If you’re a regular reader, you have probably noticed that I’m not doing this deslobification thing according to a well-laid-out long-term plan. Because whenever I try a well-laid-out long-term plan . . . my mind starts to wander.
Basically, I choose something that bugs me and/or boggles my mind about my house, work on it until it becomes a habit, and then I add something else.
It’s working for me. I’ve figured out what it takes to keep my house clean, and to keep it from morphing into a flea market right under my nose.
It has been a slow process, and there are still plenty of times when it gets chaotic, but I am no longer completely clueless about how it gets to that point, and I don’t feel doomed to live that way forever.
My weekly cleaning tasks have made a huge difference in keeping my house from getting . . . ummm . . . how do I put this . . . gross. But I didn’t even start them until after about six months of simple daily tasks, and lots of decluttering.
LOTS of decluttering.
So what does this have to do with my wood floors?
Well, pre-blog, I put them in the “someday I really need to get into a routine of cleaning them regularly” category. Alongside scrubbing toilets and changing sheets.
See, wood floors have advantages, but they can also be overwhelming.
An advantage is that messes can be wiped up fairly easily. When my second son rammed his head into a cabinet around the age of 4, he amazingly managed to only drip blood on the wood floor, missing the 8×10 area rug completely. After the stitches, we wiped it right up, and I praised him for being so considerate.
But wood floors are overwhelming because rather than vacuuming and saying you’re done, you also need to “clean” them.
Ugh.
You need to clean them . . . but I didn’t. I tried mopping a few times, but was scared to have too much water on the floors, and “damp mopping” didn’t seem to make any difference at all. The spots that were there when I started were were still there once I was done.
Then, I had a party. A little afternoon get together for some moms. And one of them asked me, “What do you do to take care of your floors?”
My heart sped up, and I replied, “Why?”
She responded . . . “Because it looks like you polish them every other day!”
Note to self: Only invite people over at that exact time of day. Because that’s how it works. If the light shines in my front window just right, my floors look fabulous, but if you wait 2 hours, it will hit at a different angle, and every spot or drip will stand out and look horrible.
I was honest, and told her, “Nothing.”
While it was nice to receive totally undeserved praise, it wasn’t so nice that her comment completely removed all motivation on my part to figure out a routine for cleaning my wood floors.
Well, I still haven’t found a routine, but I think I may have found a tool to clean them that actually works.
Libman sent me the Freedom Spray Mop. Notice how beautifully white the pad looks. (That’s important for later.)

I just filled mine with a vinegar/water solution. My house smells a little like pasta salad, but I’m okay with that!

(I did stress a little about what cleaner to use, because there is so much contradictory advice on the Internet about what to use or not use on wood floors.)
But are my floors clean?
Since using it, I’ve been checking all day, in the various lights, and I’ve decided that the Freedom Spray Mop worked really well! Most of the spots are gone, and the ones that are still there are ones that I’m pretty sure I didn’t see while cleaning, so I didn’t work very hard on them.
That’s just one more example (of thousands) of how important it is for me to clean consistently. If I did this regularly, there wouldn’t be so many spots, and each time would eliminate a few more!
Here’s a picture of a few spots before I started:

And here’s the same area when I was done:

And just in case I thought my floors probably weren’t that bad, here’s the after picture of the mopping pad:

I know. Gross.
And as promised, I’m also making this my first Giveaway Post!!! Libman will be sending one reader his/her very own Freedom Spray Mop!
**************Edited 12/16 – The giveaway is now closed! I’ll post the winner later today!
All you have to do to enter the giveaway is leave a comment on this post. Nothing special is required in your comment, but make sure that you include a way to contact you. You may want to avoid the spam-robots by spelling it out like this: aslobcomesclean at gmail dot com. Some of you with google accounts have it set up where I can email you through your profile when you comment, but if you’re not sure, leave your email.
If you would like some extra entries, you can:
Subscribe to A Slob Comes Clean
Subscribe to A Slob Comes Clean by Email
Become a follower over on my sidebar.
and/or follow me on twitter.
For each of those things that you do, leave a separate comment, so that it can be counted as another entry.
