Facility management companies and commercial cleaners, like All Pro Cleaning Systems have access to all kinds of high-tech tools that weren’t available in the past. But some of the other tools we use have been trusted by professionals for decades. Take the tried-and-true string mop. It is still one of the most effective tools for cleaning commercial floors.
In recent years, string mops have fallen out of favor due to the misconception that they don’t do a very good job. Here’s what you should know: very few tools can get a floor as clean as a string mop. But a mop needs to be used correctly.
Loosen First, Remove Second
The principle behind the string mop is pretty simple. First, you loosen the dirt. Afterward, you remove it. Mopping any other way means pushing dirt around but still leaving it behind. That’s when you’re left with a dirty film rather than a clean floor.
You only need three things to effectively clean a dirty floor with a string mop: a mop in good condition, a commercial mop bucket with a built-in mop ringer, and a good cleaning solution mixed with hot water. That’s it. You don’t need any fancy gadgets or miracle cleaning solutions. You do not need a major appliance plugged into the wall.
Step #1: Sweep the Floor
Any business cleaning service worth its salt will take the time to sweep floors before mopping them. Sweeping removes all the loose dirt and debris sitting on the surface. It also helps loosen dirt that isn’t terribly embedded in the floor. Getting rid of this surface dirt means the string mop doesn’t have to do so much work. Neither do you.
In the absence of a sturdy push broom, you can accomplish much the same thing with a commercial dust mop. A dust mop gathers surface dirt as you push it along the floor. Work it all into a pile and then pick it up with a dustpan.
Step #2: Soak the Floor
The next step is to choose a section of the floor and soak it. Keep each section to a manageable size; 8 x 8 feet works well. The reasoning here is that you don’t want an excessive amount of water sitting on the floor for too long. The bigger the area, the longer the water will sit there.
You soak the floor by getting the string mop wet and then running it over the designated area. The idea is to get enough water and cleaning solution on the floor to loosen embedded dirt. Let it soak for a minute or two and then proceed to the third step.
Step #3: Soak up the Dirty Water
While you are waiting for the floor to soak, rinse out your mop in the mop bucket and then put it through the ringer to remove all excess water. You should be left with a damp mop. Now, run that mop over the floor, in a back-and-forth motion, to soak up the dirty water. You’ll be soaking up the dirt as well.
You’ll probably have to rinse and ring multiple times to get all the dirty water off the floor. Afterward, rinse and ring one more time. Then run the mop across the entire area you just cleaned. That’s it. Just repeat the three steps until the entire floor is clean.
Take it from a business cleaning expert: string mops still work as well as they ever did. Do not be afraid of the string mop because you don’t know how to use it. Learn how and we guarantee you’ll be happy with the results.
