Q: I have been using “X” wet mop for about two bottles of cleaner’s worth. This came recommended to me. There is now a streaky mop residue on my floors that I would like to remove. The residue is also causing other aesthetic problems. What is the best way to remove the residue?
Rest assured the wet mop has swiftly left the area. I would not recommend this product to anyone, even though it seemed great for the first several applications.
A: It’s quite annoying, isn’t it? Several years ago, after reading the MSDS sheet for their wet product, I felt it was safe to suggest to my customers. Within a couple of weeks, I knew that was a mistake. They claim it does not leave a residue, but obviously, it does.
Here is what you do: Buy a concentrated gallon of Bona Kemi Pacific Floor Cleaner. Most hardwood retail outlets will sell this product. I would suggest the undiluted concentrate which you can then mix with water in a spray bottle at a ratio or 5:1 or 7:1 as per label instructions. This is an excellent product and will remove any contamination left by this other “cleaner”. www.bonakemi.com
Webmaster’s note: It appears to me that just about every new “doesn’t leave a residue” claim turns out to be unreliable. It is better to go with a well-tested cleaner from a well-known wood flooring producer, like Bona Kemi. They are more interested in making their products look good than a big clean-all sales company would be– know what I mean?
Debris caught in mop caused the scratch
Follow-up Q from another Q&A: A small piece of dried paint from the foyer painter was on the floor and I was wiping the floor with a S****** by hand. The hunk of paint was stuck in it and made the scratch. I made it before we even used it.
A: You won’t like hearing this. The last time I read a data sheet on that mop, it contained wax. Before that, they said it contained paraben: same thing. This will impede adhesion of any future finish coats. I have dealt with a few floors like this before. I had to use a strong cleaner such as Polo Plaz Tie Tac to remove it first before coating. There are floor cleaners that are safe to use, manufactured by or for floor finish manufacturers. Polo Plaz has its own. So does Bona Kemi and Basic Coating to name a few. These can be used along with a micro weave or terry cloth mop.
I would not have expected a paint chip to cause such a scratch. It must have been large, with sharp edges, more like a chunk and you must have been putting considerable pressure on that mop.
Webmaster’s note: I use these mops at work, on a laminate floor, and chunks of gravel people trek in from the driveway, among other things, are always getting caught and dragged. Mop reside isn’t the only thing to worry about with these seemingly easier products.