Your browser is out of date. For the correct work of a site, install the new version.Home / Housekeeping / DIY / Hardwood Floor Cleaners & TipsHardwood Floor Cleaners & Tips  62 Comments    Print     EmailHere are several different recipes for mixing up your own cleaners for hardwood flooring, just a few simple ingredients are all that’s needed. Keep in mind that a little goes a long way, you just need enough liquid to dampen the mop (or cloth) and scrub away.If you’re happy to damp mop with straight water, try adding about 10 drops of essential oil per gallon of water for extra cleaning muscle. Some suggestions: lavender, tea tree oil, pine or eucalyptus oil will add antiseptic qualities.You’ll also find tips on this page for removing scuff marks, how to test for wax (and remove it), a few DIY polish recipes and a scratch repair method that may surprise you.Getting Started: Sweep or vacuum surface to remove as much dirt and dust as possible.Directions:When using one of the recipes below, damp mop only.

Saturating the floor with liquid may cause spotting or warping of the surface. You can either lightly spray one section at a time or lightly spray the mop head.Scrub in the direction of the grain of the wood to grab and remove as much of the dirt as possible.Wipe dry with a soft cloth after washing.Mix 1 gallon warm water with your choice of the ingredients below…air duct clean ann arbor reviewsSolution #11/4 cup vinegar1 TBS castille soapSolution #21 cup white household vinegar (*Is it safe to use? hvac duct cleaning regulationsSee notes below)Solution #31/4 cup borax1/2 teaspoon mild dish detergent (liquid)Solution #41 cup vinegar10 drops peppermint essential oilSolution #51/8 cup mild liquid dish soap1/2 cup vinegarSolution #61 TBS Dr. Bronner’s liquid soap1/8 cup vinegar1/4 cup brewed black teaTea Mixture:Steep 1 bag of tea in 2 cups of boiling water and leave until it comes to room temperature. car leather cleaner and protector

Remove tea bag and soak cloth in liquid, wring out then wipe floor clean. Dry with a soft cloth. The tannic acid in the tea will help bring wood to a shine.For Oil-Finish: Damp mop with straight water after first cleaning with the recipe below.1 TBS rubbing alcohol2/3 cup hot water*Is vinegar safe to use? Isn’t it too acidic for hardwood?best air duct cleaning in michiganIf you poured a bottle of vinegar directly on the floor and allowed it to sit, it would most likely damage the surface. leather care products houstonHowever, in the mixtures above it is well diluted and only used as a damp mop (meaning excess liquid is squeezed out). laptop cooling fan and heatsinkVinegar is an excellent household cleaner and brings a lot of muscle to the job.

If you’re concerned about the effects it may have on the finish over the long-term, consider doing a clear water rinse after wiping floor with a mixture that has vinegar as an ingredient (then wipe dry as usual).Removing Scuff MarksKeep a spray bottle with a mixture of 50/50 vinegar, water and about 15 drops of essential oil of your choosing.Sprinkle scuffs with baking soda then spray solution, let fizz for a few seconds.Scrub marks until they are removed then dry with a soft towel.Wax Testing & RemovalWet your fingers with water then flick into a corner of the floor where there’s not much traffic. If there’s wax on the surface, the floor will turn white under the water beads (may take a half hour or so to turn white).To Remove Wax:Scrub the surface with mineral spirits using a household sponge with a nylon scrubby side. Wipe dry with a soft cloth as wax is dissolved. Repeat process a second time if needed.DIY PolishWash surface as usual and dry thoroughly. Using one of the mixes below, apply polish to surface then wipe dry with a soft cotton towel.

Recipe #1Mix equal parts olive oil and white household vinegar.Recipe #21/4 cup vegetable oil (or olive oil)2 TBS cider vinegar3 TBS vodkaRecipe #31 TBS olive oil mixed with 1 tsp lemon juice. Apply to a clean, dry mop and treat floors after cleaning.Quick Tip: You can also spray commercial furniture polish onto the mop head and then wipe over surface.Scratch RepairRub a crayon that is the same color as the flooring into the scratch, filling the space as full of the wax as you can.To seal in place, heat with a hair dryer to soften the wax, allow to cool for a few seconds then buff with a soft cloth. Print     Email Published: November 16, 2011Updated: June 9, 2012Cleaning HintsHome CleaningCleaning TricksHousehold CleaningCleaning IdeasCleaning StuffGreen HouseholdHousehold HintsGreen CleaningForwardHomemade floor cleaner - look at that shiney wood floor! Mine hasn't looked like that since the day it was installed, lol!Skip to main content. Home Guides Home Home Improvement Home Cleaning How to Make Hardwood Floors Shine Without Toxic Chemicals Chemicals aren't necessary to make wood floors shine.

The deep shine and luster of a properly cleaned wood floor adds warmth to a room. Unfortunately, many wood floor cleaners contain toxic chemicals that you may not want in your home. Plain water won't clean the floors and make them shine. Water can actually damage the floor, depending on the finish, since the wood absorbs the moisture and swells. Making your nontoxic cleaners allows you to remove the grime that dulls the floor and condition the wood so it retains its luster. Sweep or dust mop wood floors daily, especially in entryways and other areas prone to heavy traffic. Frequent sweeping removes surface dirt and minimizes the amount of cleaning and cleaners necessary for proper upkeep. Combine equal parts white vinegar and vegetable oil in a spray bottle. Mix the cleaner fresh each time you clean the floor so it doesn't separate and to prevent the oil from going rancid. Mop the floor with a soft cloth mop and the cleaner about once a week. Low-traffic areas may require less frequent mopping.