How do you clean your kitchen floor?

[ArmchairActivist]

This is definitely one for the doghouse, and not housekeeping!

We clean up after accidents using a Dettol spray with paper towel followed by an enzyme cleaner (Simple solution).

But the floor looks very quickly worse for wear.

What's the best system of ammonia-free cleaning to get our floor looking respectable again?

And how often do you clean it? And using exactly what materials?

I'm not keen on rag mops but if that's the best method, please let me know.

This is my first dog, so excuse the naïveté. Am hoping to be told the best way by experienced dog owners. We've had him two months and am realising the above system is not enough!

[Shriek]

what type of 'accidents' and how old is ddog? What type of floor?

first thing that comes to mind is being very careful of what harsh and potentially chemical irritants you put under the ddog's feet.

What in particular is the 'worse for wear' look that you mention?

[ArmchairActivist]

Dog is almost five months old. Accidents are mainly no 1, very occasionally 2!

The floor is ceramic tiles that are designed to look like slate - so very wipeable and cleanable!

The Simple solution says you should let it air dry, so it sort of leaves a 'film' once you've sprayed it.

Any suggestions about the best way to keep the floor clean, which is not harmful to a dog either, very welcome!

[Shriek]

i've had big litters of dpups completely covering the floor in wee and crap and i've only ever used the mildest solution i could find, but still not all that happy about its use around animals, although its a must to be hygienic enough that no illness ensues as a result.

so my angle is more about the animal health than the look of my floor (and probably i just don't look very closely?!). i've seen breeders with lovely shiney tiled floors, so clearly it can be done, but a balance between hygiene/well-being/acceptable appearance.

with dpups i'd mop 3 x daily, with mild detergent and hot water, and once a day with mild disinfectant. This meant neutral smell, little risk of harm, and knowing its actually reasonably clean and i didn't notice any harm to floor, until they started chewing 'edges'

[Shriek]

maybe on tiles you could give it a deep-clean with steam once this phase is over?

[OnlyEatsToast]

I used to use biological powder followed by zoflora - need both to clean up the 'accident' (if you leave any remnants they will be tempted to pee/poo again in the same place. I mainly just use a steam mop now that Ddog is toilet trained. Steam mops are great, if you don't have one, I'd recommend you get one!

[ArmchairActivist]

Shriek when you say you 'mopped' with Dpups could you tell me what type of mop you used?

I've always had very small kitchens previously so just used wipes or a damp microfibre cloth before. This is my first time with a sizeable floor + dog and it's all new! (Owning our own home finally is one reason why we could finally get a dog.)

And is Dettol too strong then? Could anyone suggest the sort of mild detergent you mean?

After the pup phase I will definitely look into a steam cleaner!

[mineofuselessinformation]

X-posts, yes, definitely steam mop - and spray any stubborn bits before you start so they're softened and will come up.
If you're going to buy a new steam mop, get some extra covers so you don't have to worry if you need to use it frequently.

[ArmchairActivist]

Thanks mine. What so you mean by 'cover'? (Never used one before!)

[ArmchairActivist]

*Do, not so

[ImBrian]

I use biological washing powder to clean up any accidents and then a steam mop to do the whole floor.

[AngelRosie]

We used to put down a puppy pad in her usual wee spot and then just clean with method surface cleaner if she missed

[ArmchairActivist]

Angel I just saw your other post. I am so sorry about your loss. Thank you for answering my post in spite of not feeling very good right now!

[ArmchairActivist]

ImBrian I'm intrigued by this suggestion of biological washing powder which a few have suggested now.

How does it work, do you add some to hot water? What sort of dilution/proportions are you looking at?

[OnlyEatsToast]

Just mix a bit of biological powder with some water, same as you would do if you washed clothes by hand? I put maybe 2 tablespoons into a spray bottle and then half fill with warm water to dissolve it. Then just spray on, and use to clean the mess! It works by dissolving the biological parts of the 'accident'. I then follow with an antibacterial (zoloft) to sanitise the area

[Claraoswald36]

Now the idiot dog is grown up I use boiling water with a cap full of disinfectant and I mop the floor with a sponge which bin after. I dry it with kitchen paper. He doesn't have accidents but he still makes a mess!

[EasyToEatTiger]

Remember to clean the sides! We had revolting dog smells in the bathroom ( a horrible room at best). I sprayed Simple Solution on every side surface and the smell improved massively. Walls, any kitchen edges, whatever. Spray and clean them too.

[ImBrian]

I just tip a bit of powder in a bowl and then water it down with a mug of water. Give it a swish and then was what ever has been peed on. So much cheaper then the stuff in pets at home.

[Shriek]

the bio stuff seems quite strong?

i just used a sponge mop, but now prefer the micro-fibre bobbly one and then follow that with drying with a dry towel pushed around by foot!

Its grease and wet that allow bacteria to thrive, and great fan of fresh air so plenty of outdoor for ddog/pups and air circulation around ddog areas.

[MozzieRocks]

I have got a www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B004X5IA2I/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1468312176&sr=8-3&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=vileda%2012%20spray&dpPl=1&dpID=41Er32oScdL&ref=plSrch&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21 and use a mixture of water, washing up liquid and bio washing powder in it. They are great because the 'mop' part is washable and you can buy as many as you need to always have a clean one available. I use that on the kitchen floor everyday (unfortunately) my dogs a dribbler!

[Ramona75]

A steam mop and some Detol work for me, brings the floor up a treat no matter if its laminate, wood or slate.