4Real Forums: How do you clean your hard floors?

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Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
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Topic: How do you clean your hard floors?

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MarilynW
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Posted: Feb 07 2008 at 7:40am \| IP Logged

I am at a loss on the best way to do this - our current policy is that daily the kids Swivel Sweepour Pergo and tile floors at the end of the day and the kitchen floor after each meal. Once a week my dh (I am too dust allergic) uses the big vac and mops/swiffers the floors. We also mop the kitchen floor at the end of each day.

I have been told that the Swivel sweeper might be increasing my allergies by blowing dust into the air - shame because it has been a quick and easy way for kids to do chores daily. Also it only lasts 5-6 months in our house with 4 kids using daily. I have been considering this Dust Magnet Mop for the kids to use daily. Does anyone use something similar - does it pick up dirt?

Also - how do you wet mop your hard floors - I use the Swiffer because it is easy - but cannot stand the smell. I tried a terry cloth mop but was not convinced. Also - not sure what cleaning stuff to use for the floors which is chemical free and smells tolerable (I am very sensitive to smell even when not expecting

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Philothea
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Posted: Feb 07 2008 at 9:35am \| IP Logged

I use an Electrolux Pronto stick vac. Even my 3yo can do it.

For wet mop we use Swiffer, or if I am feeling motivated, Method floor cleaner, which is more natural and better smelling.

Mary Chris
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Posted: Feb 07 2008 at 10:01am \| IP Logged

Whenever I see these how do you..... cleaning questions I always think to myself, not very well

I love my Dyson. I use it on all our floors. I

admit I don't mop near enough.

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KC in TX
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Posted: Feb 07 2008 at 10:25am \| IP Logged

I get down on my hands and knees with several clean terry cloth towels (you can get a big bag in the auto section of Sam's) and wash the floors. I don't use any chemicals, just water and it does a good job because I'm using good ole elbow grease. It's not fun and it's not easy but it's amazing how clean it gets the floors. I shoot for once a week but it doesn't always happen.

We sweep every night and use the we swiffer when we can--I too cannot stand the smell pregnant or not.

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DominaCaeli
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Posted: Feb 07 2008 at 12:28pm \| IP Logged

KC in TX wrote:

We sweep every night and use the wet swiffer when we can--I too cannot stand the smell pregnant or not.

I use a Swiffer too, but we don't buy the refills--we just use our own rags, wet with water (and sometimes a cleaner of choice). The Swiffer holds a regular rag very well.

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Lori B
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Posted: Feb 07 2008 at 1:57pm \| IP Logged

We vacuum our hard floors twice a week (I'm allegic to dust as well, so swiffering or sweeping are out) and mop once a week using a cover I knit for the swiffer (so that I can use Method or Mrs. Myers floor cleaner- we try to limit chemical use).

Under the kitchen table gets swept by my son when it needs it, but after dinner when I don't have to go back in the kitchen

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Philothea
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Posted: Feb 07 2008 at 2:48pm \| IP Logged

If you have a Swiffer, then you can use those microterry towels from the automotive section of Target/Walmart/Costco on the Swiffer head to mop using your regular floor cleaner.

KC in TX
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Posted: Feb 07 2008 at 2:58pm \| IP Logged

Philothea wrote:

If you have a Swiffer, then you can use those microterry towels from the automotive section of Target/Walmart/Costco on the Swiffer head to mop using your regular floor cleaner.

Along the same veins, if you don't use the swiffer, what do y'all use on your floors (cleaner wise)? Especially ceramic tile.

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MarilynW
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Posted: Feb 07 2008 at 3:05pm \| IP Logged

Great ideas! I am going to Target to check out the Method floor cleaner and the OMop. I like the idea of the Electrolux Pronto too - Philothea, does it blow dust out or is the dust contained?

Thanks!

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Nina
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Posted: Feb 07 2008 at 4:42pm \| IP Logged

We have hardwood floors and after I sweep them I wash them with hot water and vinegar.I used to do this on my knees using an old cloth diaper to wash the floor.Now I just don't have time for this,so I use a mop.

Philothea
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Posted: Feb 07 2008 at 7:03pm \| IP Logged

The Pronto has a filter, I've never noticed dust blowing out of it at all. It's bagless, you just open a hatch and dump the dirt out after you run it. I've been really happy with mine, and I am drooling over the newer Electrolux stick vac that just came out, because it is neutral color instead of red and I could actually mount it on my kitchen wall without it looking bad (I don't have a pantry, so I hide my red one in a corner and cover it up with the trash can and the cafe-curtain on the window).

hylabrook1
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Posted: Feb 07 2008 at 7:38pm \| IP Logged

I wash ceramic tiles with a weak vinegar/water solution. If there is a sticky spot on the floor, I think it comes up better with the vinegar added than it does with just plain water. For the hardwood floors I wash with a very weak solution of Mrs. Meyers All Purpose cleaner, probably about one ounce of cleaner to a half gallon of water. Don't know whether that is enough to make it any more effective than plain water, but I just love the smell of the geranium scented products -- it just makes the job more pleasant.

I think, though, that what you are supposed to use on hardwood depends on the sealant/finish on your floor, so the same advice doesn't apply to all floors.

Peace,
Nancy

Pamin OZ
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Posted: Feb 07 2008 at 10:15pm \| IP Logged

I just saw a link to this today- a crocheted cleaning mat for the swiffer.

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Kathryn UK
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Posted: Feb 08 2008 at 1:08am \| IP Logged

DominaCaeli wrote:

I use a Swiffer too, but we don't buy the refills--we just use our own rags, wet with water (and sometimes a cleaner of choice). The Swiffer holds a regular rag very well.

Duh! Buying refills has been bugging me as an unnecessary expense. It never occurred to me that you could use other cloths

. Thank you!

I think I might have a go at crocheting that cover.

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mary
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Posted: Feb 08 2008 at 1:31am \| IP Logged

i dyson my floors after every meal. love that dyson. we recently had our wooden floors resanded and the finishing guy told me to clean the floors like this: fill your sink with some hot water, add about 1/2 c of windex and soak your clean mop pads. squeeze out the pad and wash the floor (go with the grain.) do not add the dirty pad back to your clean water. he said not to use vinegar or murphy's soap on poly sealed floors.

Lori B
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Posted: Feb 08 2008 at 6:52am \| IP Logged

Here's the patternI used to knit the swiffer cover (for those who prefer knitting over cocheting).

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