stupid cleaning question

[kaysixteen]

I have been trying this week to wash my white tiled floor, after, well, a few months.   I really was not in any shape to do so before very recently, my leg being too weak to push off of (I was hospitalized twice this semester, first for excessive edema and then for cellulitis in one of my legs, both of which stem from severe lymphedema, which also causes severe anemia-- the lymphedema had gotten so severe that my legs 'weep' (that is really the term the docs and therapists use), leaking said fluid onto the floor) and before that, well, let's just say I am in much better condition now than I have been for months.   The lymphedema treatments are also working.   But the el cheapo WM mop I have just won't cut the mustard-- I am going to head back to WM tomorrow to buy something better.  What do you suggest I get, and how do I best use what I get?  Thanks loads!

[EdnaMode]

I have white/cream tile floors in my bathrooms and kitchen and have a Bissell Steam Mop that I absolutely love. I have had it for nearly ten years. According to Google, the new version can be found for around $70-80 at your favorite big box stores or online shopping sites. I used to have a Shark steam mop but it started leaking after not even a year so I gave it to a friend who uses it in her dog kennel.

I use plain water in my Bissell and for any sticky spots or stains, I spray cleaner directly on the spot, let it sit for a bit, before running over it with the steam mop. I've even used dish soap to clean stains or stuck on goo in a pinch. And I can throw the cleaning heads in the laundry. They have different cleaning pads, plain terry cloth ones, some with scrubbing gripper things on them too.

[clean]

I had some work done on the house after a pipe broke.  I hired a steam cleaning company.  They did the job quickly  and having it steam cleaned took care of 20 years of build up! 

(I had a carpet under the table, and when we moved it to get to the wall that was soaked, I could see what the tile must have looked like when I moved in!  After they had done their magic, the entire dining room and kitchen looked great (and they steam cleaned the rug that was there too!)  I think it was $400 but it may have been less.

With all of the medical expenses, it may sound like a lot, but it is much cheaper than you doing it and then something going wrong and you exaggerating an injury. 

[kaysixteen]

Thanks.   Problems I got now are:

1) I reall cannot afford to hire anyone to do this

2) Tenants here got snap notice that with a window that starts Mon landlord is sending some people by to do apt inspections.   Bldg mgr knows of my health issues and they will understand if things are not as clean as I have kept them previously, but I do have to make some real effort here nonetheless.

One more question-- have any of ye used a Swiffer?  These are expensive, so I do not want to buy one without some reasonable assurance that it will work.

[Parasaurolophus]

We use a Swiffer--but we use the regular sweeper, and to mop we use reusable rags (stuffed into the attachment corners) + a squirt bottle of soapy water (or floor cleaner, if that's your jam). It works just fine, although anything sticky or cruddy would likely require getting down on hands and knees to scrub or, worst case scenario, to scrape with a razor blade.

The Swiffer sweeper is great, versatile, and not expensive (it's the sweeper cloths that add up over time). I wouldn't recommend their mop, though. Again, you might just as well stick a rag on the Swiffer stick and pour soapy water on the floor.

[ciao_yall]

Are you on MediCal or SSI? They often have resources for home help.

You also mention belonging to a church. Maybe someone can help you out this time, in exchange for something you can do for them when you are well?

[pgher]

One more question-- have any of ye used a Swiffer?  These are expensive, so I do not want to buy one without some reasonable assurance that it will work.

I have a Swiffer Power Mop, the kind that you press a button and it sprays solvent. Love it, love it, love it. HOWEVER, I have vinyl floors that are smooth. I don't think it would handle grout well. More broadly, I would say that it's good for daily upkeep but not a deep clean.

Maybe a scrub brush on a long handle?

[jimbogumbo]

I have white/cream tile floors in my bathrooms and kitchen and have a Bissell Steam Mop that I absolutely love. I have had it for nearly ten years. According to Google, the new version can be found for around $70-80 at your favorite big box stores or online shopping sites. I used to have a Shark steam mop but it started leaking after not even a year so I gave it to a friend who uses it in her dog kennel.

I use plain water in my Bissell and for any sticky spots or stains, I spray cleaner directly on the spot, let it sit for a bit, before running over it with the steam mop. I've even used dish soap to clean stains or stuck on goo in a pinch. And I can throw the cleaning heads in the laundry. They have different cleaning pads, plain terry cloth ones, some with scrubbing gripper things on them too.

Upvote to this. SIL has pro level cleaning experience and recommends them.

[kaysixteen]

My aunt has one of the Swiffer things, she says she likes it but does not really ever use it and I can have it.   I tried a formula I found somewhere (decent reputable site) online, mixing Pine Sol and ammonia (I had never actually bought ammonia before, and wonder why I had never heard of this notion).  It worked more or less like a charm.

[the_geneticist]

I have tile & love my steam mop!  Sweep or vacuum to get up any crumbs, use spray cleaner on any spills/stuck on bits, then steam away.

Or go really old-school and use full-sized bath towels as a way to "walk & scrub". Not recommended if you have concerns about falling, but no special equipment needed.

[AJ_Katz]

I remember all the cleaning I did on the grout of one of our 1940's home.  Despite all the treatments I could think of and effort put into it, the stains just never came out ...  but it was still clean!

[kaysixteen]

Entropy increaseth.

[nebo113]

White shoe polish back in the day when I rented.....

[Antiphon1]

Try Dawn Power Wash.  Yes, the dish detergent.  Spray it on the floor.  Let it soak for 15 minutes or so.  Rinse with vinegar water.  I don't know what is in that stuff, but it's kind of miracle worker. 

[the_geneticist]

White shoe polish back in the day when I rented.....

I fully admit to patching tiny nail holes with white toothpaste!