Category: Floor Cleaning

A steam mop gives you a clean floor using hot water steam. It kills 99.9% of bacteria and dirt mites, making it more suitable for allergic people than a regular mop. It is versatile, easy to use, and gives a shiny floor. Although a steam mop is an excellent choice for floor cleaning, you cannot use it on all floors. It is safe to use over marble, porcelain and ceramic tiles, concrete floors, and grout lines. In comparison, a steam mop is unsuitable for engineered hardwood floors, solid hardwood floors, vinyl and linoleum floors, painted surfaces, and laminate floors.

This guide covers the cleaning process of a steam mop, suitable surfaces for a steam mop, unsuitable surfaces for a steam mop, and precautions while using a steam mop on your flooring.

How Does a Steam Mop Work?

A steam mop works by heating the water in its reservoir up to 245 degrees Fahrenheit. Such a high temperature creates a pressure of steam, which sends it down the jet to soak up the microfiber mop pad. When it comes in contact with the floor, this heated microfiber mop pad cleans the dirt and bacteria.

Unlike traditional mops, steam mops have pressure and temperature regulators to protect your floor. These regulators are beneficial when you are dealing with a sensitive area. The high pressure of steam also kills bacteria and dirt mites without any cleaning agent.

What Floors to Use a Steam Mop On?

A steam mop is unsuitable for unsealed and broken floors because water will seep down into the floor and cause irreversible damage. The floor surfaces you can clean with a steam mop are described below.

Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles

Indeed! You can use a steam mop on your ceramic and porcelain tile floors. The mop will clean the tile surfaces and the grout, leaving a streak-free surface that is at the same time sanitized. These tiles are implanted into a mortar and concrete board surface; broke tiles can be securely cleaned without damaging the floor.

Marble Tiles

High-intensity steam cleaners might make harm permeable marble floors; however, steam wiping is as yet an obviously successful approach to eliminating dirt from marble. Keep your steam mop damped, and avoid using commercial strength floor cleaners to clean your floor with a steam mop safely.

Concrete Floors and Tiles

Porous surfaces like concrete are great for steam cleaning, as steam can easily remove dirt accumulations and build-up. Depending on how the floor is fixed (polyurethane versus wax, for instance), you ought to check with the product manufacturer before utilizing steam cleaning apparatuses.

Grout Lines

Steam designated at grout lines between tiles won’t cause harm. Try it out, and look how simple it will be to release dust, grease, and stains.

Floors to Avoid Using Steam Mop On

Engineered Hardwood Floors

Engineered hardwoods are sturdy floors that are reinforced utilizing glues so that the steam cleaning can affect the functioning of those adhesives. Moisture can leak between the layers, damaging the bond and damaging the floors. Try not to utilize steam mops on engineered hardwood floors.

Solid Hardwood Floors

Solid hardwood floors can endure the moisture and heat from a steam mop, and they clean actually pleasantly with a sans streak finish. It is in your best interest if you do not utilize a steam mop on unsealed hardwoods, as they’re more vulnerable and readily damaged by extra dampness.

Laminate Floors

Try not to use a steam mop on laminate floors. Steam mops make an excess of dampness for these floors, which are frequently manufactured with a compressed fiberboard layer. The steam can cause warping and swelling of the laminate floors.

Painted Floors

Cleaning over a painted surface is hazardous, regardless of whether the paint layer is sealed. The heat from the steam cleaner can cause swelling and bubbles underneath the paint, which will cause peeling of the layer. It’s best to avoid steam mopping on all painted surfaces, either sealed or unsealed.

Vinyl Floors

If you use a steam mop on a surface that is bonded by adhesives is a severe mistake. Heat and moisture from the steam mop will cause peeling and erosion of the laminate floors. Persistent steam exposure will loosen the adhesive strength, and the tiles’ corners will move upward, causing damage to your flooring.

Precautions and Tips for Steam Mopping

Follow these precautions and tips to maximize the efficiency of steam mopping.

Don’t Idle Your Steam Mop

Don’t let your steam mop stay in one place. You have to keep it moving. Keeping it idle can damage the floor and your mop pad. Besides this, swipe the steam mop on the floor in smaller strokes for better cleaning. Keep a slow pace!

