Swiffer or a regular mop?

Linda

Linda

Senior Member
Location
Central California foothills
When my husband first retired he was used to supervising crews of people and he fell into trying to supervise things at home. He decided the type of mop I used for years was dirty and just spreading germs around the floor. I told him it was good enough for our mom's and also I used bleach besides floor cleaners so how could it be germy? He decided Swiffers were the perfect thing for floor cleaning and obviously he'd been watching more TV after he retired than he did before. We bought the mop handle (forget what it costs) and then those wet drippy things you attach to the mop cost about $8 a pack of 12. If I used these all the time it'd probably cost about $20 a month. Not to mention how they fill up landfills. After 2 or 3 times I refused to use them again and went back to my good old spreading germs around mop. We have both types of mops in our house now so whenever he wants to Swiffer he can sure do it. That has turned out to be about once every 2 or 3 years. Our daughter also believes in Swiffers and she has a 2 story house with no carpets at all. When we house sit she pays us to clean her house so my husband gets to Swiffer the whole place and I think he's starting to lose his love of Swiffers. So my question is, how do you clean your floors? Swiffers, a sponge mop, deck mop, down on your knees with a rag and pail of water?
 

I have a white vinyl flooring in my small kitchen, big mistake with pets tracking in mud and dirt from the backyard. So, I do use a regular crew mop for frequent clean-ups, especially now that we're training a puppy. When I want to do a better job, and get the dinginess out, I get on my hands and knees with a Mr. Clean magic eraser first, then go over it with the crew mop in water with either dish soap, vinegar or lately, Spic 'n Span. Like you, every now and then I use a bit of bleach in the water.

I tried the Swiffer Wet Jet years ago, but like you say it was too expensive to keep replacing the pads. My kitchen is really small, but if I wanted to do a good job, I had to use two pads, the first one got dirty too quick. I did try once washing them in the washer, but that proved to be ridiculous. Another thing I didn't like about it, was it pushed the dirt and left a straight line of it just like a sponge mop. I ended up throwing it out and giving up on it.
 

Our place has nice, white real ceramic tile in the kitchen, which is quite large (it was the selling point, for me), the rest of the house, except bathrooms, has HORRIBLE grayish-brown carpet which we had steam-cleaned before moving in. Since then, I have managed to spill: the tub of vinegar Deb had me soaking my toes in, and a cup of coffee, twice, in the living room.

She uses a Swiffer-type thing on the ceramic, something non-name brand, I think, occasionally. Ceramic applied to anything other than a concrete base, does not make it in m y book, despite those "HAG-TV" shows she watches. Things dropped accidently in front of the fridge and by the sink, have cracked several tiles, they are 12 X 12 inch. No spares have been found hidden anywhere. My self-laid ceramic in our house outside Phoenix was almost entirely floored with ceramic. I frightened, then amazed a number of visitors by dropping my bowling ball on the floor from waist height. No effect, just bounced up in the air!

She says the carpet's got to go. I am no longer "up to" such work myself. Time will tell. If I croak, suddenly, well.......then, all decisions will be her own! :rolleyes:

imp
 
We have all porcelain tile floors throughout the house, and basically use a commercial size string mop and mop bucket+ ringer. But, we use a dry swiffer to first get the "fuzzzies"(mostly dust bunnies and cat hair.
 
I use a regular mop, not a fan of floor Swiffer. I do however, like the swiffer duster for furniture.
 
I have a rubbermaid steam mop. It comes with 3 microfiber cloths that attach to the mop. It picks everything up real good and I'm very happy with it. I just wash the cloths in the laundry and it doesn't cost me any additional money. I think I paid about 48.00 for the works.
 
I haven't any experience with these steam mops. Maybe I'll look into one. SeaBreeze, I'd forgotten about Spic and Span. My mom always used that. It was a good smelling powder in an orange box. Now days I think it's sold in liquid form.

Imp, I'm not sure what a Hag-TV show is but it doesn't sound too complimentary. Especially to hags. :) I thought you were joking about your bowling ball and the ceramic tile so I asked my husband and he said that's true, if it's laid correctly on a good flat surface. So I guess you were serious. I drop things every day but we have hard wood looking laminate in our kitchen. I like it and after 7 or 8 years I'm still happy with it.
 
I prefer to use a plain cotton mop with very hot water in between hubby steam mopping our tiled area.
I do have a mop you attach thick microfibre pad to, I use if in a hurry or just for spills .. The pads are reusable and wash well in the washing machine
 
Wondered who would catch it: "HG-TV" is a widely syndicated channel catering to women's interests in homes, gardening, neighbors, redecorating, interior design. In short, all the crap men shy away from. My wife's brother in law labeled it "HAG-TV". HG stands for "Home & Garden". imp
 
Having been the owner of a commercial cleaning service I look at toys like the Swiffer as a joke. Yes, you're tied into constantly buying replacement, there is the disposal issue and they really don't get out the hard dirt.

