There’s so much conflicting information out there that it’s hard to decipher what’s fact and what’s fiction. Cleaning is hard enough at the best of times, without falling foul of incorrect facts – That’s why we at Vileda HQ have debunked a few common cleaning myths, to make your cleaning as quick and easy as can be!
MOPPING MYTHS
Mopping is a task most people enjoy doing due to the rewarding feeling once done. Perhaps because we all like doing it, we are stuck in a mopping routine of what we think works well, rather than what will actually achieve the best clean.
Let’s see some of the most common mopping myths:
MYTH: YOU HAVE TO MOP YOUR FLOORS WITH BOILING WATER
Many people think you need to mop with boiling water to thoroughly clean your floors. This, however, is a myth – rather than always giving you a better clean, the temperature of the water can actually have a negative effect.
Any grease or oils that may be on your floor can react with boiling water, softening and spreading while you’re mopping, meaning you’re actually spreading the mess around rather than cleaning it up.
This is one of the reasons why most cleaning agents recommend using warm water rather than boiling. Remember to always use a mop with microfibre for cleaning up greasy mess, as it is designed for it and it can remove 99% of bacteria* with just water.
MYTH – THE BEST WAY TO CLEAN YOUR FLOORS IS PULLING AND PUSHING YOUR MOP BACK AND FORWARDS
Although you may think this is correct, it’s actually not always the most effective way to clean your floors. Only mopping in a backwards and forwards motion means you’re just dispersing the dirt and debris around your floor rather than pulling it up.
This is why so many cleaning gurus swear by the ‘Figure of 8’ technique when mopping the floors, which is especially effective when you are using a traditional cloth mop like the Vileda SuperMocio 3-Action mop, or the Vileda ProMist Max Spray Mop. Mopping in an ‘8’ shape whilst pulling the mops towards you means you’re collecting the dirt rather than dispersing it, so you’re using your mop most effectively to get the best clean.
MYTH – MOP HEADS DON’T NEED TO BE CLEANED REGULARLY, AS THE MOP WATER CLEANS IT FOR ME!
Wrong, wrong, wrong! Your mop head is the single most important piece of your mop to ensure an effective clean – and if this isn’t clean before you start, you will effectively just be spreading more dirt around your home every time you mop.
It’s advisable to wash your mop head after use to maintain its cleanliness – you should always check the packaging to find out the best way to clean your mop, as some (like the Vileda Mop Range) have a detachable head that you can put in the washing machine. Remember – don’t use fabric softener as this affects the performance of the microfibres on the mop head. After a while though, your mop refill will need replacing. So to ensure your mop stays hygienic at all times and maintains its performance, we recommended to replace your refill once every season and always have a backup on hand.
Another top tip – make sure your mop head is completely dry before putting it away, so why not pop your mop head outside on a clear day to let it air-dry?
MYTH – MY CARPET LOOKS CLEAN, SO IT MUST BE CLEAN, RIGHT?
A cardinal rule of cleaning is just because something looks okay doesn’t mean it is okay. There’s a huge difference between ‘not dirty’ and ‘clean’ – so don’t judge on looks alone, as looks can be deceiving!
One of the best examples of this is your carpet. Sure, it might look okay on the surface, but if you’ve not vacuumed in more than a few days, the chances are it’s in need of a good clean. A good housekeeping tip is to vacuum at least once a week.
MODERN MISCONCEPTIONS
It’s not just mopping myths that can trip you up. There’s plenty of common household tips and tricks that can easily be debunked, so don’t get caught out.
* Removes over 99% of E. coli and Staph. aureus from pre-finished hardwood flooring and ceramic tile using tap water, as tested at an independent accredited lab.
