When floors are extra dirty or when more cleaning power is required, check out these homemade hardwood floor cleaners that can save you time, effort and money:
• You may have already discovered the benefits of using vinegar to clean kitchen counters and bathrooms, but did you know that it can also cut through the grime that builds up on your wood floors? Just two ingredients, warm water and vinegar, give you everything you need to clean and shine your floors.
• If you want to add a nice fragrance to your cleaning solution, try this combination of vinegar, water and essential oil when you’re ready to mop. Essential oils come in a variety of fragrances, so choose a few drops of your favorite one to add to your solution for an added sense of clean.
• If you’re concerned about using water on your wood floors, or if water is not recommended for the type of floor finish that you have, you might be interested in this homemade solution that uses only vinegar and vegetable oil. Be sure to invest in a spray bottle for applying the mixture.
• This simple but effective cleaner uses plant-based liquid soap, vinegar and water with the option to add essential oils. This might be a good choice if your floor is especially grimy.
• Do your floors take one lump or two? That’s right – ordinary tea bags can clean your wood floors while adding shine and luster. The next time you make tea, brew a couple of extra bags for your floor instead of reaching for an expensive commercial floor cleaning product.
• It may sound more like a salad dressing than a wood floor cleaner, but this combination of lemon juice, olive oil and hot water promises to clean your floors while leaving a rich sheen behind.
• If you have laminate flooring, you might be interested in this DIY cleaning solution that uses water, vinegar and dish detergent along with a microfiber mop or sponge.
To keep your hardwood floors looking beautiful longer, sweep or vacuum frequently to pick up particles that can build up over time and scratch the surface. To minimize the need for damp mopping, use a dust mop or a dry microfiber pad for routine floor cleaning. Always clean spills right away, and never allow water or any other liquid to remain on the surface of your wood floor. Keep your pets’ nails trimmed to avoid floor scratching, and position mats at entry ways to make it convenient for people to wipe their feet. Use area rugs for high-traffic sections, and make sure to use furniture pads for heavy pieces that sit directly on wood floors.
With a little knowledge and a few common household ingredients, you can keep your wood floors clean and sparkling while saving time and money. So, grab your mop, a spray bottle and a few things from your cabinets, and give those wood floors some TLC.
