Floor washing gadgets

Kazonline

One of my bad habits is to buy every 'gadget' in creation to make my hated housework 'easier'. Unfortunately there is no 'magic wand' but I was hoping that some of you might help me with advice on the best 'gadget' to clean floors (lino in kitchen)?
I bought a 'string' mop and a cheap bucket a few months ago - the wringer on the bucket cracked after a couple of uses and I've been struggling with it ever since. For 'inbetween' wipes over I have a Vileda thingy that has a bottle to hold my diluted detergent and use microfibre cloths on it - which works really well.
However I feel the floor frequently needs a 'proper' wash as well. Do you think it's worth 'investing' in something decent like a vileda bucket so I don't have to keep replacing broken cheapies? Which type of mop do you guys think best? Has anyone tried the new one from JML? I've never really tried the sponge ones that have their own wringers attatched, but as it saves on buying and storing a special bucket, any opinions on those?
All advice/recomendations etc gratefully received - unless it's to get down on my hands and knees and scrub!!!:o
Kaz
PS just in case it helps anyone else I found sweeping my floor just shoved the dirt around - now I vacum it instead Not very OS but does a much better job! (Use hose to get in gaps and awkward corners)

mamaoba

I do my kitchen once a week with a proper old fashioned string mop & bucket. If I could afford it I'd invest in a galavnised old fashioned mop bucket with a ringer as they last a life time and are really effective.

Then I just give it a daily going over with a £5 microbre mop from poundstretcher that looks something like this http://www.lakelandlimited.co.uk/product.aspx/!20086
(mine was waay cheaper than the lakeland version). It really does get the dirt up quickly. I just dampen the mop cloth and swipe over the floor with a little star drops solution sprayed on any tough food bits. It saves me having to get the mop and bucket out everyday with a toddler in tow. This means messes get mopped up as and when they happen rather than me having to wait till he goes down for his nap. The pad washes up really well either by hand with a little stardrops or by just bunging in the machine. I can also use it dry for sweeping bits up. I really recc them.

When I've a few pennies spare I intend to get one for the bathroom too as it's made what used to be a tedious job in the kitchen really easy. (I always use a seperate mop for the bathroom floor to the rest of the house).

I'm not too keen on most modern mops with the exception of the microfibre one I've just described. Most seem to be a marketing ploy to get you to buy more of their particular cleaning solution.

tootles_2

I must confess I use a vileda mop wrung out by hand, Dunk the mop in stardrops in water, put on a rubber glove, hold the floppy end of the mop in your hand and turn the top end of the mop until you have wrung the mop out almost dry and then go over the floor. It cleans the floor but leaves very little water behind so it dries quickly. I also have one of the vileda mops that takes those wipes, if I need to clear up a spill I just wring out a microfibre cloth, fit it onto the mop and give the floor a quick swipe...........then if you need to you can rinse it in water and rub over to lift off any marks that are left.

Ticklemouse

The only hard floor I have is in my kitchen and I just have one of those Vileda magic mops - it has it's own wringer. That way I don't need a bucket. I had one of those that JML and Kleenezee sell for about £10 but I found they snapped very quickly. This Vileda one seems to do the job.

However, if I had lots of hard floors and enough money, I would get one of those Vax upright hard floor cleaners - it's one of my most hated jobs, is floor washing. My Vax 6 in 1 shampooer has a hard floor atttachment and I used it last time it was downstairs - fab as it washes and drie all in one, but too heavy to keep getting in and out for my kitchen floor.

Talking of which.......

Thistle-down

I have one of those cheapy microfibre mops (again very much like the lakeland one) I got from Wilkinsons. I get it wet, then squeeze it as dry as I can. I spray a little stardrops / water mixture in a spray bottle and mop with the microfibre thing. Works really well. Microfibre thing goes in the wash.

When I want to clean the floor completely, I use the attachment on my steam cleaner - nothing gets it as clean and smooth that!!

~Lynn

susank

I do it on my hands and knees - its just a kitchen and a microfibre cloth and it makes a good job - also gets in to the corners better by hand. Sad I know but I do have a vileda mop but dont use it anymore. I also have a polti steam cleaner which I use very occassionally on it - does make a great job though

savingpennies

I use one of those cloth head mops from Asda and a galvanised mop bucket. For difficult bits on the floor I use one of those sponge scourers. Ive tried other things but have always gone back to my mop.

Busybody

Has anyone ever used one of the steam mops (electric) they are about £60 I have just seen one advertised on one of the shopping channels. I quite fancy one as you can also clean carpets and upolstery with them.
Before I take the plunge I would like to hear from anyone who has used one.

Linda32

susank wrote:

I do it on my hands and knees - its just a kitchen and a microfibre cloth and it makes a good job - also gets in to the corners better by hand.

This is what I do, sweep floor first with ASDA smart price sweeping brush. Collect stuff and fluff with dustpan and brush.

Then fill a bowl with hot water and a squit of stardrops, dunk microfibre cloth in and squeeze out and work backwards on hands and knees.

matphil

I use one of the new JML mops and would thoroughly recommend it.
I have laminate flooring all through downstairs and find the mop quick and easy to use.

mags50_2

Me and my kitchen floor?

Well...

First I give it a hoover and then get down on my hands and knees with a bucket of hot water and stardrops and my microfibre cloth, and give it a good clean!

I work from the back to the front and end up where my kettle is!

Make a nice cuppa and grab my ciggies (yes,yes I know!), empty the mucky water in the drain outside and then have a break sat on my back door-step admiring the view!

Take care all