Dish soap is a mild cleaning solution that can be safely used to clean hardwood floors. For best results, mix ¼ cup of dish soap into a bucket of warm water. After mopping with Dawn, mop again with just water to remove the excess soap. Finally, thoroughly dry with a soft washcloth for a streak-free shine.
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.
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.
Harsh chemicals can easily cause damage to the finish of wood furniture. Whether you know what kind of finish is on your wood furniture or not, you should start with the gentlest cleaner available. Most experts agree that you should first try to clean your wood furniture with a mixture of dish soap and water.
Best Concentrate: Murphy Oil Soap Concentrated Wood Cleaner
The Murphy Oil Soap Wood Cleaner has been a classic cleaning staple for decades — and for good reason. The concentrated formula is made of 98 percent naturally derived ingredients, doesn't contain any ammonia or bleach, and is biodegradable and phosphate-free.
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.
You can use a hardwood floor cleaner, such as Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner or Bruce Hardwood and Laminate Floor Cleaner. Home Depot carries both products in 32-ounce spray bottles — $7.97 for Bona's product and $4.48 for Bruce's. The spray products deliver a mist that you can wipe away with a mop while you are standing.
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.
White vinegar and water
The acidity in vinegar helps to dissolve dirt and grime and when mixed with water, it can be used to clean wooden furniture. As for how to make it, mix equal parts of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle and lightly mist the surface of the table. Wipe it down with a clean and soft cloth.
Customers say the Simple Green Multi-Surface Floor Care product is effective for cleaning various floor types, including hardwood, tile, and laminate, while leaving a pleasant lemon verbena scent. Many appreciate its non-toxic formulation and ease of use, particularly in spray form for quick spot cleaning.
Combine a gallon of water with 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar. Then, add a few drops of dish detergent for a fresh scent and extra cleaning power. Dip a microfiber mop or a sponge into the cleaner and use it wipe down your floors.
Bona Polish is NOT a hardwood floor cleaner. It is a cheap thin finish that you apply to your floors. Over time and repeated use the film gets thicker and it scuffs and scratches easily making the floors look unsightly. The only remedy to restore your floors is to strip the Bona Polish off.
Mop up dirty vinyl, linoleum, or tile floors.
You can mop these types of floors with a simple solution of one to two tablespoons of Dawn and a gallon of warm water. Your floor will look good in no time!
After trying different commercial cleaners, we decided to mix one part Dawn dish soap and to two parts white vinegar, which I had on hand, in a bucket and mopped the floor with the soapy mixture. How it actually worked: The combo was a winner and brought the floor (almost) back to its original glory.
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.
Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, as they can strip the finish off your hardwood floors and cause damage over time. A simple mixture of mild liquid dish soap and water can also be effective for general cleaning, provided the mop is well-wrung to avoid excessive moisture.
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.
But, put simply, there is a secret ingredient. While the complete “recipe” is inaccessible for the masses, a Dawn spokeswoman has pointed the magic to uniquely powerful surfuctants—or, the chemical compounds that reduce the surface tension of a liquid when it's dissolved, aka the stuff that cuts the grease.
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.
Using the Wrong Cleaning Products
Harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners can strip the finish and damage the wood, leaving your floors looking dirtier. Instead, opt for a hardwood floor cleaner specifically designed to clean and protect the wood. This will help maintain the floor's sheen while removing dirt and grime.
Is Fabuloso® Professional safe on wood? Yes, Fabuloso® Professional's formula works on all non porous hard surfaces.