Surely it has happened to you before: you mop and, instead of a shiny floor, what is left is a surface with stains, water marks, or an impression that it is still dirty.

The trick that my aunt shared with me consists of something as simple as Scrub small areas and dry immediately with a dry cloth or mop. This prevents dirt from sticking while the floor dries slowly.

This technique ensures that the cleaning is real and not a momentary patch. The floor is left spotless and the result is instantly noticeable, especially on smooth surfaces such as stoneware, porcelain or parquet.

The key is quick drying

This advice is not just a town secret. Cleaning experts agree that the key to ensuring that the floor does not remain dirty after mopping is drying.

If you let the water evaporate on its own, the remains of detergent and powder form a film that traps fingerprints and lint. The floor is sad and matte.

Add a second step to scrubbing, i.e. drying with a mop or even a cloth Microfiber prevents the floor from becoming a dirt magnet. It is a small gesture that prolongs the feeling of cleanliness and freshness at home.

Scrub in small sections

Another success of my aunt’s trick is scrub in small parts, instead of the entire floor at once. This way, you can ensure that you mop with clean water and dry before the typical film forms.

The ideal is to follow an order,start in a corner of the roomscrub a couple of square meters, dry and move on.

It may seem slower, but in reality time is saved because there is no need to review after.

Prepare the floor before mopping

A common mistake when mopping, and which is also behind inefficient scrubbing, is thinking that the mop drags everything. As recommended by specialists, you should always sweep or vacuum first.

If you don’t, dust and crumbs, For example, They are diluted in water and in the end stains appear that are difficult to remove.

Using a broom or vacuum cleaner not only makes scrubbing easier, It also extends the life of your mop, since it does not become saturated with dirt as quickly.

No more excess detergent

When the floor is sticky after mopping, many times it is not because it is dirty, but because we have used too much cleaner.

The belief according to which “The more soap, the cleaner” is a myth. In reality, excess detergent leaves a film that is uncomfortable to the touch and attracts dust quickly.

The ideal proportion is very small, a capful of cleaner is enough or, if you prefer a home remedy, a couple of tablespoons of white vinegar in a bucket of water. With this mixture you get a shiny, mark-free floor.

A homemade cleaner that doesn’t leave marks

Inspired by my aunt’s tricks and what experts in natural cleaning recommend, a simple and effective recipe is this:

• 2 liters of warm water
• 2 tablespoons cleaning vinegar
• a few drops of neutral soap (mild dishwashing type)
• a few drops of lemon or lavender essential oil (optional)

With this preparation, The floor is left clean, disinfected and with a fresh aroma. In addition, it does not leave marks because it evaporates without residue.

When to change the water in the bucket

Many times we scrub the entire house with the same water, but the correct thing to do is to change it as soon as it starts to look cloudy. Otherwise just you will be spreading the dirt across.

With clean water, each pass leaves a much brighter finish and bad odors are avoided.

Put it into practice today

The next time you mop the floor, Place a mop or a couple of dry microfiber cloths in a corner before starting.

Scrub in small sections and as soon as you finish a section, wipe it with one of those cloths to dry it.

You will see that The result is immediate: The floor is shiny, streak-free and looks much cleaner than if you let it dry alone.