Mopping the floor does wonders for the look of your room. Therefore, you should primarily focus on the question of how to wipe a floor without streaks so that no stains are discovered later.
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The following methods and home remedies are the key to successfully cleaning floors, whether it is a floor in a high-traffic area such as the kitchen or foyer. In this article, discover how you can get your laminate, tile, natural stone and linoleum floors clean again.
Wipe the floor without leaving streaks – helpful tips
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The first step to streak-free cleaning is finding the right mop and bucket for the floor type. A string mop is best for tile floors that have a lot of texture. However, sponge mops are ideal for floors with a smooth surface, such as laminate. You should also choose a floor-specific cleaning product, with the packaging indicating which floor you can clean with it. Homemade, natural cleaning products are a good alternative.
Even if you have found the ideal mop, you still need to do further preparatory work. To have an ideal surface for mopping, pick up the dirt on the surface with a vacuum cleaner.
Clean laminate flooring with homemade cleaning products
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For a streak-free shine on laminate floors, choose a cleaner that evaporates quickly and leaves minimal residue. The best solutions are those that do not contain harsh chemicals.
White vinegar cleaning solution
Make a mixture of white vinegar and distilled water (in a 1:1 ratio) to clean your floor. A few drops of lemon oil or another citrus essential oil can also be used to slightly enhance the aroma. The essential oil not only has a pleasant scent, but is also very helpful in eliminating dirt and unpleasant odors. The antibacterial properties make it an effective way to maintain hygiene on laminate floors.
This solution can be stored in the refrigerator for weeks without worrying about it losing its cleaning power. Although distilled white vinegar is the most effective disinfectant, apple cider vinegar can also be used.
An effective tea-based cleanser can be made by using a tea bag and 250ml of hot, boiled water: Allow the tea bag to soak for a few minutes. Pour the cooled tea mixture into a spray bottle. Before use, shake the mixture well and as it does not have a long shelf life, throw away any excess.
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You won’t believe this, but baby shampoo is actually very mild and is safe to use on laminate floors and most other floor coverings. Simply fill a spray container with distilled water that is at room temperature. To create bubbles, add a spoonful of baby shampoo and shake well. Mist the soil gently.
While it may be more convenient to use tap water, it could dull the surface of your floor or damage it with debris. Instead, use distilled water at room temperature.
Dishwashing liquid with white vinegar
Mix 500 ml water, 1/2 teaspoon dishwashing liquid and 150 ml white vinegar in a bucket. If your floors are really dirty, you can add more dish soap – 1 tablespoon. For an extra dose of cleanliness and freshness, you can use five or ten drops of essential oil.
Wipe tile floors properly
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Tile floors can be easily cleaned with a steam cleaner or steam mop
You can get the tiles clean with the steam mop. There are many methods for cleaning tile floors, but the steam cleaner is the most effective. Since only water is used, cleaning with a steam mop is an environmentally friendly and safe option. When used correctly, steam mops can also disinfect your floors. The best part is that cleaning tile floors with a steam mop is much less hassle than with a regular mop and bucket.
How to Use Vinegar to Clean Tiles
When it comes to cleaning tile floors, this is perhaps the easiest and cheapest alternative. Never use vinegar on natural stone tiles such as marble, travertine, etc.! Mix 200ml of white vinegar with warm water in a large bucket. Optionally, you can add a few drops of an essential oil to mask the vinegar aroma.
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What about non-chemical methods for cleaning grout?
Remember that good grout care is an important part of maintaining the beauty of your tile floor. Failing to properly seal your grout lines can cause them to become discolored or appear unclean. A quick and easy natural method for cleaning grout is this: baking soda and hydrogen peroxide should be mixed in a 2:1 ratio. After generously applying the paste to the grout and allowing it to absorb, scrub the grout lines with a toothbrush or scrubber. Use clean water to rinse thoroughly.
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Clean linoleum floors
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Linoleum is a different material with different cleaning requirements than vinyl, although the two materials are often confused. After vacuuming or sweeping, rinse the linoleum tiles with water and a linoleum floor cleaning solution or a vinegar cleaning solution. After rinsing, allow the floor to dry. Applying a coat of floor wax and buffing to a shine every three to six months can protect your linoleum floor.
How to properly clean a vinyl floor
Vinyl flooring is a good choice for anyone who wants to be less hands-on when it comes to cleaning. You can clean your vinyl floor regularly with a vacuum cleaner. Another way to get rid of dust and dirt is to sweep. However, if your vinyl floor is more dirty and requires a more thorough cleaning, you can use a damp mop along with a neutral cleaning agent – such as dish soap – to get the job done.
Clean natural stone floors
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Even small amounts of vinegar, along with bleach and ammonia, can damage stone floors. For mopping sealed stone floors, a pH-neutral, non-caustic cleaner is preferable as it is suitable for natural surfaces and does not react negatively with minerals.
To clean unsealed stone tiles, all you need is hot water and a microfiber mop. For very stubborn stains you can use a steam cleaner.
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