There are many easy steps on how to clean a mop. Mops are a fantastic and straightforward means to keep floors neat. Even if you vacuum or sweep regularly, your floorings will still have excess germs and grime.
A mutual mopping concern is whether or not it is helpful and useful. Most importantly, a messy mop that has not been cleaned will move dirt and bacteria around your home and not properly clean the floors.
Immediately mold grows on the mop; it is no longer useful as cleaning equipment. However, a neat mop and acceptable mopping method will effectively discard dirt and germs from the floor.
Researches reveal that some mop heads carry more than eight million bacteria per 100 centimeters squared; that implies some floors are messier after mopping. The only means to stop this disaster is to wash your mop.
Cleaning a Wet Mop
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Once you’re done using your mop, rinse the head under hot water until the water runs clear. Then, squeeze your mop head as totally as possible and let it to dry in a well-ventilated space. Allow the mop to dry before you store it again.
You can probably let your mop dry in the sun. You can even admit it to dry outdoors if it is a hot day to hasten the method. To prevent bacteria and mildew from growing, ensure that the mophead is dry before storing it.
Store the mop properly. A cool, dry place is a perfect storage location. Try hanging it, so the mop head avoids brushing against the floor. If you’ve allowed the mop to dry thoroughly, the mop should be fine for the next use.
Cleaning Mops with Detachable Heads
Some mops have mop heads that can be removed from the pole end. These mop heads can go directly into the washing machine. You have to be careful with what you are washing the mop head with; you will like to allow the mop dirt to transfer onto your delicate underwear or favorite trousers.
If your mop is one of the sponge types, put in your sponge mop heads into the dishwasher rather than putting it in the washing machine.
Cleaning Mops with Fixed Heads
If you cannot remove your mop’s head, mix water and bleach with equal parts in a pail. Then dip your mop into the mixture and allow it to sit for fifteen minutes or more than that. After soaking it, rinse the mop until the water runs clear to ensure that all the bleach is neutralized.
Most homeowners prefer natural products like vinegar for cleaning the home. Use bleach rather than vinegar for purifying your mop.
Vinegar is not inscribed as an adequate disinfectant and cannot eradicate dangerous bacteria like the ones that cause staph infection.
Read: Are steam mops worth it?
How to Clean a Dry Mop
This method is simple. The best means to clean a dry mop is to take it out and shake it off very well.
This method wipes out loose particles and dust. If more than a fair shake is required, wash the mop with warm water and soap. Then, squeeze out excess liquid, and bring it out to dry.
How to Clean a Dust Mop
Always shake out the mop head after you use it; this will remove any loose dust. Remember to shake it out in a well-ventilated place where you do not want things to get dusty. A garage, a shed, or airy space might be reasonable for this method.
After every three or four usages, your dust mop will require to be vacuumed. After you shake out the head, use the hose of your vacuum and a dusting brush attachment to softly pick up the excess dust that has settled on your mop.
It would be best if you did the washing of the mop head in a washing machine. Dust mop heads should only be washed after they have become messy or very dusty. Wash them on a gentle cycle, making use of hot water and a soft detergent.
Then, squeeze out any excess water and hang them up on a rope or stand to dry totally before using it again.
Read: Best Dust Mop Review
How to Clean Steam Mops
Wash the pads in the washing machine after every usage. Many steam mops have removable material pads that are lenient to wash and maintain. Ensure that the mop head is cold enough to hold and extract the pad. Then, pass it on a usual cycle with every-day laundry detergent.
Read: Best Steam Mops Review
Endeavor to put your mop pad in with other loads of laundry so that you are not cleaning it by itself. This is more environmentally friendly, and also slightly harsh on your mop pad.
Clean the tank or waterhole of your steam mop by clearing it out and wiping it down with a wet dish towel or rag. Change out filthy clothes as essential to prevent re-soiling the interior of the tank.
Use a dry towel or rag to clean the entire surface of your steam mop after every use. This assists in wiping away built-up residue and wicks away any mist left behind after using the mop.
Cleaning a Mop after Being Used for Four Times
Your mop will require a thorough cleaning after used three or four times. Clean your mop head by adding a cup of white vinegar or one-third of a cup of hydrogen peroxide, or half a cup of bleach into a gallon of hot water. Let your mop head soak in the mixture for ten minutes before squeezing it out and allowing it to dry.
Do not try bleach on sponge mops or human-made mops. It will prompt the materials to devalue. Instead, use the vinegar or peroxide mixtures.
Be safe to let your mop dry in a place with adequate ventilation, and reserve it safely away from kids and pets.
How to Wash a Smelly Mop
Bleach is a powerful-smelling, corrosive cleanser that you may like to resist, if possible. If so, combine two or three cups of baking soda with half to one cup of salt in three gallons of hot water, and allow the mop soak in it for at least twelve hours. You can also purify the mop with one cup of vinegar and one gallon of water.
Read: How to deodorize a vacuum cleaner
Maintaining Your Mop
- Do not abandon a mop to soak for too long. Warmth and moisture often denote mold and bacteria.
- When drenching a mop in bleach, make sure it is unreachable to kids.
- Ensure that the mop is dry before positioning it in its storage area. Otherwise, the mop might get covered with mold.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve learnt easy steps on how to clean a mop, you should not have any challenge making your space look clean and sleek.
Only a little bit of mop care creates a big difference for your floors. Clean your mop after every usage to avoid circulating germs and dirt around your home.