Buying a mop for cleaning parquet: recommendations for choosing the right product

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When choosing a floor covering, the choice is increasingly made in favor of parquet boards or parquet, despite the fact that this pleasure is not cheap. This flooring is the most durable element of home decoration, it looks very beautiful, is environmentally friendly, and also has heat and sound insulation properties. But all its advantages will be justified only if it is properly cared for. Only in this case will the unique charm of the coating and its original appearance be preserved. We will tell you which mop is best for parquet flooring and how to properly care for this floor covering.

Caring for parquet boards

Unlike solid parquet, parquet boards are made of three layers: moisture-resistant plywood, coniferous wood and valuable species. Strength, beauty and long service life are ensured by the top layer, which is made of valuable wood.

Important! The durability of the floor depends on its thickness; the thicker, the better and longer it will last.

In order to extend the life of this flooring and preserve the natural, unique look of beech, oak, ash or other wood, it is necessary to varnish the top layer or impregnate it with a special deep-penetrating oil-wax agent.

If you choose the right care products for your parquet board, take proper care of it in a timely manner, and treat it with care, this floor covering will last for decades.

How to increase service life?

Extending the life of your cleaning equipment saves money. To do this, it is important to adhere to the following rules:

  1. Do not use sponges to remove stains that you know they cannot handle. For example, wiping off fuel oil stains with a foam sponge.
  2. After using detergents, the washcloth should be rinsed thoroughly. It is best to do this under running water.
  3. All types of sponges must be stored dry.
  4. Most sponges should not be boiled, doused with boiling water or subjected to other intense influences, with the exception of jute.
  5. Do not leave a dirty washcloth in storage.

Types of mops

Hardware stores offer a huge selection of different mops, which have their pros and cons.

The main types are:

  • Universal - can be used for both floors and other surfaces.
  • Household - consists of a movable platform and a telescopic handle, thanks to which you can adjust the angle of inclination and its length.
  • Professional - used for cleaning large spaces.
  • Steam - removes heavy dirt.

Important! The steam mop, despite its advantages, is an enemy for most parquet boards, because they are afraid of high temperatures and high humidity.

Which mop to choose for a parquet board?

To care for parquet boards, you need to choose the right cleaning tool. Which mop is suitable for parquet floors?

Here are some tips to keep in mind when purchasing:

  • A parquet mop should be made with microfiber; it is soft and does not scratch the surface. You can also choose a mop with hygroscopicity and an automatic spin function.
  • For dry cleaning of a room, a device with an adjustable handle with a yarn attachment is suitable. The lint will be able to collect a large amount of dirt and dust without damaging the surface, and the adjustable handle will help you get into hard-to-reach places in the room.
  • For wet cleaning, a product with protruding threads is suitable.

Important! The material from which the nozzles are made should absorb moisture from the parquet well.

Application

Using a sponge to clean a room and wash dishes is quite simple, but you must follow a number of rules:


  1. As the sponges become unusable or begin to emit an unpleasant odor, they should be replaced.
    This is especially important in relation to materials that can serve as a site for the development of pathogenic microorganisms.

    For foam rubber samples with intensive use, this period is no more than a week.

  2. It is important to use each washcloth for its intended purpose. For example, if a tool is dedicated to washing plumbing fixtures, it should not be used to scrub dishes.
  3. Not all sponges require the use of detergents. Melamine, for example, should be used only damp, without cleaning agents; it is especially important to exclude those containing chlorine.
  4. Sponges that produce good foam do not require a large amount of detergent. It is enough to apply just a small amount of the product onto a moistened washcloth to wash a stack of dishes or wash other surfaces.
  5. If the washcloth does not form foam and does not retain moisture (for example, metal, plastic), the consumption of household chemicals will not be small.
  6. It is better not to use melamine washcloths entirely, but to immediately cut off a small part from a large block. If you only need to remove a small stain, you can work with the corner of a sponge, which after cleaning you just need to cut off and throw away.

Cleaning parquet floors

How to properly care for a parquet floor? First of all, you need to carefully study the instructions for the coating, and pay the greatest attention to the part that describes the manufacturer’s recommendations for care and processing. Caring for parquet boards depends on the type and time of application of the protective coating.

