My kitchen floor is becoming a sticky, icky mess thanks to my 15-month-old. She thinks it's fun to throw her food on the floor at times and my old mop doesn't seem to be up to the challenge. We are working on getting her to not throw the stuff and for the most part she usually does ok. Is there a mop out there that is up for the challenge? I have a small kitchen with vinyl flooring (also have vinyl in bathroom and entry way). I don't want something expensive and fancy but would like something that I can use that actually cleans the floor so I don't have to get down on my hands and knees everytime. Any recommendations?
I have a steam mop--Eureka Euro steamer. The Shark is also great. When you factor in the nasty sponge on the mop and having to replace it, totally worth spending the money up front. I also have a swiffer for quick cleanups that I don't feel like doing the steamer--and have my kids use as well. Once you have used the steam mop, the cloth goes in the wash and no nasty smelly mophead or hoping the store has it in stock.
I would get a swiffer... that way you can just throw away the pad, and you aren't constantly having to clean a mop. If you have to use it every time she eats, a reusable mop will never have a chance to dry out and might make your closet (or wherever you keep it) mildewy. It would be pretty convenient... and as long as you clean it up while it's still fresh it shouldn't be an issue. The only problem would be the cost of the pads if you are on a tight budget.
Another option... I have seen a wrap thing that goes around the seat of the high chair to catch what baby is dropping... I saw one at Babies r us... seems like too much of a hassle to me, but you might like it...
I saw a mop at Target yesterday. Just like the Swiffer, but you can put your own cleaner in it. Nice!!!! That way you don't have to buy their expensive cleaner every time you run out. I think it was $17. Kind of pricey for a mop, not compared to the mop systems. Those microfiber clothes seem to pick up instead of moving everything around like those old mops. They are so easy you could even spot mop after every meal. I have a Bona for hardwoods you can refill their system-that's why I didn't get one.
My daughter does the same thing. My bissell steam mop is a LIFESAVER and worth every penny! I used to have a swiffer and it's such a waste. You need a new pad every few feet. WAY more expensive than the steam mop in the long run because you don't have to buy pads all the time for the steam mop. The steam gets up sticky gunk in seconds! I also have a mess mat under our highchair, but she's got a good arm!
I'm the last person who would try to "sell" you something and generally don't like it when people on here recommend home-sales products. However, as the mom of a 3-year old boy and a 1-year-old girl who is learning to self feed, I agreed to host a Norwex (cleaning supply) party and got their mop for free as a hostess last month. It's a microfiber cloth that works with just water and it has silver embedded in the microfibers to kill off bacteria. It comes with a dry cloth too, and I use that instead of a broom before I mop because it actually picks things up instead of just shoving them around.
So, basically, put on the dry cloth, swish it around, brush it off over the waste basket. Get the wet cloth damp at the sink (works with just water, which I love since my kiddos pick things up off the floor!) and swish it around and you're done. No chemicals, gets up WAY more than my Swiffer ever did using expensive chemicals, and when you're done you just throw both cloths into the washer. If it was just a quick job and you don't have time to wash them, that's fine because the silver is sitting there killing the bacteria so it never looks or smells moldy from lack of washing.
Good luck with whatever you decide! I don't remember how much the mop was since I got it free, but I'm sure Norwex has a website that could tell you more.
Whatever you do, don't waste you money on the Swiffer. It does not work, it is expensive to keep getting the pads and just plain a waste of money. I would go with the Norwex or a steam mop.
Well I honestly love my steam mop made by shark that I bought at Walmart for like $80.00. When you think about it that is cheaper in the long run because you are not having to buy anything else to go along with it such as the cleaner or replacement pads or whatever. It uses plain water and cleans and sanitizes all at the same time. Over time $80.00 (and I think it might even be cheaper than that now) is a lot less than what you would spend on any other traditional mop. The pads are reuseable to where you can throw them in the washer machine and voila mop away! I love mine and would be very upset if someone took that thing away from me!
do yourself a favor...toss the mop-full of ugly bacteria...go buy a box of shop towels or rags..big huge yellow box-their like a real thick paper towel-use once an toss-you can use them for anything..i never use a mop on my floor-always have done it by hand..gets the floor much cleaner-saves alot of money than using a bacteria pusher...or you can get a big ol peice of plastic to put under hichair-but you still have to clean it...
When my kids were that age, I put an old shower curtain or plastic table cloth under their chairs and it covered the area well enough to keep the food off the floor. With this trick, the cleanup is usually just a wipe of the plastic, or shake out the door.
Steam mops are fabulous! There are a lot of brands and price points. I have a Shark that I just love. I can do my entire downstairs in 20 minutes and it dries so fast! No chemicals or cleaners to buy. Just fill it with water and plug it in. You can look on Consumer Reports website to find the best rated and their prices.