How to Clean Hardwoods?

I don't know about hardwood floors but my Dad always used sand or kitty litter to soak up oil in the garage. Then he would just sweep or vacuum it up. That would probably be too abrasive for wood but maybe some baking soda or powder would work.

I'm going to suggest vinegar and water. Look it up online to find the exact amounts...I use it for everything so I get confused what parts to use for hardwood.

Clorox Wipes. I have had pine hardwood and oak hardwood and I have never treated these floors any different that linoleum or tile. I think it is a myth that you have to be SOOOO careful about hardwood floors. I use Murphy's Oil soap or Mr Clean on my floors and have never had any issues, no stripping of the finish, no nothing. The only thing that has ever ruined a finish was dog puke.

If its sealed hard wood I knwo they say you can only use water and vinigar Idd go ahead and use something like lysol that you would use on your counter tops to clean it up just in that area. Its better then letting the oil sit there. Just make sure you ribnse it off. I have sealed hard wood floors (meaning they have been polyurathaned) and while I use a steam mop to cleam them and sometimes water and vinigar there are cettain messes that call for something more and oil is one of them. Sometimes in front of the stove you just have to use something to get the grease up like after you cook bacon. It really wont hard to floor as long as you dont use it every time and you rinse it off

Hi, we use water mixed with white vinegar to clean all of our hard woods. It gets them squeaky clean, but doesn't give them a shine. So, if you like shiny hardwoods, you may want to try something else.

Make sure you use 'detergent' rather than 'soap'. Several washes from a nice hot pan of water with handwashing dish detergent (Dawn, Palmolive, Ajax, Joy, etc) in it and a terry dish/washcloth should do the trick. Rinse with white vinegar and water afterward.

Hi M.,
My bf actually is in the hardwood flooring business. He lays, sands and finishes. He told me the best way to clean your hardwood floor is to use a capful of vinegar (the one that comes on the bottle) to a gallon of water and damp mop it. HTH!

Hi M.,
When things are really dirty on my hardwoods, I use vinegar in water. It's mild enough not to mess up the finish, but it will cut through the oil/scum, too. I'm sure you know to stay away from anything with ammonia. Also, rubbing alcohol in water will work sometimes. The Bruce wood floor cleaner has alcohol in it, I noticed. Maybe it makes the floor shine and dry faster that way?

I put water & vinegar in my "Floor Mate" by hoover & it works great. I have also used the solution intended for hardwoods in the machine.

I would also think Murphy's oil soap would work fine.

Even mild/diluted dish detergent.

P : )

I don't have hardwood floors (YET), but a great cleaner that will get up the oils, and not harm the wood is a product called Mox from Conklin. Another product that works well keeping a shine on hardwood (or tiles) is Stay and Shine. One of the best features about these products is that they are safe for your little one, as they work with no harmful chemicals, and they are concenctrated to last longer then store bought products. They also come with a money back guarentee.

The problem with Lysol and other cleaners is that they use chemicals to work. Are you sure you want your son to come in contact with something that is harmful? Murphy's Oil is great for an occasional use, but again, chemicals are in it. And Vinegar, though inexpensive, and natural, STINKS!lol

Here is a video that showcases the cleaners, the hardwood demo starts at around 3.5 minutes into the first video. The second video features a home that is cleaned with Conklin products, along with a 4-H building.

http://homebusinessdm.com/conklin-cleaning-product-overvi...

I'm not sure what happened to the styling of the website, so just overlook the layout, if you go looking around, I'm still trying to fix it. ;)

If you want more info after watching the video, please feel free to email me.

M. S.
Conklin Team Leader
http://diamondmenterprise.com
http://homebusinessdm.com

you could use mean green grease remover. cheap and its pretty good . after that just clean it with what ever you normally use. good luck. southern born and raised. blessings and welcome. mom of 7, R. u.

i've heard that vinegar and water do a great job cleaning hardwoods. I think it's a half and half mixture.

Murphy's Oil soap and warm water.

I use water and vinegar. It works well and does not dull the shine. I enjoy living here, I don't know where you moved from but it is much slower pace than metro areas, ex. NY however I think you will enjoy it.

I would try a white vinegar and warm water mix. I always use that for my hardwoods and it can cut through grease or oil. It may take a few tries with that much oil.

I have had hardwood floors for most of my life - grew up on them and now live with them...

I use Melaleuca's Tough and Tender the majority of the time - which will cut the grease and it is very tender on any surface. Their MelaMagic is made to cut grease...and I have mopped dirty stuff with it for years also.

Safe products for the 2 year old to breathe - less expensive *per use* than store brands.

J. B.
www.joyboudreau.com