Through all the years in the hardwood flooring business, the question I am most asked is, "How do I clean my hardwood floors?" Whether it's a new floor, old floor, solid hardwood floor, engineered hardwood floor, laminate floor, or if it's the first or fifth home someone has owned with hardwood floors, they still want to know how to clean them. A lot of people have heard (usually from grandma) that warm water and vinegar is a great solution for cleaning, and it's true. It's inexpensive, simple, and quick. It breaks down dirt and grime without damaging the finish and if done properly is virtually streak-free. There is a problem though that I come across a lot. People that use a water and vinegar solution or even just straight water, typically use way too much on their floors! One of the worst enemies of your hardwood floor is water. Too much water will cause the floor to swell and warp causing a ripple effect in the wood. But by following these simple guidelines, you will have the results you are looking for.

In a bucket, you will want to mix approximately 1/2 cup of white vinegar to 1 gallon of warm water. It's the acetic acid in the vinegar that helps to cut the grease and grime but it won't leave any residue that may cause problems down the road when you're ready to have your floors refinished. I've found the best way to clean is to use a sponge mop. An inexpensive one is fine, just be sure it's the kind that has a spring type wringer on it. There are some that have a semi-abrasive pad on one side which will come in handy if there are dry, sticky spills. DO NOT use one of those commercial "swab the deck" type cotton mops. You can never get enough water out of those and will definitely damage your floor. The key is to get as much water out of the mop as possible. If you notice any puddles at all while you're cleaning, your mop has too much water in it. If that happens, be sure to use a clean absorbent cloth or towel and wipe the floor dry. If you keep the mop just slightly damp, the floor will dry very quickly and there is no need to dry it off.

If it's only a small area you need to clean, you can get on your hands and knees and use a sponge or cloth with the same solution. But again, be sure to wring the sponge out well so you're not putting a lot of water on the floor. Another good idea is to keep an inexpensive spray bottle filled with the same 1/2 cup:1gallon solution with your cleaning supplies. This is great for spills in the kitchen or spot cleaning the floors around the house. Just shake it up, spray some on a cloth or even a paper towel to clean up grease splatters around the stove or the dogs muddy footprints at the door.Draped Bed Canopy There are a lot of good products on the market you can buy to clean your hardwood floors, but grandma's time tested solution of warm water and vinegar is probably the simplest and most economical way to keep your hardwood floors clean and beautiful for years.Soft King Duvet Covers

Contact Alpine Flooring in Boulder or Denver Colorado, for your home's wood floor installing and/or refinishing needs. Or give us a call at your convenience: 303-884-8020Where to buy Non-Toxic Products and Ingredients These are a few of my most popular posts All-Natural Homemade DeodorantHomemade Powdered Laundry DetergentHow to Make Green Household CleanersHow to Wash Grapes the Right WayHomemade Floor Cleaner (+ All Purpose Cleaner) I believe that protecting your family from harmful chemicals doesn't have to be overwhelming. Ccny T ShirtAnyone can do it, one small step at a time. Are you ready to take charge of your family's health? Did you know that there’s a Nature’s Nurture mobile app? User-Friendly FormatAdvanced SearchOffline CapabilitiesSave FavoritesHome / 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…

Solution #11/4 cup vinegar1 TBS castille soapSolution #21 cup white household vinegar (*Is it safe to use? See 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. 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?If you poured a bottle of vinegar directly on the floor and allowed it to sit, it would most likely damage the surface. However, in the mixtures above it is well diluted and only used as a damp mop (meaning excess liquid is squeezed out).

Vinegar 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.