Cleaning & Laundry
How I Keep Our Floors Clean Without Cleaning Them Every Day
Our floors take a beating. We're in and out all day, grass gets tracked inside, the dog sheds year-round, and somehow there's always something on the hardwood. I don't clean the floors every day. I vacuum every couple of days when they need it and mop about once a week. That's really it.
Vacuuming Every Couple of Days
I usually vacuum every other day or whenever the floors start looking like they need it. Most of what I'm picking up is grass and dog hair, so a cordless vacuum makes it easy to grab it and make a quick pass through the house without turning it into a whole cleaning project.
Mopping About Once a Week
I mop roughly once a week, usually whenever I have a little time and the house has slowed down. I vacuum first, then mop from the far side of the room back toward the door so I'm not walking across the floors I just cleaned.
The entry and kitchen usually get done last because they're the first places to get dirty again anyway.
When I'm finished, I store the mop with the head up so it can dry completely instead of staying damp.
I also sometimes add a small splash of white vinegar to my mop water. Vinegar isn't right for every flooring material or finish, so follow the care instructions for your own floors.
Practical favorites
What We Use
Nothing complicated — a cordless vacuum that's easy to grab and a spin mop that wrings out well enough to leave the hardwood barely damp.
