One might just assume that using a mop is straightforward affair. Just dunk the mop into your bucket of hot soapy water and attack the floor in whatever way one sees fit. You might however, be surprised to learn that in order to achieve great results, you need to have good mop technique.
In this article we will cover the best ways to make the most of your mopping.
The Bucket
Before we can crack on with mopping we need to make sure we are fully tooled up. Mopping can be a frustrating experience when your bucket just isn’t up to the task. The thing we need to consider with the bucket is how it accommodates the mop and its maneuverability
Maneuverability ! I hear you exclaim. Yes, you need to make sure your bucket can move freely and effortlessly. For this we recommend a bucket with wheels, otherwise you end up dragging a bucket which if it snags will have you and your floor soaked. We also need to make sure the mop head can dunk and rinse without too much fiddling. You want one that is wide enough for easy dunking and with an effective lever for ringing out excess water. One with easy reach is ideal.
The Mop
The Technique
This is where effective cleaning falls down. Poor mopping technique not only results in poor cleaning results but it also can end in injury over long periods of use. One common error is holding the mop too far away from you- this causes one to have to bend and reach whilst mopping.
A common technique which produces a good result is the figure 8. Sweeping the mop as if you’re painting the number 8 keeps the mop in continuous motion, which keeps the dirt firmly against the head. Any sudden change in direction, as if to scrub can loosen dirt from the head. Don’t do the figure of 8 ahead of yourself either; paint the 8 horizontally as if you’re standing at its side. This keeps the mop close to your body and eliminates reaching.
It will seem very tempting to try to cover as much space as possible with really broad strokes, but you’ll find broad strokes will only end up you having to cover the same ground multiple times. Overlapping with the figure 8 will ensure the floor is well mopped.
Bio:
Jennifer Pooley is a space-making, home-cleaning enthusiast from South East England that writes tips and guides for those interested in domestic cleaning. This article was written on behalf of E-Cloth
Thanks, Jennifer!
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Enjoy!
Photo credits:
Clean Well by nazreth on sxc.hu
Angry Mop by bogani on sxc.hu
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