You can’t deny that looking at a shiny wood floor is an absolute pleasure! But cleaning them? Not so much. Also, chemical wood cleaners can be harmful to you and your pets.
Fret not! We’re going to show you how to make your very own homemade wood floor cleaner.
From black tea to castile soap, we’ll leave no stone unturned. With three easy methods to choose from, you’re bound to find one that you love.
So let’s get down to business.
Method 1: Black tea
Yes, you heard us right! Black tea is not only delicious but also super effective in making your floors squeaky clean! Moreover, black tea is also one of the gentlest cleaners you can use for your home.
Its properties are just right to remove dirt off the floor without affecting the wood. Talk about an all-rounder!
Now let’s take a look at all the items you need to get your hands on before we start.
Things you’ll need
- 4-8 Black tea bags
- Vacuum cleaner or broom
- Mop
- Microfiber cloth/Rag
How to do it?
Pour around a liter of water in a big pan and bring it to a boil. Then, drop 4-8 tea bags in it. Next, put the flame to medium-low and let it simmer for around 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, you can use this time to clean your floors. This will help the tea do its magic. Simply brush off dust and debris with your broom. Then take a mop and some soap water and clean your floors well.
Now take the tea mixture off the stove and let it cool. Then fill it in a spray bottle and voila. Your tea cleaner is ready!
Just spray it evenly on the surface of your wood and rub it well with a microfiber cloth or rag. Next, pat yourself in the back for doing such a good job.
If you’re interested in knowing more, visit housecareguide.com for great tips and tricks.
Method 2: Vinegar
Vinegar is another great non-toxic remedy that you can use to clean your wooden floors. This remedy is cost-effective and also great for deodorizing your home.
Read on to find out how to make this super easy and effective wood cleaner.
Things you’ll need
- One cup vinegar (white or Apple cider)
- One gallon water
- Mop
- Towel
- Vacuum cleaner/broom
How to do it?
First thing? Make sure that your floors are clean before you begin your deep-cleaning process. So bring out that vacuum cleaner or broom and clean away any loose dirt.
After this, just mix one cup of vinegar to one gallon of lukewarm water. Your cleaning mixture is ready! Take a mop or towel and scrub away your floors till you see your reflection on them.
With this homemade recipe, that’s very much possible. Also, you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil if you dislike the smell of vinegar.
Worrying whether this recipe is safe to use on your hardwood or laminate floor?
It’s safe. It works better than it’s store-bought counterparts. Since vinegar is a weak form of acetic acid, it isn’t potent enough to damage your wood.
Method 3: Castile soap
Castile soap is a super gentle yet powerful ingredient when it comes to cleaning any wood surface at your home. Since it’s made of vegetable oil: mostly 100% pure olive oil, no need to worry about chemicals.
It’s a perfect choice if you have sensitivity towards harsh cleaning products or have babies in your home. Here are the items and proportions you’ll need to get started.
Things you’ll need
- 1/8th to 1/4th cup of pure castile soap
- 3-5 drops of essential oil (Lavender is our pick)
- A bucket of warm water
- Towel/ Microfiber cloth
- Mop
- Vacuum cleaner/ Mop
How to do it?
After you’ve cleaned loose dirt, warm-up water in a big pot on the stove. Once the water is hot, remove it from the stove and wait for a while before you pour it into your bucket.
This is because warm water helps remove dirt more easily than cold water. After the water is not boiling, take about 1/4th cup of castile soap and pour it into your water.
Next, take your favorite essential oil and add 5-8 drops of it in your castile soap mixture. Your cleaning solution is all ready!
Simply take your towel or microfiber cloth and dip it in the solution. Next, wring it out and scrub away any tough dirt on your floor. You’ll see the dirt coming off in a jiffy while your home will smell like a dream.
However, a word of caution. If you have a waxed wood floor, steer clear of this homemade remedy. This is because castile soap can break down the wax and decrease the life of your wood.
Fret not, you can still opt for the vinegar or black tea recipes.
Some additional tips and tricks
Before we wrap up, let’s take a look at some extra tips you should keep in mind, so that wood floors always look their best.
Tip 1: Always dust your floors
Although most of us know this, we tend to get lazy and prolong our cleaning. This allows tough dirt to build upon the floor, which is hard to remove later on. The solution? Clean your floors every day with a broom or vacuum.
Tip 2: Use water as a cleaner
If you regularly clean your floors, they shouldn’t get all that grimy and dirty. In that case, experts advise you to just use water as a cleaner. Simply wring out the excess water and mop your floors to keep them clean.
Tip 3: Don’t let water pool on the wood
This is a fairly small mistake but the results can be disastrous. The simple practice of over saturating your mop with water and leaving it damp can lead to rotting wood.
To avoid this, wring out any excess liquid when you’re cleaning wood floors. Moreover, turn on the room fan or open windows so that the water dries up quickly.
Conclusion
That’s about it folks. We hope that this post gave you a clear picture of how to make homemade wood cleaners.
The best part of doing this yourself is that you get to know all the ingredients that are going in your cleaner. They’re also super cheap to make and can save your pocket in the long haul.
We hope you give at least one of these methods a try. Let us know how it goes in the comments below. Goodbye!