I've realized that part of it is having more self-awareness to prevent messes, then just finding cleaning products you actually enjoy using.
Our elusive product was finding a mop that was actually easy to use. We had high hopes for the Dyson Hard DC56, but it ended up being hard to use.
Though we think we found something that works:
Miss M is skeptical of mops
We decided to try the Twist and Shout mop which seems to have all of the solutions that people complain about in a mop. It has an extra-plush microfiber head which is easy to slide along the floor and it doesn't need a lot of arm strength. It is circular and it has a swivel head which makes it easy to fit into angles and crevices. With the microfiber head it can be used as a dry mop to dust the floor, but it really gets fancy when it's used as a wet mop. It has a lever and comes with a special bucket where the mop actually spins to wring all of the water out. With a couple of pushes it becomes super-dry, which is really important for hardwood floors.
They recommend watching the Youtube video to make sure you know how to spin it correctly--basically just make sure that it's upright and none of the strings are hanging out of the bucket--but it is really easy to use.
I like that you don't need to use special formula or wipes, and the mop head can be put in the laundry. If you need to buy replacement mop heads they are only about $5 each.
Out of all of the Swiffers, sponge mops, Martha Stewart mops, general cleaning mops, and the fancy Dyson, this has been the easiest, and most "fun" mop to use. Even though I wasn't singing and dancing like the commercial.
Miss M wrings out the mop
The only thing I didn't like was that you need to use the specific bucket it comes with and that bucket can be large and hard to store. Beyond that, I think our search is over and we have found the mop that makes mopping fun.I've also been hearing a couple of different things about caring for hardwood floors.
I've heard that you should really just use a dry mop, and only use a very dry wet-mop with vinegar and water on rare occasions.
What is everyone else doing for your hardwood floors?
Also:
The well-scented dog home.
Being preventative.
How we make cleaning fun.
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