Today I actually opened the windows for longer than a few minutes. The sun has been out, the weather warming, and with it my energy level has been increasing! It’s time for spring cleaning! This year I’ve discovered the secret to spring cleaning…at least for me.
In my house, spring cleaning doesn’t consist of a long list of to dos. It’s more like using the extra energy of Spring to tackle one or two things that have been neglected. This particular Spring Saturday…I’m tackling mopping the floors. If you are a domestic whiz, you may want to skip this post – it will probably aggravate you more than help you. You’ve been warned!
Why I Consider Mopping Spring Cleaning
To a lot of you, mopping may be on your weekly household chores. I remember when I lived in a household where every Saturday we all had our different household chores, and mopping was one of them. That wasn’t the household I grew up in…and I only experienced that for a year. I also wasn’t the one mopping. I think I had bathroom duty.
We haven’t had a mop of any kind in years and I’m afraid that mopping our floors has been something we haven’t made a priority. We’ve done spot cleaning, and spill cleaning (you know…when the kids spill water on the floor and you use an old rag to clean it up) but mopping was never a weekly task.
I’m explaining all of this so you’ll understand that mopping our floors is a seasonal or sporadic event. We don’t wear shoes in the house so it doesn’t get as dirty as it might in other homes, but it could still use a good cleaning.
Spring Cleaning Made Easy with the Wonder Mop
The Wonder Mop from The Libman Company has made mopping a breeze…and dare I say, a delight? I was waffling between the Wonder Mop, the Tornado Mop, and the Freedom Spray Mop.
I decided to get the Wonder Mop because of the Microfiber GRIPSTRIPS™ that lift up to 20% more dirt. I know I love my microfiber cloths for other household cleaning chores, so why not try them on the kitchen floor!
Because we don’t mop, we didn’t really have a bucket. I improvised and decided to plug up the kitchen sink and use that as my bucket. I dumped in some cleaner, filled it with some water and we were ready to go!
Our linoleum floor before:
I loved the power wringer that allows you to wring the mop out so easily. You don’t have to bend over and use your hands. You just push the ringer down and twist.
The Wonder Mop is amazingly light which will make it easy for my kids to use. You can also disconnect it and put it in the washer up to 50 times before it needs to be replaced!
Our linoleum floor after:
I’m afraid that this design doesn’t allow a dramatic after effect. But here’s the cleaning water after photo which shows how much dirt was lifted:
The Secret to Spring Cleaning
Okay, so what’s the secret? If your baby step in spring cleaning is mopping, you may want to try a Libman mop; but the real secret is to just get started.
- Sometimes the right tool helps motivate you to do the cleaning task you haven’t been able to do.
- It may not be a tool, but it may be the right music playlist.
- It may not be a playlist, but it may be the right companion to keep you company or help.
- It may not be company, but the time blocked out on your calendar.
Once you get started, I think you’ll find that spring cleaning momentum takes over. I know I did.
Spring Cleaning Momentum
I’ve experienced this with decluttering – I tell myself I’ll just do 5 minutes of decluttering in a drawer, and then pretty soon find myself decluttering for way longer.
After mopping, I started noticing the cabinet doors were filthy and scrubbed them down.
After the cabinet doors, I wiped down the outside of the oven…which led me to scrub the inside of the oven door and then the bottom of the oven.
After the oven, I finally moved the microwave to retrieve a few items that had fallen behind it. It wasn’t a pretty site:
I scrubbed that area down and it looks so much nicer:
Then I cleaned the exterior and interior of the microwave and moved it back in place.
Then…my hand was tired and I called it a day.
Spring Cleaning Baby Steps
Okay, so now it’s your turn. What is one thing that you’ve been meaning to do in your household?
Here are some things you may want to consider:
- ceiling fans
- windows
- oven
- curtains or blinds
- wash your couch covers
- wash your winter gear and store them away
- thorough clean out and cleaning of your refrigerator and freezer
And if mopping is on your spring cleaning list, check out the Libman products! Get a $3 off coupon if your sign up for their newsletter!
Let me know in the comments what you plan to do! I’d love to know!
PIN IT FOR LATER:
Angela, I’ve thought about that mop before I got Norwex. The twisting thing was a real draw!!
Your floor does look better, congrats!! We do wear shoes, and still mopping is a sporadic event.
Mostly it’s the “clean up the spill” stuff!
And the micro- nice!!
Thanks Melinda! I found out the same day that I posted that my MIL and SIL have had that mop for years! They didn’t know that the top came off to wash!
Okay, I am totally inspired to clean now! Good thing too, because this is the weekend I scheduled to do it. I really like the mop demonstration. Thank you.
I’m so glad I inspired you to clean! Now if only that would work on my sons…. 🙂
This is the mop I use! I’ve had it for years and it’s held up great! I’ve been using a realistic spring cleaning checklist I created this year to do my spring cleaning because the checklists on Pinterest overwhelm me lol. I’ve been spending about 15 minutes every day doing one task from the list and so far this method is working well for me. I love your advice to just get started and then use your momentum. So true!
Me too Sarah! I always wonder, “who in the world could actually do all those things on the checklist!” You and I are on the same wavelength about realistic spring cleaning! That’s a great method to commit to 15 minutes a day – that works for so many things!
Fortunately (or unfortunately), spring cleaning time has coincided with my nesting needs so I’m trying to get the whole house ready for little one while heavily disadvantaged hahaha. My to-do list is a quite long so might cave and get a cleaner.
You deserve a cleaner Vicky! Don’t push yourself too hard mama!
I must admit mopping feels like Spring cleaning to me too!! I have a toddler and getting the food that she throws on the floor and the toys that are everywhere picked up daily is a big enough chore on top of all the other things!! The only thing I can think of that would make your Spring mopping a better experience would be some Thieves cleaner in that water there!! All natural, chemical free!! Hit me up if you want to hear more about this cleaning solution of goodness!!
Toddlers make mopping hard…but essential! I haven’t heard of Thieves – I’ll check it out!
Scheduled to pin and share. What a great mop – and what great tips as well Angela! Thank you for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party. I hope you are having a good week.
Thank you April!
I loved this! Thank you for linking up at Mommy Moments last week! This was the top viewed link and will be featured in next week’s link up. Congrats!
Oh my goodness – thank you!