Hardwood flooring is a classic option that can breathe warmth into your living spaces without compromising on character. But like any other type of flooring, hardwood floors aren’t immune to dust, grime, and sticky stains. So, how do you clean a sticky hardwood floor?
To start, prepare your cleaning solution and sweep the floor. You can also vacuum if needed. Soften the sticky residue with mineral or olive oil, then dislodge it with a plastic scraper. Mop the floor with the cleaning solution and rinse thoroughly. Finally, dry the floor with a soft cloth.
Some sticky substances can pull up and soften the finish on your hardwood floor. And the longer you leave them, the more damage they can cause, so you should remove sticky stains as soon as you notice them. Let’s take a closer look at the cleaning process so that you can get started straight away.
How to Clean Sticky Hardwood Floors
Dealing with sticky residue on wood may not always be a straightforward process. In fact, if you use an aggressive method to remove stubborn stains from your hardwood floor, you might end up dulling the finish and causing an even bigger headache.
You should start by pulling up as much residue as you can with a firm but giving plastic scraper, the edge of an old credit card, or an eraser.
Never use a metal putty knife or butter knife; doing so can leave permanent scratches. For particularly stubborn residue, you should try a few methods to soften it before attempting to remove the stains completely.
Using a Conventional Hardwood Floor Cleaner
You can’t just use any surface cleaner on your hardwood floor — it needs to be tough enough to cut through dirt and sticky residue, but gentle enough on the finish.
You can choose between either a ready-to-use spray cleaner or a concentrated product that you have to dilute with water before adding to a spray bottle.
These are the conventional hardwood floor cleaners that are safe for use around pets and kids:
Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner Spray
Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner Spray (on Amazon) cleaner doesn’t have any pungent scents, dyes, or other harsh chemicals. It’s tough and effective against dust, grime, and sticky stuff without much effort even if you’re using a microfiber or steam mop.
You can cover a wide area with just a single spritz, and the convenient water-based formula ensures no residues after cleaning.
Rejuvenate All Floor Cleaner
Rejuvenate All Floor Cleaner (on Amazon) is a multipurpose product that works great on hardwood, laminate, and tiled floors. It removes dirt and scuffs effectively and even adds a slight shine.
It uses a low VOC formula that also has a well-balanced pH to make it safe for everyday use. Moreover, you can apply it easily by pouring, spraying, or inserting it into the brand’s special mop.
Everspring Wood Surface Cleaner
Everspring Wood Surface cleaner (on Amazon) leaves a light, refreshing scent on your floor’s surface that makes the whole house feel clean. It also works great on engineered hardwood floors and other wood surfaces, not just traditional hardwood floors.
The spray nozzle follows an intuitive design, and you can use either the steam or spray option.
Aunt Fannie’s Hardwood Floor Cleaner
Aunt Fannie’s hardwood floor cleaner (on Amazon) is an eco-friendly, pet-friendly, and child-safe product that doesn’t use vinegar or any chemicals that may be problematic for your floor’s finish.
The solution is concentrated and will require you to dilute it with water before use. However, it doesn’t have a repelling smell.
Using a DIY Method
Most homeowners can remove sticky residues from their hardwood floors on their own unless there’s been an especially huge spill or there’s a risk of damaging a very high-end finish.
Here are some DIY methods you can try:
Clean With Warm Water and Vinegar
Once you’ve swept or vacuumed the floor, you can use vinegar and warm water to remove sticky messes. Mix a cup of distilled white vinegar with a gallon of warm water in a clean bucket.
Dip your microfiber mop into the solution and wring it well before running it over the affected spots. Use moderate pressure to gently remove the sticky residue. Rinse the mop well and run it repeatedly until you’ve dislodged and cleaned off all the grime.
Use Household Ammonia and Hot Water
Like vinegar, household ammonia and warm water can be tough on sticky messes on your hardwood floor. Add a cup of ammonia to hot water in a bucket. Soak your microfiber mop in the solution, wring it out, and use it to gently scrub off the sticky residue.
Once you’ve removed all the sticky stuff, discard the used ammonia solution, rinse the bucket thoroughly, and fill it half-way with hot water. Add half a cup of white vinegar and use this solution to rinse the floor by following the steps above. Once you’re done, allow the floor sufficient time to air dry.
Use Recommended Floor Cleaner and Water
This method is familiar, but you need to use a floor cleaner that’s recommended by your hardwood floor manufacturer. Fill a bucket with warm water and add the floor cleaner according to the instructions.
If it’s a ready-to-use product, simply spritz it on the floor and use a slightly damp microfiber mop to clean away the sticky residue. Keep rinsing the mop and running it repeatedly depending on the severity of the sticky mess.
Clean With a Steam Mop
A steam mop (on Amazon) will help you get rid of gunky stuff on your hardwood floor without damaging the finish. You can choose a setting that will be the most effective depending on the degree of stickiness.
Use Mild Soap and Warm Water
If you’re looking for a more gentle solution for cleaning your sticky hardwood floor, try mild dishwashing soap and warm water.
Sweep or vacuum the floor to remove loose dust and other debris. Mix 1/4 cup of mild dishwashing liquid with a bucket of warm water and make it lather.
Dip your microfiber mop into the solution, wring it out, and work with gentle pressure on the affected spots. Once you’ve removed all the residue, rinse the mop with clean water and use it to dry the floor.
Method for Cleaning Sticky Hardwood Floors
Cleaning a sticky hardwood floor sounds challenging, but you can make the work a lot easier by using the right supplies and following the correct steps. Here’s how to do it safely without damaging your floor’s finish:
1. Prepare Your Cleaning Solution
Prepare the recommended cleaning solution in a bucket as per the instructions on its label. Ready-to-use cleaners that come in spray bottles will save you the hassle.
2. Sweep the Floor Clean
Sweep the floor with a soft-bristled broom to remove loose debris and dust. For best results, you can follow with a vacuum.
3. Soften and Dislodge the Sticky Substance
Use a plastic scraper to gently pull off as much of the gummy residue as you can. If there were stickers on the floor, use a pencil eraser to wipe away the sticker adhesive. Rub over the sticky spots, and the adhesive will roll off in clumps.
Test some olive or mineral oil on an inconspicuous spot on the floor to see if it will affect the finish. If it doesn’t, place a dab of the oil on a soft microfiber cloth and rub it on the gummy spots. This should soften and dislodge the residue.
4. Mop the Floor With the Cleaning Solution
Dip your mop in the cleaning solution, wring it out, and mop in the same direction as the grain of the wood. Apply gentle pressure on the areas that still look dull from the sticky residue. Change the cleaning solution when it starts getting dirty.
5. Rinse By Mopping With Clean Water
Rinse the floor by mopping it with fresh, clean water. Ensure the mop is slightly damp, not wet.
6. Dry With a Non-Abrasive Cloth
Wood floors are sensitive to moisture, so make sure to try the floor with a soft, non-abrasive cloth. This will also prevent any sticky residue that might be left behind from the mopping.