TikToker shares an easy mop hack for gleaming floors – and it only costs $1

It stops you feeling like you're just spreading dirt around

mopping the floor in the kitchen
(Image credit: Getty)

Mopping wooden flooring or tiles can be a real chore, particularly if it's not been done in a while. But cleaning fans are raving about a TikTok mop hack that uses a standard bucket to make the task a whole lot easier. 

It goes without saying that investing in one of the best floor mops on the market will make the ordeal less strenuous. In the meantime, this cleaning hack will stop you from spreading any dirty water around by dividing the dirty mop water from the fresh water.

mopping the floor in the living room

(Image credit: Getty)

'Just buy a bucket from the dollar store and place it on the side where the water goes so you get clean water, and when you spin the dirty water stays under,' writes @momthatlovestoclean. 'This is a great alternative to buying the rinse clean.'

She demonstrates the TikTok mop hack by putting the mop into the bucket of fresh water and wringing out the mop, before cleaning hardwood floors. Given that you can easily pick up a cheap bucket for $1 from hardware stores, this trick is super affordable.

The clip has got a lot of attention in the world of cleantock, with thousands of likes and hundreds of comments. 'Omg WHY have I never thought of this?' wrote one.

@momthatlovestoclean

Reply to @nahomydiaz772 ##easyhack to make your ##ocedar ##vileda into the rinse ##clean ##cleantok ##cleaningtips ##cleaninghack ##cleaningtiktok ##cleaning

♬ Get Into It (Yuh) - Doja Cat
Vileda Easy Wring and Clean Microfibre Mop and Bucket with Power Spin Wringer | £39.99
£39.99 at Amazon

Vileda Easy Wring and Clean Microfibre Mop and Bucket with Power Spin Wringer | £39.99

The pedal on this Vileda mop means you can wring the mop so that it's almost dry, perfect for quickly going over your floors for the final time. Being able to adjust how much water is in the mop means floors don't take hours to dry.

'Seems like a great idea to me, just might need to do this,' said another. Some questioned how it works, arguing that the clean water will still get dirty after the mop has touched the floor. 

But as long as you wring the mop thoroughly using the pedal, the majority of the used water will come off the mop head. The latest model of this mop from Vileda, the Vileda Turbo Spin Mop and Bucket Set removes 99.9% of germs with just water.

Vileda turbo mop

(Image credit: Vileda)

Of course, the best steam cleaner will also do a fantastic job of cleaning your flooring, even if buying one feels like a splurge.

Would you try this TikTok mop bucket hack at home?

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Millie joined Real Homes in early 2021 as a homes news writer. When she isn't writing about trends, makeovers and houseplant care, she spends her free time making tweaks to her rented flat in North London. Her next project is a very basic armchair reupholstering job to help create a cosy reading nook in her living room. She loves browsing antique centres, tending to her small front garden, and is never without some fresh flowers at home.