both of the solutions I’m referencing are made by Dr. Bronner’s, but there are other brands of castile soap) – you’ll need 1-2 drops of the soap or cleaning concentrate (adjust as necessary – you want a little bit of bubbles, but you won’t be rinsing it, so you aren’t looking for a ’soapy’ solution).
- 2 cups warm water
- 16 oz. spray bottle (here’s my favorite glass spray bottle)
- 1-2 drops of Sal Suds or castile soap
- 3-5 drops essential oils if you’d like a little scent – some of my favorites are lemon + clove for the castile and pine + lemon for the Sal Suds (it has a pine-y scent already)
- my favorite application is with a spray bottle and microfiber cloth but you can also spray and use a microfiber mop or spray mop or pour the solution into a small bucket and wipe up with a microfiber or cleaning cloth
Vinegar-based floor cleaning recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1 gallon of warm water
- 2-3 drops essential oils (I love lemon or lemon and clove for my hardwood floors)
I mix this up using the same ratio in my refillable floor mop:
- 3 teaspoons white vinegar
- 16 ounces of warm water
- 1-2 drops essential oils (I love lemon or lemon and clove for my hardwood floors
If you prefer the convenience of pre-made cleaners, there are many options to choose from. These recommended pre-made cleaners are all rated an ‘A’ or a ‘B’ on the EWG.com website. My favorite brands for performance and safe ingredients are ready to use – simply use the spray and mop method or pour into your refillable mop and clean away.
Babyganics makes a great floor cleaner concentrate that is unscented and easy to dilute – you can use it in a bucket and a refillable spray mop and it’s even compatible with carpet cleaners. Biokleen’s Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner is a good pick if you have a variety of surfaces and Aunt Fannie’s Vinegar Floor Cleaner is a great pick if you like the smell of vinegar (don’t use on stone). If you like a mop and bucket for washing floors (not my preference), you might like a spin mop. A popular and well-rated one is this one.
Laminate Floors:
One of the biggest complaints I hear about laminate floor cleaners is that all the commercial cleaners leave behind a sticky residue that attracts dirt and dust. My all time favorite laminate floor cleaner is a simple DIY cleaner using every day ingredients. Try out this recipe for an effective, economical solution to cleaning your laminate floors. Again, I prefer using a refillable mop for ease, but this solution can be mixed up and put into a spray bottle as well. The vinegar cleans and the rubbing alcohol aids in the drying and adds a sanitizing component. The combination is great for getting those floors perfectly clean. Laminate and water are not a good combination so you’ll want to use this in a spray format in lieu of a mop and bucket.
Mix equal parts of:
- white vinegar
- rubbing alcohol
- water
I like to add several drops of peppermint essential oil for an invigorating and fresh scent. I mix up five ounces of each of three ingredients with 3-5 drops of essential oil to fill an average size spray bottle or to pour into a refillable mop.
Once you’ve cleaned up your little or big mess, move on to more important things! I hope this helps clear up some questions and gives you some ideas of methods and products that work!
Deanna Says
I have old linoleum floors. They are very hard to get clean. They get sticky. I know they probably need to be replaced, but I rent. What works bet to try to get them as clean as possible? What solution works best? What mop works best?
b r Says
Post authorTry a steam mop!
Jill Flint Says
I agree! I started using one in mine and it made a huge difference 🙂
Cindy Says
Question:
do you throw out dirty water outside or in the toilet?
b r Says
Post authorI have a ‘slop sink’ in the mudroom — I use that!
Kaci Says
Hi! I’m loving your cleaning routine! I have the Bissell Steam Mop that I use on my laminate and tile floors. Per the manufacturers instructions I do not add essential oil but I’m not a fan of the smell while mopping. I mop after sweeping but can smell the little bits of dirt that get left behind and cling to my mop so its a muddy smell. That sounds weird but I also have a sensitive nose 🙂 Can I use an additional scented cleaner directly on the floor while using the steam mop? Do you have any recommendations? Thanks so much!
b r Says
Post authorTry adding a couple drops of essential oil to the mop pad after you wet it 🙂
Paula Shank Says
Thank you for the laminate floor cleaning tips!
Molly Says
Thank you for all of the tips!! For hardwood floors, is there a reason why I should use vinegar vs the all purpose? What is the difference in terms of how they clean?
Thanks!
b r Says
Post authorPersonal preference – some people don’t like using vinegar on hardwood floors.
