Keep your floors sparkling clean with this easy DIY mop or contact home cleaning services for seniors.
As we get older, keeping our homes clean can become more challenging. Yet spotless floors are important for health and safety, especially if you have limited mobility or balance issues.
Luckily, you can make an effective floor mop in just a few easy steps. Whether you need a regular mop or a hands-free option, this budget solution lifts dirt while avoiding harsh chemicals.
With simple supplies from your closet and a little elbow grease, you can scrub every inch without breaking the bank or your back!
Gather Your Materials
Chances are you have everything needed to DIY a mop already at home. Raid your closet and assemble:
- An old towel, shirt, socks or other absorbent fabric
- A broom or mop handle
- Rubber bands, string or Velcro strips
- A plastic bottle or bucket (optional)
I often upcycle old t-shirts into cleaning rags. Last week, I turned a worn-out college shirt into a handy mop. My neighbor used the sleeve from a fleece jacket and attached it to her old Swiffer pole using Velcro from the craft store. Get creative with materials you already own!
Create the Mop Head
Now the fun begins! There are a few ways to attach your fabric to the pole:
- Broom: Wrap fabric strips tightly around the bristle end and secure ends with rubber bands or knots. I used stripes cut from a holey shirt, crisscrossing them for better scrub power.
- Loose mop: Place your towel, t-shirt or other material inside a bucket. Let excess hang over the rim. Attach handle and flip upside down to mop. Squeeze out water as needed.
- Velcro mop: Sew or glue Velcro strips onto ends of fabric. Attach scratchy side to mop pole. This option allows easy removal for washing.
Mix Up a Cleaning Solution
For sparkling floors without the sticker shock of commercial cleaners, mix up your own solution! All you need is a spray bottle, water, and a few inexpensive household ingredients:
- 2 cups warm water
- 1⁄4 cup vinegar
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 10 drops essential oil (optional for scent)
The acid in the vinegar dissolves grime, while the baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive to lift dirt from cracks and crevices. This solution cuts grease naturally without leaving toxic chemical residue behind. It’s safe for every floor type and septic systems too!
Scrub Those Floors
It’s time to get scrubbing! If using a broom mop, sweep debris into a dustpan first. For a fabric mop, dip your mop head into the solution and wring out any excess moisture. Scrub in circles, overlapping passes to cover the whole floor.
Work in sections, rinsing and re-wetting mop as needed. Pay special attention to high traffic areas and underneath furniture.
Rinse with a second bucket of clean water. Let floors dry completely before walking on them.
Maintain Your Frugal Mop
With regular washing, your budget mop will keep floors clean for years. Here are a few care tips:
- Machine wash towel, shirt or rag mop heads after each use to dislodge dirt and bacteria. Vinegar helps remove odors or set stains.
- Sanitize broom mops by dipping bristles for 5 minutes in a gallon of water mixed with 1⁄2 cup bleach. Rinse thoroughly and allow to fully dry.
- Check for wear and replace materials once they become worn, torn or develop mildew odor.
Enjoy Those Sparkling Clean Floors
Now stand back and admire your handiwork! Who needs expensive cleaners or flimsy string mops when all the supplies needed are already at your fingertips?
DIYing saves my budget – plus I get a great arm workout. Here’s to clean floors boosting our health and bank accounts.
