6 Mopping Mistakes That Are Harming Your Floors

Mopping can seem deceptively simple. However, there are many common mistakes that can make the job harder than it has to be. Applying the wrong cleaner, forgetting to sweep, or using a dirty mophead can actually harm your floors. Abrasive cleaners could damage wood grain, and waxy cleaners could make stone sticky and dull. To make sure your floors stay in good condition and get a thorough clean, here are six common mopping mistakes experts say to avoid.

Not vacuuming or sweeping before mopping

Mopping shouldn’t be the only way you clean your floors. When you vacuum and sweep in tandem with mopping, your floors will thank you. Brian and Jen Boyle, Thumbtack pros and owners of MaidThis Cleaning in Utah, say it’s best to vacuum or sweep before mopping. Otherwise, hair and lint can get stuck to the floor surface. So, it’s best to clear the area of loose debris before wet mopping.

Using the wrong cleaning product

There are so many different types of floor cleaning products that it can be easy to use the wrong solution by accident. Hardwood floors don’t use the same cleaning solution as ceramic tiles, for example. Stone flooring is particularly damaged by alkaline and acidic cleaners, even DIY ones made of lemon juice or vinegar. Oil and ammonia-based cleaners can damage or discolor tile flooring.

Always read and follow the label instructions to make sure you use the best cleaning product for your floor type. It’s also helpful to choose pH-neutral cleaners that will work on most floors (including hardwood and laminate). When in doubt, go with warm water and a mild cleaning agent, with lots of ventilation for a fast dry. Avoid harsh chemicals unless otherwise instructed.

Using the same bucket for too long

The mop bucket itself isn’t the problem—it’s how long you use the same water and cleaning solution. Whether your cleaning agent is a commercial product or a homemade solution, experts say it needs to be replaced more often than you might think. “Every time you dip your mop head into the cleaning solution, some of the dirt you have already picked up goes into the solution, which can then get mopped back onto the floor as you continue to dip your mop in the solution while working your way across the room,” Mary Gagliardi, Clorox’s in-house scientist and cleaning expert, says.

“A good rule of thumb is if you are starting to see streaks on the floor or if the water in your bucket is so dark you can’t see through it, change the water,” Jen Boyle says. Alternatively, rinse the mop head with clean water before double dipping it back into the solution—this is easier to do with buckets that have two liquid compartments.

Waiting too long to clean stains or odors

When it comes to spills or pet stains, another common mopping mistake is not cleaning the mess immediately. “Waiting too long to clean an accident allows the urine, or other substances, to dry or set and this makes it harder to remove lingering odors,” Maria Mooney, a non-toxic cleaning expert and marketing director at Truly Free Home, says. “It’s best to take immediate action, before mopping, and use an appropriate odor eliminator.” A store-bought cleaning solution or DIY vinegar solution can be effective in mopping away stains and unpleasant smells.

Forgetting to rinse the floor after cleaning

If you think missing the first cleaning step (sweeping or vacuuming) is common, this one is an even bigger culprit. Many people forget to do a final rinse of the floors. “Rinsing helps remove cleaning solution as well as residual soil,” Gagliardi says. For floors that are especially dirty and require a lot of cleaning solution to shine, a quick and final rinse is key to removing any left-over grime, as well as any sticky or slippery film left behind by the cleaner itself.

Not washing the mop head

After cleaning the floors, don’t put away the mop without cleaning it. “If you don’t adequately clean the mop head, the next time you mop, you’ll start off by transferring dirt and bacteria into the cleaning solution before the mop head even hits the floor,” Gagliardi says. This is also helpful if your home has different flooring types and you want to avoid mixing up cleaning products as you tackle the whole house.

Remove and clean the mop head, or hose down those that aren’t removable. For removable mop heads (including cotton, polyester, or microfiber mop heads), machine wash them in hot water with detergent. “Mop heads that are not removable or can’t be laundered should be cleaned with a little laundry detergent before soaking for 6 minutes in a bleach and water solution made with 1 cup bleach added to 3 gallons of water,” she adds. Rinse thoroughly, with several changes of clean water, before allowing the mop head to air dry. The Boyles say this reduces mold, mildew, and other bacteria that would otherwise grow in a dirty, wet mop head. Also, cleaning the mop head and letting it air dry outside means it won’t transfer stains or smells after being stored in a poorly ventilated utility cabinet.