Don’t Use It on Walls

A steam mop on the wall can peel off the paint and damage your drywall. Avoid using it on walls.

Wash the Dirty Mop Pads

Always wash your dirty mop pads immediately after cleaning. Moisture can grow mold on your mop pad if you let it stay. While washing the microfiber mop pads, avoid fabric conditioner. Use only water and detergent. Let it air dry to maintain the quality of cleaning.

Keep a Stock of Microfiber Mop Pads 

Your microfiber mop pad will get dirty much faster in steam mopping. A dirty mop pad will only move the dirt around instead of cleaning it. Make a habit of keeping a stock of clean microfibers mop pads. This trick will speed up the process of steam mopping.

Final Thoughts

Using a steam mop on a floor without the proper knowledge could be dangerous for your flooring. Please avoid using chemical cleaners with steam mopping as a steam mop works efficiently with water. You must not use a steam mop on sensitive, unsealed, and laminate floors; otherwise, it will ruin your flooring.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to get maximum cleaning?

You can maximize cleaning with a brush or a vacuum before steam mopping. This ensures better cleaning and will save you from a mess.

2. Why do you have a sticky floor after using a steam mop?

A sticky floor after steam mopping is because of a product residue or a dirty mop pad. Always start with a clean mop pad and a clean floor.

3. Can you use a cleaning agent with a steam mop?

No, you cannot use a cleaning agent with a steam mop, as it can damage the steamer. Use only water. With that, you should always check the product manual before using anything with your steam mop.

O-Cedar Spin Mop is an amazing cleaning tool that effortlessly cleans hard-to-reach areas and different floors. This spin mop works practically well as the company claims to kill 99.9% of bacteria with water. Yet, you will still see some dirt on the floor. So, you might need some good cleaners that should be compatible with O-Cedar Spin Mop. This article discusses the most efficient and powerful commercial and homemade cleaners suitable for O-Cedar Spin Mop.

Commercial and Homemade Cleaners to Use with O Cedar Spin Mop

What cleaner to use with an O Cedar spin mop? It usually depends on the type of floor you have. To name a few, you can use Tide powder, Pine-Sol, Murphy’s Oil Soap, Fabuloso, OxiClean, Vinegar, dish soap, etc. Read this guide further if you want to know about these cleaners for your O-Cedar Spin Mop.

Commercial Cleaners

1. Tide Powder

Trusted by customers, Tide Powder is an excellent cleaner. It sticks with the dirt particles and removes them entirely off the floor. You can use this powerful powder with O-Cedar Spin Mop by following the given steps.

• One teaspoon of Tide Powder in a gallon of hot water will do the cleaning job. This solution will also keep your floor non-soapy and non-greasy.
• You should wring the mop up to a point where it removes 90% of water. A damp mop will dry out the floor faster without damaging the wooden floor.

Tide is safe for various floors like linoleum, tiles, hardwood, vinyl, and laminate.

You can also use a microfiber cloth to dry out the floor faster after mopping.

2. Murphy’s Oil Soap

Murphy’s Oil Soap is an environment-friendly option for wooden floors. It will also retain the shine of the wood. To get the best results, the company advises diluting it. This is to ensure a residue-free floor.

• Use a quarter cup in a gallon of warm water for normal stains.
• You can use a half cup of Murphy’s Oil Soap per gallon of warm water for heavy cleaning. Mix it properly!
• Add this solution to the O-Cedar bucket, dip and wring your mop in the bucket and enjoy easy cleaning.

Don’t forget to use a microfiber cloth after mopping.

3. Fabuloso 

Fabuloso is a scented cleaner that is suitable for sealed floors only. It is an all-purpose cleaner that leaves the surface shiny and streak-free.

• Add a quarter cup of fabulous to a gallon of warm water. Warm water increases cleaning and antibacterial properties.
• Take this solution into the O-Cedar bucket; dip your O-Cedar mop into the solution.
• Wring the mop by the allocated place in the bucket and use it gently over the surface for cleaning.
• You can use the same solution for kitchen counters and other surfaces.

Don’t use the product if you are allergic to scents.

