What should I use to mop my tile floors?

Question

I currently use a string mop, with a mix of water and one of those scented floor liquid solutions. However, I have two dogs that often have "accidents" around the house, and I find that what I'm doing isn't helping too much. My entire house has tile floors. The floor tends to reek about 5 minutes after I've mopped it, and the smell fades after about an hour.

I've heard that the Swiffer WetJet is more for people who mop only a few tile rooms. How would it do in many, big tile rooms? If not, is there a better solution I can use that will really fight the odor my pups leave behind and get the tiles to really shine?

Answer 1

Steam mop would be fine. You can clean with 1 part vinegar to 4 part water then after its clean , seal the grout. Do not use vinegar and water solution very often. Vinegar is acidic and if used to often, will eventually break down your grout.

If your grout is soaking up urine, sounds like you need to seal worse than anything. But clean first.

Answer 2

i use clorox and water to get it really clean.

lhave you sealed or resealed your grout?

try that and finazzle grout cleaner is great for getting grout stains out!

Answer 3

I bought a Bissell Flip Ease and I really like it. It's cordless and vacuums my entire 1300 sq ft. of tile downstairs without loosing power and then you flip it over and it mops. The only thing though is that I recommend you put on a clean pad before you mop because it gets dirty when you vacuum. Another good thing is that the pads are thick and washable instead of having to buy the disposable ones like you have to with the Swiffer products. Also the Swiffer Wet Jet doesn't vacuum. I hated having to buy those pads for the Swiffer. I also recommend Natures Miracle for pet urine. It works extremely well.

http://www.bissell.com/Products/c/Bare+F...

Answer 4

I use a Hoover Floor mate. It has a vacuum built in and sucks up the cleaning solution and dries your floors all at the same time. I have all wood floors so it  was worth the expense for me and it cleans up everything else,too  

Answer 5

Part of the problem is probably the string mop - they can hang on to odors. If it were me I'd scrub the floors by hand with a washcloth, using an antibacterial all-purpose cleaner like Mr. Clean. That way you can wash the cloth rather than keep using the same dirty mop.

Answer 6

I would love to try the steam mop myself - looks like it works great!

I use the swiffer mop with a hand towel folded over and tucked in the tabs instead of the costly pads you buy to go with it.  I spray window cleaner on my linoleum floors liberally and then scrub with that swiffer + towel combo.  Glass cleaner does a great job and leaves the finished look very clean....good for degreasing a kitchen floor and works great on a spill.

When needing a clean surface - unfold and refold the towel to the clean side and finish the job.

It really is all that it takes and no bulky mop to keep wetting and wringing.

Answer 7

I use pine sol or any type of muti-purpose cleaner with lemon or lavander

I also use bleach with warm water. This seems to get the most clean fast. It also seems to keep the floor cleaner for longer.

Answer 8

Use bleach all over - get rid of the mop and get a new one because they tend to keep the odor on them Then when your floors are dry Take white vinegar and water This will eliminate the smell or at least keep it neutralized until the pups do it again. They tend to go to the same spot so the vinegar solves the problem. Its the scent they come back to - bleach first then vinegar with water and it should really solve your issue

Answer 9

2 words

pin-sol

Answer 10

White Vinegar and warm water should clean and neutralize odors.  Use 1/2 cup vinegar to 1/2 gallon of warm water and scrub.  A tile floor should not retain odors once it is scrubbed, have you sealed the grout between the tiles lately?  That could be where the odors are lingering.