Blackswan
Banned
Joined: October 2008
Posts: 6,388
|
Post by Blackswan on Feb 6, 2016 21:39:13 GMT -5
Mr swan and I just got into a big argument about how to mop. He was telling me I do it wrong and trying to show me some way to do it that he insisted on and I couldn't comprehend at all what he was trying to show me cause of my learning disorder and I panicked and had to leave the room.
So my question is:
How do you mop? I thought the real dirt came up from sweeping and mopping was to just wipe up any stains and you use the mop as like a cloth and wipe up stains.
He said you are supposed to do this swivel thing with your arms and keep any dirt underneath the mop and that what I was doing was just moving dirt around.
Can anybody give clear step to step instructions like you would give a one year old or an alien? I can only understand things in words, not visually and definitely not through body language.
We did this sort of thread before where we broke down sweeping into tiny increments steps. I would appreciate the help. Thank you.
|
|
|
Post by needmorecoffee on Feb 7, 2016 8:19:23 GMT -5
What kind of mop do you have? I mop from the furthest corner left to right then back left, making sure all the floor is cleaned. Then I repeat. Left side to right side, bringing the mop back just barely overlapping where you mopped above it. You need to mop the whole floor, not just dirty spots, to get it evenly clean or you'll see where you have mopped. Your floor should already have any loose dirt removed by sweeping or vacuuming before you start to mop, so Dirt being moved around isn't too big of a deal, not sure what he was on about there?? Hope this was helpful, but I am looking forward to seeing what other people recommend
|
|
Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2016 9:27:47 GMT -5
I do it both ways. Sometimes I just clean the dirty areas and sometimes I do the whole floor. I have a Shark Steam mop and it is the best thing ever for mopping! (BTW If Mr Swan is such and expert at mopping, maybe he should do it all the time?)
|
|
|
Post by mynicehome on Feb 7, 2016 10:01:26 GMT -5
Can anybody give clear step to step instructions like you would give a one year old or an alien?
Geez, that make me laugh for some reason!
Blackswan, it sounds like you are using a regular yarn mop. Sweep the floor thoroughly. Dunk your mop into the hottest water (and cleaner) your hands can stand if wringing by hand. If you have a wringer attachment on the pail use hotter. (Now, this could depend on your floor's finish too, too hot is not good for some finishes.) Start in a corner. The swishing and swivelling is to keep whatever dirt or debris that may still be on the floor in front of the mop. Imagine that you are shooing some small mouse to its hole with your mop. Or you could even place a small toy that rolls fairly easily (but not wildly) in front of your mop and practice the swishing by keeping the toy in front. If you see enough debris in front of the mop you can then just wipe that up with paper towel or a rag. Continue in this way. I like to do another go-over with plain hot water after the first mopping to finish the job off, but that's not necessary.
I have a Hoover Floormate for larger floor surfaces and I wouldn't be without it. I sweep, then, depending on how dirty the floor is, will actually pour a bucket of hot water and cleaner over the floor, swish it around to all parts of the floor with my regular mop, let it sit steaming for a minute or two then suck it all up with the machine. This is so easy I'm sure an alien could do it. And I wish one would because I certainly don't often enough.
Been reading about your new living arrangements. Best wishes to both of you, and for a happy, healthy relationship!
|
|
Blackswan
Banned
Joined: October 2008
Posts: 6,388
|
Post by Blackswan on Feb 7, 2016 11:26:27 GMT -5
I still don't understand the swishing and swiveling. I have no concept of it. Though the mouse idea kind of helps I'm still not sure what I'm supposed to be doing. This comes from imitating people but not really understanding what is going on due to autism. Same thing with sweeping. I did what I thought I saw but didn't really GET it and was clueless.
|
|
|
Post by moggyfan on Feb 7, 2016 12:31:44 GMT -5
Youtube is a treasure trove of how-to videos. If this one doesn't float your boat, there are many others:
|
|
|
Post by magda on Feb 7, 2016 12:38:58 GMT -5
Maybe see what is available on YouTube. Or have him take over mopping if it is a big deal for him. I know some people can be very particular about chores like loading the dishwasher If you sweep and mop using clean water and rinse if your cleanser has to be rinsed, your floors should be fine even your swish is off Maybe just sweep and use a swiffer wet mop and cloth I keep in mind that fly lady says housework Done incorrectly still blesses your house and family. If you are regularly sweeping and mopping the floors, you will see a positive payoff even if your technique is not perfect !
|
|
|
Post by imamess on Feb 7, 2016 14:08:42 GMT -5
Mopping with a string mop. Sweep the floor first or vacuum. Use as hot a water (with some cleaner or white vinegar in it) as you can stand to stick your hand in (or put rubber gloves on), put the mop down in the water, bring it up, hold it over the bucket and wring it out to get as much water out of it as you can stand. Start in the far corner away from where you want to be when you finish the room. Mop in a push, pull motion, then a side to side motion. If there seems to be any loose dirt, you want to keep it between you and the mop. That is what the swirly motion is for. Keep dragging the dirt toward you as you back up. Mop a small square, dunk the mop in the hot water and repeat the above. If there are any bits of dirt on the floor, use a damp paper towel to get it up. If the mop water gets really dirty, pour it out and start again. It's also nice if you have two buckets, one with hot water & cleaner and another to rinse in. That way your mop water does not get dirty. Depending on the cleaner, you may have to mop the floor in clean clear water the second time to rinse the floor. Then don't walk on it till it dries.