4. Pine-Sol

Pine-Sol is the EPA registered broad-spectrum disinfectant. It will kill 99.9% of common household bacteria. But, the acidic nature of Pine-Sol can damage the marble, waxed, unsealed, oiled, and worn-out wood. Some people can also be irritable due to the strong, pungent smell. Seek medical help in case of irritation.

• Dilute a quarter cup of Pine-Sol in a gallon of warm water to use it with your O-Cedar Spin Mop.
• Wring your mop well before cleaning your floor.
• After cleaning with this solution, you can also use a damp microfiber mop to remove any leftover residues.

For tough stains and grease, use it directly on the spot with either a sponge or a brush.

5. Odoban

Odoban is an excellent cleaner and an odor eliminator. It cleans your home and leaves a refreshing fragrance as well. You can also keep your carpets, bedding, and curtains fresh using Odoban.

• You have to dilute 7 oz of this cleaning product in a gallon of water for floor cleaning and disinfection.
• For odor elimination, use 22 oz of product in a gallon of water. It works pretty well with O-Cedar Spin Mop and cleans your floor thoroughly.

Not recommended for hardwood and laminate floors.

6. Powdered OxiClean

Powdered OxiClean is a versatile cleaner used for indoor and outdoor flooring. Water activates OxiClean to release its oxygen molecules. These oxygen molecules then work on stains and grime to remove them.

• Mix two tablespoons of OxiClean in a gallon of hot water to clean stubborn stains. You have to wait for the molecules to work on stains.
• With OxiClean, you have to mop twice. First, mop the floor with the solution. Wait for it to work.
• Then, mop again with plain water. This ensures a clean floor.

OxiClean is best for hard surfaces like tiles and grout. 

7. LA’s Totally Awesome Cleaner

LA’s Totally Awesome Cleaner is a mixture of surfactant agents and water. This mixture cleans the stains and grease off the surface. It is cheap, non-toxic, and biodegradable, making it a good choice for cleaning floors. Moreover, it is safe to use on laminate floors as well.

• Follow the dilution chart on the product for recommended usage. But for tough stains, you can increase the amount of the product. It varies with the stains.
• After dilution, use this cleaner with O-Cedar Spin Mop to remove stains and grime from floors.

8. Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner

Bona hardwood floor cleaner is an EPA-approved environment-friendly product. The spray bottle makes it easy to use with your spin mop. Even a small amount of it will give you good results.

There is no need to make a solution. Spray the product directly on the floor and mop. Bona gives a residue-free finish to your hardwood.

Homemade Cleaners

1. Vinegar and Water

The simplest solution you can make using your kitchen products is vinegar and water. Vinegar has antibacterial properties due to its acidic pH. It is best for shiny surfaces like tiles and glass. If the smell of vinegar is irritating to you, add some essential oils to the solution.

The ratio of vinegar and water is not fixed. You can change it according to the surface and stains. But, a diluted solution of vinegar has a lower pH value which is good for surfaces that need pH-neutral cleaners. You can also add other cleaning agents like dish soap, rubbing alcohol, and lemons to the solution. This will increase the effectiveness of the solution.

Add diluted vinegar solution to the O-Cedar bucket and dip your O-Cedar Mop into it. Wring the mop well before using it to clean your floor.

Never use vinegar on the wood floor; it damages the wood.

2. Dish Soap and Water

We all use dish soaps to cut grease off the utensils. Dish soap is antibacterial and works well with the O-Cedar Spin Mop if appropriately used.

A few tablespoons of soap in a gallon of hot water will clean your tiles and vinyl. Mix it properly to avoid a slippery floor. Be safe! Mop your floor with this magical homemade cleaning solution for a thorough cleaning.

How to Maximize the Efficiency of Floor Cleaners with O-Cedar Spin Mop?

Use Warm Water

Hot water breaks down the particles of stains and helps in easy cleaning. Then microfibers of the mop trap the smaller particles more easily than, the larger ones. Hot water will also dissolve the product/cleaning agent effectively. This ensures a residue-free floor.

Use the Right Technique for Mopping

The right technique for mopping is important, especially for wood floors. It would help if you always mopped in the direction of wood grains to maintain the quality of the floor.

Always use an S-shaped pattern for mopping instead of back and forth motion. The back and forth motion will only move the dirt around instead of cleaning it.

