Dish soap is one of the most versatile household cleaning agents. You can use it to clean hard surfaces, remove grime on windows and mirrors, and lift stains from dirty laundry. But can you use dish soap to mop floors, and if so, how much?

Here’s the TL;DR:

You can use dish soap to mop some floors, including ceramic and porcelain tile, vinyl, linoleum, and concrete. Dilute 1–2 tablespoons of dish soap per gallon of water. Afterward, “rinse” the floor with plain water and a clean mop to remove any residue or film the dish soap may leave behind.

Whether or not you should use dish soap to mop depends on the floor types you have. I’ll discuss which floors you can (and shouldn’t) use dish soap on, proper dilution, and how to use it to mop your floors!

Disclaimer: All floors are unique; some are more damage-prone than others. Before using dish soap on any floor, test it on a small, inconspicuous area first.

When Dish Soap Is OK to Mop With

collage of floors you can mop with dish soap

Generally speaking, it’s safe to use diluted dish soap to mop the following floor types:

Ceramic + Porcelain Tiles

Ceramic and porcelain tiles are non-porous, hard, and highly water-resistant. The glazing creates a smooth, water-resistant surface to handle moisture in bathrooms and kitchens. Dish soap can cut through soap scum and mild grease on the tile surface and its grout.

Vinyl

Vinyl floors are not only durable but also waterproof, which makes them resilient against household spills. It’s also non-porous and resistant to mild cleaning solutions that can cut through tough grime and stains. Unlike some cleaners, dish soap makes vinyl floors appear shiny rather than dull or filmy.

Linoleum 

Linoleum floors are quite resilient, but they’re also sensitive to harsh chemicals. It’s generally safe to clean linoleum floors with mild dish soap. That’s because it’s unlikely to strip off the coating that protects it from damage and discoloration.

When properly sealed, linoleum is water-resistant and safe to clean with diluted dish soap. Linoleum is sensitive to acidic substances and prone to water damage. A well-wrung mop and pH-neutral dish soap are necessary.

Concrete

Concrete is porous and naturally accumulates dirt, grease, stains, and mildew (when damp). Dish soap is extremely effective at removing grease and oil from concrete. Concrete is durable, wear-resistant, and resilient enough to handle most cleaning agents.

Because dish soap is gentle, it’s unlikely to harm the porous nature of concrete as harsh cleaners do. Avoid acidic dish soaps when cleaning sealed concrete, and limit how much you soak unsealed concrete. 

When You Shouldn’t Use Dish Soap While Mopping

collage of floors you should not wash with dish soap

There are also some floor types you should not use dish soap to clean. Dish soap may strip their coating or finish or dull their shine.

Be extremely cautious when cleaning the following floors with dish soap:

Wood

Wood floors are naturally porous and highly sensitive to moisture. Any water that seeps in can cause permanent damage like warping, staining, or swelling. Dish soap may also leave a residue that attracts dirt and dulls the finish, and it can potentially strip the floor’s finish. 

Use a cleaner specifically designed for wood floors. 

Laminate

Laminate floors may be water-resistant, but they’re far from waterproof. Prolonged exposure to dampness can cause it to swell or warp — especially around the edges. It can also leave behind a filmy, dull residue or react with and damage the floor’s coating.

Natural Stone (i.e., Marble or Granite)

Natural stones like marble and granite are porous and sensitive to harsh chemicals and acids. Soap that seeps through can also cause stains and discoloration, and high-pH soap etch or dull the floor’s finish. Use pH-neutral cleaners specifically designed for stone.

Textured Floors

Textured floors with ridges or raised patterns can easily trap dirt and soap residue. Because soap residue also attracts more dirt, not removing this residue can make your floors appear dirtier. Use cleaners that rinse easily without leaving a film, and avoid any that suds excessively. 

Waxed or Polished Floors

Waxed and polished floors have a finish to add protection and shine, but water and some chemicals can break this finish down. Water that seeps beneath the wax or polish can also lead to discoloration or clouding. Use dry or damp mopping and cleaners made for waxed or polished floors.

How Much Dish Soap to Use When Mopping

When using dish soap to mop, dilute 1–2 teaspoons (5–10 mL) per gallon (3.8 liters) of warm water. When mixing the solution, ensure the soap dissolves thoroughly in the water and is evenly distributed.

teaspoon of orange dish soap
One teaspoon of dish soap

Keep in mind that these detergents are formulated to suds to cut through tough food and grease residues. So, their concentration is much higher than your average floor cleaner. By diluting it, you can decrease this concentration for cleaning without leaving a residue or damaging the finish.

Of course, exactly how much dish soap to use depends on a few factors, like:

  • Soap concentration: Ultra-concentrated formulas require less dish soap per gallon of water.
  • Water hardness: Areas with hard water may require more soap per gallon to cut through the mineral build-up effectively.
  • Floor type: Use less dish soap when cleaning more sensitive floors.

Always err on the side of “less is more.” Too little dish soap may mean a less effective cleaner, but — as you’ll see in the next section — too much can create a filmy residue.

