Two cleaning experts have revealed the best ways to cut through the grease, grime and dirt when mopping your kitchen floors this winter
With the UK now firmly in the grip of winter, dirty wellies, muddy pet paws and messy children are likely to be trampling all sorts across your floors. But don’t worry – two cleaning experts have revealed eight things you can add to mop water to get your floors spick and span again, with one hack in particular: an easy kitchen ingredient that you can simply add to achieve maximum results.
Keeping your kids, pets, or visitors away from your lovely, clean floors, however, will still be entirely up to you.
Baking soda
The best hack for getting fresh-smelling floors is baking soda, which is extremely effective at cleaning floors and leaving behind a fresh scent because of its alkaline properties.
It also helps to rub off dried spills, scuff marks or any other visible marks on your lovely floors.
Cleaning expert Sara Aparacio explained that it only takes around “two teaspoons per gallon”.
She said: “This will create a gentle scrubbing solution that’s especially effective on sealed tile, vinyl, and linoleum floors.
“It can also help lift scuff marks, dried spills, and sticky residue without damaging the surface, perfect for deodorising pet areas, entryways, or kitchen floors that tend to trap smells.”
Essential oils
While you may think essential oils are just for a nice, relaxing bath at the end of the day, cleaning expert Kathy Cohoon is here to tell you they can be applied to mop water as well.
Not only will they leave behind a better smell after you’ve mopped, the oils are also able to give your floors a deeper clean too.
Apparently lemon oil helps ‘break down grease’, tea tree oil has ‘antibacterial and anti-fungal benefits’ and lavender adds a ‘calming scent’.
Explaining how essential oils can enhance your mopping experience, Kathy said: “Essential oils are an easy way to boost the scent of natural cleaning ingredients like baking soda without causing damage.
“When creating a cleaning solution for tile floors using ½ cup of baking soda and a bucket of warm water, essential oils can be included to give the mixture a nice scent.”
Lemon Juice
Traditional lemon juice is also a big hit for those wanting a little bit of a better clean.
By adding 1/4 cup of lemon juice to your mop water, the acid it contains helps lift grime and kill germs, especially on tile or vinyl, while also cutting through soap scum and hard water spots.
Dish Soap
If you’re a busy person who doesn’t have time to buy essential oils or even to remember to add a lemon to your weekly shopping list, don’t worry, because dish soap can work just as well.
Kathy explained that adding a ‘few drops’ of dish soap to mop water can go a ‘long way’.
She said: “It is designed to cut through grease, lift dirt, and break down sticky residues.
“It’s perfect for kitchen floors or high-traffic areas. Dish soap also has a very strong smell. Using scents like green apple or berries will fill your home with a great aroma without compromising on any cleaning.”
Kathy did advise to use dish soap sparingly – only one to two teaspoons per gallon – to avoid a build-up of suds.
Citrus Peels and Herbal Tea
If you’ve got a spare citrus peel or the last of a herbal tea you don’t want to drink, the experts say you can use those in your mop water too.
Sara said: “Use any leftover peels and boil them in water, strain, and then add the liquid to your mop bucket. The natural oils in citrus peels help cut grease and leave a fresh, fruity scent, making it a great way to reuse kitchen scraps.”
As for the tea, she says herbal tea bags such as peppermint, chamomile, or green tea are just as effective. All you need to do is steep a few bags and then add them to your bucket.
White Vinegar
White vinegar is known in cleaning circles as a powerful tool to create a shiny house and using it on the floors is no exception.
Kathy said: “The addition of white vinegar not only cleans but also freshens floors and acts as a natural cleaning agent with antibacterial properties that deodorise by easily neutralising odours.”
She recommends creating a homemade solution of one part white vinegar mixed with ten parts warm water.
Castile Soap
Castile soap, made in Castile, Spain, is traditionally created from olive oil or other plant oils such as hemp, coconut, sunflower, jojoba, walnut, and avocado.
It’s known as a gentler soap and a teaspoon mixed into the bucket of warm water can help break up tough stains.
Commercial Floor Cleaner
Commercial floor cleaner is also an easy option to add to your mop bucket.
Sara said: “These cleaners are designed to clean and deodorise in one step, with many containing surfactants that break down dirt and oils, with strong aromas and fragrances for long-lasting smells and freshness.
“Always follow the label for dilution.”
