Nice People Thread Number 10 -the official residence of Nice People

lostinrates

Generali wrote: »

They're no good if you have a dog in the house. Apparently what they can do to a dog poo ain't funny.:eek:

:eek:


We do get accidents occasionally, but not where the thing would run, I want it to run across the hall, sitting room, what's not the dining room and the study mainly.

When the dogs move into the lobby and utility room (they are going to have separate bedrooms we think...posh alert?)

Then they can do the 'garden room' which runs the back of the siting room and dining room.


The concrete floor in there is so grim I wondered this morning if I should jet wash it:o

PasturesNew

I presume these concrete floors are finished by polishing, like I've seen on Grand Designs a few times .... and not just rough/not built yet concrete floors.

lostinrates

PasturesNew wrote: »

I've never done that. I would be prepared to do it for the sort of flooring that needed it (e.g. textured), but I'd be looking more at those blue strip mops and maybe a steam cleaner.

My dad had a brilliant floor cleaner once, you squirted stuff on the floor, then wiped the mop over and the whole floor just lifted the dirt.... although maybe that could be because I was the first person who ever cleaned their floor (at all) properly. But, the next time I visited it was gone and he had those standard sponge mops where you've a handle along the stick that you pull down to a 90 degree angle to squeeze the sponge together to extract the water/muck - I've never got on with those in a tiny space as you need turning space to do that properly! I think I have the name of the good mop written somewhere.... but I can remember its specific design so can google around.


Depends what you mean by scrubbed. With an actual scrubbing brush - never. Mopping, then very detailed/close attention to every inch with a mild scrubber along grooves etc - done that a couple of times, once done once it's easy to keep clean.

As a rule, I don't make a mess, so my kitchen floor's virtually spotless all the time anyway.

I have a policy of "don't drip, drop, spray or be careless in the first place" and I immediately dab/wipe at any spills, crumbs etc as it happens.


I can believe that - but having done them once that's probably all it'll need for 2-3 years and you can just Bissel it.

I'd like to be 'mopping' daily in the kitchen. Its just not happening. It makes me feel uncomfortable.


I hate those sponge ones too. I kill them. No good for me,

The main problem with concrete as a floor is that its slightly abrasive, so it grabs the mop/cloth/steam cleaner cover whatever and pulls it, so it frays, comes of/comes apart. Plus hangs on to the dirt.

Its also a bit absorbent, so you have to try and get there quite quickly. Under where we left a bin for a long time, there is a grim brown stain.



I find cleaning at this time of year quite depressing, because I like cleaning with hot water than smells of nice clean, cleaner, and open windows for fresh air. ATM its warm enough to open windows but not dry enough to get too sloshy with water in a house where you don't have sufficient heat to help dry it all out before evening.

Spring cleaning feels needed because its so mild, but its not really spring yet.

lostinrates

PasturesNew wrote: »

I presume these concrete floors are finished by polishing, like I've seen on Grand Designs a few times .... and not just rough/not built yet concrete floors.

Cross posted.


No, not yet built concrete floors! We've been delayed because of the heating saga, and I hadn't chosen flooring anyway, but then gave up looking because was all too depressing. Now a floor seems within reach by next winter, this is TOO exciting for words. (Not in the garden room though, that will stay concrete, or i might have some carpet L/o for there, but couldn't leave the carpet that was there down.

But I really want it really clean before a floor goes down. The idea of sealing in the grime makes me a little heave-y

michaels

Could you chuck down some of those cheap stick on vinyl tiles as a temporary measure untill you get a proper floor?

PasturesNew

lostinrates wrote: »

No, not yet built concrete floors! We've been delayed because of the heating saga, and I hadn't chosen flooring anyway, but then gave up looking because was all too depressing. Now a floor seems within reach by next winter, this is TOO exciting for words. (Not in the garden room though, that will stay concrete, or i might have some carpet L/o for there, but couldn't leave the carpet that was there down.