Dish Soap Can Leave Behind a Filmy Residue

The main argument against using dish soap to mop is that it can leave behind a film-like residue; this is true. 

Here’s why this happens.

Dish soaps contain molecules known as surfactants. These molecules have hydrophilic — water-loving — heads and hydrophobic — water-hating — tails. These molecules are what give dish soaps their grease-cutting, dirt-removing abilities. 

When you mix dish soap with water and wet a dirty surface, these surfactants trap the dirt and grease. They attach their tails to the dirt and keep their heads in the water, which allows the dirt to lift off the surface. 

The problem arises when you don’t thoroughly rinse the surface afterward. The surfactants (and the dirt and grease they trap) may remain on the floor. That’s especially true if you used too high a soap-to-water ratio or didn’t rinse with water afterward.

It’s further complicated if you live in the 85% of the U.S. with hard water. Water high in minerals like magnesium and calcium can react with the soap and reduce its solubility. The biggest downside: a white, sticky layer of soap scum as the floor dries. 

Some moisture will inevitably remain unless you dry your floors with a rag or towel after mopping. Anything that the water dissolved will remain on the floor — including soap — while the moisture evaporates. The water left behind has a much higher concentration of soap and is more likely to produce a noticeable film or residue.

This film-like residue is most common with:

  • Improper mopping technique (i.e., not wringing the mop or wetting the floors too much)
  • More porous floors that hang onto the soapy solution
  • Floors not cleaned with fresh water after mopping

How To Mop Floors With Dish Soap + Water

There’s a right — and wrong — way to mop your floors with dish soap and water. Let’s walk through the process.

Select the Right Dish Soap

Not all dish soaps are compatible with mopping. Choose one that’s mild, non-abrasive, and doesn’t contain added bleach, harsh chemicals, or powerful fragrances. Ideally, the soap will also be pH-neutral.

pH-neutral cleaners are less likely to damage finishes or sealants, cause discoloration, or leave a sticky residue. Although they’re not “harsh” cleaners, they’re still effective against everyday dirt and grime.

If your soap is highly concentrated, less is more; use 1 teaspoon or fewer per gallon of water.

Prepare Your Solution by Diluting the Soap

pouring one teaspoon of dish soap in mop bucket

Fill a bucket with enough water to dunk your entire mop head. Add 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 ml) of dish soap for each gallon of water. Lukewarm water is best for mopping because it dissolves the soap better and can clean more efficiently. 

Before moving on to the next step, stir the solution to blend it. Avoid mixing too vigorously, as this can result in too much foam. 

Clear the Area

Remove any rugs, mats, and furniture in the area you plan to mop. Let anyone in the house or area know you’ll be mopping to avoid tripping and slipping hazards. Block off the area to keep pets and children from wandering in.

Sweep or Vacuum to Remove Loose Debris

The first floor-prep step is removing all surface-level dirt, dust, and debris from the floor. Though tiny, these particles can scratch sensitive floors when pushed around with a mop.

If you’re sweeping, use gentle sweeps, and if you’re vacuuming, use either a soft-brush attachment or your device’s bare floor setting. 

Dip + Wring Your Mop

dunking mop in water/soap solution
Dipping a clean mop in a bucket of diluted dish soap

Take your clean mop and dunk it into the mixture you blended earlier. Pull the mop head out of the water and wring out any excess water, as using too much water can permanently damage some floor types. 

Begin Mopping + Rinse Regularly

Beginning at the furthest corner of the room and working your way toward the exit, you’ll use one of three types of mopping techniques.

Using a flat mop, use straight-line strokes following the floor’s grain. For string mops, you can use either circular or figure-eight motions. As you complete each floor section, rinse the mop in the solution and wring it out to avoid spreading dirt.

Use More Dish Soap on Stubborn Stains

Apply a drop or two of dish soap directly for areas with more stubborn stains. Scrub with a cloth or soft brush to loosen the stain. Don’t forget to mop back over this area to remove the excess soap and lessen the risk of residue. 

Rinse the Floor (If Applicable)

visible dish soap suds on floor after mopping
Visible dish soap suds on floor after mopping

The best way to prevent residue when mopping with dish soap is to rinse the floor with clean water. This is especially useful if the floor feels sticky or you see visible soap residue. Dump the mop bucket in a sink or tub, refill it with warm water (no soap), and go over the entire floor again to remove leftover soap. 

Dry the Floors With a Dry Cloth or Fan

dried floor after mopping
Floor dried with clean towel after mopping with dish soap

Encouraging your floors to dry quickly helps prevent water stops and potential damage caused by moisture. To do this, use a clean, dry cloth — or a fresh mop — to wipe the floor and collect any remaining moisture. You can also set up a box fan to speed up drying. 

Return Furniture + Rugs

Once the floor is completely dry and residue-free, return the furniture and rugs to their rightful places. This step is very important. Putting items back while the floor is damp can trap moisture and damage the floors or the furniture/rugs. 

Final Thoughts

Dish soap is generally safe to clean most floor types when diluted and rinsed properly. Always check with your floor’s manufacturer for their recommended cleaning practices. Though mild, dish soap can damage some floor types — especially if used in large amounts or frequently.