Experts warn against viral cleaning trend – it causes bacteria to ‘thrive’ and can lead to costly damage on your floors

A VIRAL cleaning trend has taken over the internet but experts have warned against it.

This unique method of mopping floors has gained traction on TikTok, with over 20.6 million clips of people trying it out.

However, Yarl Christie, the founder of Stories Flooring , revealed the reasons why you should avoid this popular trend.

The“ice mop bucket” hack involves swapping hot water for ice cubes and cold water while cleaning your floors.

While people are making this unusual swap, they are still adding cleaning products to their buckets.

This unique step has been promoted by “cleanfluencers” as a way to “shock germs” and lift stubborn dirt.

However, it is actually said to do more harm than good, according to experts.

Yarl warned that mopping with ice water can actually promote the spread of harmful bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella.

“Trying out TikTok’s ice water mopping trend may seem like a clever shortcut, but it can quickly morph into a chilling disaster,” he explained.

The pro revealed that in carrying out this trick, you are “exposing your home to lurking bacteria and risking permanent damage to your flooring”.

You are also risking your health and the well-being of others in your home with this step.

“At worst, ice mopping could actually make you sick: cold water can harbour some very nasty bacteria which can thrive and remain viable in these conditions, including E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria,” he said.

Yarl broke down the science behind why you should avoid using ice water while cleaning.

“When using ice water for mopping, these harmful microorganisms can be easily transferred to your floors, especially in high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms, where sanitation is critical,” he said.

“Cold water does not effectively kill or neutralise germs, and adding ice cubes – especially if they come from an unfiltered source or are not made from clean water – can risk introducing additional contaminants.”

He also revealed why ice water is not a good mix for your cleaning products.

“Even without dire consequences like illness, using icy water fails to activate cleaning agents as effectively as warm water does,” Yarl explained.

He continued that it leaves you with “a far less hygienic space and increased risk of bacterial spread, defeating the purpose of cleaning”.

“This is especially alarming in high-traffic zones such as kitchens and bathrooms, where maintaining hygiene is vital,” he added.

As well as not being effective for cleaning, this hack can also end up costing you money.

“Using icy water can also inflict serious damage on your floors, potentially costing you in repairs down the line,” the expert said.

He explained how ice cold water can warp your floors over time.

“Cold temperatures can slow down the drying process, increasing the risk of moisture seeping into the seams of flooring materials, particularly in wood or laminate,” Yarl said.

“This can lead to swelling, warping, and even mould growth over time.

“On tiles or vinyl, use of cold water could cause grout to become more brittle, leading to cracks.”

He concluded that warm water is a better method as it “ensures thorough cleaning and protects the longevity of your flooring.”;