3 Natural Ways to Clean Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors can be tricky to clean. Commercial cleaners with heavy chemicals or wax can cause unsightly buildup, reports the Huffington Post. Harsh chemicals can also damage the wood, causing it to swell and become uneven over time. For these and other reasons, you might want to consider nontoxic cleaning solutions. Below are three natural ways to clean your hardwood floors.

1. Vinegar

According to CleanMama.net, mopping and/or scrubbing your hardwood floors with a mixture of ½ cup of white vinegar and 1 gallon of warm water is a great cleaning technique. Worried about the scent? Add a few drops of essential oil to eliminate the “pickle smell.”

2. Lemon and olive oil

Hearts.com recommends combining ½ cup of lemon juice, ¾ cup of olive oil and 1 gallon of warm water for an effective wood cleaning solution. Using a mop, apply the mixture to your hardwood floors. Be sure not to apply too much water, however, which can warp the wood.

3. Tea

Can black tea really be good for your hardwood floors? RuralSpin.com argues that it’s easy, cheap and effective:

Simply brew 3 tea bags with four cups or so of boiling water. Let it sit to cool a bit, then use a funnel to transfer it to a spray bottle. It’s ready to use. Spray it on your floor enough to see a sheen of wetness, but don’t overdo it; too much moisture takes too long to dry and can warp your wood through time. After you spray it, wipe or mop to remove dirt. I use wash cloths that I attach to a Swiffer sweeper. Or I get on my hands-and-knees and clean the floors old-school. Rinsing isn’t required.

Not only does tea smell much better than vinegar, but it also helps deepen and enhance your hardwood floor’s natural color. Would you try it?

If your hardwood floors are too far gone to clean, contact Superior Windowland and ask about our flooring products. Our team will be happy to help you put together the perfect solution for your hardwood flooring needs. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and add us to your circles on Google+ for more tips.