Chore Duty
But If You Must ...
If you can’t enforce the “no shoes” policy—for instance, when you throw a party—at least eliminate as much dirt as possible. “Have doormats outside and inside of every door,” Reichert says. “Mats can catch loose dirt and will help keep dirt off the floors.”
Protect From Pets
Look what the cat dragged in … literally. If you have pets, take this extra step to safeguard from a mess: “Keep a microfiber cloth next to the door so when they come in, you can wipe their feet. Pets can bring in lots of dirt, mud and germs.”
Try Bucket-Less Mopping...
Instead of using the ancient method of a bucket of water and mop, just mix up a spray bottle of your cleaner and water, then spray it on the floors. “Use a wet microfiber mop to wipe down the floor. You can clean your floors in half the time,” says Reichert, who also suggests having your kids lend a hand on this one—little ones can spray while you mop. For more details, see Reichert’s bucketless-mopping tutorial.
But Before You Mop ...
Just before mopping, take this super-quick step to ensure a swift (and better) clean. “Use your vacuum on hardwood floors before you dry-dust or mop them,” Reichert says. “The vacuum will pick up all the dirt and hair and make mopping it so much easier.”
Invest in Quality
Reichert says a good vacuum designed to “deep clean your floors,” is worth a few extra dollars. “Some people spend more on a week's worth of groceries than they do on a new vacuum,” says Reichert. “Good appliances work well for a long time, so do your homework and purchase a high-quality vacuum.” Also, let your kids help with vacuuming, even if it's with your supervision. Reichert says hers started by age 3! The younger ones can also help move area rugs while you breeze through with the appliance. Make it a game: How fast can you get each room done working as a team?
Avoid Oil
Lots of people opt for an oily cleaner to get hardwood floors shiny and squeaky clean, but Reichert warns against this. “Oil will attract dust and dirt and get cloudy as well,” she says. “Try to use a cleaner that will leave it clean without a film. You can use the same bucket-less technique on hardwood floors, But just don't wet the microfiber pads. Keep them dry, and spray a light mist onto the floors. Your hardwoods will look like glass and stay cleaner longer.” Want the perfect floor-cleaner? Reichert shows you how to whip it up here.
