Dial-a-Maid
Dust mops are useful in homes with lots of tile or hardwood, but they should be used only after the flooring has been cleared of sand and grit. If a dust mop catches sand in its fibers, it quickly transforms into a wide-path manual powered sanding belt. So be sure to quickly vacuum your floors before you dust mop them to get up the crumbs and larger dust bunnies. Typically dust mops are microfiber, cotton, or the new type of flat mops that is all the rage now. These type of dust mops can be washed without losing their dust-clinging ability. Dust mop treatment is available, but plain water works just fine also. If you have wood floors, use a little vegetable oil soap, such as Murphy's. If you have a ceramic or porcelain floor, use a little liquid dishwashing soap. If you have a marble floor, just use water and a cleaner made for marble floors only- sold at any supermarket or big-box store.
Before placing the removable pad onto the head of the dust mop wet it down with warm water and wring it well. Water helps dust cling to the material. Use an S-type pattern when dust mopping. Be sure your baseboards are cleaned before you dust mop, so as to get more dust with your dust mop. Start at one end of the room, close to the baseboards, and walk to the other end of the floor. Turn the mop head and overlap the path by several inches, then repeat the process until out of flooring. Rinse out the mop head continuously, so as to keep it moist. Change it to another mop head when it gets dirty. When you have finished, rinse out the mop head well, wring it out, and place it in the laundry basket to be washed with your cleaning rags and cloths. Dust mop cleaning can be a way to quickly and effectively clean your home before guests arrive.
