Why Your Floors Are Sticky After Mopping

Mopping your floors is one of the most effective cleaning methods to remove dirt and residue. However, some people encounter sticky floors after they have mopped a certain area. Having sticky floors even when you’ve mopped for hours can be a frustrating issue.

So how do you prevent your floors from being sticky after they are mopped? First, identify the reasons why your floors are sticky -- this problem usually stems from leftover stubborn residue and improper cleaning techniques. When you’ve figured the reasons out, you can then prevent sticky floors by following proper cleaning techniques and using steam mops. 

Why Is My Floor Sticky After Mopping?

The sound your shoes make when stepping on sticky floors can be annoying and can leave you wondering whether you cleaned your floor properly. However, there is one way around this problem: identifying the reasons for sticky floors. This helps you come up with more effective cleaning solutions. Some reasons for your sticky floors include: 

1. Leftover Stubborn Residue 

Certain kinds of residue are more difficult to remove than others. For example, cleaning up after soft drink spills is more tedious than removing other liquids. When you stick to the regular way you mop the tiles, then chances are you aren’t going to thoroughly clean the area. The same goes for any liquid that isn’t water -- make sure you go over the area several times to eliminate the issue. 

The residue that has built up over time is definitely more difficult to clean. You may fail to notice the other causes for residue build-up residue on your floors. For instance, when you cook food in the kitchen, grease from the pan can go up in the air and end up on the floor. Your cleaners like soap and wax can also build up over time when you do not attend to it quickly. 

2. Improper Cleaning Techniques

If you find yourself cleaning and mopping the floor several times and are still left with sticky floors, then improper cleaning techniques can be the issue. Some techniques you might be doing wrong are the following: 

• Using the Wrong Floor Cleaning Product: Make sure to always clean your floors with the correct cleaning product. Using the wrong product on the tiles can do more harm than good. If you’re cleaning laminate floors, then that means you should use cleaning solutions meant for laminate floors.
  

• Too Much Floor Cleaning Product: It’s a common misconception that using more than the recommended amount for cleaning products yields cleaner floors, so be careful not to use too much. Too much product can leave a leftover residue that is more difficult to clean.
  

• Cleaning With Dirty Water: Whenever you’re mopping, be mindful about how dirty your water becomes inside your bucket. If you continue using dirty water when mopping, you’re essentially transferring the dirt on the area you are cleaning and you end up with messier and stickier floors.
  
• Not Sweeping or Vacuuming Beforehand: Forgetting to vacuum or sweep beforehand does not eliminate dirt like hair and dust. These cannot be cleaned up just by mopping. 

How to Prevent Sticky Floors After Mopping

It’s important to address sticky floors as soon as possible after identifying the reasons for the issue. The quicker you take measures to solve the problem, the less stress you will encounter in the future. Follow these tips to prevent sticky floors after mopping:  

1. Follow Proper Cleaning Techniques

One of the most effective ways to prevent sticky floors is to incorporate and follow proper techniques when you’re cleaning. To clean floors in your home properly, you should:   

• Clean Regularly: Make sure that you regularly clean floor areas so that grime doesn’t build up. Set a weekly schedule of when to clean your floors and stick to it. Aside from cleaning regularly, be mindful of any dirt or spills that occur and clean them up immediately.
  

• Use the Correct Cleaning Product: Do your research on which product works best for the kind of floor in your home. If you’re using concentrated products, then dilute them first and make sure to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions properly beforehand. It’s also important to completely rinse the products from the tiles so it doesn’t build up over time. 

Products that are more acidic makes it easier to remove tough residue on the floor. To clean floors that are not wood, you can make a homemade cleaner out of vinegar and water. To make this cleaning solution, mix one part vinegar with one gallon of water. Put the solution in a spray bottle and spray it on the area you’re cleaning. Leave it on the area for around 15-20 minutes before mopping the floor.  

2. Using Steam Mops

Investing in steam mops is a great solution to sticky floors since it has technology to let you clean floors better instead of traditional mops. The device works by using vaporized water to soften any residue before mopping them. Be careful when using steam mops because hot water can break down the glue on your floors. 

You may also choose microfiber mops which are better at holding onto dirt so it doesn’t release the dirt into the water and transfer it on the tiles. Other tools let you separate dirty water and clean water in different buckets, ensuring that you don’t use dirty water when mopping. 

Flooring Services at Zothex Flooring

To know more about how to deal with sticky floors after mopping, it’s best to consult with people who are experts on the subject. Here at Zothex Flooring, we’re more than happy to answer any inquiries you have about flooring. 

Our team consists of experts who have practiced the craft since 2004. We will help you redesign and remodel your home according to the way you live. We also have different flooring options you can choose from to make your house better. You may visit or call us for more information about us, our services, and our products.

Learn more: How to Prevent Dents in Vinyl Flooring