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.
The best method for cleaning hardwood flooring is to regularly sweep or vacuum to remove dust and debris, followed by damp mopping with a hardwood floor cleaner or a mixture of water and mild detergent. Avoid using excess water and harsh chemicals, and promptly wipe up any spills to prevent damage to the wood.
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.
Ingredients Needed
– Dawn Dish Soap: Helps cut through grease and lifts dirt effectively. – Warm Water: Serves as the base of your cleaning solution. – Essential Oils: Optional, for adding a pleasant scent. – Rubbing Alcohol: Helps in quick drying and enhances cleaning efficiency.
Murphy® Original oil soap is the one Mom and Grandma used to clean wood to a natural shine. Pull out the bucket and get nostalgic while cleaning wooden floors and furniture, cabinets, tile and linoleum. Murphy® Original Formula Oil Soap 4.1 out of 5 stars, average rating value.
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.
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.
Cleaning Your Wood Floors
Use a general household cleaner like 409, Simple Green or Mr. Clean. Do not use Murphy's Oil Soap, wax, polish, Pine Sol or “Mop & Glow” cleaners. These leave a dull acrylic buildup and your hardwood floors will need sanding again later.
You can use Pine-Sol® on wood floors, though it is not recommended for use on unfinished, unsealed, unpainted, waxed, oiled or worn wood.
Like hand soap, dish soap does not kill bacteria, but it lifts them off surfaces to be washed away by water. Dishes should be washed and scrubbed in soapy water, rinsed with water and finally soaked in water containing germ-killing sanitizers before drying them off.
While you probably can use Mr. Clean for floors, Robin Murphy, the founder of the cleaning company ChirpChirp, doesn't recommend doing so specifically because the product is not formulated for hardwood floors in particular. She advises seeking out a floor-specific cleaning solution to use instead.
The ideal mixture typically involves a mild solution of diluted vinegar with just a few drops of Dawn. This blend ensures that the cleaning power is strong enough to clean the floors without leaving any harmful residues or damaging the wood.
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.
Bona PowerPlus Hardwood Floor Deep Cleaner Spray
Like our top overall pick from Bona, you do need to use a mop with this solution, but the heavy-duty formula performed so well during testing that it earned a previous Good Housekeeping Best Cleaning and Organizing Award.
Start by sweeping or vacuuming off dust, dirt and debris. Use high-quality brooms and brush sets for efficient cleaning. Treat dirt spots or loose debris using a dry mop and a concentrated cleaner. Avoid bleach or excessive finishing products as they may discolour or damage your floors.
No rinsing
It has a pleasant smell and seems to do the job. I like that no rinsing is required.
Bona products are specially designed to protect floors and the environment. Bona cleaners won't dull your floors or leave behind any residue, chemical or otherwise.