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.
If you need to spot clean floors, use a spray bottle and funnel to mix 1 cup of hot water, 1 tablespoon Dawn dish soap, and 1 tablespoon cleaning vinegar.
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.
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.
You can use Pine-Sol® on wood floors, though it is not recommended for use on unfinished, unsealed, unpainted, waxed, oiled or worn wood.
Water + Vinegar + Vegetable Oil
If you're working with a wood floor, try adding half a cup of white vinegar and one teaspoon of vegetable oil to a cup of water[*]. Mix the components together and rub them on the floor with a cleaning rag, either covering the whole surface or just going for the occasional spot.
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.
Is Fabuloso® Professional safe on wood? Yes, Fabuloso® Professional's formula works on all non porous hard surfaces.
An easy way to fill in microscratches and shine wood floors is to polish your floors after mopping. After dusting and spray mopping, use a designated microfiber mop pad to apply polish to wood floors to add shine. Bona floor polish is easy to use and adds a protection and shine with every application.
DON'T: Do not use anything with ammonia in it to clean your wood floors. Stay away from wax based products, acrylic finishes, detergents, bleaches, polishes, oil soaps, and vinegar. Instead, get a hardwood cleaning solution (you can pick them up at any big hardware store), spray it on a dust mop and go to town.
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.
And a quick Google search reveals that a lot of people still recommend using it. But vinegar should not be used as a hardwood floor cleaner because its acidity can lead to etching in the wood's surface. Avoid ammonia – Ammonia will discolor, deteriorate, and dull the finish.
Mopping Technique
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. The mop should be damp, not wet, to avoid excess moisture on the wood.
Hot water cannot bond with any insoluble dirt, making it a better medium to clean than cold water. Therefore, hot water is more effective for cleaning purposes than cold water as it has higher kinetic energy, extra space between its molecules, and is more compatible with detergents.
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.
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.
Vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, warm water and dish soap, and essential oils can all be used to achieve a clean and fresh floor. These natural ingredients not only provide a thorough cleaning experience but also offer the added benefits of being environmentally friendly and cost-effective.