Dove in the Rock

My kitchen has textured vinyl flooring. Over the years, dirt and grime has solidified into the dimples and grooves that create the texture, and regular old mopping just doesn’t lift it out. I tried everything I could think of, even one of those floor-scrubbing appliances, all to no avail. The only thing that did it was Cinderella-style scrubbing, sitting on the floor with a Scotch-brite scouring pad and plenty of elbow grease.

Did I mention that we have about 300 square feet of this grimy vinyl between the kitchen and breakfast room? That’s a bit too much Cinderella for me, even with all my romantic sensibilities.

My dear husband listened to my wailing and saw my gnashing of teeth. Instead of just listening to my feelings, like we wives often plead, he did try to fix my problem. He suggested the following: Take the regular pad off the Swiffer and set the Swiffer head down on top of the Scotch-brite pad. Use a product designed for scouring (none of the usual Pine-sol or Fabuloso, something more like Top Job) tubs and sinks and tile. Spray it on, smear it around and let it sit a few minutes, then try Swiffer-ing it with the scouring pad.

It worked like a charm. I followed these instructions exactly and was absolutely delighted to see all the grime release easily, and the Swiffer made it simple to get under the eaves of the cabinets and into corners. The Top Job did require me to go back over it with a wet mop because it’s designed to be rinsed off, but I consider that an easy requirement for the results I got. I will not need to use this method every time I mop, but perhaps twice a year or whenever I perceive the need for deep-cleaning.

Sometimes that husbandly drive for just solving the problem can be a real blessing.

For more Works-For-Me-Wednesday tips, visit Rocks in my Dryer.

Posted on January 2nd, 2008 by Dove
Filed under: Domestic Arts