How To Spice Up Your Cleaning Routine with Cinnamon Mop Water: Why You Need To Spice Up Your Cleaning Routine with Cinnamon Mop Water

Why You Need To Spice Up Your Cleaning Routine with Cinnamon Mop Water

Making sure your floors are clean is a crucial part of maintaining a healthy home. From trapping dirt and bacteria to preventing wear and tear, it's essential to regularly mop and sweep your floors. But did you know that simply using water or regular cleaning products may not be enough to fully sanitize your floors? This is where cinnamon comes in. 

Adding a sprinkle of cinnamon to your mop water can transform your regular cleaning routine into a powerful disinfecting process. Here's why you'll want to start incorporating this aromatic spice into your floor cleaning regimen:

Cinnamon Is A Potent Antimicrobial

One of the main reasons to add cinnamon to your mop water is due to its powerful antimicrobial properties. In lab tests, cinnamon has been shown to combat common bacteria like E.coli and Listeria, as well as fungi like yeasts and molds. 

The key compounds responsible for cinnamon's germ-busting abilities are cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, and carvacrol. These active ingredients work to break down cell walls and interrupt vital cellular processes in harmful microbes. Even small concentrations of cinnamon oil can inhibit growth and completely inactivate toxins.

When cinnamon is dissolved in mop water, these antimicrobial compounds are released and spread over your floors as you clean. This creates a sanitizing effect that can significantly lower bacteria levels left behind from dirt, spills, and shoes. Regularly using cinnamon water for mopping can help disrupt contamination cycles and create a more hygienic home environment.

It Leaves A Fresh, Inviting Scent

Another major perk of adding cinnamon to your mop bucket is the warm, soothing aroma it produces. As you scrub your floors, the unmistakable scent of cinnamon will fill the air and provide a pleasant fragrance. 

Unlike harsh chemical cleaners that can irritate airways, cinnamon has a natural sweetness that most people find calming and comforting. Its signature spicy-sweet smell can help mask odors left behind from cooking, pets, mold and more. Many people love coming home to floors that smell like holiday baking all year round!

The fresh cinnamon scent also serves as an air freshener that lingers after you've finished mopping. As floors dry, the fragrance continues wafting through rooms. This can enhance mood, provide stress relief, and create a welcoming environment for your home.

It's An Effective & Natural Cleaner

Cinnamon's aroma isn't the only reason it cleans so well – the spice also acts as a powerful natural surfactant. Surfactants reduce surface tension, helping water more thoroughly wet surfaces which allows grime to be lifted. Cinnamon contains the compound cinnamaldehyde which enables it to cut through grease and grime when dissolved in water.

As you mop with your cinnamon solution, dirt and debris is lifted easily without harsh chemicals. The sediment and bacteria then get washed away, leaving floors truly clean. Cinnamon's abrasive texture provides light scouring power to boot. This makes it helpful for scrubbing up tougher messes.

Overall, cinnamon offers a deep clean by pulling double duty as an antimicrobial disinfectant and a non-toxic floor wash. You can ditch the toxic formulas and rely on this aromatic spice to leave your floors clean and fresh. It’s one of the simplest ways to clean effectively using all-natural ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. 

It's Affordable & Accessible 

Transitioning to more natural cleaning routines often comes with the concern of higher costs. However, using common spices like cinnamon for mopping saves money compared to buying commercial cleaners each month.

Since cinnamon is sold year-round as a baking staple, it's easy to find at any grocery store. Organic varieties are available for just a few dollars per jar. A little goes a long way, so a single container can last for many cleaning sessions. This makes it extremely affordable and accessible.

Cinnamon is also sold in large bulk bags and containers at warehouse stores like Costco and Sam’s Club. Buying in bulk drives the price down even further, to just cents per ounce. Transferring some into a small shaker bottle makes for easy use while keeping the bulk cinnamon fresh.

With this handy spice already in your kitchen, you can skip the chemical cleaner aisles and shop your own pantry instead. This saves both money and frequent trips to the store.

It Helps Preserve Floors

While providing a thorough clean, cinnamon also acts as a gentle cleaner for floor surfaces. The slightly abrasive texture can help remove stuck-on gunk and stains without damaging floors the way harsh detergents can over time.

Cinnamon is soft enough that it won't scratch or dull floors like some scouring powders. Yet, it still provides enough gentle scrubbing action to lift stubborn dirt. This makes it ideal for cleaning all floor types including tile, vinyl, laminate and finished hardwood.

Using cinnamon mop water helps get floors clean while also avoiding damage that can occur from repeated chemical exposure. This keeps your floors looking their best for longer. It’s a great way to help preserve and extend the life of all flooring materials.

