Add One Secret Ingredient To Your Mop Water To Make Your Floors Look Brand New

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Have you ever noticed that when you clean your floors and sunlight shines on them, it looks like you didn't do anything? If you're not using the proper cleanser, using too much of that cleanser, or using the wrong mopping technique, you may be creating, not fixing, a problem. All that hard work cleaning your floors for nothing but dull stickiness? There is a way to make your floors always look refreshed: You can use a product that cleans deep, lifting grease and grime instead of smearing it. In fact, the product you need might already be in your cupboard. It's Lysol Multi-Surface Cleaner. When properly diluted in warm water, it becomes a powerful floor-cleaning solution that can refresh even the dullest floors. Bonus: It also disinfects.

It's not only important to use an effective floor cleanser but also to use the right ratio of water to cleaner. Too much cleanser is often why your house shoes squeak or stick when you walk across a mopped kitchen floor. Using Lysol correctly can also help keep your floors cleaner for longer. Following the manufacturer's dilution instructions to the letter ensures maximum cleaning power and shine, with the added benefit of germ-killing action — all without damaging your floors. Another perk of using Lysol in your mop water is its versatility. The multi-surface solution is safe for all sealed surfaces, such as non-porous tile, vinyl, laminate, and hardwood. Still, it's important to test a small amount of the solution in a hidden area, just to be on the safe side.

Now that you have a bottle of Lysol to try on your floors, the next step is to make sure you use it effectively. You want your floors to actually look clean, right?  First, you need to dilute your Lysol. Add one part of the cleanser to every five parts of warm water. If you fill your mop bucket with a gallon of warm water, you'd need to add about 2 ⅔ cups of Lysol. However, always double-check the label instructions before dilution. Stir to mix thoroughly, then plunge your clean mop into the bucket with the Lysol-water mixture. Wring it out well before mopping your floors. Too much soapy liquid can leave streaks. Work in sections, rinsing and wringing the mop out frequently to avoid spreading dirt and germs.

It's also important to avoid mixing commercial cleaners with other liquids or compounds without researching their reactions. For example, here's what happens when you mix Lysol with hydrogen peroxide for cleaning: The combination produces corrosive peracetic acid, which is dangerous to human health. Also, Lysol does have an expiration date. Be sure to check the bottle for it. Using a fresh bottle and following the usage directions exactly will ensure your cleanser cleans your floors as intended. Mop with Lysol at least once every two weeks for low-traffic areas and once a week for high-traffic areas. By combining all these tips, your floors will shine. And because it's Lysol, you can rest assured your floors are disinfected, too.