Example:
Comment #1 – Would love to win! aslobcomesclean at gmail dot com
Comment # 2 – I followed you on twitter! aslobcomesclean at gmail dot com
Comment # 3 – I already subscribe to your blog! aslobcomesclean at gmail dot com
Please be aware that if you already subscribe, you need to click through to the actual post to comment, as responding to the email can’t count as an entry. This giveaway will end at midnight Pacific time on December 15, and then I’ll use random.org to select a winner.
Sorry, but this giveaway is only open to U.S. residents.
I received no monetary compensation for this post, but was provided with the Freedom Spray Mop by Libman. The opinions about it are all mine!
____________________________
O.K. i've been wanting one of these so sign me up!Elissa at Writeme dot com
Already subscribe!Elissa at Writeme dot com
A FB follower
Elissa at Writeme dot com
This sounds like a perfect mop for my family's wood floors. Like you, we never clean them because, um, it's overwhelming.
anakaatba at gmail dot com
I subscribe via Google Reader.
anakaatba at gmail dot com
I would love to try this out!
I'm a feed subscriber…
I follow on twitter…
I so want one of those.
anna.c.manzo at gmail dot com
I just started cleaning my wood floors with vinegar and water and am using a spray bottle along with my swiffer wet jet. This would be perfect to skip the spray bottle and the throw away pads. Thanks for the giveaway! I subscribed by e-mail.
raina at earls dot net
I would love this! aprilbest1981 at yahoo dot com
I liked your facebook page
aprilbest1981 at yahoo dot com
I follow you! aprilbest1981 at yahoo dot com
I subscribed to your twitter aprilbest1981 at yahoo dot com
I want this! I want this! I want this! I have wood floors and have this mop on my Xmas list. I want it!!! lynseyw_310 at hotmail dot com
Subscribe via email
follow via gfc
like you on fb lynseyw_310 at hotmail dot com
Anything that is easy and eliminates excuses…but does my floor have to be empty of clutter first????
Hi Nony I would love to win this mop thanks so much for the chance…Love your blog too 🙂 email: littlebirdy3 at verizon dot com
Love the blog!
lindseybee06 at yahoo dot com
I subscribe via feed reader
lindseybee06 at yahoo dot com
I like you on the ole FB
lindseybee06 at yahoo dot com
Awesome, I'm in. Don't ask when I last mopped Hubs's bathroom. nettacow at gmail dot com
We've passed our one year anniversary of me subscribing to you! :>)
I like you not only on fb but everywhere else, too.
Can't believe I haven't been following you on twitter. Now remedied. :>)
I'd definitely love to win! 🙂
millerkori at gmail dot com
I love this! With three cats, two kids and a husband, our floors get rather filthy. Oh, did I forget to mention that we live in the country? We have no sidewalk, driveway(well, ours is red dirt), or nice walkway to our door. We must truge through the grass and dirt. Then we enter the house through the back door which leads right into the kitchen. Everything that we picked up gets dropped on our kitchen floor. Ugh!
Shannon
Shleviner204 (at) hotmail (dot) Com
I subscribe via email.
Shleviner204 (at) hotmail (dot) com
I "liked" you on Facebook
Shleviner204 (at) hotmail (dot) com
Would love to win! I have all hardwood floors in my house and it's such a struggle to keep them clean. My regular mop puts too much water on the floor so I end up cleaning them by hand. But the problem with that is I only clean them every few months! kristydenney (at) hotmail (dot)com
I am officially your newest reader after reading this post. Your writing style is funny and honest and I can relate (I too love/hate my wood floors) and I'd love to have one of these mops.
drunkitty2000 at yahoo dot com
I am subscribing via RSS
drunkitty2000 at yahoo
I already like you on facebook.
kristydenney (at) hotmail (dot)com
i subscribed via email
drunkitty2000 at yahoo.com
and I liked you on Facebook too.
drunkitty2000 at yahoo dot com
I think that looks awesome. I had a love/hate relationship with my wood floors too.
I'm a subscriber.
And I liked you on facebook!
Just found your blog. I identify and would benefit from your floor treatment idea!
[email protected]
Thanks for the great giveaway! [email protected]
I think I put my email address incorrectly. wedleysa at msu dot edu Thanks again!
Oh, I would love to try one out. Sign me up
Would love to win! phillygirl06 at the-opposite-of-coldmail.com.
heather 😉
p.s. love the dirty mop photo, would probably have the same!
Follow by email. [email protected]
I would love to win this!!
s.hilfer at yahoo dot com
I subscribed via Google Reader 🙂
s.hilfer at yahoo dot com
I would love to win this!
