Safe Cleaning Too much vinegar can potentially dull the wood finish over time due to its acidity, while too much Dawn can leave a slippery residue. The ideal mixture typically involves a mild solution of diluted vinegar with just a few drops of Dawn.
To clean hardwood floors, it's best to use a gentle, pH-balanced cleaner specifically formulated for wood. Microfiber mops or soft cloths work well for dusting and light cleaning, while a damp mop can be used for deeper cleans. Avoid using harsh chemicals or excessive water, as these can damage the finish.
Dish soap is generally safe for use on hard, non-porous surfaces like tile, linoleum, and sealed hardwood. However, it may not be suitable for more delicate or porous surfaces, such as unsealed wood, bamboo, or natural stone. These surfaces may require specific cleaners to maintain their appearance and integrity.
Pledge Gentle Wood Floor Cleaner or Zep Hardwood and Laminate Floor Cleaner are good choices, but for sealed hardwood, most detergents or natural soaps can work. Again, just avoid any of the high-gloss products, they leave residue that turns gummy, dull, and dirty over time.
With the vast array of cleaners available today, consumers need to be aware of how to properly use their products to avoid health hazards and damaging surfaces. Murphy® Oil Soap is one natural cleaner that's effective on hardwood floors and more when used as instructed.
It doesn't all wash off. In fact, it leaves toxic chemical residues behind on your dishes and glasses that pose significant health hazards over the long-term.
Vinegar and Vegetable Oil
Although it might sound like a recipe for salad dressing, vinegar and vegetable oil can be used as a natural hardwood floor cleaner. Mix one part white vinegar and one part vegetable oil in a spray bottle, shake vigorously, and apply to your floors.
Use one drop of blue dawn in a 32-ounce trigger bottle and mix it with water. Spray on the surface standing up and use a microfiber padded mop as apparatus.
You can use Pine-Sol® on wood floors, though it is not recommended for use on unfinished, unsealed, unpainted, waxed, oiled or worn wood.
Is Fabuloso® Professional safe on wood? Yes, Fabuloso® Professional's formula works on all non porous hard surfaces.
For a cleaning solution, you can mix a few drops of dish soap or castile soap with warm water in a bucket. Avoid using harsh detergents that will damage the floor's wood and dull its finish. You should also not use products like vinyl floor cleaner or tile cleaner.
This match made in heaven has been a household staple for a long time and I make sure to keep it handy. To make the solution is simple and easy on the wallet! Pour equal parts of vinegar and Dawn into a spray bottle. Gently shake, then spray liberally onto the surface to be cleaned.
Aluminum, Vinyl, Wood (Painted)
Rinse well with a sponge dipped in cool water. Wipe dry with a clean, soft cloth. Also, baking soda applied with a damp cloth should cut soap film.
Homemade cleaners like the hardwood floor cleaner vinegar dawn mixture are surprisingly effective. Vinegar's natural acidity helps to break down dirt and grime, while Dawn dish soap effectively cuts through grease. This combination ensures a thorough clean without leaving harmful residues behind.
There are deep cleaning products on the market specifically designed for hardwood floors. However, natural methods such as bicarbonate of soda, lemon, vinegar and warm water are just as good. Note: Don't use these products on oiled or waxed floors.
Don't use vinegar or baking soda.
Many DIY home cleaning solutions involve the use of vinegar or baking soda, but these are, in fact, the worst things you can apply to your wood floors. They actually damage and dull the polyurethane, which can irreparably ruin them.
Surfaces to avoid with Dawn® Powerwash: Marble countertops, sink basins, and backsplashes. Wood, including unsealed, varnished, stained, or painted wood surfaces & furniture. Safe on wood cutting boards if rinsed.
Just as natural dish soap helps break down dirt, grease, and food that may be stuck on dishes and utensils, it can help break down what's in your toilet bowl. The important thing is to reach for a non toxic dish soap that, once it's flushed and enters the water supply, will be safer for animals and the planet.
The Environmental Working Group gave Dawn a 'D' grade because of it containing methylisothiazolinone, which is a "High Concern: acute aquatic toxicity; Some Concern: skin irritation/allergies/damage". Sounds delightful, right? Dawn also contains 1 4-dioxane which is considered a groundwater contaminant.
For Water Based Finishes
Cleaners such as Pledge and Murphy's Oil Soap are not recommended because they leave a dull residue on the finish. Water based surfaces may be cleaned with a damp cloth or General Finishes Orange Oil.
Daily: Dry mop floors with a microfiber dusting pad and mop. Clean spills immediately. Weekly: Clean deeper with a vacuum designed for wood floors or use a microfiber spray mop and cleaner formulated for hardwood floors. Monthly: Polish wood floors every 2-6 months for extra shine and protection.