Only an old-fashioned mop, hot water and a little commercial-grade cleaning solution - and elbow grease - can do that.

Now for residential cleaning you might not need that much power, so the Swiffer is a clever attempt to get your money while providing minimal cleaning.

That's my opinion, anyway.
 
I ask my lady that comes in to please clean the floor.

Seems to work OK.

I must say that when my wife was still with me I would no more have told her how to wash the floor than she would have told me how to lay a patio.

I'd have ended up with a mop in my hand and the bucket over my head!
 
My sister uses a dry swiffer and then a steam mop on her floors. She insists that I need both. Nope. I do hands and knees with my floors which is just the kitchen and 2 bathrooms. One reason I won't use a mop in the kitchen is because we have white cupboards and when I'm down on the floor it's easier to see any spots I missed wiping off on the cupboard doors.
 
SifuPhil said:
Having been the owner of a commercial cleaning service I look at toys like the Swiffer as a joke. Yes, you're tied into constantly buying replacement, there is the disposal issue and they really don't get out the hard dirt.

Only an old-fashioned mop, hot water and a little commercial-grade cleaning solution - and elbow grease - can do that.

Now for residential cleaning you might not need that much power, so the Swiffer is a clever attempt to get your money while providing minimal cleaning.

That's my opinion, anyway.
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I agree, I'm very picky when it comes to my floors.....I vacuum or sweep then use a cotton mop with a small amount of cleaner, on the laminated floors only a damp mop.
 
Swiffer stick dust mop on the bare tile and wood floors and Vileda sponge mop for washing. Hand wash corners and edges. Seems to work fine, but I don't eat of my floors either.
 
I have tried several different types and always end up going back to the coton string ones, I still use my twisty one on occasion though it annoys me to no end trying to get it to twist right after the first mop when I go to wring it out again. :mad: Those steamer mops sound interesting, I might look into those, I dislike the swifters, I even still have some of the pads from a year ago I bought, I just didn't care for it, but, I'll make sure to use up the extra pads one day as I hate wasting money more than I hate using the swifter to mop my floor with. :D
 
AprilT said:
I have tried several different types and always end up going back to the coton string ones, I still use my twisty one on occasion though it annoys me to no end trying to get it to twist right after the first mop when I go to wring it out again. :mad: Those steamer mops sound interesting, I might look into those, I dislike the swifters, I even still have some of the pads from a year ago I bought, I just didn't care for it, but, I'll make sure to use up the extra pads one day as I hate wasting money more than I hate using the swifter to mop my floor with. :D
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My steam mop is a Kenwood brand . I personally think they are the best ..I purchased mine new which cost me just over $100. While I was away during winter I bought a new/ second had one the same in a Opp shop shop, you may call a charity shop, for my daughter for $5 , she is really pleased with it ,you don't need to use any chemicals it's only steam that cleans from the water you add ,our tiles are almost white and the SM makes them nice and shiny.
 
Kadee46 said:
My steam mop is a Kenwood brand . I personally think they are the best ..I purchased mine new which cost me just over $100. While I was away during winter I bought a new/ second had one the same in a Opp shop shop, you may call a charity shop, for my daughter for $5 , she is really pleased with it ,you don't need to use any chemicals it's only steam that cleans from the water you add ,our tiles are almost white and the SM makes them nice and shiny.
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I went right over to Amazon after I read this thread, I will go back and look up the one you've mentioned as well. There seems to be quite a few to choose from and a wide price range as well.. I sure wish I had the luck you had find the one for your daughter had at the second hand shop. :) hmmm maybe I'll check out one of those places too.
 
AprilT said:
I went right over to Amazon after I read this thread, I will go back and look up the one you've mentioned as well. There seems to be quite a few to choose from and a wide price range as well.. I sure wish I had the luck you had find the one for your daughter had at the second hand shop. :) hmmm maybe I'll check out one of those places too.
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Maybe try the likes of Gumtree/ eBay ..for a good second hand one ? I have known people who have bought them then left them sitting in the shed ..Look up reviews on anything you may consider buying
This is the one I have
 

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Hands and knees here, also. Easier to see spots that need extra scrubbing. Also used Spic & Span, but I don't think the liquid is as good. Or maybe they've changed the ingredients altogether.
 
I wash my bathroom the ensuite on hands and knees can't stand the bits that get in corners which no amount of mopping seems to get rid of ...I was starting having a little trouble getting up after so I bought my self a garden kneeler with handles
 

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