Sticky food item spills can be unpleasant. Everyone who has experienced a soda spill on their fresh carpet can relate to this particular ordeal without any difficulty. However, there are plenty of ways to get rid of sticky floors situations once you're aware of appropriate floor cleaning solutions. Often, people go for the wrong cleaning solution that damages hardwood floors, laminate floors, and wood floors. You should never use steam mops irregularly or dirty water to clean sticky floors.
Whether you spilled a sticky substance like soda or found an army of old chewing gum stuck to your carpet corner under the sofa, removing sticky residue is quite easy without using too much cleaning solution. Although certain types of floors are expensive, especially the wooden ones, tile floors, and laminate flooring, you can fix sticky floors easily. If you wish to know how to clean sticky floors, this is the guide for you.
How to Clean Sticky Floors?
Cleaning your sticky floors isn't that difficult, as we discussed earlier. However, finding and working with the proper cleaning solution is significant since that is how you will get rid of your sticky floors. Here's everything you need to know about cleaning your floors with the right cleaning solutions and techniques.
Things That You Require
View this list first to know what equipment and cleaning items you require beforehand. When you have the following items for cleaning, you can follow the floor cleaning steps:
- Warm Water
- White Vinegar
- Soft Towel
- Floor Cleaner
- Mop
- Buckets
- Household Cleaning Ammonia/Ammonia Cleaner
Cleaning Sticky Floors: A Step-by-Step Guide
Here are the steps to follow if you wish to get rid of the sticky situation that will only grow more unpleasant day by day. Follow each step carefully and precisely while being extremely cautious with the chemicals you use in cleaning solutions.
Step 1:
Hot water is extremely important for cleaning sticky situations since it softens stubborn stains and residue. However, laminate flooring and vinyl floors can't stand the high temperature, so lukewarm water might do the trick.
Step 2:
Use a floor cleaner with a pH value opposite the sticky substance or residue on your floor. Add the recommended amount to the warm water in your bucket.
Step 3:
Moisten the mop by dipping it into your cleaning solution.
Step 4:
Keep rinsing your mop frequently and clean the entire floor, especially the sticky part, rigorously.
Step 5:
Once you see that the bucket's water is getting dirty, replace it with clean water and make sure that your mop is as clean as it can get.
Step 6:
Rinse your entire floor using clean water. The leftover cleaning residue from the floor cleaning solution can make the floor sticky as well. Therefore, it might appear as you haven't cleaned the original spill properly.
Step 7:
If your floor is still sticky at this point, create another cleaning solution using a half cup of ammonia into warm water.
Step 8:
Once again, clean the sticky floors after dipping your mop in the solution.
Step 9:
After cleaning the floor, throw out the dirty water and the ammonia safely while using protective gear to avoid exposure to chemicals.
Step 10:
Use another bucket and include one cup of white vinegar. Rinse the floor with this solution.
Step 12:
Use only soft towels and old towels if possible to dry the floor if you need. Otherwise, you can leave the floor to air dry.
Step 13:
If your floor is still sticky, then this last step involves gently repeating all the steps above for the second time.
How to Clean Sticky Floors - Tips
- When cleaning a wood floor, use minimal moisture on the floor or it may become damaged.
- If the area is not large and the stickiness will not disappear, try cleaning the surface with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. It will remove any remaining residue that the mop does not.
- Steam mops work well for all kinds of sticky messes and are safe to use on wood floors.
- Soda is essentially sugar and water, so basic cleaning products are sufficient to remove it.
- If the protective coating on the floor suffers from damage, it too can feel sticky. In these cases, strip the existing protective seal and apply a fresh one.
Why is My Floor Sticky After I Mop?
If this is your first time dealing with a sticky spill on your floor, you probably expect neat and excellent-smelling floors after normal cleaning. However, dealing with a sticky floor even after cleaning is a common issue. This usually happens when you clean the sticky floor with a mop and floor cleaner solution. Vinyl floors, wood floors, and tile floors are common victims of this cleaning method that remain sticky. Why does this happen?
The wrong chemical solution, too much cleaning solution, and inadequate clean water rinsing can leave the floor sticky. Though there are several ways to solve this problem, let's discuss some of the common mistakes you might be making.
Wrong Chemical Solution
For starters, you have to use chemical cleaners that have the opposite pH value to the stains to remove the sticky residue completely. For instance, an alkaline floor cleaning solution might offer the best result if the floor is sticky because of an acidic spill. In case you are using an acidic cleaner to remove acidic dirt stains, you will notice stickiness.
Furthermore, you should choose chemical solutions depending on the type of floor and the sticky substance you spilled on your floor. Using too greasy, harsh, or sticky chemicals will prove ineffective in removing the sticky mess. It will also damage the flooring.
Using Dirty Water
Your floor might remain sticky even after mopping because you're using dirty water in the process. It is a no-brainer that trying to clean your floor with dirty water and a dirty mop will only make the floor untidy. Besides, one chemical solution might not be suitable for all types of flooring.
Therefore, you have to invest your time researching the suitability of a cleaning solution chemical for your flooring. This way, you will come across the right cleaning solution if you don't have one already.
Remember that the water might appear the cleanest when you're only using the water to moisten the mop slightly. However, as the cleaning begins, the water starts getting dirty.
