8 Things You Can Add To Mop Water For Fresher-Smelling Floors

 

Get a good clean and great smell at the same time.

While I'm not a fan of mopping (because really, who wants to carry around a heavy bucket and wear their back out scrubbing floors?), I'm a huge fan of the outcome: the fresh smell. Even when I make a simple solution of warm water and soap, there's a subtle scent that lingers in the air for a short period of time. Curious to know if there's anything else I can add to my mop water to give my floors and even better smell, I spoke to two cleaning experts for their favorite mop water additions.

Here are the eight things they said you can add to mop water for fresher-smelling floors. I can't wait to try them!

Essential Oils

Want a custom scent for your floors that isn't your typical lemon smell? Our pros say you can use your favorite essential oil scent as an additive for your mop water. Cohoon says, "Essential oils are an easy way to boost the scent of natural cleaning ingredients like baking soda without causing damage. When creating a cleaning solution for tile floors using ½ cup of baking soda and a bucket of warm water, essential oils can be included to give the mixture a nice scent."

But, there's another benefit to using your favorite essential oil to leave behind a better smell after mopping. Turns out, these oils can help give your floors a deeper clean, too! "Lemon oil helps to break down grease, tea tree oil has antibacterial and anti-fungal benefits, and lavender adds a calming scent, helping you truly relax in your home," says Aparacio.

Lemon Juice

But of course, this list wouldn't be complete without mentioning the traditional lemon juice. Aparacio says adding a 1/4 cup of lemon juice to your mop water not only leaves behind a fresher scent, but it contains acid to help lift grime and kill germs, especially on tile or vinyl while also cutting through soap scum and hard water spots.

Dish Soap

If you don't have lemon juice on hand or essential oils, our pros say you can always fall back on dish soap. "A few drops of dish soap can go a very long way as in it's nature, it is designed to cut through grease, lift dirt, and break down sticky residues," Cohoon says. "It's perfect for kitchen floors or high-traffic areas. Dish soap also has a very strong smell. Using scents like green apple or berries will fill your home with a great aroma without compromising on any cleaning."

Baking Soda

If you have dried spills, scuff marks, or other visible marks on your floors that you need to get up, pull out the opened box of baking soda from the back of your fridge. Aparacio says that baking soda is extremely effective at cleaning floors and leaving behind a fresh scent because of the alkaline properties. "Add around 2 tablespoons per gallon to mop water, and it will create a gentle scrubbing solution that's especially effective on sealed tile, vinyl, and linoleum floors," she says. "It can also help lift scuff marks, dried spills, and sticky residue without damaging the surface, perfect for deodorizing pet areas, entryways, or kitchen floors that tend to trap smells."

Citrus Peels & Herbal Tea

For a sustainable option that makes your floors smell better, apparently, you can use citrus peels or your favorite herbal tea! "These are great sustainable hacks to add to your mopping routine that also result in a great-smelling and clean home," says Aparacio. "Use any leftover peels and boil them in water, strain, and then add the liquid to your mop bucket. The natural oils in citrus peels help cut grease and leave a fresh, fruity scent, making it a great way to

reuse kitchen scraps."

As for the tea, she says herbal tea bags such as peppermint, chamomile, or green tea are just as effective. All you need to do is steep a few bags and then add them to your bucket. "Herbal teas offer natural antibacterial properties and leave behind a subtle, earthy scent, making it another great sustainable and eco-friendly option."

White Vinegar

White distilled vinegar is a powerful cleaning agent you can use in multiple areas of the home, including the floors. "White vinegar is an effective cleaning agent because its acidic properties help to break down and dissolve grime, dirt, and mineral deposits on surfaces," says Cohoon. "The addition of vinegar not only cleans but also freshens floors and acts as a natural cleaning agent with antibacterial properties that deodorize by easily neutralizing odors." She recommends creation a homemade solution of one part white vinegar mixed with ten parts warm water.

Castile Soap

For a gentler option than dish soap, consider using Castile soap for your mop solution. Cohoon says a solution can be made by mixing a teaspoon of Castile soap into a bucket of warm water. "Castile soap is beneficial because it is a cost-effective ingredient that can break up tough stains. To provide a fresh smell, the Castile soap solution can be enhanced by adding essential oils to achieve the desired scent," she says.

Commercial Floor Cleaner

Of course, you can always add a few drops of your favorite commercial floor cleaner to give your floors a fresher smell as you mop. The key to using them safely is reading the directions and making sure you dilute them appropriately. Aparacio says, "These cleaners are designed to clean and deodorize in one step, with many containing surfactants that break down dirt and oils, with strong aromas and fragrances for long-lasting smells and freshness. Always follow the label for dilution, and go for the herbal or citrus-scented options for that extra burst of freshness."

 

 Southernliving