Does Pine-Sol really clean floors?

Author: Prof. Issac Muller  |  Last update: Saturday, July 12, 2025

A: While Pine Sol is a popular household cleaner, using it on hardwood floors, especially engineered hardwood, may not be recommended as it can leave a residue that could potentially damage the finish over time.

Is Pine-Sol good for cleaning floors?

Pine-Sol is a highly alkaline cleaner, and while this makes it great for cutting through grease, it can damage the finish on hardwood floors, leading to premature wear and tear. Mixing Pine-Sol with other cleaners could even exacerbate this.

What is the best cleaner for really dirty floors?

Final Verdict. Based on our testing, the best overall floor cleaner is the Quick Shine Multi Surface Floor Cleaner. Just as its name suggests, it's quick to use and leaves perfectly polished floors. It's effective at removing stains and doesn't leave behind any residue.

Do I need to rinse the floor after Pine-Sol?

If you must use pine sol, I'd definitely follow with a clean water washing to remove residue especially for safety of animals and children.

Why is my floor sticky after I mop with Pine-Sol?

Failing to rinse the floor properly after cleaning can leave behind detergent or cleaner residue. Make sure to rinse with clean water after using any cleaning solution. Using a dirty mop or not changing the cleaning water frequently enough can spread dirt and grime around, causing stickiness.

😱 MIRACLE CLEANING HACKS!... the $1 Pine Sol secret!

Why are my floors still dirty after mopping?

Many cleaners spray a ton of floor soap, believing "wet equals clean." Then they forget to rinse out their mop pad, resulting in a floor mop that is fully saturated with dirty water. Continuing to use the mop pad on the floor leads to smearing dirt, not lifting it.

What can you mix with Pine-Sol to clean floors?

Step 1 Mix ⅛ cup of Pine-Sol® Multi-Surface Cleaner with one gallon of warm water. Step 2 Wring out your mop so that it's damp but not completely saturated. Start mopping, taking care not to let liquid pool on the floor. Step 3 After mopping, rinse your mop in fresh, clean water and wring it out so it's just damp.

What should you not use Pine-Sol on?

Pine-Sol® is not recommended for use on marble, aluminum, or unsealed, waxed, oiled or visibly worn wood. Q: Where should I NOT use Pine-Sol® Cleaners? A: We do not recommend using Pine-Sol® Original Multi-Surface Cleaner on aluminum, copper or marble surfaces.

Is it better to mop floors with hot or cold water?

Hot water is great for removing grease, stubborn dirt and caked-on residue. It is more effective in killing bacteria and germs. Hot water is a good choice for tile floors and vinyl. Be sure to check the manufacturer's instructions to make sure your floor is resistant to hot water.

Why is there a film on my floor after mopping?

If too much cleaner is used, or if it's not suitable for your floor type, it leaves a sticky film that attracts more dirt. Another common reason is the mop itself. Using dirty water or not changing it frequently enough while mopping can spread grime rather than remove it, which leads to that unwanted sticky floor.

What do professionals clean floors with?

From traditional mops to advanced steam cleaners, professionals employ diverse tools for cleaning floors. These methods include: Mopping: Using string, sponge, or microfiber mops combined with specialized solutions. Steam Cleaning: Utilizing gas-powered or electric steam cleaners for deep sanitization.

Does Pine-Sol disinfect?

The Original Pine formula disinfects both full-strength and diluted and kills 99.9% of germs, including cold and flu viruses, the virus that causes COVID-19, RSV, Norovirus and more.

Does Dawn and vinegar clean floors?

Dilute Properly: Mix ½ cup of distilled white vinegar with 1 gallon of warm water. Add a few drops of Dawn dish soap. This combination helps cut through grease while being gentle on your floors. Wet the Mop: Dip your microfiber mop into the solution, then wring it out thoroughly.

What cleans better than Pine-Sol?

You can try products like Method or Mrs. Meyer's, which offers natural scents and plant-based ingredients, or go with a tried-and-true classic like Lysol for tough cleaning power. If you prefer a DIY approach, vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils can get the job done too.

Can you mix Dawn dish soap and Pine-Sol?

We do not recommend mixing any Pine-Sol® product with other cleaning products or chemicals.

Can I use Pine-Sol on vinyl floors?

Pine-Sol is also safe for luxury vinyl wood plank flooring and vinyl tile flooring, so long as used with a dry mop and you do not saturate the floors.

What is the cleanest way to mop a floor?

How to Mop Floors
  1. Sweep or Vacuum Floors. Before introducing a wet mop to a dirty floor, sweep or vacuum the area to pick up as much dirt, dust, and other debris as possible. ...
  2. Wet and Wring the Mop. ...
  3. Mop in a Line or a Figure 8. ...
  4. Spot-Treat Tricky Areas. ...
  5. Rinse Floors and Mop. ...
  6. Clean the Mop Head. ...
  7. Allow Floors and Mop to Dry.

Do you need to rinse the floor after mopping?

To ensure no residue is left, rinse one final time with clean water (don't add floor cleaners or soap).

Is mopping or steam mopping better?

The steam's heat penetrates even the toughest grime, rejuvenating floors by lifting and removing dirt that traditional mops may leave behind. This makes the steam mop a superior choice for thorough cleaning, especially on surfaces that are often challenging to maintain, like textured tiles or deep grout lines.

Do you need to rinse after mopping with Pine-Sol?

Pinesol does not have to be rinsed typically, as long as you mixed it properly to begin with.

Why was Pine-Sol taken off the market?

In 2022, certain Pine-Sol cleaners were recalled due to a potential health risk involving harmful bacteria.

What bugs does Pine-Sol repel?

If you have a problem with wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, or bees, Pine Sol can spare you from painful stings. Remember not to use it on honey bees – we need them to help pollinate our food plants – but for other hive insects, spray full strength Pine Sol as an insecticide.

Does Pine-Sol clean floors good?

A: While Pine Sol is a popular household cleaner, using it on hardwood floors, especially engineered hardwood, may not be recommended as it can leave a residue that could potentially damage the finish over time.

Is fabuloso all-purpose cleaner?

What is Fabuloso® Antibacterial Multi-Purpose Cleaner? Fabuloso® Antibacterial is an all in one cleaner that can be used for floors, walls, bathrooms, living rooms, and almost every hard surface.

How to clean very dirty laminate floors?

The best way to clean laminate floors is to use products made especially for them. If you don't have laminate floor cleaner, you can use a teaspoon of unscented clear dish soap in a gallon of water. A teaspoon of baby shampoo in a gallon of water will also work. Be careful not to soak the floors.

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