The Best Way to Mop Tile & Grout Floors:

Recently I was asked by a potential client what was the best way to 'mop' her tile and grout floors. This is an excellent question and I thought I would share it with you. To start there are basically three types of mops a person could buy: 1). The good old fashioned string mop that is still used by many commercial cleaners today; 2). The sponge mop that is relatively inexpensive but does not last very long; 3). The micro fiber mop that can pick up 10 times its body weight in liquids. There are other inventions out there but for our discussion let's focus on the three we have listed.

Of the three mops listed above my least favorite is the sponge mop. This mop is inexpensive to purchase but it breaks down quickly and is a natural haven for bacteria. It leaves behind more soap residue and dirt than the other two. The good old fashioned string mop is still a great mop that can be washed in the laundry to keep it clean and remove bacteria and other potential pathogens. This mop will last a long time IF you take care of it. Finally there is the micro fiber mop. This is the new kid on the block that also can be washed in the laundry to remove dirt, grime, and of course bacteria. Micro Fiber mops are known for their ability to absorb large amounts of liquid and their 'terry towel' look allows them to pick up large amounts of dirt. What I also like about the micro fiber mop is their interchangeable heads. You simply pull the mop head off, it is stick on with velcro, and place a clean one on the handle and you are ready to go. Of the three I highly recommend the Micro Fiber Mop with at least (4) replacement heads.

Here are some pointers to cleaner tile and grout no matter what type of mop you have chosen to use: 1). Make sure to sweep or vacuum up the dry debris before applying any cleaning solutions onto the floor. You do not want your soap to be wasted on dirt that a broom or vacuum could pick up. 2). Make sure to use an alkaline cleaner such as Mr. Clean or Spic & Span to clean your tile and grout lines. Acid products like White Distilled Vinegar could permanently damage or ruin your tile and grout lines over time. You want to also make sure that your cleaning solution has a grease cutter in it. Grease is probably the number one culprit of a dirty tile and grout floor. 3). Wash in one bucket and rinse in another. If you use only one bucket for both washing and rinsing you will create a slurry and simply move the yuk around. Yes, you will pick up some but you will leave more yuk behind. 4). Make sure to use clean water at all times. If you have over 400 square feet you will want to throw out the dirty water and add clean wash water and rinse water to your buckets. 5). Change out your mop head about every 400 square feet of cleaning surface. 6). Always use HOT WATER. Clean hot water makes the chemicals work better to cut the grease. 7). Give the chemicals time. You may also want to spray down your floor and allow the chemicals about (4) minutes to reach the grease before moping. 8). Dry mop the floor. Another advantage to a micro fiber mop is that it can be used dry to pick up the remaining moisture off the floor. You will probably notice that some remaining dirt gets picked up as well.

Good luck on your next cleaning. Contact me if you need additional assistance or need the services of a professional cleaner. I can be reached at paddle@frontiernet.net.

Until Next Time,

Michael Hull