There is nothing like the feeling of a completely clean home. However, to experience this there are some things you will have to do first such as dusting, scrubbing, vacuuming and yes, mopping! Mopping is a really important step in cleaning a home. And, if you want to get sparkling clean floors, you will have to do it right! Here is what you need to know to mop your floors like a pro.

1. Get the right tools

To be able to clean your floors effectively, you will need a quality mop and a bucket. If you don’t already have these gadgets, you can easily find mops and buckets available in a range of styles online and offline. There are two types of mops you can use: a rag style head, which is great for cleaning baseboards and all tile floors, and a flat micro fiber mop, which is ideal for hardwood floors. Choose a bucket that can accommodate the size of your mops.

2. Mopping Baseboards

Always start with the baseboards. To clean them you will need to use the rug mop. Fill up the bucket with warm water enough to cover the head of the mop. Squeeze out the excess of water to actually clean the baseboards, the mop should be wet enough, but not soaking wet. Clean all the baseboards in your home at once. Keep in mind that no matter how clean your floors are, if the baseboards are still dirty, then your house will look dirty too.

3. Mopping Tile Floors

Use the rug mop to wash all your tile floors. Again, fill the bucket with warm water enough to cover the mop head and get it wet enough to do the job. If your tile floors are really dirty, you can use a cleaning solution to help clean it or add a bit of dish detergent to the water. Change the water and clean it again. Be sure to clean around the table and chair legs as well as under the furniture.

4. Mopping Hardwood Floors

When mopping hardwood floors, use an oil based product mixed with warm water (follow the manufacture’s instructions). Get the head of the flat micro fiber mop wet and squeeze it to get the excess water out. Again, it should be slightly wet and not soaking wet.

5. General Moping Tips

• Mop your way out of a room. This will reduce the chance of streaks forming.
• Wait until all the floors are completely dry and then put back your mats, chairs, etc.
• Remove the mop head, wash it, and hang it to dry.

As mentioned above, there is a variety of mops and buckets available on the market. It does not mean you will have multiple options to choose from only, but a wide variety of price ranges as well.