Easy ways for the busy person to mop uncarpeted floors (hardwood, tile, etc)

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Somehow, it seems like a lot of effort to get the mop and bucket out to clean hardwood, kitchen, bathroom or other uncarpeted floors. After the hard work of cleaning, then there is the chore of cleaning up the mop and bucket. Fortunately, there are some quick, easy ways to clean your non-carpeted areas which work for those with a busy lifestyle (and these days that’s most of us!)

The tips in this article are especially helpful for parents or pet owners who would otherwise have to keep the kids or pets from knocking the bucket over as they run around. Also, you’ll find these methods interruptible, so if something comes up while you’re cleaning, you can easily leave equipment out for later.

Low-tech, low-cost: The O-Cedar Microfiber Spray Mop

The O-Cedar Microfiber Spray Mop is hand-powered and stores the solution in a small tank on the handle. It doesn’t require any batteries or electricity. You pull a trigger at the top of the handle and and the mop head sprays a fine mist of cleaning solution directly onto the floor which then gets soaked up by the microfiber pad at the bottom of the mop. The pad can then be washed in the washing machine.

This O-Cedar mop is eco-friendly, due to it being hand-powered and not requiring specialized cleaning solutions (you can even use just water if you’re allergic to cleaning products), and it doesn’t require any disposable parts.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Doesn’t require electricity or batteries
• Use whatever cleaning solution you like
• Set up and cleanup is fast and easy
• Good swivel on the mop head, can get into tight spaces and under overhangs

Cons

• After using, have to put a filthy microfiber pad into the washing machine
• Like most mops, won’t pick up large particulates, e.g. bits of cereal

Medium-tech, medium-cost: The Swiffer Sweeper-Vac

Although the Swiffer Sweeper-Vac won't do any wet mopping, it’s perfect for picking up particulates like large crumbs, bits of cereal, pet hair, etc. It’s a light sweeper which can vacuum, and it runs on a rechargeable battery. It is especially designed for hardwood or kitchen floors, and is not for carpeted areas. in addition to vacuuming, it uses disposable Swiffer sheets, so it also traps some dirt at the same time.

It works for the busy person because you can store it anywhere nearby more easily than a vacuum cleaner (e.g. in that annoying space between the washing machine and the wall!), and you can get it out and use it more quickly and easily than a regular vacuum cleaner.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Good swivel on the head, can get into tight spaces and under overhangs
• Much lighter & easy to carry than a standard vacuum cleaner
• No cords to get in the way
• Set up and cleanup is fast and easy

Cons

• Requires disposable Swiffer pads and (much less frequently) disposable Swiffer vacuum-filters – these costs will add up over time
• There is very little warning as to when the charge is running low
• Takes overnight to recharge the battery

The kit in the pic above contains everything you need – sweeper-vac and all.

High-tech, high-cost: The iRobot Braava

The Braava by iRobot is a sweeping and floor-mopping robot. You attach a cloth to its base, set it down on your non-carpeted area, and press "Mop" or "Sweep". It does all the rest. It'll move in straight lines to ensure everything gets done.

This works especially well for the busy person because it doesn’t need you to even be there while it mops. You can set it going and then do an errand, or relax, or do other tasks.

Pros

• Will do the entire job for you – doesn’t require you to be present while it mops
• Has a low profile so it can get under typical kitchen countertop overhangs
• It works with a navigation cube to keep track of where it's been and where it has yet to go
• Recharging is fairly quick: about 2 - 3 hours.
• Operates very quietly

Cons

• It won't transition to another room if there is a floor strip in the way.

The bottom line for cleaning uncarpeted floors

All of these methods of floor cleaning are fast, easy to set up and (most importantly) are less arduous than a mop and bucket (or regular vacuum). On the other hand, they won’t necessarily get your floor any cleaner than you would with a mop and bucket. Ultimately though, if you’re more likely to actually use one of these methods because it fits with a busy lifestyle, then your kitchen floors will actually get cleaned a whole lot more often!

Easy faster cleaning = more time for relaxation.

And best of all, these methods are still cheaper than hiring a cleaning crew to do it for you!