How do you clean your wood floors?

[mickeysgal]

In the past I've used a mix of vinegar and water, but the floors in our new (used) house need something stronger. Does anyone have any suggestions as to whats safe to protect the finish, yet strong enough to get all the dirt/grime off these floors? They don't need to be refinished, just a good cleaning.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

for quick cleanups I use Swiffer for Hardwood floors, for a deeper clean, I use Murphy's Oil.

 

[vacanut]

I bought special hardwood cleaner where I purchased my flooring. It works very well and wasn't expensive. I would imagine you could pick it up at HOme Depot or Lowes.

 

[mickeysgal]

for quick cleanups I use Swiffer for Hardwood floors, for a deeper clean, I use Murphy's Oil.

Doesn't Murphy's Oild make the floors too slippery?

 

[mickeyfan2]

I use the cleaner that is made by my floor manufacturer.

 

[Christine]

There really is nothing better than vinegar/water for this. Any other type of chemical is going to ruin the finish.

Back when I had my older floors, I often felt I need a stronger cleaner as my floors would never look clean. Turns out that the finish was already damaged and that is why it seemed that way. The other, more harsh cleaners will only make it worse.

The best you can do is to make your vinegar-to-water ratio a little bit stronger.

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

I use Murphy's Oil Soap. It's not oil, and it works well on my hardwoods. I sweep every day (and sometimes more than once) and spot clean with water, but the floors get Murphy's Oil Soap about twice a month.

 

[golfgal]

Pledge has a wood floor cleaning that I really like for when I get down and really clean the floors. For in between jobs just a damp rag works. I don't like using vinegar because the whole house stinks .

 

[minniecarousel]

Another vote for the special Murphy's Oil for hardwood floors. I use it every other week. Makes the floors really shine! (I have a spot cleaner from the manufacturer for in-between moppings.) I dry-swiff the floors often too.

 

[cepmom]

I usually use a Magic Mop (bought at LNT) wet it down, and spray it with Murphy's in a spray bottle. I can't find the Murphy's in a spray bottle anymore, so lately I've just been damp mopping. I may just have to go back to the vinegar and water, but I do like the Murphy's better.