|
|
|
Post by Di on Feb 7, 2016 15:18:12 GMT -5
Blackswan, I dampen an old towel with water and floor cleaner, toss it on the floor, put one bare foot on each end of the towel and "skate" around the floor, then I toss the towel into the washer with bleach. Of course I start with a fairly clean freshly swept floor. There is no one way to wash a floor, so I figure I might as well make it fun. Turn up the music and dance and you get exercise as well. If Mr. Blackswan doesn't like the way it's done, then hand him the floor cleaner, various methods of application and tell him to "have at it" PS my way doesn't involve a bucket at all, I just prepare the towel in the sink and toss. I do this a few times a week and because the floor doesn't have a chance to get filty, this is all that it needs. I can't stand a gritty floor and I refuse to wear shoes in the house so my OCDness helps keep me motivated to keep the floors clean
|
|
|
Post by eatingbonbons on Feb 7, 2016 17:33:12 GMT -5
Blackswan, I'm skipping the tutorial because you already have those, but Mr Swan's description of mopping is the approach I use. I still use a yarn mop and I rinse the mop frequently. I love clean floors!
|
|
|
Post by def6 on Feb 7, 2016 17:40:53 GMT -5
Hello Blackswan The way I do it is First I sweep and get up all the dirt. You might have to sweep twice if it is really dirty. Then I take my cotton string mop and dunk it into the water and soap and squeeze it out until it is not dripping. Then I start mopping at one side and systematically go to the other side covering all of the floor. The dirtier the floor the more you have to dunk your mop and wring out. Yes , without a doubt I am spreading some dirt around in the process but the floor does show signs of improvement with each mopping. Tada
|
|
|
Post by pugglemum on Feb 7, 2016 17:54:25 GMT -5
Hello Blackswan The way I do it is First I sweep and get up all the dirt. You might have to sweep twice if it is really dirty. Then I take my cotton string mop and dunk it into the water and soap and squeeze it out until it is not dripping. Then I start mopping at one side and systematically go to the other side covering all of the floor. The dirtier the floor the more you have to dunk your mop and wring out. Yes , without a doubt I am spreading some dirt around in the process but the floor does show signs of improvement with each mopping. Tada This is what I do too. Have never done anything different. I sweep and vacuum first to get rid of loose dirt. The mop is for a final clean and for any stains. I don't understand what Mr. Swan is talking about either.
|
|
|
Post by CourageouslyLion SeeksSerenity on Feb 7, 2016 18:25:56 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Di on Feb 7, 2016 19:08:44 GMT -5
Blackswan , Don't think of it as "mopping" or "sweeping" think of it as cleaning and washing your floor. A floor is like any other surface in your home. If you try to polish your furniture without dusting it first, you are going to make mud on your table (sticky mud when the dust mixes with the furniture polish. Remove all loose dirt. It doesn't matter how you do this, you can sweep, vacuum, get on your hands and knees and use a whisk broom, use a dry towel to push the loose dirt into a pile, whatever and however you want to do so. Remove the pile of dirt. (If you have vacuumed, empty the canister) Now, wash your floor. It's like taking care of yourself, some days a quick shower off is sufficient and other days you need to scrub the mud and sweat off your body, or wash your hair. You can use the towel method, you can walk around spraying the floor with cleaner like Mean Green to let the spots soak -- then rinse with a towel or a mop, you can scrub it with a scrub brush, or you can get on your hands and knees and use a toothbrush, or you can dip a mop in water and cleaner and shove it around using the stick handle. There are 101 ways to get a floor clean. The goal is GETTING THE FLOOR CLEAN. The 2nd goal is KEEPING THE FLOOR CLEAN. I have to sweep every other day and swipe it with a towel about every 4 days. It's no big deal -- sweeping takes about 5 minutes and kicking around a damp towel takes about 4-5 minutes. Arguing over how to clean a floor is counterproductive to cleaning a floor. You do it your way, he does it his way, the floor stays clean, and everyone is happy.
|
|
|
Post by calypso on Feb 7, 2016 19:13:24 GMT -5
My best guess is that he is talking about using a figure 8 motion with a string mop. Imagine one in front of you but not upright like an 8 but on it's "side" like the symbol for infinity. Then just follow that imaginary 8 with your mop, going back and forth in a sweeping (swivel) type motion. You would slowly walk backwards and start with the mop out in front of you as far as you can comfortably reach, gradually bringing it a bit closer to your body and taking small steps backward as you mop.
I hope this helps you at least get a clearer picture in your mind, rather than making you feel even more confused.
|
|