In that case, you will notice that the water in the bucket keeps getting dirtier as you mop the floor. The floor will start becoming sticky when you keep using the same dirty water and unclean wet mops for cleaning.
Alternative Stick Floor Cleaning Solution
For your convenience, here are some helpful tips for mopping your sticky floor to keep it fresh and clean:
For an extremely sticky floor, get warm water in a bucket along with a mop. Use the best floor cleaner for your floor type and add the recommended amount in the water bucket. Wring and moisten the mop according to your floor type.
Clean thoroughly and keep rising the mop frequently, so the dirt doesn't stick to the floor again. Change the dirty water in the end since you will use warm water. But, if you notice the water is getting too dirty, replace it instantly with more clean, warm water.
Rinse the entire floor with clean water in the end and inspect it for any sticky residue left on the floor. You can let the floor air dry (the best approach). Nevertheless, you can also go for either a towel, a soft cloth, or a microfiber mop to dry the floor.
Benefits of Using Steam Mops
If you want to use the best cleaning equipment, steam mops should be first on your list. These can save you time and offer amazing results even when you want to clean sticky floors.
With a steam mop, the time spent on cleaning the sticky floor will be considerably low. However, pay attention to the type of flooring you have because steam mops aren't suitable for floor types such as wood and laminate floors.
A good steam mop uses anti-bacterial technology that helps eliminate harmful microorganisms and germs from the surface. The hot water from the steam mop can kill most of the microorganisms living on your floor.
For unfitted or inadequately fitted floors, steam mops aren't the best cleaning options. This especially applies to wooden ones, as these floor types suffer a great deal due to heat from a steam mop.
How to Clean the Sticky Floor without Mop?
Various methods and techniques help you clean your floor without using a mop. While some might appear the easiest in the world, others might be slightly challenging.
Several Ways to Clean a Sticky Floor without a Clean Mop
1. Be on the lookout for any spills on the floor. Fresh spills are the easiest to clean using spoons, dull knives, paper towels, and soft cloths.
2. When wiping the floor using a dry rag or soft cloth, make sure you use diluted floor cleaner. You can do this by adding water according to the recommended ratio. Using excessive cleaner will harm your floor and cause it to get stickier.
3. Use mild detergents because heavier ones will leave sticky residue on the floor. This attracts more dirt onto the floor.
4. Use warm and clean water on the floor and opt for a clean water rinse once you wipe the sticky floor with a mild detergent or appropriate cleaning solution.
5. Wipe the floor with an ammonia-based solution to ensure that no water seeps into the flooring. Additionally, this ensures that no sticky residue remains on the floor.
6. Use a floor protection layer to prevent sticky dirt and stains from getting stuck onto the floor. You can go for commercial-grade floor protection coats or use the best residential-grade floor protection coats.
Use an Ammonia-Free Floor Cleaner
You can opt for a handful of options when it comes to cleaning your floor and removing sticky residue. However, if you want to minimize the chances of leaving behind chemical residue after using a cleaner solution, you should go for an ammonia-free one. You can find plenty of ammonia-free floor cleaners options on the market.
Although ammonia removes stains and specks of dirt effectively, it isn't a residue-free solution. Hence, using heavy ammonia-based chemical cleaners can result in a stickier floor.
Does Vinegar Make Floors Sticky?
White vinegar is one of the most useful options for most DIY house cleaners to clean spills, stains, and dirt. While white vinegar and water is an unmatched combination in some instances, it isn't always great. For the wrong floor types, a vinegar solution can leave sticky residue rather than cleaning the floors.
When Not to Use Vinegar for Cleaning Sticky Stains?
In simple words, you shouldn't use white vinegar cleaning agents or solutions on hardwood floors in any case. Hardwood floors can suffer from damage due to the chemical composition of white vinegar. Bear in mind that a cleaning agent or solution removes the sticky stain and dirt from the finish on the floor, which is the protective layer for the material beneath.
But, with white vinegar, you can notice sticky residues and loss of the aesthetic finish on your hardwood floors.
How to Clean Sticky Floors After a Party?
Parties can get out of hand when you're having too much fun. In fact, parties losing control is a sign that everyone is enjoying the best time of their life. However, this can lead to long hours of cleaning. But, there is a simple way of cleaning after a party.
Use a vacuum cleaner to get the foreign material out and remove dust particles from every inch of the floor. Once you have removed trash and used the vacuum cleaner, go for a bucket of warm water and microfiber mops to clean hard-to-reach places.
For extremely sticky floors, use warm water-soaked old towels, place them over the sticky spots and leave them overnight or for a few hours. Then, when the sticky stains soften up, use appropriate floor cleaners with warm water and a clean mop to remove them. If sticky residues are left, use white vinegar and water to remove them (not for hardwood floors). Perform a final rinse using clean water.
A Hands-Free Approach
You can always call professional house cleaning companies to help with sticky floors if you are too busy or want a quick turnaround for upcoming house gatherings or events.
Wrap-Up
You have to know what is causing the sticky floors because only then can you choose the right floor cleaning solutions. To maintain the quality of your flooring, use appropriate floor cleaners that won't damage the material.
The steps mentioned above and tips are effective if you use the right technique and follow them precisely. You can get rid of your sticky floors in no time.