How to mop like a professional

When it comes to mopping it’s a chore most of us would rather avoid, especially if you’re prone to backache. But mopping is an essential task to keep your home clean. Follow our guide below on how to mop like a professional. 

Preparation for Effective Mopping  

The key to mopping like a professional is preparation and technique. There’s no point in starting your mopping in a dirty room that needs tidying and dusting, preparing the space will create a clean slate for your mopping. Employing the right techniques for the surface you’re cleaning, whether it’s stone, marble or polished wood, will ensure you’re left with a clean shining surface.  

Pick up and Prepare the Surface  

Do a quick walk through the room or rooms that you are going to vacuum and remove anything on the floor that is in the way. Take this opportunity to pick up and put away clutter that has made its way into the space and pick up larger pieces of rubbish or debris that could scratch the floor when vacuumed.  

Tidy your Ornaments and Decor 

There is not a lot of point in having a beautiful clean floor if the rest of the room is messy. If you have the time, it’s a good idea to wipe down and dust all surfaces at this point, if you dust later, you risk getting your floor dirty again.  

Vacuum or Sweep  

Adding water to a dirty floor won’t make it any cleaner but it will create big mud puddles. Avoid the heartbreak of indoor mud pools by vacuuming or sweeping the floor prior to mopping. If you find a vacuum works best start with that, make sure to get into every corner and ensure there is no debris left behind.  

Mopping Solutions for Different Surface Types  

Different surfaces require different kinds of cleaning solutions. For example, marble requires a specialised marble cleaner. Certain types of stone tiles require specialised cleaners. One solution that is generally safe for most surfaces is a mixture of soapy water made with warm water and a few drops of a PH neutral cleanser like morning fresh detergent.  

Professional Mopping Tips  

Ensure the type of mop you’re using is safe for the surface you’re cleaning. For example, you can’t use a steam mop on a polished wooden floor, it can damage the wood. We recommend a microfibre spin mop. Make sure that the mop isn’t too wet, so many issues arise when a mop is too wet. It can cause swelling of wooden floorboards, water marks on stone or even lifting of vinyl flooring. Start off on the right foot with a slightly damp mop.  

The Figure 8 Method  

Start in one corner of the room and move towards the exit moving the mop in a figure 8 pattern. The figure 8 method is a way of maneuvering the mop that ensures you don’t leave water streaks, and you get the entire area and don’t miss any spots.  

Final Tips  

– Don’t overuse the products in your cleaning solution, too much product can cause a streaky finish.  

– Keep your bucket behind you as you mop to avoid having to walk over the clean floor. 

– Work your way backwards out of the room and you won’t need to walk over your clean floor.  

– Make sure your mop is damp but not wet. 

– Change out the water regularly.  

– Air dry the floor by opening windows and doors and turning on fans.    

– Add fresh fragrance to the room by adding a drop or two of essential oil of your choice to the mop water solution. 

– Engaging a regular cleaning service will take the pressure off maintaining the house.

How to Video 

Do you prefer to watch someone do it? You can learn more about our cleaning services here. 

Believe it or not, there is a right and wrong way to mop the floors. Check out this video of Christine who shows you how to mop like a professional every time.