I subscribe to A Slob Comes Clean.
I "like" you on Facebook. 🙂
I follow you on Twitter.
Would LOVE one of these things — have wood laminate flooring!
sstirman [at] gmail -dot- com
I would love one of these! That's so great you can use any cleaner. 🙂 Danielle
kdmoody2000 at yahoo dot com
Already subscribe to A Slob Comes Clean
sstirman [at] gmail -dot- com
I am a email subscriber! 🙂 Danielle
kdmoody2000 at yahoo dot com
This would be awesome. My wood floors don't get cleaned very often at all – all the same reasons! tscorcoran at aol dot com
I love getting your emails!
tscorcoran at aol dot com
I would love to win this.
vback at hotmail dot com
Oh how cool! Count me in…
xebubbles at aol dot com
I'm also on your email subscription…
xebubbles at aol dot com
And I have been following you on facebook…
xebubbles at aol dot com
I have been wanting one of these! Would LOVE to win it. tamtam79 at aol dot com
subscribed by email. tamtam79 at aol dot com
I follow you. tamtam79 at aol dot com
I like you on Facebook. tamtam79 at aol dot com
I follow you on twitter. tamtam79 at aol dot com
Thank you so much for hosting this giveaway. I could really use a new mop
copperllama at yahoo dot com
email subscriber
copperllama at yahoo dot com
like on facebook
Jaime P
copperllama at yahoo dot com
following on twitter
@copperllama
copperllama at yahoo dot com
I love your blog and am happy you get your first give away!!
I have a question…so many of these things have such short handles that my back is killing me when I'm done… Would you say that this one's handle is the same size as the swiffer sweeper (not wetjet) or larger?
thecartledges at hotmail dot com
I liked you on Facebook a long time ago
thecartledges at hotmail dot com
I just signed up to follow you by e-mail. Not sure why I hadn't done that before since yours is the first on my blog list!!
thecartledges at hotmail dot com
Thanks for the chance!
And I follow your blog. 🙂
This would be great since we just got a new puppy.
kbtpark3 at yahoo dot com
Sounds like this would work great to help me get rid of MY excuses. I'd love to win this!
Darn it! That's me, FishyGirl, above – mamamary9901 at yahoo dot com.
I love cleaning gadgets and this one looks awesome!
Thanks, Karen
lemontart5kb at gmail dot com
I follow you via GFC.
Thanks, Karen
lemontart5kb at gmail dot com
Just finished reading your blog and have appreciated seeing your journey/process. I would love a mop like this because like you I rarely cleaned my hardwood floors. This looks like a great way to make it a part of the routine.
Thank you for hosting the give-away,
Michelle
savingmoney.info at gmail dot com
Just subscribed to your blog.
Thank you for hosting the give-away,
Michelle
savingmoney.info at gmail dot com
I have been an avid reader for awhile now via Email
I would LOVE to try this mop
I liked you on FB
Follow on Twitter
and follow via gfc
I would love to win this mop! westkycouponlady at gmail dot com
"like" you on FB
Google Reader follower! westkycouponlady at gmail dot com
My floors need the help! I would love to win this! kasie.lahman at gmail dot com
I liked you on facebook. kasie.lahman at gmail dot com
I already subscribe to you! kasie.lahman at gmail dot com
You and I are so alike…only I'm real close to 63 yrs. The world is hard for people like us!
Would love to win this! I need to update on BlogFrog – I did hire a professional organizer! I'll tell you all about it soon. 🙂
ascc AT lexa DOT xar DOT us
By the way, I subscribe to your blog via Google Reader.
ascc AT lexa DOT xar DOT us
AND I 'like' you on Facebook! (So does my sister!)
(Do I sound stalker-ish yet?! :))
ascc AT lexa DOT xar DOT us
I have all hardwood floors that I barely clean…this would come in handy!!!
kfoss77 at hotmail dot com
I NEED this mop, much like you – I'm full of excuses and i HATE cleaning… help me!
jacksol(at)ius(dot)edu
I also just "liked" you on facebook! (Did I mention I need this mop?) 😉
jacksodl(at)ius(dot)edu
I've been on a mission to find a way to clean wood floors. They have been driving me crazy!
2liv2laf2luv at gmail dot com
Signed up to receive your emails.
