Cleaning with vinegar is possibly one of the best kept secrets of the cleaning world. While everybody knows the culinary uses, but many don’t realize it can be used as a cost effective way to keep your house sparkling clean. For now, we will focus solely on the benefits of cleaning wood floors. It is important that vinegar is ALWAYS diluted with water before it is applied in order to protect the wood and it’s finish from any damage. There are many benefits of using it as a cleaning solution in practically every room of the house: It is inexpensive, so there is more money to spend on the more important things in life. It is non-toxic, meaning parents and pet owners can feel comfortable in the knowledge there are no nasty chemicals being used on their floor. It is an organic substance, it is created from the fermentation of ethanol, not by mixing heavy or dangerous chemicals. So by using vinegar you are doing something good for the environment. While it is a natural substance, it is also acidic which means it is a powerful cleaner.

It can dissolve mineral deposits from smooth surfaces, this is why it needs to be diluted with water to ensure no damage occurs to your floors. It has anti-bacterial properties. For generations it has been used to combat mold and bacteria. Which vinegar should I use? I strongly recommend you only ever use basic white vinegar for cleaning purposes. White vinegar has no particular color, so will not stain hardwood. Some of the other types, such as apple cider vinegar, as delicious as it is, will have a brownish tint which could potentially damage floors. White vinegar is also the most inexpensive option. How do I clean my wood floors with vinegar? Cleaning your floors with vinegar is a very easy process, which is no more time consuming than a store bought, chemical laden cleaning solution. Below I have listed the simple steps that should be taken: Thoroughly sweep or vacuum your floor. It is extremely important there is no dust or dirt on the floor as this can lead to scratches.

Using a ratio of one gallon of warm water to a half cup of white vinegar fill up a clean bucket. Plunge a clean mop into the water/vinegar mixture and ensure it is thoroughly wrung out before mopping.I do recommend mopping in the same direction of the floor boards, if as the water dries it leaves a streak, it will be less visible. Also change the liquid if it starts to look dirty.leather cleaning products walmart The floors will be fine to let air dry, however if the floor looks a bit too wet after mopping feel free to remove some excess moisture with a dry, clean towel or cloth. best way to clean copper stove hoodI also recommend keeping pets and children off the floor until it has dried completely, this will ensure a beautiful, shiny and smudge free floor.direct energy home services duct cleaning

Once you try this out for yourself and are amazed at the results, be sure to share your new cleaning secret with your family and friends so they can be amazed at their floors as well.Follow our easy steps on how to clean hardwood floors. Transform your floors from dull and grimy to gleaming, gorgeous and clean! mariakraynova / Shutterstock / mariakraynova RELATED: Start scrubbing and dusting! best vacuum cleaner 2013 consumer reportsSpring clean with these room-by-room tipshardwood floor steam cleaner amazon Don't use oils, waxes or furniture sprays. best way to clean cat urine from couchOil leaves a residue, furniture spray creates a slippery surface (think ice-skating rink!) and wax takes time to apply and makes re-coating difficult.

RELATED: 23 ways to clean your home (and yourself) using lemons Don't use straight ammonia, alkaline products or abrasive cleaners. They'll dull or scratch the finish. Do use a floor-cleaning product recommended by the floor finisher or opt for plain soap and water. If the recommended product is hard to find or costly, and other floor cleaners contain ingredients that violate your floor's warranty, try soap and water. I add a quarter cup of mild or pH-neutral soap (like liquid dishwashing soap) or Murphy Oil Soap (despite the name, it doesn't contain oil) to a bucket of water. Don't rely on water alone or a vinegar and water solution to clean hardwood floors. Mopping with water will result in dingy-looking floors and won't-budge dirt buildup. Vinegar and water is not as effective as soapy water and—some suggest—may dull floors sooner. (Eventual dullness and the need to recoat are inevitable no matter what you use. See Tackling Simple Wood Floor Problems.) In high-traffic areas, like the dining room and kitchen, you should sweep daily, if possible, and mop once or twice a week.

Mop less-trafficked areas once a month or once a season. Mopping technique Remember: Water is wood's worst enemy (even on sealed floors!), so use a damp mop rather than a soaking wet one. Dip the mop into the bucket of prepared cleaning solution, wring it out completely, mop in the direction of the wood grain and repeat. When the water gets dirty, empty the bucket, mix a new batch of cleaning solution and continue mopping. When finished, go back over the entire surface with clean water to rinse. Don't be afraid to get on your hands and knees if necessary. When a floor needs serious attention, I clean it with a cloth. (It's better than a sponge because you can "feel" the dirt as you wipe!) Scuff marks getting you down? A bit of baking soda on a damp sponge will erase them. Noticed a stubborn food, water or grease stain on your surface-sealed floor? Always use a commercial cleaner to treat this problem. Hairline cracks in the floor? Don't panic and attempt to fill them.

Dry heat during the winter months causes wood floors to shrink and crack. Cracks should close up during the summer (though using a humidifier can also help). Sand the floor lightly and recoat with an additional layer or two. Recoating is necessary about every five to seven years. RELATED: How to clean your kitchen sink, showerhead, makeup brushes and more Do use stripper to remove old wax buildup. Choose a product the floor manufacturer recommends, a commercial product from the hardware store or mineral spirits. Do use liquid wax designed for wood floors or paste wax. Liquid wax is easier to apply but leaves a thinner coat (and provides less protection) than paste wax. Don't use acrylic or water-based waxes, furniture waxes or one-step waxes. Acrylic and water-based waxes can turn floors white, furniture wax creates a slick surface and one-step waxes (despite the compelling pitches: They clean! They remove old wax! They lay down new wax!) Do NOT damp-mop waxed floors.

Just vacuum and sweep the surface regularly. Once or twice a year, strip the old wax and apply a fresh new coat. If a high-traffic area gets dull in between treatments, you can spot-wax the area. Vacuum the floor to remove dust. Strip the old wax with stripper (following the manufacturer's instructions) or mineral spirits (rub into wood and then wipe off with a clean, soft cloth). Keep the area well ventilated as you work and as the floor dries. After the floor has dried, apply a thin coat of wax, using an applicator (if you're using liquid wax) or a cloth (if you're using paste wax). Let the wax dry. For added protection, apply a second coat of wax. Use a cloth or, to make the job easier, rent a buffing machine. Remember to always buff in the direction of the wood grain. White water spots marring your floor's finish? Add a small amount of mineral spirits to an extra-fine (0000) steel wool pad and gently rub the area in a circular motion. Keep the area well ventilated as you work.

Got heel marks that won't wipe off?Add a small amount of wax to an extra-fine (0000) steel wool pad and gently rub the area in a circular motion. Food stains causing you trouble? Wipe the surface with a damp cloth, rub dry and wax. When removing any stain (from wood or carpet), always work from the outside edge in toward the center. Secrets to preserving hardwood floors: 3 must-follow rules!To extend the life of your hardwood floor no matter what the finish, keep in mind these three simple rules: Sweep or vacuum often. Ground-in dirt destroys wood floors.To prevent buildup, clean floors once or twice a day in high-traffic areas, like the kitchen and dining room. Cut down on sweeping time by placing a doormat at each entrance to your home. (Some estimates suggest that doormats eliminate 80 percent of the dirt tracked inside!) Wipe up mud and spills immediately. Wood is easily damaged by water.If you aim to protect your wood floor with a rug, be cautious. Rug dyes have been known to stain floors, and plastic backings may affect the wood finish.