Cleaning your floors using one method could 'leave them ruined and mouldy'

Cleaning your floors is a chore a lot of homeowners must tackle regularly, and despite it being far from glamorous, it's something that needs doing if you want a spotless home.

To make things slightly easier, one influencer has revealed a cleaning trick all the way from Mexico that she pledges will leave your floors looking 'cleaner than ever'.

However, numerous people have issued a warning against the method, claiming it will 'destroy your floors' and leave them mouldy.

The Instagram influencer, known as @nicmariehome, frequently shares her cleaning and organisation advice with her 8,762 followers on the platform. In one of her recent reels, she revealed the floor cleaning technique, which she discovered from TikTokers based in Mexico.

The clip began with the influencer pouring cleaning solution and water over a broom before scrubbing her floors and skirting boards with it.

Overlay text read: "POV, you've been watching Mexican cleantok and decided to give the floors a broom scrubbing."

In the caption, she added: "She said her abuela (grandmother) taught her this... I can't lie, my floors have never sparkled like this!

"One broom scrubbing session and I'm hooked. Now excuse me while I take notes and binge more Mexican cleaning videos."

People were loving the advice as the video went viral, accumulating more than 181,000 likes. One person commented: "I've been using my broom for years, and it's had yet to fail me."

However, numerous individuals have issued warnings about this cleaning method, cautioning that it could 'ruin' floors and lead to mould.

They highlighted that many Mexican floors are made of concrete or tile, thus avoiding the same problems.

One individual cautioned: "For everyone with wooden floors please don't do this otherwise they will quickly soak up water and could be ruined forever."

Another chimed in: "As someone who just pulled a second mortgage to mitigate mould under my 'waterproof' floors, I do not support this message."

A third concurred: "This is how you get mould," while a fourth added: "Girl this is for concrete, not your floors."

Another person reiterated: "Most Mexican houses have concrete with tile floors, meaning that it's safe to clean it this way, most floors in the US [and UK] are plywood and vinyl, meaning it's not safe to clean it like this without risking your floors rotting and/or moulding."

How to properly clean your floors

Laminate floors

According to Good Housekeeping, laminate floors should be vacuumed, dusted or wiped with a lightly dampened mop. They advise against using soap-based detergents, as these can "leave a dull film on the floor".

It's also recommended that homeowners avoid over-wetting and refrain from using wax polish, as this can make the floor slippery.

To remove marks and stains, it's recommended to use a diluted solution of water and vinegar. They advise: "Don't be tempted to use abrasive cleaning kit, such as nylon scouring pads or steel wool, as they can scratch laminate."

Ceramic and quarry tiles

For ceramic and quarry tiles, homeowners are advised to sweep and wash with a mild detergent solution, before rinsing with clean water or using a steam cleaner. Those with terracotta tiles should use a special cleaner, sealant and polish specifically for terracotta tiles.

Cork floors

Cork floors should be cleaned with a damp mop, using a washing-up liquid solution, while vinyl flooring can be swept with a soft brush or vacuumed, then wiped with a damp mop using a mild detergent before being thoroughly rinsed.

Stone floors

Stone is prone to staining according to the experts, who say it should always be protected with a resin sealant. They advise: "To clean sealed stone, vacuum it thoroughly, before mopping with a mild detergent solution."

Wooden floors

Sealed wooden floors only need to be swept and damp-mopped. "Don't use too much water or the wood could swell and split," they warn.

Unsealed and waxed floors should be regularly swept and occasionally re-polished. Wax should be used sparingly, as any excess can leave a sticky residue and attract dirt.

Carpet cleaning

For carpets, a carpet cleaning machine is recommended.

However, for those who don't have one, they can spot-treat any stains using a product such as Dr Beckmann Carpet Stain Remover.

Next, it's then advised to use a vacuum, making sure to vacuum the edges of your carpet and under radiators as this will help to "prevent black lines forming around the skirting board".

Those who have a thick carpet are advised to use the turbo brush (or power brush) to collect stubborn dirt and pet hairs.