Ammonia. Ammonia is a pungent chemical that has many cleaning uses in your home, but it should never be used on hardwood floors. “The ingredient damages the surface and dissolves the lignin in the wood,” explains Leanne Stapf, chief operating officer at The Cleaning Authority.
Don't use straight ammonia, alkaline products or abrasive cleaners. They'll dull or scratch the finish. Don't rely on lemon juice or a vinegar-and-water solution to clean hardwood floors. "I don't recommend using vinegar or lemon juice, at least not in large quantities, as these can damage the floor's seal," said Wise.
In most homes, the best wood floor cleaner is plain old soap and water, and the only tools you need are a broom, vacuum, and mop. The best mop for wood floors is a microfiber flat-head or string mop you can easily wring out.
Use an ammonia solution: An ammonia solution of 1 cup ammonia per gallon of water can be used to dissolve the buildup that's causing the haziness of your floors. Remember to use this solution carefully since you don't to do any further damage with excess water.
Ammonia is an effective floor cleaner. In an era where people are keen to create homemade household cleaning products, ammonia is not surprisingly the new cool kid on the block. This affordable, easy-to-use product has legions of fans who swear its efficacy on everything from streak-free windows to gleaming ovens.
In general, all of experts say you shouldn't mix any two cleaning products together because they can cause harmful reactions. So, we can VERIFY, false, Dawn dish washing detergent does not contain ammonia. And we can Verify, true, you should never mix bleach and ammonia together at home.
Ammonia in general is safe for wood, but certain wood finishes may become damaged or discolored when treated with ammonia. Before cleaning the entire wood surface, apply a bit of ammonia solution to a soft cloth and scrub gently over an inconspicuous part of the wood.
Since vinegar is an acid, it will actually break down the finish on the surface of your floor, and over time it will reduce the shine, and leave a dull appearance. Using vinegar and water to clean floors can also lead to an excessive amount of water on the floor, which can cause swelling and discoloration.
Use a damp-mop with a flat-head mop and microfiber pad or a microfiber string mop that has been thoroughly wrung out when it looks dingy. Move with the grain, and control the amount of cleaning solution by using a spray bottle, aiming for a heavy mist or gentle squirt of about a half teaspoon per 2 square feet.
Pine Sol is good for cleaning hardwood floors but only if they are finished or sealed with a protective coat. It's safe to use even on engineered wood floors but can cause damage if the floor is worn out, oiled, or waxed. Rinse well when cleaning with Pine Sol to prevent leaving residue on the floor.
Use an ammonia solution: An ammonia solution of about 2.5 dl (1 cup) of ammonia per 4 litres (1 gallon) of water can be used to dissolve the build-up that's causing the haziness of your floors. Remember to use this solution carefully, so that you don't further damage the floor with excess water.
Ammonia is a wax stripper agent that is commonly used to remove acrylic waxes on hardwood floors. When your floor is exposed to ammonia, it strips off the dry finish and warps the wood. Therefore, Windex should not be used for cleaning sealed wood floor.
Whether you're cleaning one area or all of your flooring, Murphy® Oil Soap is safe to use on hardwood floors.
Spray a small amount of hardwood cleaner onto the floor, and then wipe the floor down with a dry terry cloth mop or dust mop. If your floor is riddled with spots, stains, scuff marks, or debris, remove them with mineral spirits and then mop the area thoroughly.
Vinegar makes an excellent wood cleaner because it won't damage wood finish or warp wood like other products do. Cleaning with vinegar is a green alternative to the sometimes toxic and expensive cleaners offered at the store.
This is especially important for hardwood floors, because any lingering debris will scratch the surface of the floor as you mop. Mix a solution of ½ cup of distilled white vinegar per gallon of warm water. Mop floors. If you're using it on hardwood floors, it's very important to wring your mop out as much as possible.
Vinegar is an acid and hardwood floors need a pH neutral or close to it cleaner. When mixed with water, the solution's acidity is drastically lowered and it becomes an effective method to wash hardwood floors. The vinegar and water mixture cuts through dirt and grime, leaving a streak-free and naturally clean floor.
Ammonia fuming is a wood finishing process that darkens wood and brings out the grain pattern. It consists of exposing the wood to fumes from a strong aqueous solution of ammonium hydroxide which reacts with the tannins in the wood. The process works best on white oak because of the high tannin content of this wood.
Avoid leaving moist or damp items on the floor, such as towels, shoes, mats, rugs, etc. As much as they are advised in household cleaning, do not use ammonia and/or vinegar to clean hardwood. These ingredients are known to damage polyurethane finishes.
Q: Does Pine-Sol® Cleaner contain ammonia? A: No, Pine-Sol® Cleaners do not contain ammonia.
To get rid of ugly grease and soap-scum buildups in a porcelain enamel sink or tub, scrub it with a solution of 1 tablespoon ammonia in 1 gallon hot water. Rinse thoroughly when done.
Ammonia is a powerful laundry aid that fights odors and buildup on clothes. When towels start to get musty and refuse to lose their odor even after they are washed, ammonia will cut through and remove the odor-causing buildup. Ammonia is effective at fighting body oil buildup, perspiration odors and soap residue.
Mix a one-to-one ratio of water and vinegar, dampen a cloth, and rub off the hazy buildups. Rinse with another cloth dampened with clear water and dry the floor immediately with a third rag. Washing coupled with wear and tear can eventually make the hardwood floor look old and cloudy.
For a wood coated with a hard surface, like wooden furniture, Windex is completely harmless. If it is sprayed on and kept dry, it will leave a water spot, which could be cleaned off. It won't damage your furniture when used as a cleaner.