Mopping is a chore that needs to be done on a regular basis.
But have you ever stopped asking what works bests for your mopping needs, hot or cold water?
If you have, you are not alone. Many people cannot quite figure out the difference between the two options.
So, Is It Better to Mop with Hot or Cold Water?
Cold water is better and poses no damage to the flooring. It is also known to retain the floor’s shine. And not to mention that it eradicates bacteria and germs.
To Be Hot or to Be Cold?
Before we get any further, we must answer whether cold or hot water is ideal for mopping the floor.
And satisfying reasons for each choice.
The number one thing you should keep at the back of your mind is that it all depends on your preferences and the type of flooring in place.
Your detergent of choice also matters. It is especially true because some detergents work well with cold water. Some detergents, on the other hand, need hot water to activate.
Some folks would prefer to use hot water chiefly because of their climatic zone.
In this guide, we will recommend the correct methods that consider your safety and that of your flooring materials.
Note that your floorings’ lifespan relies chiefly on your choice.
Why Is Mopping with Cold Water Preferable?
1. It Helps Retain the Floor’s Sheen
If you want your floor to remain sparkling clean, opt for cold water because it has the effect of leaving a radiant sheen on the flooring materials.
This effect is not, however, what you would anticipate on hardwood floorings.
2. Cold Water Does Not Harm the Flooring Materials
If your flooring is made of upper latex materials, cleaning with cold water helps to keep it intact. Hot water would not be the case, as it would make this part peel out during and after washing.
Additionally, cold water does not allow seepage of chemicals into the flooring materials as hot water would.
3. Cold Water Guarantees the Ultimate Removal of Grime
Cold water is an ideal cleaning option if you want to clean the floor of dirt and stains.
Unlike hot water, cold water moves slowly on the floor, allowing you time to rid it of any dirt. Emulsified water detergent solutions excellently separate soil binders and break their grip on the floor.
4. It Helps to Rid the Floor of Bacteria and Germs
As mentioned, cold water moves slowly compared to hot water.
It allows you time to break the bacterial and germ colonies that might have established themselves on the floor.
It breaks the bacterial chain in the process and hampers further multiplication.
5. It Is Eco-Friendlier and Saves On Electricity
It is for obvious reasons. You do not need to boil water. It saves you a lot on electricity.
It is especially the case in cold climatic zones where you need a lot of electricity for heating your house. It spares energy you would have used in heating water for heating the home.
Why Would Mopping with Hot Water Be Preferable?
Hot water is not entirely a poor option for mopping your floor.
It has some good benefits if used to clean the floor.
They include:
1. Efficiency
It is the first and, perhaps, the essential edge hot water has over cold water.
It saves time and cleans off dirt and grime with unmatched efficiency. Research has proven that hot water has about 75% cleaning efficiency on most surfaces.
2. Some Cleaners Need Hot Water to Activate
Some of the best cleaners will not activate in cold water. In such cases, you have no option but to resort to hot water.
3. It Works as A Stand-Alone Cleaner
You can use hot water without the need for chemical detergents.
It is, therefore, eco-friendly since such cleaning does not require chemicals.
4. Hot Water Cleans Gunk More Efficiently
Hot water clears off gunk and dirt more efficiently than cold water.
Scientifically, hot water is lighter and has a larger surface area making it very effective in riding your dirt floor and gunk.
Types of Flooring and Recommended Water for Mopping
This section will cover the types of flooring and ideal mopping methods using hot or cold water.
1. Hardwood Flooring
It is best to use cold water for mopping hardwood flooring.
Hot water has been known to damage the protective top cover of hardwood flooring.
Stick to cold water and suitable cleaners that do not compromise with the strength of wood.
2. Tiles
For tiled floors, you can use either cold or hot water. Both have no negative impact on tiles.
Marble tiles, for instance, can be moped with hot water and regular detergents.
The same may not apply to other, more expensive tiles such as glass or porcelain tiles.
Such tiles can only tolerate lukewarm water and not extremely hot water. Otherwise, they can crack or even discolor.
3. Vinyl Tiles
It would help if you cleaned vinyl floors with cold water or use room temperature water.
Besides, vinyl tiles require gentle handling. A soft swish mopping would do a great deal of a job.
Additionally, you should not use detergents on such floors since they are more susceptible to weathering.
Enzymes present in cleaning agents can break them down and compromise durability.
If you use the wrong cleaning methods on these floors, yellow stains and discoloration take effect and ruin the floor’s overall look. Worse still, cracks may begin to develop on the floor.
Why Should You Ultimately Go With Cold Water?
Although cold and hot water is ideal in the specified cases, it is better to stick to cold water.
You want a choice that puts you on the safer side.
As hinted, cold water generally gives you the results hot water would.
Despite its slow action, cold water preserves your floor and guarantees excellent results.
It inflicts no damage on the floor since it works well with most flooring materials. For these reasons, we recommend using cold water for most of your mopping needs.
Final Words
As you have noted, old water proves to be the best option for mopping your floors.
All for the right reasons. The goal is to end up with a cleaner and safer floor.
You need to understand the nature of your flooring materials and rule out whether it works with your detergents or not.
Some floors only work with hot water. You must be particularly keen to protect your feet from damage.
Sources
https://homeviable.com/better-to-mop-hot-water-vs-cold-water/
