How to Clean Sticky Floors 5 Ways

Sticky floors are uncomfortable to step on and unpleasant on the eye, but, unfortunately, they happen to the best of us. Luckily, though, there are proven ways you can remove that stubborn stickiness from your floors—whether it’s an isolated spill or an area with residue. Use these five proven methods to clean sticky floors and have your home base looking fresh and new without too much work.

Why Floors Get Sticky

The short answer is that floors get sticky from basic wear and tear. Your floors take on a lot of traffic and things like sweat, spills, or even residue from using too much cleaner, can build up and make you feel like you’re walking on honey—only less sweet.

How to Prepare to Clean Sticky Floors

When cleaning sticky floors, you want to be sure you’re using the appropriate method for the type of flooring you have to prevent any permanent damage. For instance cleaning marble floors may require a different cleaning solution than cleaning hardwood floors. 

Additionally, you may want to vacuum or sweep the floor before cleaning it to remove any surface debris and allow for a closer clean.

How to Clean Sticky Floors

There are a handful of effective ways to clean sticky floors, but the method you choose will depend on your type of flooring, supplies needed, and the severity of the stickiness. These five methods to clean sticky floors will help you tackle any sticky situation. 

Rinse With Warm Water

Using warm to hot water is probably the simplest way to clean sticky floors. It can rinse off any excess cleaning solution that may be causing the stickiness or loosen and remove other residue from things like dirt and debris that have been tracked inside.

Be cautious of the water temperature used, though, as heat could damage the finish on certain types of flooring.

Use a DIY Vinegar Solution

For sticky floors that are extra stubborn, you can make a DIY floor cleaner with a basic pantry item—vinegar.

Add one cup of vinegar to one gallon of warm water and mix it together. Then use this solution to mop your floor. The acidic nature of the vinegar will help to break down the tough grime on your sticky floors.

Use a Targeted Spot Treatment

If just a few spots on the floor are sticky, using a targeted treatment will save you time and get right to the issue.

Items like a magic eraser, a mixture of baking soda and water, or even a paper towel dampened in warm water are great options for cleaning sticky floors that need spot cleaning.

You can choose the best cleaning option for you based on the severity of the stickiness. For a recent spill, a wet paper towel could do the trick. But if it’s a bit more caked on you may want to opt for a different option.

Choose the Right Cleaning Solution 

The type of floor you have will determine how you clean it. Each type of flooring has different care needs. So, before you clean your sticky floor, determine the type of floor you have, and choose the method that will work best for it. This will help you avoid any damage to your floor.

Opt for a Steam Mop

Steam mops are a convenient and easy to use option for cleaning sticky floors. The vapor produced by the steam is effective for stain removal and an overall clean that should remove any stickiness. 

All you need to do is fill up the steam mop’s water reservoir per the manufacturer’s instructions and mop your floors.

How to Prevent Sticky Floors

• Keep floors clean by wiping any spills with a paper towel and warm water immediately when they occur.

• Only use the amount of cleaning solution directed by the packaging. 

• Never mop with dirty water or a dirty mop head.

• Use floor mats to prevent stickiness in trouble-prone areas.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro 

Now that you know how to clean sticky floors, you also know that it’s a simple task to DIY. Of course, if you don’t have the time or supplies needed to clean your sticky floor, you can hire a professional cleaner near you.