Wood floors are known for their durability. Indeed, depending on their quality, they can last between 20 and 70 years. In addition to being robust, this type of coating makes rooms warm and welcoming. To properly clean a wooden floor, there are many ecological and inexpensive methods.
Different types of wood floors (parquet):
• Varnished floors with polyurethane (which makes them shiny)
• Waxed or oiled wood floors (these coatings repel water and other liquids)
• Raw wood floors (without coating)
If you are not sure whether your floor has a coating or not, this is a test by depositing a few drops of water on the surface. If the drops are beading, your floor has a coating.
On the other hand, if water gets into the floor, you have a raw wood floor that you can NOT clean with a conventional mop because the water and the products could damage it.
How to clean hardwood floors? Here are some useful tips and tricks for cleaning your hardwood floors or wooden floors.
How to clean varnished or waxed wood floors
If you are looking for homemade recipes for cleaning wood floors, here are three that contain products that you probably already have in your wardrobe.
Recipe no. 1 for washing a wooden floor
Ingridiances:
- A mop
- A wringer bucket
- 3 cups (750 ml) of hot water
- 1 cup (250 ml) of white vinegar
- 10 drops of lemon essential oil
- Microfiber cloth
Method:
1. Add vinegar and essential oil to a bucket of hot water.
2. Gently clean with a mop. Always make sure to twist the mop well, so it is damp rather than wet. If you spin and it drips, it’s too wet.
3. If necessary, wipe the floor with a dry microfiber cloth to make sure the floor is completely dry.
Recipe no. 2 for washing a hardwood floor
Ingridiances:
• A mop
• A wringer bucket
• 2 cups (500 ml) of hot water
• 1/2 cup (125 ml) white vinegar
• 2-3 drops of liquid dish soap
Method:
1. Pour a few drops of liquid dish soap into a bucket. Liquid dish soap is a neutral cleaner and will help remove dirt without leaving residue. On the other hand, make sure not to put more than 2-3 drops because it could leave traces if you put too much.
2. Add the vinegar and fill it with hot water. Vinegar is a mild disinfectant and will help reduce fat without streaking.
3. Soak the mop in the bucket for a few minutes. Take the time to wring it out well so that it is not too wet.
4. Rub the floor in left-to-right and right-to-left movements (S-shaped). This ensures that you will clean all areas of the floor. Keep your bucket behind to avoid having to walk on areas that you have already cleaned.
5. Finally, you can take a microfiber cloth and wipe the floor for a streak-free finish.
Note: The quantities suggested above are sufficient to clean one or two rooms. You just have to adjust the quantities according to the surface to be cleaned.
Recipe no. 3 for washing a hardwood floor
Ingridiances:
- White vinegar
- Vegetable oil
- Bottle spray
- Microfiber mop
- Soft cloth
If you prefer not to use water on your wood floors or if the water is not recommended for the type of coating you have, here is a solution that only requires vinegar and vegetable oil. Be sure to use a spray bottle to apply the solution.
Method:
1. Combine equal parts of vinegar and vegetable oil in a spray bottle. Mix the solution well each time you clean the floor to make sure the mixture is well emulsified.
2. Spray the cleaner on the wood floor and then wipe it off with the mop. The vinegar removes dirt and the vegetable oil helps condition the wood so that it does not dry out.
3. Finally, wipe again with the clean mop or soft cloth in circular motions, which will polish and make your floor shine.
4. Clean the floor with a soft microfiber mop and clean it about once a week to maintain shine.
Recipe no. 4 for washing a hardwood floor
Ingridiances:
- Teabags
Yes, yes, you read that right; tea bags can clean your wood floors while polishing them and making them super shiny. So the next time you make tea, prepare two extra bags for your floor too.
Method:
1. Soak two tea bags in boiling water for a few minutes.
2. Then pour the tea into a bucket.
3. Take a soft cloth, dip it in the tea and wring it out.
4. Scrub the floor and rinse your rag as needed. Note that the fabric should simply be damp and not wet, which will allow the floor to dry quickly.
The tannic acid in tea brings a nice shine to hardwood floors, so when you wash your floor, be ready to be amazed by the chandelier.
How to Clean Raw Wood Floors
Clean an oil or grease stain on raw wood
- Sprinkle a right amount of talc directly on the stain
- Cover the stain with several layers of paper towel
- Put iron on the paper towel
- Change the paper as soon as it is soaked in fat and repeat this operation until the stain is gone.
- If necessary, pass a sponge sprinkled with baking soda over the stained area, then rinse with a damp sponge.
Clean a stain of sauce on raw wood
- Pour flour on the stain.
- Let it absorb for at least 1 hour, then dust.
- Then clean using a sponge moistened with claystone (silver stone)
Clean a wax stain on raw wood
- Rub the wood with baking soda.
- Rinse with a damp sponge and
- Then dry with a clean cloth.
Clean an ink stain on raw wood
- Rub the ink stain with a toothbrush soaked in lemon juice.
- Sponge with a sheet of paper towel.
- Rinse.
Note: Always test a cleaner on a small area first to make sure there are no adverse reactions.
For optimal maintenance of your floors, it is recommended to vacuum or broom once or twice a week and to mop every week if possible or every two weeks.
I hope these tips have been helpful to you. How do you clean your wood floors? Let us know in the comments.
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