'I clean five-star hotels for a living – real secret to sparkling floors is 20p'

A luxury cleaner has revealed her top cleaning hacks behind spotless, streak-free floors — and one of her tips involves a food that's probably already in your kitchen. After 18 years cleaning some of London’s most prestigious hotels — including The Ritz — professional cleaner Melissa Browning has learned a thing or two about floors.

Now, after speaking to flooring experts at Decking Superstore in an exclusive interview, Melissa is sharing her most effective tips and tricks. She has also shared a common mistake she notices other people make when mopping their floors, and the20p kitchen staple she swears by for perfect results.

"People overdo it with chemicals," she says. "They think if it smells strong, it must be clean. But in five-star hotels, we don’t rely on overpowering products — we clean smarter". All she uses is half a lemon.

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Lemons are a powerful and natural cleaning solution thanks to their rich citric acid content, which offers antibacterial and antiseptic benefits. They are versatile enough to clean numerous surfaces, such as cutting boards and countertops, and can even help eliminate odours in the refrigerator.

Most supermarkets sell lemons for a few pennies, but some are much cheaper than others. Aldi is selling a four-pack of lemons for 79p, which is about 20p per lemon.

"I squeeze lemon juice into my mop bucket and always will"

While most households soak their floors with thick-scented solutions, Melissa’s signature move is surprisingly simple: lemon juice. "I still use a small amount of cleaner," she says. "But I always add half a fresh lemon to the bucket. It cuts through grease, kills lingering smells, and gives that naturally fresh finish you just can’t fake."

She first started using lemon on the job when cleaning marble, tile and vinyl floors in top hotels, where harsh products weren’t allowed. "Managers always commented on the shine — but really, it was just the lemon doing the work."

And it’s not just about cleanliness. According to Melissa, smell matters most. "When someone walks into a house or hotel, the very first thing they notice is the scent. You could have spotless floors, but if it smells like chemicals, it ruins the feel."

The mistake' everyone is making'

Melissa says one of the biggest blunders she sees in everyday homes is using too much product. "More doesn’t mean cleaner. It means sticky floors and residue that attracts even more dirt."

She also urges people to stop reusing mop water throughout the house. "Dirty water spreads germs. Change your bucket between rooms — it takes two minutes and makes a huge difference."

Melissa’s five-star cleaning formula

Use less product than you think - "A capful is enough. Let the water do the work."

Always vacuum or sweep first - "You’d be shocked how many people mop over dust and crumbs."

Microfibre is non-negotiable - "No streaks, no smears, and it traps the dirt better than sponge mops."

Add half a lemon - "It’s naturally antibacterial, cuts through grime, and smells incredible."

Open the windows - "Letting the air in helps floors dry faster and lets the lemon scent linger longer."

"I’ve cleaned £700-a-night hotel suites, and I’ve cleaned small flats — and the truth is, the basics work best," says Melissa. "Whether it’s a hotel entrance or your hallway at home, people notice what they smell before they see what’s clean. So if you want floors that shine and a home that smells fresh? Forget the chemicals. Reach for a lemon."