WFMW: Cleaning your hardwoods

By mudlark • August 15th, 2007

They’re gorgeous. They add value to your home. They’re delicate. But they get dirty just like anything else in your home, and they need to be cleaned.

There are different schools of thought when it comes to cleaning hardwoods. Some people prefer expensive specialty products, some prefer to do it all on hands and knees with a gentle microfiber cloth. But pretty much everyone agrees that you should use as little water as possible. Our recommendation?

Sweep first. Having those dust and dirt particles on the floor when you start to mop could scratch your floors. Once you’ve swept, put a small amount of water in your mop bucket, and add a couple sprays of a gentle all-purpose cleaner (like Seventh Generation, Method, or Barefoot Home Essentials). A dollop of vinegar or lemon juice would do just as well – they both disinfect and clean well. Dampen your mop, wringing out as much water as possible. Then mop along the grain of your floors. Ventilate if possible, not because of the chemicals – we recommend using safe products that don’t require ventilation. But the ventilation will help your floors dry more quickly, and that’s good for the hardwoods.

That’s what works for us. Head over to Rocks in My Dryer for more helpful tips.

Comments(4) Cleaning tips, Floors

Comments

By Lana G! on August 15th, 2007 at 9:17 am

Have this bookmarked. This is my project for this weekend!
Thanks for the tip!

By Laane on August 18th, 2007 at 10:14 am

After I discovered vinegar as a cleaner I use it so often.
It takes away strange smells too.

By rbwahine on October 27th, 2008 at 2:36 am

Cleaning with products that you can find in your kitchen cabinets around your house is a great to be enviornment friendly. Not only are you doing your part in helping the enviornment, you also benefit financially.