mop Archives - Ducks 'n a Row

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

Not any old mop will do, and these days there are so many variations that allow for improved ergonomics. There are ones with circular heads that pair with the bucket to provide a spin dry mechanism.

These are OK but they are known to fail and without it, the mop is much more difficult to use. Then there are fixed head mops which we prefer as they tend to have longer life-spans.

To add to the variations are the wide articulating heads which are easiest ones to use, and if you can find them with replaceable mop heads then you can save costs on replacing faulty complicated mops with no replaceable parts.

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.

Thanks, Jennifer!

Related Articles: The Best Vacuum For Pet Hair I Have Ever Used🌞

Enjoy!

O-Cedar EasyWring Microfiber Spin Mop & Bucket Floor Cleaning System + 2 Extra Refills, Red/Gray

HANDS-FREE WRINGING: this exclusive mop bucket design features a built-in wringer that allows for hands-free wringing while Splash Guard keeps water splash and spray inside the bucket when wringing or when transporting the bucket from room to room.

I have been LOVING how clean and shiny my kitchen counters are now that I use microfiber cloths to clean them. WOW! I get ’em wet with clean water (no soap) and rub. EASY

Ever heard of the FLYLADY??? Well, she has come up with the simplest, most effective way to stay organized and keep your stuff clean … and if you don’t right away, you won’t feel bad about it! 😊

By far, Shark navigator lift away vacuums are my favorite for pet hair removal and all kinds of cleaning that calls for a VACUUM! Love Shark!

Photo credits:
Clean Well by nazreth on sxc.hu
Angry Mop by bogani on sxc.hu

By Sinea Pies

A place for everything, and everything in its place. Everyday cleaning tasks are a real chore if you don’t have the right tools–and if they’re not handy.

Today we are going to talk about the tools that get our floors clean and shiny, and where to put them when they’re not in use. Tips: how to keep an Orderly Utility Closet

Organizers for your Mops & Brooms

There are several styles of organizers available to keep your mops and brooms neat, and conveniently handy.

Here are some easy to install space savers: BROOM ORGANIZERS

broom, cleaning, kids helping, helpers.maid

KINDS OF BROOMS

FLAT BROOM

Traditional broom with even-trimmed bristles at bottom attached to a wooden handle.

ANGLE BROOM

Similar to the traditional flat broom except that the bristles are cut at an angle for cleaning debris out of corners, as well as sweeping the central part of the room. This style is more versatile than the flat broom variety.

PET HAIR SECRET: having trouble getting pet hair off of your carpeted stairway? Use an angle broom! Sweep back and forth, starting that the top stair, and watch the fur fly! Once it is loosened up, use an electric broom or vacuum cleaner to finish the job! Works brilliantly.

PUSH BROOM Often depicted in cartoons being used by street-cleaners, this wider and thicker broom covers large open areas well. Especially big, open rooms, hallways or garages.

WHISK BROOM

This broom has a short handle and is therefore well suited for cleaning the interior of vehicles or uncarpeted stairs. Be sure to use a dust pan.

ELECTRIC BROOM Closer to being a vacuum cleaner, this broom is a bit less powerful but very useful for short jobs.

“Mops and brooms and dustpans, oh my!”

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TYPES OF MOPS

Flat Mops and Dust Mops

Similar in nature, these dry mops quickly clean up light debris and pet hair from hard surfaces floors. Sweep and shake em outside or over a garbage can. The latest version is the Swiffer Duster. Cover with disposable sheets and dust your floors in no-time.

Sponge Mops

Wet mops that absorb dirt and distribute cleaning solutions. The sweeper just wets the sponge end in water, and squeezes it dry with a metal device that is built in, applies cleaning solution to the floor and wipes it clean. Many of today’s solutions do not require rinsing. Sponge mops are most often used on kitchen, bathroom and hallway floors. A contemporary version of the traditional sponge mop, is the Swiffer Wetjet.

String Mops

cleaning, mops, brooms, vacuums, organizing

String or rag mops are often depicted in old-time movies
where the janitor is cleaning a linoleum floor in an office building or a navy seaman is cleaning the ship. Bucket at his side, he “swabs the deck” with steady, large back and forth motions. String mops do the job but can get yucky pretty fast and it takes lots of elbow-grease to use them.

Steam Mops

A home executive’s dream come true! Black and Decker has a Steam Mop with smart technology that is oh so neat. No cleaning solutions necessary—just use tap water! Gotta check this video out.

Vacuum Cleaner
More and more we are using vacuum cleaners as brooms. They are lightweight, easy to clean and made for hardwood and tile floors as well as carpet and upholstery. By far, the best vacuum I’ve ever owned is the Shark.

What are your favorite “tools of the trade”? How do you store them? What do you like, or not like, about the ones that you use?

I think we can all agree that, after the floor is clean and shiny, we stand back, admire our work saying “Yes! Now that’s much better! Gee, I’m really gonna miss this when I hire a maid!” 🙂

Note: this author is an Amazon affiliate. Anything you purchase from Amazon through Ducks ‘n a Row may result in a small commission for me. In advance, “thank you!” … Sinea

The Art of Using a Mop!

The Bucket

The Mop

The Technique

Mops, Brooms, Dustpans…Oh My!