Broom Scrubbing Vs Mopping: Which Actually Gets Your Floors Cleaner

The floors in our homes can easily trap dirt, dust, pollen, allergens, and more. Therefore, it is important to routinely clean them and address messes and spills as soon as possible. For that, most of us reach for a mop. While this may be your go-to cleaning method, you may find your floors still look so dirty after mopping. Broom scrubbing, on the other hand, is increasingly promoted by cleaning gurus on Instagram. Which method is better? When it comes to broom scrubbing vs. mopping, scouring with a broom gets your floors cleaner only if you know how to do it properly and use it on the right flooring materials.

Without proper maintenance of your tools, mopping can spread dirt instead of combating it. In general, if you clean the mop head and replace the dirty water often as you work, mopping can do a pretty decent job at refreshing your space. However, broom scrubbing, especially with stiff-bristled push brooms, can target tough caked-on messes or stains. While you may not want to use broom-scrubbing as a daily cleaning solution or to handle every spill, you can easily incorporate it into your weekly or monthly routine. Floor scrubbing is best for concrete and tile floors with grout, which can handle lots of water and intense scrubbing. Other flooring materials, such as vinyl and laminate, will eventually become damaged or grow mold with broom scrubbing. They should be cleaned with a mop.

There are a couple of ways to use a broom to clean your floors. First, choose a floor cleaner that works with your floor material and follow the manufacturer's directions. You also can create a DIY all-purpose cleaner by mixing a quarter-cup vinegar, 1 teaspoon of dish soap, and a few drops of your favorite essential oil with 2 cups of water. Before combining solutions, do some research to determine whether the two products will cause a toxic chemical reaction. Ammonia and bleach are one such dangerous combination. To be extra safe, stick to mild dish soap and warm water.

Once you have your cleaner, add it to the broom and to the floor. Pour water on top and diligently scrub the surface to remove the grime. Grab a damp, wrung-out mop and use it to soak up the suds. Sweep it across the floor until all the residue and water disappear. Deter water damage around the trim and baseboards by drying the area with a squeegee or towel as soon as possible. After you're done, pour any mop water you have down a sanitary sewer drain. Then clean and disinfect your broom and mop, and store them in a dry area. While reaching for your broom could be the solution to scrubbing your dirty floors, we understand not wanting to risk potential water damage and scuffing. Mopping is gentler and works with less-hardy flooring materials like laminate, vinyl, and hardwood.

Broom scrubbing is not recommended for hardwood, vinyl, or laminate floors: One wrong move can cause water damage or mold and mildew growth. Instead, use a mop. There are many types of mops, including traditional string heads, flatheads, spin mops, and steam mops. Some come with handy accessories like reusable or disposable mop pads and quick-wring buckets. Each flooring material is suited to a different style of mop. For example, the ideal option for laminate flooring is a microfiber cloth mop, while some of the best mops for hardwood floors are power or manual spin mops. Spray mops and flat head mops with soft pads are also suitable. Before purchasing a mop, make sure you figure out which is the right one for your floor surfaces to avoid damage.

First, sweep or vacuum the floor to collect all the loose dirt and debris. Grab your mop and the recommended cleaner for your flooring material. Remember to read the manufacturer's instructions before using it. Then, start by mopping in an S-pattern, following the floor grain or plank direction. If you're worried about pooling water damaging your trim, immediately dry the area with a towel. For tougher stains, you can use a steam mop. Change the mop water and the head frequently — if you're using one that is washable or disposable. As mentioned earlier, you need to be mindful of the cleanliness of the water and the head when mopping. If you don't change either out often enough, you are no longer disinfecting or cleaning the floor; instead, you are just making everything dirtier.