But I really want it really clean before a floor goes down. The idea of sealing in the grime makes me a little heave-y

Just an idea .... but how about using a regular long-handled, stiff broom - like you'd use outside.... as the scrubbing brush. Then it won't catch/fray and you won't have to be down at floor level.

I'd even go so far as to look for a wheeled thing to put the bowl of water onto... as you've (presumably) a largish room ... so it can be nudged along with your foot/broom. I mean the sort of small wheeled things often sold as plant stands. Think triangle or square of wood, wheel at each corner, 2" off the ground.

Sometimes found in cheap shops, but here's a garden centre one - and it could be repurposed in the garden at some future point, so you're not wasting the £7 www.crowders.co.uk/buy/plant-and-garden-care/pot-trolleys-pot-caddies/antique-round-gothic-pot-trolley-by-botanico

lostinrates

PasturesNew wrote: »

Just an idea .... but how about using a regular long-handled, stiff broom - like you'd use outside.... as the scrubbing brush. Then it won't catch/fray and you won't have to be down at floor level.

I'd even go so far as to look for a wheeled thing to put the bowl of water onto... as you've (presumably) a largish room ... so it can be nudged along with your foot/broom. I mean the sort of small wheeled things often sold as plant stands. Think triangle of wood, wheel at each corner, 2" off the ground.

That is an EXCELLENT idea. :T

lostinrates

michaels wrote: »

Could you chuck down some of those cheap stick on vinyl tiles as a temporary measure untill you get a proper floor?

Seems hardly worth it now really......


I do kind of like the way the concrete looks transient. Work in . progress.

lemonjelly

lostinrates wrote: »

Serious question,.,,


How many nice people still occasionally scrub floors, like on hands and knees? I cannot find any way to clean floors that us better.


Second part of question how many nice men (or women) have NEVER scrubbed a whole floor rather than just a spot clean?


We've been trying to use the wet floor cleaner for the concrete floors. (Because I am not meant to bend over or keep my head low for long periods of time, and we have a lot of concrete floors), The areas I have scrubbed are notably cleaner and lighter coloured that the bits than have been bissel -ed, steam cleaned or worst of all mopped.

Depends on the floor surface.
Yes I have scrubbed. I did last weekend actually - wanted to give the kitchen a proper clean, especially under fridge, freezer etc.

We do have one of those steamers, & they are pretty good imo. The versatile ones are great for tiles (floor or wall). We even clean the george foreman grill with our steamer - it does an excellent & quick job.

vivatifosi

lemonjelly wrote: »

Nnnnnnooooooo!:(
I'm confused by these almond milks & whatnot. Currently see no reason to go anywhere near them though.

Worry not jelly. Even if you become lactose intolerant, you can still get lactose free milk. It's nice. Nothing like soya milk.

lostinrates wrote: »

Almond milk is delicious, a drink in its own right, but tastes different in the UK. It has a tiny percentage of nut in it here. Sweetened and with a decent nut percentage its like drinking marzipan . (Obviously not a daily indulgence!) Also good with coffee. Likewise hazel nut milk. With tea, IMO both suck.

I've had horchata de chufa in Spain (tiger nut milk) and it is absolutely delicious. Worth checking out if there's a Spanish deli anywhere.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horchata

lostinrates wrote: »

Serious question,.,,


How many nice people still occasionally scrub floors, like on hands and knees? I cannot find any way to clean floors that us better.


Second part of question how many nice men (or women) have NEVER scrubbed a whole floor rather than just a spot clean?


We've been trying to use the wet floor cleaner for the concrete floors. (Because I am not meant to bend over or keep my head low for long periods of time, and we have a lot of concrete floors), The areas I have scrubbed are notably cleaner and lighter coloured that the bits than have been bissel -ed, steam cleaned or worst of all mopped.

Bear in mind there are no kids/animals here. I mostly steam. Scrub occasionally followed by Dr Beckmann treatment for ceramic tiles which leaves a lovely finish.