Hi, We have hardwood floors(not laminate)and I cannot seem to get them clean and streak free! When we moved in the builder said we should only use white vinegar and water so that is what i have been using. Does anyone know what the combination of the two should be (water to vinegar)? They never seem to shine and they often have streaks from the mop? Could it be the mop? I have two little ones so it needs to be cleaned often especially in the kitchen area. Has anyone found anything that works both to clean with and mops or other tools that is safe for hardwood? Any ideas?
C.,
I get down on hands and knees and clean my floors with a cloth maybe once a month, and swiffer/spot clean in between.
I have a bucket of vinegar and water, and rinse the cloth out many times, but not in the bucket so as not to end up using dirty water.
After I clean, I steep some tea bags in hot water, let it cool and then apply the tea to the floor with a mop. this gives the floors a shine afterwards.
L.
I use Murphy's Oil Soap and a roller mop to clean my wood floors. They just sparkle and everyone always tells me how beautiful they are. It's available at the grocery store. Good luck!
Murphy's oil soap is great on hardwood floors. My husband is a builders and does not understand why you would not be able to use anything but vinegar and water. He said that he could see being more careful with the laminate floors because they will wear out and start to show signs of wear. If the proper sealant was put on the floor Murphy's oil soap should be fine.
C.,
You are probably getting the streaks because you are using too much water. There shouldn't be any standing water left on the wood floors when cleaning, this can be very bad for your wood floors over time. I might suggest that you try using a slightly damp towel/cloth and do the floors by hand. Tiresome I know but this is how I have seen the cleaning people clean wood floors. Technically you shouldn't use any cleaning "products" other than vinegar and water on unsealed wood floor. Good luck.
Hi, I have been using Murphy's oil soap for years and never really happy with my floor. I recently read to use 1 tsp. vinegar and 1 tsp. vegetable oil to a quart of water. It said to rinse after washing... but I just used a clean soft cloth to wipe it dry after cleaning. I have been happy with my floors again!
The ratio is 1 cup w.vinegar to one gallon of warm water. I use a soft cotton cloth and have no streaks. You can also check the National Wood Flooring Association website to see what else they recommend! NWFA.org. good luck
You do want to use only vinegar....have you been using other cleaning products instead? They could be causeing the streaks because other cleaning products only cause build up of bacteria which equals the streaks. I use vinegar and water on my floors daily. 1/4c vinegar to one gallon of water. Use a damp soft mop/ cloth (I use a cloth and do it on my hands and knees= less streaks) Also make sure that your mop is terry cloth or microfiber it work best and will not scratch your floors. Norwex envirocloths are EXCELLENT!! Or the Norwex Mop too. Let me know if you need to know where to get them. I am telling you...they make my life with five children and cleaning so much easier and all above is natural so much healthier for your family. Good luck
Hi C..
I had the same problem! It's a pain, but when I'm done mopping, I put towels on my feet and "walk" through to dry teh floors. This seems to work pretty well. I use about 1 cup of vinegar to about 1 gallon of water.
I agree with your builder. I only use vinegar and water. Every 6 months or so, I will use murphy's oil. But not too often.
Murphy's Oil soap is what I have used and it works and smells great!
I use Method wood floor cleaner. It comes in a squirt and mop type bottle, which I don't like, so I pour it into a good quality spray bottle. You just mist a little onto the floor and mop with a damp microfiber mop, or a microfiber cloth if doing by hand (I do this to spot clean). It dries streak free, has a nice mild almond oil scent and is non-toxic. Your wood floor must be sealed to use it. I buy it at Target. The microfiber mops/cloths alone are great for removing streaks, so it may just be a matter of changing your mop. They can be washed in the washer (just don't use fabric softener) and seem to last a reasonably long time.
Good luck!
Hi C. G,
I got that H2O Mop gizmo for Mother's Day and I love it ~ I just fill it with water and turn it on and mop the floors with steam. It drys fast ~ there's no chemicals used. It's like I'm sterlizing my hardwood floors every time.
Good Luck!
