A Proper Mopper Knows How to Shine

Some simple steps can lengthen the life and save the shine of resilient flooring, such as sheet vinyl flooring or vinyl-asphalt or all-vinyl tiles.

Know what type of floor you’re maintaining before buying cleaning and waxing products for it. If you can’t determine it at a glance, ask your home’s previous owner or a flooring expert. Keep the maintenance pamphlet for a new floor covering in a special file. Or write the instructions on an index card and tape it inside the door of your cleaning-supplies cabinet.

Mopping

Dust-mopping or vacuuming floors daily gets rid of the fine grit that grinds the shine off both waxed and no-wax floor covering.

Dust mops are especially suited to the smooth, glassy finishes of no-wax floors. For any floors, wool or synthetic mop heads are best; their static cling attracts dust. To make the work go faster, buy a commercial 18-inch dust mop at a janitorial supply store.

Just lifting the dust mop head from the floor scatters dust. Plot a course that lets you wipe the mop across the entire area, pulling dust along as you go. Then shake the mop into a paper bag.

Don’t use an oil-treated mop. It can turn a waxed surface gummy.

Wash a soiled mop head by hand in mild detergent, or tie it in a net bag and put it in the washing machine. When dry, store the mop with the head up.

Damp-Mopping

In addition to daily dust-mopping, most resilient floors can be kept clean by periodic damp-mopping with clear, lukewarm water. First, sweep or vacuum to remove loose debris. Dip your mop into the water, wring out the excess and wipe sections of the floor about three-foot square. More floors are washed away than worn away, so wring out your mop until it’s almost dry. Don’t mop too often (once a week is good), and dry each section promptly. Water may eventually make resilient floors brittle. Excess water will penetrate the seams of sheet flooring or tiles and may dissolve protective coatings.

To clean more thoroughly, mop with water and a cleaning solution designed for your floor. Be sure to read the label when choosing a product. Abrasives or alkaline cleaners can damage all-vinyl, vinyl-asphalt and other resilient floors.

Keep one mop just for rinsing; it’s almost impossible to get all cleaning solution out of a mop. Also, use a second bucket filled with clear water. Wet a section of the floor with the cleaning solution, let it stand, then mop to remove dirt. Rinse with clear water, then damp-mop dry.

Waxing

If you have a no-wax floor, applying a special vinyl dressing, available from flooring dealers, will make it look better.

Most other resilient floors can benefit from the protection of wax. A waxed floor is easier to clean with occasional damp-mopping than one that’s unwaxed. But remember: Too little wax is better than too much.

Use water-base waxes and finishes on any resilient flooring that requires waxing. Don’t use a solvent-base wax.

Dampen the application pad or cloth with plain water before beginning to spread wax. This prevents excessive absorption of wax into the applicator, aids in spreading wax evenly and makes application easier.

Avoid wax buildup on floor edges, under furniture and other light-traffic areas by only applying wax every other waxing session.

When a floor starts looking shabby--usually after six to eight coats of wax (or about once a year)--it’s time to remove the old wax.

Use detergent or wax remover to strip wax. Or remove old polish with a solution of one cup ammonia to one gallon water.