Wood floors are a popular choice in many households since they’re easier to clean than carpets and look beautiful, especially when properly maintained. So, if you have — or are planning to have — wooden floors in your house, it’s important you know how to clean and shine them.
To clean your hardwood floors, you can use a specialized commercial product or a household item like vinegar, essential oils, olive oil, or lemon juice. Mix any one of these with the appropriate amount of water. Sweep or vacuum your floor before beginning, and wipe away any excess liquid afterward.
Let’s take a closer look at what you need to know to clean and shine wood floors like a pro, including the right products to use, the correct method, and how to pick the best polish.
Which Household Products Are Best for Cleaning Wood Floors?
There are many amazing items you can probably find lying around your home that make great wood floor cleaners. Here are some of the best options:
Vinegar
Vinegar is a natural cleaner that works well on a variety of surfaces, including wooden floors! All you have to do is mix equal parts water and vinegar for a great solution.
The only potential issue is that vinegar can be very potent, so you may have to gently rinse the floor before wiping up the residue.
Essential Oils
Although essential oils won’t work as cleaners on their own, you can add a few drops to a vinegar and water solution. This will help mask the smell of vinegar so your floor has a nice odor when you’re done — instead of a sour one.
Olive Oil, Lemon Juice & Hot Water
If you mix olive oil, lemon juice, and hot water, it creates a slightly harsher cleaner that can get rid of tough stains. If your floor hasn’t been cleaned in a while or you know there are some more stubborn marks there, this is a good one to use.
Use plenty of water and just a little lemon juice and olive oil.
Dish Detergent
You can add a few drops of dish detergent to any one of your cleaners to really boost the power. It’s especially effective when added to water and vinegar.
Although many people believe that baking soda and water makes a good mixture for cleaning wooden floors, it’s actually too harsh for an everyday cleaning solution and could damage the wood. Save baking soda for only the toughest stains.
Which Commercial Products Are Best?
If you don’t want to use a household cleaner and would rather use a specifically formulated commercial product, there are many on the market that can do a great job. These include:
- Weiman Hardwood Floor Cleaner (on Amazon)
- Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner (on Amazon)
- Black Diamond Wood and Laminate Floor Cleaner (on Amazon)
If you do choose to purchase a commercial cleaner, make sure it’s specifically formulated for hardwood flooring. More general cleaners might only be suitable for laminate flooring or other materials. Wood can be sensitive; it’s not as resilient as you might think.
You should also check that a reputable company created the product and that there are good reviews from other users.
How to Clean Your Wood Floors
Here’s a step-by-step guide to cleaning your wood floors, regardless of which cleaner you’re using.
Step 1: Sweep Up Any Dirt and Debris
The first thing you’ll want to do is sweep up any dirt and debris, as you don’t want to start cleaning the floor until it’s clear. You can use a dry mop to sweep the dust aside, or you can use a vacuum cleaner for an effective and quicker method. Make sure to cover the corners and under the furniture.
You can also use a microfiber cloth (on Amazon) to get rid of any dust that may have gathered in the corners. It’s important to keep your floor clear of as much as possible before you actually begin mopping.
Step 2: Use Your Cleaner of Choice and Mop the Area
Take your commercial or household cleaner and mop the area with it. Make sure to get in all of the corners, and try not to use an excess of liquid that could soak through the wood.
Step 3: Wipe the Floor With a Dry Microfiber Cloth or Mop
Since you don’t want to leave the floor wet, you should finish out the process by wiping up the liquid with a dry mop or microfiber cloth. When the floor is completely dry, then your cleaning process is done.
How to Choose the Right Floor Polish
If you want to use floor polish to give your floor that extra shine, there are a few things you need to consider before you actually purchase one. Not all products are created equal, and different floors have different needs.
Firstly, you need to consider what type of floor you have. Laminate flooring is different from real hardwood floors, and the latter tends to be less durable and resilient. Using the wrong type of polish could damage the wood.
It’s also essential to look at the reviews for any product you buy. On sites like Amazon, reviews are readily available from verified buyers who will tell you about the type of floor they have and how the product worked.
Lastly, make sure the company that made the floor polish is reputable.
Final Thoughts
Overall, wooden floors are fairly low maintenance and easy to take care of, but it’s important to know what you’re doing. Although many household items work great as floor cleaners, some can damage the wood, and you also need to know how to choose the right polish.
When in doubt, you can always hire a professional to clean your floors too. They’ll make sure they don’t damage the floor and get it as clean as possible with the right products and equipment.