vacuum or sweep?

[wino]

What's the best way to clean marble and wooden floors - vacuuming or sweeping with a brush (followed by mopping)?

[sierra2469alpha]

Back in Oz and here - I vacuum then immediately mop. It's always seemed to work for me. Getting technical on you: it depends a lot on what you use to mop your floors, eg. what cleaning fluid.

One thing we had to get used to with floors when we arrived 5 or so months ago: being Australian, we like a beer or three, and we very quickly had to get used to carrying a small hand sized towel around with us to wipe up drops of condensation that fell on our lovely floors!

God, soo domesticated for a bloke!

[durain]

sweep and mop for me. i am a domesticated dude as well.

[sierra2469alpha]

hey durain - I see this turning into a total diatribe on the various merits of floor cleaning! What next, windows? Bathrooms?

[durain]

blokes brainstorming on cleaning tips.

[ksl]

sweep and mop for me. i am a domesticated dude as well.

well I find there is a difference, depend on how often you clean, because if you hoover on marble flooring after too long a period, you will see what is left on the floor, using the mop afterwards, will just be frustrating, as it unloosens all the shit on the marble like a scrambled egg.

The best method is to sweep daily, hoover at least twice a week, then use the mop weekly or when needed . There again if you have a maid, I guess its everyday poor lass!

One thing i hate is dust, I can/do really freak out over dust, and that my dear friends is quite often, so i have to do the cleaning myself, basically because many women cleaners only do what they can see. My dear mum would turn over in her grave, if she new what women are like today, for cleaning. Although my kids say I'm too regimental in that area.

[sierra2469alpha]

...only do what they can see. My dear mum would turn over in her grave, if she new ... Although my kids say I'm too regimental in that area.

I agree with your first statement, KSL - a boy has to have a plan and move methodically. Your second statement - no, you're not regimental - you're using common bloody sense!

I do note, with some degree of amusement, that there is no female input on this topic

[andy21]

Another non-female here!

I vacuum and mop immediately after as well. Mine's a nice marble flooring as well.

Vacuuming's fine, I use one of those funky Dyson vacuum cleaners and wouldn't use anything else.

It's always the one with the lower threshold for dirt that does all the work unfortunately.

[Global Citizen]

Ok, time for some female input here. Great advice gentlemen and your mamas raised you right, that's for sure. I love a man who has no sexist issues with getting on and tackling what needs to get done.


I'm a little bit of a neat and clean freak myself (much more calmer these days though and not as exacting on myself where before, I could go over the top a wee bit... he, he) but overall, either sweep or vacuum though the latter is a little easier but do it consistently and frequently.

[sierra2469alpha]

Yay! Thanks GC

[Global Citizen]

Anytime, Sierra.

[ksl]

Well I don't blame my Taiwanese wife, for having to concentrate on her studies, when growing up rather than getting her hands dirty, although married to me, can be challenging, so cleaning is also a learning process, for her, which she isn't too eager to learn, because she knows i do a better job.

Although my foot goes down on the 50/50 work load, and it doesn't help that I've been out on business, to find a home covered in shit, she's been asking for a maid, for ages now, but the answer is no, not until, she's served her apprenticeship, like i had too. Otherwise the maid will be taken for granted too fundamentals of survival are relevant for life Crikey I've seen some single guys, living quarters in my time, that i find scary, more like penicillian factories

[Global Citizen]

Ah ksl, like you, I'm a firm believer that one's children must learn the basics, maid or no maid as it's important to learn how to fend for one's self. I'm proud to say that my only son and child is able to do his own laundry, and can cook and clean. My issues were when he used to live at home, his room used to be quite messy; clothes on the floor instead of hangers or slung on the back of a chair and he still doesn't always put things away where they belong when done and isn't the most organised even now but I've learnt to give and take a little.