Aisha Says
Hi Clean Mama! Just wanted to get some clarification. For sealed hardware floors, which one of the mops, of all the ones listed, do you use in particular on floor washing day?
b r Says
Post authorI use either the Full Circle or the Bona – I switch back and forth 😉
Susan M Bates Says
Do you do a “deeper” clean of your floors on Thursdays or is this done at a different time? Around my stove, dishwasher and bottom cabinets seem to need extra attention (hands and knees cleaning).
b r Says
Post authorI thoroughly wash them on Thursdays 🙂
Amanda Says
What is your favorite solution to use in the crosswave?
b r Says
Post authorI just use hot water and a drop or two of Sal Suds 🙂
Tonya Says
I wanted ask about edges..a few reviews have said that the crosswave leaves about an inch from the wall unwashed. Does this happen to you?
b r Says
Post authorI haven’t experienced that.
Reneé Says
Have you had any issues with the OXO mop leaking? Some of the reviews said they have. Just wanted your thoughts on it. By the way I love your cleaning routine!! I’ve been doing it for the last couple of years and it’s been a game changer.
Daniela Says
Thank you so much for all these great tips! Do you wash the dirty microfiber cloths after mopping by hand or in the washing machine?
b r Says
Post authorAlways in the washing machine 🙂
K Says
Will vinegar harm travertine tile floors? What is your preferred cleaning method for this type of floor? Both the method of cleaning (steam mop, rag by hand, etc) and which type of cleaner would you use? We have it in our kitchen, entry, laundry room, and all the bathrooms. Thank you!!!
Maureen Says
I have a silly question. If I am using a Bissell floor cleaner, then I don’t use a floor cleaning product? The floor cleaner disinfects on its own? Thanks!
Kristin Trotto Says
We have old laminate floors and they are so cloudy. No matter what I use, it doesn’t seem to clear up. What do you recommend? I did purchase the Oxo spray mop you suggested. I tried the water, alcohol, and vinegar… maybe I need to go over it a few times?
b r Says
Post authorMake sure you are rinsing the mop head frequently as you mop.
Yami Says
Best cleaning solution to use with tile floors (bathrooms). I’m also buying the oxo mop you recommend?
Bev Says
16 oz. spray bottle (HERE’S MY FAVORITE GLASS SPRAY BOTTLE)
Link doesn’t work.
Clean Mama Says
Post authorFixed – thank you! Here’s the link:
https://shop.cleanmama.com/collections/labels-bottles
Rosa Says
Can you use the vinegar based floor recipe on vinyl floors? I have both a spray mop and steam mop. Which is better to use?
Clean Mama Says
Post authorAbsolutely!
Sofia Flores Says
Love all of your content!
My apartment is full laminate flooring through out. Just to clarify, do I go over with a dust mop like sweeping ( I have a Bona ) and then go over with a wet mop and DIY floor spray ( I would just change out my Bona head ) and then steam mop them?
Clean Mama Says
Post authorWet mop OR steam, you don’t need both.
Karen Says
Any suggestions for cleaning tile floors with grout?
Nat Says
When using a microfiber mop do you typically spray the floor or the microfiber pad?
Clean Mama Says
Post authorI wet the pad before starting and spray the floor.
Kristin Says
Silly question here- I have dark hardwood floors and when I use the Bona cleaner it seems like they are dull afterwards. Am I doing something wrong or should I be using something different?
Clean Mama Says
Post authorMake sure you’re rinsing as you go!
Diane Elder Says
I keep referencing this every time I try to tackle travertine tile floors but it seems always to be about hardwoods or laminates and just don’t use vinegar or bleach on stone. Can you expand on how I can clean and keep these floors clean? They are a struggle and I can’t get a professional in here to do work on them. Thank you.
Brandi Says
I have engineered hardwood floors. Any suggestions on the best method for cleaning solutions?
Diane Says
I have granite floors in my foyer and everything I’ve tried leaves streaks. What can you recommend I use that doesn’t do this. Thanks
Clean Mama Says
Post authorHave you tried a steam mop?
Joanne Britton Says
How do you clean vinyl plank flooring?
Clean Mama Says
Post authorThis recipe:
https://cleanmama.com/diy-laminate-floor-cleaning-spray/
Tiffani Says
Hey! Would you recommend an o-cedar mop and bucket? Curious as to why if not. Thanks!
Clean Mama Says
Post authorCheck out this updated post with all my mop & bucket favorites:
https://cleanmama.com/guide-to-washing-floors-favorite-floor-washing-tools/