Our favorite cleaning solution for hardwood floors happens to be one you can whip up in your own kitchen. The tried and true mix of vinegar and water is safe and effective for all hardwood floors (and tile too!). The acetic acid in the vinegar helps remove grime and grease, without leaving behind streaks or residue. Vinegar also deodorizes, kills bacteria, and is eco-friendly. So here’s how to create this easy and inexpensive floor cleaner:
- 1 gallon warm water
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
It’s that simple! Mix the two ingredients in a bucket and gently apply with a damp sponge or cloth. Don’t over-saturate the floors. If you notice any puddles on the floor while cleaning, your sponge or cloth is too wet. There’s no need to rinse the solution, but do allow the floors to air dry after cleaning. Excess solution can be placed in a spray bottle to make future cleaning quick and easy.
It’s also important to know that you never want to use oil-based products on your wood floors, like Murphy’s Oil or Old English. These create a wax build-up that can inhibit screening and coating the floors later down the road. If you prefer a store-bought product, we recommend Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner. It’s available at Target, Wal-Mart, Bed, Bath & Beyond, or any home improvement store.
So pull out that old bottle of vinegar and get to cleanin’ those floors!