There is nothing worse than walking into your house and feeling that damp, sticky feeling on the floor. You know it’s from the mopping you just did but you don’t understand why it’s still there. Well, there are many reasons you might have a sticky floor after you mop. So the problem is that why is my floor sticky after I mop?
Keep reading this article to know why this happens and how to fix this problem?
8 Reasons Why Are Your Floors Still Sticky After Mopping
It all depends on what kind of mop you use, what kind of surface you are mopping and how much water is used. The following are a few of the more common reasons why you might have sticky floors after you mop:
1. Too much cleaning solution
One of the most common reasons why you have that sticky floor is because you used too much cleaning solution.
When using any kind of cleaning solution, use enough to actually clean the floor but not so much that it leaves a waxy film.
2. Too much water
Another reason why your floors could get sticky after you mop is because you used too much water when mopping.
When you use a mop or bucket, aim to use at least one cup of water per person per square foot of floor.
The floor is only actually able to absorb so much water and if you use more than your floor can hold, then you will have a sticky floor.
3. Using a mop that leaves a residue
There are many different types of mops and each of them uses different cleaning solutions.
If you are using a certain type of mopping solution and you are having problems with the stickiness then you might want to switch it up to see if that helps.
4. Wrong type of mop
There are mops made specifically for certain types of floors.
For example, you need a special mop to clean your hardwood floor and if you use a mop designed for carpeting then you might end up with a sticky floor.
5. Wrong cleaning methods
If you are using the same cleaning methods for your floors but you still see that sticky residue, then you might want to change up the order in which you clean.
Some people prefer to sweep before they mop, while others like to mop first. For best results and a clean floor, try mopping first and then sweeping afterward.
6. Not sweeping or vacuuming
Floor cleaning is a process and if you stop it part way through then you are going to end up with sticky floors.
You should sweep or vacuum your floors before you have any type of floor mopping procedure because this gets rid of any excess dirt that is leftover from cleaning the previous day.
7. Use the dirty water
Why your floor might have a sticky residue after cleaning is that you are saving the wet mop water for other uses.
Not only is this a waste of water, but this is also an incredibly unsanitary practice and you are leaving your house vulnerable to germs and bacteria that can cause diseases.
8. Leftover residue
Once you have mopped your floors, you should empty the mop water and then use that same water to clean another room in your house.
If you leave the dirty water sitting in your bucket or mop, it will continue to create a residue that is hard to get off.
Why Is Your Floor Sticky After the Steam Mopping?
If you have a sticky floor after the steam mopping, it could be because of any number of things. Some of the most common reasons that your floor might be sticky after the steam mopping are:
1. The heat is not enough
While a lot of steam mopping systems will get your floor rather hot, some of them do not get hot enough.
If you are having trouble with the residue on your floors after a steam mopping, then you might need to invest in a system that can get hotter.
2. You used dirty water
One of the biggest reasons why your floors would become sticky after cleaning is because you are using dirty water to clean. You need to wash the mop and bucket with clean water after you have used them on your floors and if you do not do this, then your floors will be sticky afterward.
3. You used too much water
Another common reason why your floor would become sticky is that you are using too much water when mopping it. While there are not a lot of things that can actually hold more than 1 cup of water, it is still possible that some of the wet mop heads can hold more than one cup.
4. You use it wrong
While you should aim to use one cup per person per square foot of floor, if you know how to mop properly and you are using the right size mop for your space, then there is no reason why your floors won’t end up being sticky.
5. The mop pad is too dirty
The biggest reason why your floor might be sticky is that the mop pads are too dirty. You need to clean the pads after every use and if you do not, then you are going to end up with a residue on the floors.
6. Not changing the mop pads
You need to change your mop pads once they start to get too dirty or wet. If you leave them on there for too long, then they will get a residue on them and this residue will transfer over onto your floor.
How to Fix My Sticky Floor?
If you are having that sticky floor after you steam mop, there are a couple of things you can do to fix it.
1. Tile floor
For tile floors, you should try and remove as much of the residue as possible before you mop again. You should start with a mop pad that is not too wet and when that does not work, you can use a steam mop that has a stronger heat setting.
2. Vinyl floor
For vinyl floors, there are certain cleaning solutions that are designed for vinyl floors so it might be worth it to try one of those. These solutions will soften the sticky residue and allow you to wipe away from it better.
3. Wood floor
While there are certain oils and waxes that can help to reduce the stickiness on wood floors, you should still expect a small residue after cleaning them.
