What Causes Sticky, Streaky Floors, Even After You Have Cleaned Them?
Why do some floors show streaks and remain sticky, even after you just mopped them? Here are a few reasons why…
- Residue from Cleaning Products
You may be using too much floor cleaning solution, or the cleaning solution you’ve chosen isn’t well-suited for your floor type. Not only does using more than the recommended amount leave a residue, but it’s a waste of product.
Using an unsuitable product can also leave residue. For example, if you’ve got tiles or laminate, you wouldn’t want to use Murphy Oil Soap because it is designed for hardwood. Likewise, you wouldn’t want to use a marble and tile cleaner on hardwood floors.
- Dirty Water
You may be mopping with dirty water. When you don’t change mop water regularly throughout your mopping routine, you’re essentially spreading dirt around rather than cleaning it up.
The best way to remedy this is to change the water in your mop bucket frequently. Consider using the two-bucket method: use one bucket for clean soapy water, and a second bucket for wringing out dirty water.
Consider investing in a flat microfiber mop that uses mopping pads, which is what we do at Maid in America. If you stock up on extra mop pads there’s no need to rinse and wring out pads. Simply swap out the pads for a clean one as they become dirty. Then toss them all into the wash at the end of the day.
- Improper Drying
Be sure to allow time for the floors to dry before stepping on them as this can cause floors to look dirty. Also, the old style string mops are not recommended because they typically leave quite a bit of moisture behind, which can naturally lead to streaks after drying which is not the desired outcome. Use a clean, dry mop pad or microfiber cloth to dry the floor after mopping. This speeds up the drying process and prevents streaks.
A flat microfiber mop is not only easy to use, but because of its high absorbency, leaves very little moisture behind and air-drying is 4 times faster than if you were using a regular mop and this is much more ideal for hardwood and luxury vinyl plank floors.
- You’ve Got Hard Water
85% of the U.S. has hard water, so there’s really no escaping it. You’ve probably experienced hard water in your home, from cloudy shower glass down to the chalky rings around your kitchen sink. It’s caused by the minerals that are in hard water, and they can leave a residue on every surface touched, including your floors.
Using distilled water for mopping is an option, although it isn’t always practical. But following the other steps in this post should help in a HUGE way.
- You’re Using a Dirty Mop
A mop that’s not clean will just spread the dirt around. String mops and sponge mops are notorious for holding onto dirt and bacteria. (They can have a funky smell). So be sure you’re cleaning your mop thoroughly in between uses. It’s best to use a mop that can be put into a washing machine rather than hand washing it to ensure it’s getting a deep clean.
The great plus about microfiber mop pads is that they pick up and hold onto dirt, debris, and bacteria better than other mops on the market, and are constructed to be washed multiple times without losing their effectiveness.
And a couple more tips….
Be sure to use proper form and technique during mopping. When mopping with a flat mop, always use a figure-8 or S motion, keeping one side of the mop facing in the direction you’re mopping. This is the fastest and most efficient way to mop. Also, be sure to mop in the same direction as the wood grain.
Also consider the type of mop you’re using, as this will have a large impact on the performance and results. Cotton string and foam mops leave a lot of moisture behind and do a poor job of cleaning. Spin mops, although are typically made from microfiber, have a small head so mopping large areas is much more tedious than if you were to use a microfiber flat mop that has a larger surface area.
Follow these tips and prevent streaky, sticky floors for good.
