2 Homemade, Natural Solutions to Clean 7 Shine Your Hardwood Floors
Most people love the appeal and durability of wood, so it is easy to see why hardwood floors are such a great investment for your home. Unfortunately, flooring is meant to be lived and walked on, meaning a good amount of dirt, dust, food particles, and other debris will buildup on your wood floors over time. While there are many products sold in stores designed to clean wood floors, these sprays, creams, and concentrates may contain chemicals that can strip the finish, decreasing the beauty of your hardwoods.
By cleaning and shining your hardwoods with one or more of these natural solutions, you can protect the look and value of your floors.
Vinegar and Water
One of the main ingredients that can be used to remove light dirt, dust, and debris in addition to heavy residue without harming your wood finish can be found in your pantry. Vinegar contains antibacterial and antiviral properties, which eat through heavy dirt, dust, and bacteria without any worry of harming your top finish or underlying wood.
Consider mixing 2 cups of white vinegar with 3 cups of warm water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto your hardwood floors in small sections at a time. After spraying, mop away any leftover dirt and vinegar solution with a damp mophead. If you do not find the smell of vinegar appealing, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil into the solution before use.
Castile Soap and Water
You may think using soap in your cleaning solution will dry out the wood and affect its finish, but using castile soap is a safe alternative. Castile soap is gentler, so there is no risk of stripping the finish and harming your wood floors.
To use, add a teaspoon of pure castile soap to a spray bottle and fill with 4 cups of water. You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to improve the smell. Many people love orange or eucalyptus oil for their home because these scents are light and offer a scent that smells and feels clean. Spray the solution onto your floors and mop using a wet mophead. Be sure to wring out the excess liquid throughout to ensure you are not mopping with a dirty mophead.
Cleaning your hardwood floors does not have to involve harsh chemicals that affect your wood finish, home, or health. These natural solutions can be made using common, safe household ingredients. For more information on floor cleaning solutions, contact services such as Peerless Building Maintenance.
