Professionals have revealed their secrets for a perfectly clean floor, without a mop or expensive products
Do you still believe that a perfectly clean floor requires expensive cleaning products and fashionable gadgets, Ukr.Media reports.
Professional cleaners laugh at this while you spend hours messing around with a mop that only spreads dirt.
Their secret is not a miracle technique, but ordinary items that are in every home. For example, old terry towels. Soak them in hot water with a drop of dishwashing liquid, wring them out and put them on the mop instead of the nozzle. The cloth will absorb dirt, grease and dust, instead of rubbing them on the floor. After cleaning, just throw the towels in the wash – no smelly rags and bacteria. This method is especially good for laminate and tiles, where stains are most noticeable.
And if the floor is very dirty, sprinkle it with fine salt before cleaning. It acts as a natural abrasive: the crystals “scrape away” dried dirt, and when in contact with water, they dissolve without a trace. For wooden floors, add a tablespoon of vinegar to the washing water – it will disinfect the surface and remove soap scum. But never pour vinegar on stone or marble – the acid will destroy their structure. Instead, use a weak solution of baby shampoo: it will gently clean without leaving a film.
The most unexpected life hack is cleaning the floor… with a car brush with rubber bristles. It collects animal hair, crumbs and sand in a couple of movements, especially effective on carpets and shaggy surfaces. And to remove greasy stains near the stove or dining table, mix baking soda with water to a paste. Apply to the dirt, rub with a brush and rinse. Baking soda will absorb grease and odors, and microparticles will polish the surface without scratches.
Did you know that a vacuum cleaner can replace a mop? Put a damp microfiber cloth on its tube and walk across the floor. The suction force will “glue” the cloth to the surface, collect dust and slightly moisten the floor. This is an ideal method for daily cleaning when there is no time for a full wash. And if you need to urgently freshen up the floor, add a few drops of lemon or mint essential oil to the water – the aroma will last all day.
Professionals never wash floors in bright sunlight—the water dries too quickly, leaving streaks. The best time is morning or evening, when the rays fall at an angle. And always start cleaning from the far corner of the room, moving towards the exit, so as not to step on the washed areas. For corners and baseboards, use an old toothbrush dipped in a solution of water and alcohol (1:1). It will remove dirt that the mop does not pick up and disinfect the surface.
What to do if dirt gets stuck between the parquet planks? Take a plastic card (expired or discounted), wrap it in a damp cloth and run it through the gaps. The thin edge will clean out the debris without damaging the wood. A steam generator is suitable for tiles with a relief surface: the steam jet will wash the dirt out of the recesses without chemicals. Don't have a device? Pour boiling water into a spray bottle, spray it on the floor and wipe it immediately – the effect will be similar.
The most “offensive” advice for mop manufacturers is to abandon them in favor of… wool socks. Put them on over regular ones, soak them in a cleaning solution, and walk across the floor. The socks perfectly follow the curves of the surface, collecting dust even in hard-to-reach places. And if you add a drop of furniture polish to the water, the floor will shine like after professional treatment.
Now you understand why cleaners hide these methods. They turn cleaning into a quick and cheap procedure, eliminating the need to buy “magic” devices. Your floor will be cleaner than ever, and your neighbors will start asking if you mop it by hand at night. Try it – and the usual mop will go to the pantry forever, a symbol of the past.
Джерело: Source
