Cleaning Hardwood Floors?

[NYPOOH]

Hey everyone, I just moved into a new apartment and I have hardwood floors in the living and dining rooms. I am going to swiffer (dry) them often to keep up with them because I don't want them to dull. But when I do want to "wash" them occasionally what would be the best thing to use? TIA

 

[Disney4Drew]

Congrats on your new apt. We have hardwood in all but 2 rooms in our house. I too use a swiffer, and then I also use a damp mop and this hardwood squirt stuff made by Murphy's Oil soap. I just squirt the cleaner, mop a bit, and then rinse with clean water and repeat. My hardwoods are OLD, though, so they are not very shiny. Maybe someone has another suggestion for keeping the gleam on them!

 

[gris gris]

I don't have much time to clean our floors (2 kids + a dog!) so they never really shine, but when I do clean them I do what the PP said. Squirt Murphy's on the floor and then mop it up with a Mr. Clean mop that has a disposable sponge on the head that you can just replace. In previous days when I had more time I used my Bissell steam mop - it works great! Congrats on the new place.

 

[Chicago526]

I also use Murphy's Oil Soap, the orriginal stuff. Just add some to a bucket of hot water and mop like you would a vynal (sp?) floor. I even like the scent!

 

[NYPOOH]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I will be picking up some Murphy's Oil Soap on the way home from work!

 

[shirleyb]

I think it depends what kind of finish they have on them. Mine are old, but polyurethaned, so they can be mopped with no trouble, will shine like crazy, and almost impossible to hurt. My mom's have some kind of wax finish on them, and any water drops will leave a mark.

 

[lovesmurfs]

There was another thread on this topic not too long ago:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1173380

 

[kinntj]

If for some reason you don't like Murphy's oil soap (I didn't) you can also try Bruce dura-luster no-wax floor cleaner. You spray it on and dry mop it up. I have a special "mop" looks like a big swiffer with a terry cloth head on it. YOu can take that and throw it in the wash after use.

It was recommended to me by a handful of people who owned hardwood floors throughout their house.

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

O.K. same question but for Pergo floors. We just had them installed but was told not to use anything with a wax in it. Not ever a swiffer wet jet, etc. Any suggestions? Thanks, Tink

 

[DisneyDazed]

pergos are pretty much maintenance free. They so have special dust brooms that we used on ours and it always looked perfect.

 

[dizhoni]

I use the Orange GLO hardwood floor care system---available at Wallmart.
I've been very pleased with it. Honi

 

[faith]

For the poster that asked what to use on Pergo floors. Once in awhile I use a tiny amount of white vinegar in a pail of warm warm, and damp mop. Our Home Depot has a spray cleaner for Pergo floors that works well for special touch ups and a great smell. I usually only have to use a dry Swiffer cloth...no kids at home anymore. Whatever you do, don't get your floor very wet! Damp mop only.

 

[mcgrawfan]

I disagree with the previous poster who said Pergo floors were pretty much maitenence free. Mine have been crappy to clean. I use a Swiffer and finally have found a great way to clean them. I have a spray bottle with a mix of vinegar and water. I spray it on the floor and then use a microfiber cloth mop to mop it. You can only get the floors damp. In the past I have scrubbed it by hand and it dryed so streaky! This is the first thing that I have found to work and it is pretty easy. Just doesn't smell so nice.

 

[kimisabella]

First I'd like to say HI neighbor - I'm in Glen Head!!! I also use murphy's squirt and mop on my wood floors - just got them refinished last month.

 

[rsschneck]

Our house was built 5 years ago and we have a lot of hardwood flooring downstairs. The floor people suggested just white vinegar and water. Works great! Very inexpensive!

 

[lisaross]

what do you recommend for these?

 

[imsayin]

The floor people suggested just white vinegar and water. Works great! Very inexpensive!

This is what we do. Also, sometimes we just use water. I heard that the Murphy's creates a build up on the floors and isn't good for them.

 

[Catrin]

I also like the Pledge Wet Hardwood Floor Wipes that I use with my Swiffer Mop.
They contain vinegar and water - but so convenient!
Catrin

 

[willoughbyclan]

I replaced all of my carpet with hardwood approx 4 yrs ago and was told by the installer to only use white vinegar and water. I have used only that since then with a sponge mop. Seems to work fine for me with 4 kids, husband, mother and dog. Floors still look pretty decent.

 

[travlnman1]

I was told by our hardwood floor installer never to use murphy's or and thing like that. He said only vinegar and water or ....believe it or not....Glass Plus.
I've been using Glass Plus and my floors look fabulous!