I'm looking for advice on how to clean wood floors. We had all wood floors at our condo, and sweeping regularly with a broom and occasionally steam mopping or dry microfiber mopping with murphy's was all I did. Now at our apartment, I do the same, minus the steam mop because it broke :(, and that same day our feet will be black from walking around barefoot on the floor. I am going to get a new steam mop eventually, but I'm not even sure that would do the trick! In the meantime, how do I really clean this grime off the floors? It seems like the previous tenants must have never cleaned them, because it's seriously gross how black the bottom of our feet get. Any tips you can share?
I agree with the vinegar suggestion. It works and is totally safe for people and pets. Also, it's super cheap!
I used to clean homes for a living. The BEST thing I ever found to clean hardwood was white vinegar. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup to a bucket of hot water. It works great! ANd once it dries the smell does go away!
Most cleaners leave a grime or film on everything. You can honestly use vinegar and water for anything. Cleaning carpets. spots off your furniture, toilet bowls etc. In the bathroom you can add lemon juice to it to give a "cleaner" smell. AND it's an organic approach to cleaning!
There is a product, called "Bona."
From Home Depot. And Walmart has it too.
It is GREAT. And cleans well, easy to use, and leaves no residue, and is biodegradable.
I use it for our wood floors, and LOVE it.
Next: to prevent dirt/grime from being in the house and on the floors, here in Hawaii, no one wear shoes in the house. And that in itself, really makes the house cleaner.
Or, get a microfiber mop, to do daily spot cleaning of the floors and to get off the dirt/grime.
I also have to recommend the vinegar-water method. We just moved into a new house with lots of wood floors. I couldn't believe how dirty they were! I made a mixture of 3 parts vinegar-to-1 part water, put it in a spray bottle and went over the floor on my hands and knees with rags. I had to go over the floor FOUR TIMES to get it to finally wipe clean, and not leave any black/dirt marks on the rags. I know some might say that's way too much vinegar to use per the ratio, but it works for me and I know they are clean. I now vacuum it daily and then mop with the same mixture once per week. I also use the same 3-to-1 vinegar/water mixture to clean my stainless steel appliances. It also works great on glass & mirrors. My only complaint is the smell, but it really does dissipate quickly. Hope that helps...just wanted to assure you that you will eventually be able to get all that dirt/grime off and you won't have black feet anymore. :)
I use vinegar. Works great, and it's cheap!
I've always mopped with Pine Sol in hot water. I love how it smells, and it gets wood floors really clean. If I'm concerned any further than that (like when one of the kids throws up or something), then I'll add a little bleach to the mop water. My floors pass the white sock test! :)
Can you use the same mixture on prego?
Thanks!
J.
We steam clean the hard stuff, but use Murphy's Oil Soap mainly.