Types of care:

  • Initial treatment after installation of parquet.
  • Removal of damage, periodic treatment for prevention.
  • Constant housekeeping and cleaning.

For each of these types, there are special care products for parquet boards:

  • After installation, the parquet floor is treated with varnish or oil.
  • For preventive purposes, you can apply wax or varnish to the entire coating with a diluted composition or apply it locally.
  • For regular cleaning, use diluted aqueous wax or varnish formulations.

Basic care recommendations

The main requirement for the operation of the floor is its protection from sand, scratches and mechanical influences.

To do this, the following measures should be taken:

  • Place felt or felt on furniture legs. Place soft carpets under furniture on casters.
  • Protect the coating from sand from your shoes. Place mats upon entry to remove dirt and moisture from shoes. Use soft slippers and do not walk on the flooring in outdoor shoes.
  • Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush to clean the floor.
  • Do not fill it with water. Wipe with a damp cloth, and to clean heavily soiled areas, use a special cleaner for parquet boards.

Important! Do not use kitchen detergents or cleaners, as well as alcohol, gasoline, and paint thinners.

  • Remove scratches in a timely manner by rubbing wax or a special wax pencil into them, and polish with a soft cloth. Fill deep damage with wood putty of the same color using a spatula, sand, coat with oil or varnish and polish.

A convenient mop is an indispensable assistant

Based on the presented characteristics, the flounder and steam mop can be called the best, but the high price of the latter does not allow us to stop at them only.

Inexpensive designs are also not without their own advantages. I would like to hope that our article will help you make the right decision and make a successful purchase.

The saying that a good floor mop does half the work of its owner is not a myth!

A correctly selected model can minimize physical effort and increase the speed and quality of cleaning. This will leave time for other more interesting activities!

Washing rules

It is not difficult to wash the parquet board; to do this, you must follow the following instructions:

  • Prepare a special mop. Use a soft-bristled dry brush to remove debris.
  • Fill with warm water and add detergent only if the floor is heavily soiled. Buy products from the same manufacturer as the board.
  • Soak a rag in water, wring it out well and wipe the surface.

Important! Do not allow any remaining water on the surface - this will lead to swelling, drying out and ultimately loss of appearance.

  • Get rid of stains immediately. Use a soap solution or a special stain remover for this. Afterwards, wipe the surface dry.
  • After complete drying, treat the floor with parquet mastic or polish.

Important! Don't wash the floor every week, rather vacuum more often.

Tips for a good purchase

You can purchase cleaning sponges in home improvement departments or in an online store. The cost of production depends on several factors:

  • manufacturer;
  • place of purchase;
  • type of washcloth;
  • number of products in the package.

The most budget option is foam sponges. It is convenient to buy such goods not individually, but in packaging. But you will additionally have to purchase a scraper or another sponge to remove complex stains.

To save money, you can purchase universal sponges that combine several materials. This could be a foam sponge, one side of which is more rigid, to clean off complex stains. Another option is a foam sponge, located in a metal braid, etc.

Average price:


  • the cheapest washcloths are made of foam rubber; you can buy them in a set of 5 pieces even for 25 rubles;

  • melamine ones are sold individually and in sets, costing 2 pieces on average from 50 rubles;
  • metal scrapers cost from 20 rubles apiece; if you buy a set, the price is often more favorable;
  • jute sponges cost on average from 50 to 250 rubles;
  • cellulose washcloths are relatively inexpensive - from 50 rubles for a set of two pieces;
  • the cost of microfiber sponges is from 50 rubles for 2 pieces;
  • bamboo sponges - up to 300 rubles;
  • silicone - from 100 to 300 rubles per piece;
  • plastic - from 50 rubles for 3 pieces in a set.

Additional parts provided on some models increase the cost of the product. For example, pens, detergent dispenser, etc.

Caring for varnished parquet boards

The floor can be varnished at the factory or after installation.

Important! It is not recommended to walk on a varnished surface for the first two weeks.