You can try using a steamer with brushes and this will give your floor a nice deep clean without leaving behind any sticky residue.
4. Laminate floor
For laminate flooring, you can try using a steam cleaner with a soft cloth because this allows you to remove the residue without leaving behind any sticky residue.
How to Clean Sticky Floors After a Party? (Step to step guide)
If you are throwing a party at your house and you notice that your floors are getting stickier, then there are a few things that you can do to fix this problem before it gets any worse.
Here is a general step-by-step guide on how to clean sticky floors after a party.
1. Use the vacuum cleaner
Before you start sweeping or mopping, use the vacuum cleaner to get rid of any excess particles from the floor.
One of the biggest mistakes that people make is not properly vacuuming before they start cleaning their floors. If you do not vacuum, then you are going to end up with stickier floors than before the party.
2. Sweep away the dust
Once you have vacuumed the floor, you should use a broom to sweep up as much of the dust as possible before mopping your floors and this will help to keep them clean.
3. Use the mop
If you do not want to get your floor wet, but you still want to clean them, then you can use a damp mop with a sponge on it.
Start by vacuuming the floor to remove as much debris as possible and then use this damp mop on the spot that needs mopping.
Your floors will look a lot cleaner afterward because of this step and they will not end up sticky too!
4. Get the right wet mop
You will not want to use an older mop or cloth that has been used on a lot of other floors or surfaces.
You should take the time to get a new cloth and make sure that you do not use something like a sponge for your floor.
5. Clean the residue off of your floors
You need to clean all of the residue from your floor before you go and throw another party in your house. You will only end up with a sticky floor if you do not clean the residue off of your floors.
While there is a lot of debate over how to clean the residue off of your floors, the truth is that you should use either vinegar or diluted lemon juice.
How to Clean Sticky Floor without a Mop?
Cleaning sticky floors can be a tricky thing at times and this is why some people will opt to use an old mop with a lot of fibers still on it. There are a few things that you can do to help you get rid of the stickiness on your floors without using a mop.
What do you need?
- A sponge
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Water
How to clean?
Steps process to clean sticky floor without a mop:
1. First of all, mix the baking soda with some water.
2. Put the mixture on the sponge and start to scrub it on your floor.
3. When you have used up all of the baking soda and water mixture, clean it up with a wet rag.
4. Mix up the vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spray them on your floor
5. Start to scrub the floors again with the vinegar mixture and begin to clean once again.
This method works for cleaning your floors but you do not have to use it if you do not have time or if you cannot stand the smell of this mop!
How to Prevent Sticky Floors After Mopping In the Future?
1. Do not mop when it is cold
If you are shopping for a new mop, then you need to make sure that the mop is designed to be used in colder temperatures. If it is not, then it will be useless after you have used it for a while.
2. Store your mop in a warm and dry place
When you first use your new mop, you need to store it away from the sun or other sources so that there is no chance of mildew forming on the cloth.
3. Follow the manufacturers instructions
Just like any other piece of equipment, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use your mop and in particular, how to clean it. This will help you to do things in an efficient manner and will also help you to avoid having sticky floors after mopping.
4. Use a mop that is designed to clean on all types of floors
While you might not think about it, your floor type can have a big impact on your mopping experience. If you do not use the right mop for the job, then you will end up having sticky floors after mopping.
5. Try a softer mop
If you are going to use a mop on your floors, then you need to make sure that it is designed for your floor type. For example, if you have laminate floors, then the best thing to do would be to go for a non-abrasive mop. This will help you clean your floors well and avoid them getting sticky.
FAQs
1. Why is my floor sticky after Swiffer?
It is important to make sure that you use the right cleaning products when mopping. If you are using a Swiffer, then you do not want to use ones that are not designed for hard floors.
You should always make sure that the Swiffer has been tested on real hard floors before it is offered to the public and this means that it will work well on all types of floors.
2. Why is my kitchen floor sticky after mopping?
Your kitchen or bathroom floor can get sticky for a number of reasons and one major reason is that you are not thoroughly mopping your floors before you begin to cook or clean.
You need to make sure that the stuck particles on your floors have been loosened up before you start to use them again, otherwise, they will just stick back onto your mop.
Conclusion
Mopping your floor is an important part of keeping your floors clean and you need to make sure that you follow the right steps and the right cleaning practices. Cleaning floors can be a tricky thing, especially if you do not want to use a mop and this is why having the proper tools can be so helpful.
