Cleaning a regular home’s floor is daunting enough, so what more of museum cleaning. Historic houses have some of the most exceptional floorings out there. Mopping 75-year-old hardwood floorings can be quite scary since you don’t want to ruin its historical value. No matter how extremely resilient these historic house floors are, they are still prone to stains, damage, and other issues.
Everyone loves a clean floor, but not everyone loves the idea of mopping. One of the things that make an old or historic house special is its flooring. Here’s how to give them the right kind of tender loving care that they deserve.
You don’t have to worry though, these days you can rejuvenate floorings of any age with the use of the best mops available in the market today.
Different Mop Types Perfect For Old Houses
- Wet Mop
- Cut-end. This is the basic type and the cheapest. They’re considered most of the time as disposable because they can be washed have an inexpensive price tag. They’re also quite absorbent but can only cover small areas at a time.
- Looped-end. These offer more surface area compared to cut-end which allows for faster cleaning. They are long-lasting and reasonably priced, thus making them a popular choice among homeowners
- Microfibre. This type is great at gathering and trapping dirt and the most sanitary among wet mops.
- Spin Mop
- Ease of use. This is an essential factor you need to consider, especially if you’ve never used a spin mop before. It should come with definite instructions on how to use it, and it should also be easy to wring out and push around. Its brush head should freely rotate and has an ergonomic handle that’s long enough for you to use it comfortably.
- Mop head. Most spin mops come with more than one mop head that’s usually made of microfiber. It should be machine-washable so that you don’t have to purchase a replacement head frequently. Look into its size as well. A larger mop head can clean more surface at once, but it’ll be harder for it to reach tighter areas.
- Mop bucket. You should take into consideration the bucket’s weight when filled with water. It’ll be easier for you to maneuver it around if it comes with wheels.
- Spin mechanism. Spin mops will spin by either pressing a foot pedal or a button on its handle. Most users find it inconvenient to use a spin mop with a foot pedal. But this will still depend on your preference and which one you’ll feel more comfortable with.
- Durability. Check the materials used on both the bucket and mop. Stainless-steel and aluminum components are more durable than plastic.
- Steam Mop
Wet mops are usually long-handled and absorbent designed to clean floors using water. When on the market for one, it is essential to consider its size, construction, application process, and content. Its size should be suitable for your physical strength and size and the wringer you will use for it as well.
The head of wet mops come in the following types:
Best wet mop: O-Cedar Microfiber Cloth Mop. The O-Cedar Microfiber Cloth Mop is budget-friendly, versatile, and highly absorbent compared to its competitors. Its mop head is tangle-resistant and washable, while its handle is telescoping.
The spin mop is the modern version of the traditional bucket and mop. It makes cleaning your floors and even windows easier and effortless. It can help you accomplish household chores quickly and more efficiently. This powerful rotating mop offers a deeper floor cleaning compared to traditional mops. Furthermore, you will only use as much as water as needed, so you’ll have less drying time.
Consider the following features when shopping around for a spin mop:
Best spin mop: O-Cedar EasyWring Microfiber Spin Mop and Bucket Floor Cleaning System: You can use the O-Cedar EasyWring for both wet and dry mopping. It comes with a bucket that features a hands-free, built-in wringer that’s easy to use, and a mop head that can be cleaned in the washer. It is also safe for use on any kind of hard floor including wood.
Steam mops are specially designed to clean hardwood floors and tiles. They’re friendly to both your pocket and the environment. They’re low cost since you only need water for cleaning your floors. Steam mops can also reduce your cleaning time and workload. The best thing about this cleaning tool is that it can get rid of germs and bacteria that we normally don’t see which can cause various allergies and illnesses.
When using a steam mop on the hardwood floors of your old house, check to make sure that they are sealed to prevent damaging the floorboards. You also need to a little sweeping first to get rid of loose dirt.
Read the machine’s instruction carefully. When you’re cleaning, change its mop head cover as often as required. Consider purchasing an extra pair if yours only come with one. A typical 4-bedroom home needs at least two to three covers.
Best Steam Mop: Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop 1940. The PowerFresh 1940 makes cleaning even easier than any other steam mops in the market. It’s easy to maneuver, lightweight, and its operation is not complicated at all. It comes with a highly flexible cleaning head, an easy-to-refill removable water tank, a scrubber at the back of the mop, and can reach things easily.
Choosing The Right Cleaning Products
The biggest misconception when it comes to cleaning old floors is that the more soap you use, the cleaner your floors will be. But in reality, using plenty of suds can leave your floorings with sticky residue behind, which will result in trapping even more dirt and grime.
Here are the best cleaners for different floor types:
- Hardwood. Check if its finish is wax or polyurethane. Use water mixed with a pH-neutral or mild soap for those sealed with a polyurethane. Make sure not to use cleaning products with acidic additives to avoid damaging the wood in the future. Waxed floors should be cleaned with a damp or almost dry mop to avoid warping.
- Laminate. Use less water so that it will not sleep underneath its planks. Spot cleaning and damp mopping is recommended but avoid using commercial cleaners that contain polish.
- Vinyl. Water mixed with apple cider is the best solution for this floor type. The vinegar’s acidity is helpful at removing dirt and will not leave a buildup behind while disinfecting it at the same time.
Linoleum. This floor type requires cleaning products that are mild since it’s not as resilient as vinyl. Combine hot water and a little drop of dish soap in a water bottle, and then spritz it section by section on the floor. Go over it using a damp mop.