2liv2laf2luv at gmail dot com
GFC follower: pinklady705
2liv2laf2luv at gmail dot com
twitter follower: pinklady705
2liv2laf2luv at gmail dot com
would love this mop!
rebexish at gmail dot com
This mop is on my wish list, Santa!
Thanks for a chance to win this giveaway!
Best wishes,
Chanticlear1atgmaildotcom
I follow in GFC!
Thanks for a chance to win this giveaway!
Best wishes,
Chanticlear1atgmaildotcom
I'm an email subscriber, too!
Thanks for a chance to win this giveaway!
Best wishes,
Chanticlear1atgmaildotcom
I subscribe to this RSS feed via Google Reader so I don't miss a thing!
Thanks for a chance to win this giveaway!
Best wishes,
Chanticlear1atgmaildotcom
Would love one! I hate cleaning my wood floors! 🙂
rba718 at hotmail dot com
Subscribe via email.
rba718 at hotmail dot com
Fan on FB
rba718 at hotmail dot com
I would love to win this! Winter in WI is hitting, so my kids and dog think they need to go outside — ugh! Whatev! — just to track everything back in. Thanks!
enahors (at) yahoo (dot) com
I would love to win, thanks! shannonhowl (at) yahoo (dot) com
I would LOVE to win. Can't find a mop that works and would like to try this one. 🙂
jenvisser at aol dot com
I always wanted to try this
Rlandau1 at Bezeqint Dot net
I am already a subscriber with google reader
oops just wrote that I'm a subscriber with google reader and forgot to add my email address
Rlandau1 At bezeqint dot net
I know I'm late to enter and I probably won't win, but I'll enter just in case. 🙂
I'm already a subscriber via Google 🙂
BTW, my email addy is sweetpea101506 at aol dot com
I subscribe via email as well
Again, my email addy is sweetpea101506 at aol dot com, I forgot this in my comment.
I already "like" you on Facebook and I would totally follow you on Twitter too if I knew how to work it LOL
Again, my email addy is sweetpea101506 at aol dot com.
Thanks for the giveaway, it's really nice of you to do!
Would love to win! Thanks for the giveaway!
Heather
[email protected]
Would love to win!
thanks!
I've been a follower since almost the beginning- the writing is hilarious, and let's just say I can totally relate!
Thanks for the opportunity.
Would love to try this out!
kels527(at)hotmail(dot)com
I like you on fb.
kels527(at)hotmail(dot)com
I am a google follower.
kels527(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thanks for posting this giveaway! Who doesn't need a new mop.
absuarez at g mail dot com
Would love to try this on my floors. I tend to ignore our wood floors also. Huge fan of your blog! ayarberry at q dot com
I also follow you on facebook.
ayarberry at q dot com
i'd love to try this out on my big kitchen
tcogbill at live dot com
i now follow you gfc
tcogbill at live dot com
i get your emails
tcogbill at live dot com
Would love to win!
june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com
I really want a mop like this. Thanks
charisscharity at yahoo dot com
Follow your blog.
charity/ccboobooy
charisscharity at yahoo dot com
Like you on Facebook.
charity s.
charisscharity at yahoo dot com
i liked you on fb!
id love to win! I can always use a good mop!
I'd love to win
k k g r a y 8 8 at yahoo
subscribe
k k g r a y 8 8 at yahoo
i'm a follower
k k g r a y 8 8 at yahoo
like on facebook
k k g r a y 8 8 at yahoo
follow on twitter
k k g r a y 8 8 at yahoo
I love reading your emails. It is amazing to me how many times I can completely relate to what you post! I'd love to win the mop as I am hostting a christmas dinner and need help 🙂 ncsweetie at gmail dot com
I would like to win this mop too!! 🙂
-Charli
[email protected]
Oh I would love to win a that mop.
Donna
[email protected]
I know the giveaway is closed but I am a fairly new reader and wanted to comment on this post. I have wood floors in all 3 bedrooms. We have lived her 14 years. I think I have cleaned them 2x. This goes along with the post I just read about NOT cleaning something because I have no idea how to do it. We are wanting to rip out the carpet covering hardwoods in front room, dining room and down the hallway. SO, I am seriously happy to learn of this cleaning tool. We are also in the processs of installing laminate wood floor in the family room and kitchen area.
Thanks again for your advice!!
Debbie