How do you clean your floors?

[lizfolsom]

Hi, we have a new Airstream and have been living full time in it. I can't decide how to do my daily and weekly cleaning of the floor. I want to keep everything looking new. I've been sweeping it once a week but wondering if a certain vacuum would be more efficient. And then how to actually wash the floor too.
What do you do?

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, we use a small broom, a small vacuum cleaner, and I use Windex on my vinyl floor.

[m.hony]

Continually-
It shows dirt like crazy...

[TG Twinkie]

We have indoor/outdoor carpet, vacuum when necessary.
The laminate floors do require specific cleaners to prevent damage.

[mstephens]

We have a 2012 with vinyl floor - wood grain. It is hard to keep clean because the grain has actual surface detail and texture (high and low lines). The kind of dirt at most campgrounds is as fine as moon dust, and it invades this textured floor mercilessly.

So, I use a broom of course every day to get the surface dirt out. Then my next defense is the "foot mop." In which I take a Shamwow square about 12" and wring it out in hot water. The I spray 'orange' cleaner on it, lay it on the floor, and use my foot on top to supply force as I skate around the floor with the Shamwow under my foot. Sounds silly, but works good. That will get the floor pretty clean, but not perfect.

My final attack is with the "Shark" steamer. It is a mop-like device that drives steam into the mop head as you mop. You need no cleaners of any kind. The steam lifts all dirt into the mop. The "Shark" is light, easy to use, has washable mop heads that come with it, and even other attachments for doing things up high.

I am always on the make for a better way though. I just wish they had chosen a vinyl with no texture. It would be way easier to clean.

[Lara Me]

We are planning to cover with either Flor tiles or a custom cut runner. Bought a spare power charger cable for the Dyson 44 mini vac with full extension floor module we use for home, and we will bring it along when camping. Works great. We will do a periodic cleaning of the floor with floor cleaners. Also looking at a walk off mat for outside to reduce dirt tracked in.

[Howard L.]

Vinegar and warm water, maybe a touch of dish soap. We don't use anything harsher, except on a tough spot here or there. Remember what goes on the floor also hits the bottom edge of the aluminum walls. What do you clean AL walls with!!

[Lily&Me]

All of these suggestions are good.

I am one of those who believes everything needs a good scrub once in awhile.

Several times a year I take a soft brush, warm water and a dab of Dawn and give it a scrub. Rinse a couple of times and dry well with rags. Gets the little crevices in the cork flooring and any buildup along the edge creases.

It always amazes me the dirt that comes up.....looks like the muddy Mississippi has come thru.


Maggie

[lizfolsom]

I'd love to see the Flor Tiles or custom runner you get! We are thinking of that too.

Thanks for all the great ideas everyone!

[lizfolsom]

Hello again, I wanted to share the great tip I learned from a fellow full-timer regarding cleaning floors.... The Magic Eraser! Those white scrub pads that get crayon off the walls, etc.. it worked so good on my floor today. It got the dirt out of the texture on them. I'm totally sold on them. We also recently got a Dyson hand vacuum which I'm now in love with too. My husband found a reconditioned one on Amazon for close to half price. Between these two I think I've solved my problems. Oh, and I think the Magic Eraser might have a mop version too so one doesn't have to be on their knees scrubbing.

[Rollster]

My husband just found that Tuff Stuff, a multipurpose spray foam ($3.47 at Walmart in the automotive cleaning aisle), works great on our vinyl floor. And it smells great! We also use it in our vehicle interiors for dashboard, seats, carpets, etc.

[Remax gal]

What about the Eddie Bauer floor? I'm not sure what the surface is but it almost looks like rubber. I have not taken possession yet, but getting close!

[jomondnv]

We have found that Clean Room Sticky Mats work great. Place them at the entrance and they catch all the loose debris from your shoes. Really keeps the floor free of loose dirt. You can get them on Amazon.

[Lily&Me]

That sounds like an excellent idea!

Going to look at those.

Thanks,


Maggie

[m.hony]

Formula 409


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[Phoenix]

We bought this small vacuum on our last roadtrip, because of the rocks, leaves and debris from camping in remote locations:

Shark Bagless Hand Vac - Walmart.com

It is probably too small for larger Airstreams, but it works great on the limited floor space in our 19' Bambi. Plus, it sucks up ROCKS!

Larger vacuums were too big to store, and smaller vacuums mostly just scattered debris without picking anything up. This one has the brushes and suction of a full-size vacuum, in a hand-held size. And, the price is right, too!

[Phoenix]

Recipe for homemade, all-purpose cleaner (similar to Windex):

• 1 pint, isopropyl alcohol

• 1/2 cup, sudsy ammonia

• Several drops, Dawn or other dish detergent (just enough to make a few bubbles; exact amount not critical)

• Enough water to make 1 gallon, total.

• Optional: One or two drops of food color to tint liquid.

We use this for cleaning about everything: Windows, table tops, floors, etc. You can even use it as TV windshield washer fluid, but make sure to OMIT THE AMMONIA, which may harden windshield washer blades and remove auto wax/polish.

Note: Recipe is from Consumers Union Labs and appeared in Consumer Reports Magazine, years ago.

[Phoenix]

Just read the reviews on the Shark hand vacuum I recommended above, and there are lots of failures reported. Ours is still working great, but you may want to read the reviews before purchasing.

Note: Product reviews appear below description, near the bottom of the page on the link in my previous post.