Maintain the Quality of the Microfiber Mop-Head

The company recommends you replace the mop-head once every 3 months.

While cleaning the microfiber mop-head, do not use a fabric conditioner. The fabric conditioner will shrink the microfibers. This affects the absorption of moisture and cleaning.

Prep Your Surface Before Mopping

Sweep or vacuum your surface before mopping. Having a clean surface ensures a better result of mopping. Vacuuming will also get rid of pet hair. This step will save you from a lot of mess.https://www.youtube.com/embed/Tr0nk9_abTs

Final Thoughts

In this article, I have discussed homemade and commercial cleaners that you can use with the O-Cedar Spin Mop. These cleaners are practical and well-rated. Always check the manufacturer’s guide for the correct dilution of the cleaners to properly clean your floor.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to clean an O-Cedar Spin Mop head?

You can easily wash the mop-head of your O-Cedar Spin Mop using either your machine or hand. Avoid using harsh chemicals for mop head cleaning. Warm water will get the job done. Let it air dry. Avoid using bleach and fabric softeners.

2. Is it safe to use cleaners with the O-Cedar Spin Mop?

Any cleaner is safe to use with your spin mop unless it does not contain harsh chemicals. Harsh chemicals can damage the microfibers of O-Cedar Spin Mop.

3. What is the capacity of the O-Cedar Spin Mop’s bucket?

The bucket of O-Cedar Spin Mop can carry up to 2.5 gallons of water which is enough for daily cleaning.

4. How much should you wring the O-Cedar Spin Mop?

For tiles and ceramic, you can use the pedal of the O-Cedar bucket up to 4-5 times for mop wringing. For wood floors, use the pedal at least ten times.

Bona spray mops are quite popular among homeowners, but sometimes your Bona mop doesn’t spray. It can happen due to various reasons. Let’s read about the common causes and fixes for a Bona mop not spraying.

4 Common Reasons & Solutions for Bona Mop Not Spraying

Bona spray mop lets you control water quantity for surfaces that are not water-resistant, like laminate. What to do if Bona stops spraying altogether? Does it warrant professional inspection or mop replacement? Don’t worry; you can fix it yourself.

1. Bona Mop is Not Fully Assembled 

Check that your Bona mop is correctly assembled. Bona mop not spraying problem usually happens if A & B poles are not properly locked. These poles will not separate when the mop is fully assembled. Here’s how you can assemble your Bona mop in the right way.

• Take the refillable cleaner cartridge out of the mop.
• Check if poles A & B are properly locked or not. If not, assemble A & B poles first and then push them down firmly, so both poles get properly locked. Check the trigger, there should be tension.

2. Leaking Cartridge

A leaking cartridge will allow the cleaning solution to escape while cleaning or when the mop is stored. It can be a design problem, improper storage, or a leak in the cartridge. Check user manual for the right storage method and inspect the cartridge for any damages. You may be able to repair it but it is better to replace a leaking cartridge.

3. Wear and Tear

Your Bona Mop may have lived its life. There is no guarantee that your Bona mop will last for a certain time. The wear and tear depends on how frequently you use your mop, cleaning style, storage, and upkeep.

The plastic parts on your mop can break after sometime. The trigger, poles, cleaning head undergo wear and tear with every use. There is not much you can do about it as repairing plastic is not a good idea. You will have to buy a new mop.

4. Faulty Spray Trigger

Some users report that the spray trigger gets jammed in older mops. You can’t clean anymore with a jammed trigger. The easiest way to fix this is remove the trigger cap and spray some WD-40 on it. Let WD-40 sit for some time so it works its way around. Place the trigger cap and see it it

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to remove a bona mop cartridge?

Press the grey cartridge eject button and lift the cartridge straight up. Unscrew the white cap and pour your cleaner into the cartridge bottle. Screw the cap back on and place it back on your mop.

2. How to unlock the bona spray bottle?

Grab the bona spray bottle firmly and twist its top a quarter turn to remove. If it’s not removed this way, you might need to invest some force in turning the top of a bona spray bottle.

3. Why does a spray bottle stop working?

If your spray bottle is not working, there might be a blockage in the nozzle. Besides this, any damage in the piston seal or inner tube also hinders the spray from a spray bottle.