Care is carried out as follows:

  • To add shine to the floor and protect it from scratches and other defects, mastics, varnishes, polishes, anti-slip compounds, as well as cleaning products for the care of varnished parquet are used.
  • These products must be applied once every two months. Depending on the intensity of floor use, in places where people walk most often, apply protective compounds once or twice a month.
  • To remove contaminants, cleaners are used in the form of solutions in water or aerosols.

Important! Use cleaning products and varnish from the same manufacturer.

  • Floors are washed using a damp soft cloth with an alkali-free composition.

Preventative treatment:

  • Use a special freshener to restore lost shine and remove stains.
  • Treat the floor with polish once every two months to protect it from moisture.
  • Use spray varnish to remove local abrasions and defects on the coating.
  • Renew the varnish layer every 12-15 years, subject to proper care.

Mop with microfiber pad

The design provides a flat movable platform that can penetrate even narrow gaps between furniture and the floor.

Microfiber washes any surface without leaving streaks. This product is functional, lightweight, the removable part is washable and, if necessary, replaced with a new one.

The negative aspects include frequent manual spinning of the fabric.

Caring for oil-coated parquet boards

Oil-wax compositions impregnate the top layer of valuable wood, fill their pores and prevent the penetration of moisture and dirt.

Rules of care:

  • Cover this surface 2-4 times a year with oil-wax impregnation. If you walk on it in soft slippers, then you can do it less often. Just use the oil for periodic maintenance.
  • To restore a contaminated area of ​​the surface, it must first be sanded and then coated with oil again.
  • When cleaning the floor, use a soluble protective wax. Wipe the floor with a soft damp cloth in the direction of the wood. After complete drying, a protective polishing agent for parquet boards is applied to it.

Preventative treatment:

  • Carry out treatment once a quarter in the first year of operation.
  • Wash the coating clean and leave to dry for 6-8 hours.
  • Feed the coating periodically with oil using a special brush.
  • Apply protective wax on top.

What to look for when purchasing

To prevent cleaning from causing much inconvenience, when choosing a mop you need to pay attention to the following aspects:

  1. Handle quality. It is better if it is made of plastic with iron or polyurethane. An all-plastic handle may break quickly, while an all-iron handle will not be mobile enough.
  2. Quality of the cloth/nozzle. If the choice falls on high-quality devices, then you should not take rope and sponge models, as well as the “butterfly”. Their attachments wear out quickly and require replacement. It is better to consider electric mops, T-shaped, flounder and steam options.
  3. Build quality. The device must be movable, flexible, and preferably rotate. A stationary mop that only moves in one direction is not the best choice for general cleaning.

Choosing care products

Depending on the type of board coating - varnish or oil - the choice of products depends. Let's take a closer look at each type.

Care products with varnish coating

The varnish protects the parquet effectively and is applied to the board in a thick layer.

Care products for parquet boards with this coating are selected according to the following rules:

  • Water-based wax emulsion - needed for initial processing.
  • Floors with such a coating are washed with warm water with the addition of pH-neutral concentrated cleaners, which are diluted in water according to the instructions.
  • Use white spirit to remove stains on parquet; it will not damage the varnish and will remove stubborn dirt.
  • To remove spilled greenery on the floor, use hydrogen peroxide with a couple of drops of ammonia.
  • To remove dullness, rub the surface with a woolen cloth.
  • To refresh varnished parquet, use a varnish spray that is intended for this purpose.

Oil-based care products

Parquet treated with oil requires special care:

  • After installation for the first time, it must be treated with a wax product.
  • Soap containing vegetable oil cleans stains.
  • You can also get rid of stains using a solution of washing powder diluted in water.
  • Grease stains are removed using a mixture of washing powder and water.
  • If a crack appears, to avoid damage to the board, clean it with wire and coat it with wood glue.

Photos of the best floor mops


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Spray mop spray mop

This mop model is equipped with a special container with a sprayer. The system is located on the handle and is activated by pressing a special button.

Advantages:

  1. suitable for quick and thorough floor cleaning;
  2. The water container is equipped with a level indicator and has a rubber seal;
  3. ergonomic handle with a rod releases a fine mist directly onto the surface to be cleaned;
  4. a thin layer of liquid on the floor allows the moisture to thoroughly clean even a wooden floor.
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