How to clean hard wood flooring?
Context:
- I have hard wood flooring in my home (kitchen , living room, and some bedrooms).
- We have been using regular oxyclean type cleaners for cleaning the floors. I don’t feel that’s the right thing to do.
- Our vacuum cleaner is not good at removing dust , hair etc. from the floors.
Ask:
- What would be the best way to naturally clean the hardwood floors?
- What cleaning solution should I be using to preserve the hardwood floors?
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Hi there, we have over 2,000 square feet of hardwoods in our home. MOST of them are original and a couple of rooms are pine that I laid myself. When I refinished them I used a water based sealant. What I use to clean them (besides vacuuming) is a simple 50/50 mix of vinegar and water and a heavy dose of essential oils. The vinegar cleans them well and the essential oil really gives the floors a beautiful shine not to mention it makes the house smell fantastic depending on what oil I use!
I have used (in my house cleaning business) many products but the best is Bona Wood Floor Cleaner it is excellent you can find it at Home Depot, Lowes even Walmart
Other than vacuuming (the best way to remove dust particles from the floor) is using a microfiber cloth attached to a swiffer type floor flat headed mop.
For the actual cleaning I use 50/50 vinegar water.
Keep them swept/mopped and free of dirt and debris. Wipe up any wet or sticky spills immediately and use a cleaner made just for wood. I like Murphy's Oil Soap.
I use a steam cleaner on mine, and here is one of my blog posts - https://chascrazycreations.com/8-ways-to-make-cleaning-physically-easier/
Get a good microfiber dusting pad for hair and dust. A steam mop on light setting is good, I have a shark. For nasty messes that request a mop I use 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 tsp blue dawn, and 2 gallons warm water. Wring thoroughly. Make sure your floors are sealed if you are using any water option such as steam or mopping. My floors are from 1999 and still look new other than a few. scratches.
Since your vacuum cleaner isn't doing a good job, I'd suggest using a soft dust mop regularly, then a steam mop once in a while if your wood floors are sealed well. You don't want to keep the moisture of the steam on the floor too long. Enjoy those beautiful floors!
We have had hardwood floors in our 7 different homes and have used a lot of HW floor products over the years. We stopped using the steam mop when it started blistering off the finish at the seams on a new traditional oil based sealed oak hw floor installation.
The past four years we have been using the BONA mop and solution and we’re very pleased with the results.
https://us.bona.com/products/hardwood-floor-mop.html
How to Clean Hardwood Floors
https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/how-to-clean-hardwood-floors/9ba683603be9fa5395fab9003d4dbd3
You can use a reusable microfiber dry mop to dust. Purchase a hardwood floor cleaner, put that in a spray bottle and use the same mop to clean. Don’t use oil soap as that builds up and dulls over time.
Here's some fab tips for cleaning hardwood floors
Learn How to Clean Wood Floors With DIY Wood Floor Cleaners | Hometalk
Hi there,
Maybe a non static floor polish.
I just use a steam mop on mine and it works well.
https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/surface/how-to-clean-hardwood-floors/
I use Bona Hardwood floor cleaner.
I use Murphy oil and follow directions.
I use Bona on all my clients hardwoods and large swiffer like tool..... https://www.target.com/p/bona-microfiber-floor-mop/-/A-50801324?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tmnv&DFA=71700000077175476&CPNG=PLA_DVM%2B0060H00000uISaFQAW-Bona_2020+Q4+%2F+Q1+Support_Flight&adgroup=PLA_Bona&LID=700000001393753pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9033057&gclid=Cj0KCQiA0MD_BRCTARIsADXoopbtCFde_MjpQpKJ7PGGRNc9TAEVvP3p4vU8D6MWoSIpDPcgdOTwpwcaAtxCEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
I have also used Rejuvenate cleaner and restorer for scratches.
Don't use vinegar or oxi on your hardwoods it will eventually destroy the finish.
1st buy a new vacuum cleaner. If it isn't removing dirt why have it.? Use Zep floor cleaner from Home Depot on floors. I use a spin mop and you rinse floor perfectly clean without ever getting your hands wet.
Hello, hope this helps you out, and it helps with those nasty streaks too!
https://www.thriftyfun.com/Cleaning-and-Preventing-Streaks-on-Hardwood-Floors.html#:~:text=Answers%3A-,Cleaning%20Hardwood%20Floors%20without%20Leaving%20Streaks,It%20works!
We use Murphy's Oil. It will help protect your hard wood.
I vacuum the floors then use Bona. I have found that to be the best cleaner. You can use a light mixture of white vinegar and water. Make sure you you a slightly damp not wet mop. I have an ol swiffer that I put a washcloth on to mop my floors