How To Make Cinnamon Mop Water

Now that you know the many benefits of adding cinnamon to your mop bucket, let’s look at a few simple ways to make this solution:

Method 1 – Cinnamon Essential Oil

For the strongest antimicrobial effect, use cinnamon essential oil. Add 10-15 drops of cinnamon oil into 1 gallon of warm water. For a lighter concentration, start with 5 drops per gallon and adjust to your desired potency. The oil will infuse the water with antimicrobial power and release cinnamon’s irresistible aroma. Be sure to use a mop safe for finished floors – not abrasive strings that could scratch.

Method 2 – Ground Cinnamon 

For a more affordable option, use 1-2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon per gallon of water. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes so the powder can fully infuse. The cinnamon will create a slightly abrasive water that helps scour as you mop. Be careful using ground cinnamon on delicate floors – test in inconspicuous areas first.

Method 3 – Cinnamon Sticks

For a gentler approach, steep 2-3 cinnamon sticks in a gallon of hot water for 15-30 minutes. As the sticks infuse, antibacterial compounds and aroma will be released into the water. Remove sticks before mopping to avoid scratches. The infused water will still lift dirt and provide disinfecting properties.

Tips for Using Cinnamon Mop Water

– Always test diluted cinnamon water in inconspicuous areas first to check for staining.

– Use warm or hot water to best dissolve and extract cinnamon's cleansing properties.

– Start with lower concentrations, then increase strength if needed.

– Avoid using cinnamon on unfinished, wax coated or very delicate floors. 

– Rinse the mop head after use to prevent residue buildup.

– Allow floors to fully dry to prevent slipperiness or sticky texture.

– Combine with lemon water for an extra antimicrobial boost.  

– Pair with vinegar water to help sanitize and deodorize.

– Use cotton or microfiber mop heads to evenly distribute the solution.

– Focus on high-traffic areas like entryways and kitchens for maximum impact.

Keep it Simple with Cinnamon

Including cinnamon in your floor cleaning routine is one of the easiest ways to leverage the sanitizing power of nature. Harnessing this common household spice as a multi-purpose cleaner makes your home shine while avoiding chemical fumes and high costs.

With just a dash of cinnamon, you can take your floors from grimy to gleaming in an all-natural, non-toxic way. Welcome guests with a spotless home that smells freshly baked, straight out of a magazine. Your floors will thank you for the TLC.

You no longer need an arsenal of harsh cleaners under your sink. Simply keep cinnamon and other versatile staples like vinegar and lemons on hand for an effective, fume-free clean each time. Minor DIY tweaks like cinnamon mop water make home-keeping healthier, more affordable and even enjoyable.

So next time your floors need a refresh, skip the chemicals and draw from your spice rack instead. Harness the antimicrobial superpowers of cinnamon to easily transform your dirty floors into a hygienic heaven.

More Amazing Uses for Cinnamon

Beyond being a stellar floor cleaner, cinnamon has many other clever uses for both cleaning and cooking:

– Add to laundry detergent as a natural fabric softener 

– Sprinkle in shoes to deodorize and dry out moisture

– Mix with Epsom salts for a relaxing foot bath

– Combine with baking soda as an all-natural scouring powder

– Dab on wasp and bee stings to soothe pain and itching

– Rub on fruits and veggies to eliminate residues before eating

– Place cinnamon sticks in storage containers to repel ants and moths

– Sprinkle on carpet before vacuuming to lift pet hair and odors 

– Use to rim cocktail glasses for a festive flair 

– Add to coffee grounds when brewing for extra flavor

– Mix into oatmeal, yogurt, and smoothies as a healthy boost 

– Toss with nuts and dried fruit for a sweet and spicy snack

– Combine with sugar or honey as a lip exfoliator and balm

– Blend into pancake, waffle, muffin, and bread batters 

– Fold into cream cheese frosting or buttercream for a cupcake topping

– Add to hot chocolate mix for extra warmth and spice

– Sprinkle over sweet potatoes, butternut squash and pumpkin dishes

– Use in chai tea lattes for authentic flavor

– Blend into milkshakes, pudding and ice cream for a kick 

– Mix with maple syrup as a topping for pancakes and French toast  

– Add to fruit pies, crisps and cobblers for extra flavor

– Infuse into syrups for cocktails, lemonades and sodas

– Combine with sugar as a rim for margaritas and other drinks

– Fold into cookie doughs like snickerdoodles and gingersnaps

– Whisk into hot apple cider alongside clove and orange peel

– Sweeten curries, stews, roasted veggies, and soups

– Rub on pork, chicken, and wild game before grilling or roasting

– Swirl into batter before baking cakes, muffins, and quick breads  

– Mix with coconut oil and shea butter for a warming body scrub

– Add to rice dishes like rice pudding, pilaf, and risotto 

With its sweet heat and heady aroma, cinnamon enhances both savory dishes and sweet treats. Keeping this versatile spice stocked in your pantry makes it easy to incorporate into a variety of recipes. Beyond its uses in cooking and baking, cinnamon also shines as an all-purpose cleaner and natural remedy. It adds warmth, fragrance, flavor, and sanitizing power wherever it goes. Cinnamon is one of the handiest spices to always have on hand!