Many people have been asking if Windex is safe on hardwood floors.
To begin with, Windex is a glass cleaning solution that has ammonia and alcohol as its main active ingredients.
Ammonia is a wax stripper agent that is commonly used to remove acrylic waxes on hardwood floors.
When your floor is exposed to ammonia, it strips off the dry finish and warps the wood.
Therefore, Windex should not be used for cleaning sealed wood floor.
However, it still has some potential uses for floors, which we’ll discuss below.
The Product
Product Review
Windex Ammonia-Free Glass and Window Cleaner Spray Bottle
While Windex is not good for wood floors, many people have found it useful in removing residue or film buildup caused by wax- or oil-based cleaning products.
Murphy Oil Soap is an example of a product that has caused outrage among many people. The oil soap is alleged to cause a sticky, dull residue on wood floors.
Oil-based cleaners can react with the polyurethane coating of your floor, causing its depletion.
The oil will, however, seep into the wood and make it hard to for future re-coats to adhere effectively.
For this reason, when an oil soap gives you a cloudy floor, you should think of removing it immediately. Windex is a viable and affordable option.
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How do you use Windex to remove a residue?
You can mix water and Windex to form a solution that can be used to mop the floor. This will be a dangerous gamble since water and wood floor boards are great enemies.
When water is left standing on the floor, it can easily penetrate through seams and small openings in the finish and get absorbed by the wood. This will make your floor start warping or twisting.
Even if you use a thoroughly wringed-out mop, you would still want to use a dry towel to dry your floor immediately. That is quite a hustle and therefore not the best option.
Another technique you might use is to spray the Windex solution directly on a microfiber mop and wipe off the residue.
There is still the possibility of spraying excessive solution on your floor, and that is not what you want. It will also not give you the best results as the film is too sticky to remove with a microfiber.
It means that you spend take a lot of time and energy to complete an entire floor.
For effective cleaning, spray Windex on a sponge and use it to scrub the residue in small portions of about 2 feet square.
Use a damp mop to clear the residue as you dry the floor using a dry towel. Continue the whole process until you finish up the whole floor.
Rinse and wring the mop when it gets soaked and proceed with mopping.
Do not use Windex for daily or regular floor cleaning. The effects on your floor can be detrimental in the long run.
Most hardwood manufacturers have warned against the use of ammonia-based solutions, as well as wax and oil soap solution.
If you happen to use it, your warranty becomes null and void. The chemical ingredients in Windex are also not safe for pets and humans.
Is Windex safe for humans and pets?
According to National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Windex can cause severe eye and skin irritation. If your dog has peed on your woodfloor, check out our article here.
The product can be ingested in the body through skin contact and or when inhaled. The effects could be a severe cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, or a serious respiratory issue.
Prolonged skin contact can lead to redness, rash, or a burning sensation. Contact with eyes can cause blurred vision and burns. Abdominal cramping and vomiting can happen when you directly ingest the product.
Windex should be used with care to avoid direct body contact. Always use protective gloves when dealing with it. Keep away from children and pets.
When accidentally ingested or contacted with your eyes or skin consider seeking medical attention.
Windex Ammonia-Free Glass and Window Cleaner Review
Crystal Rain cleaner from Windex is ammonia-free, combining that famous streak-free shine with a refreshing scent suitable for versatile use.
It’s great for cleaning windows, mirrors, and many other surfaces throughout your home while leaving a clean smell behind.
The easy-to-use trigger spray bottle is made from one hundred percent recycled plastic, so it’s an environmentally-friendly choice.
With 23 fluid ounces, you’ll get months of use out of each bottle before having to pick up a fresh pack.
Removing fingerprints, smudges, and smears to polish up all of the surfaces affected by furry friends and sticky fingers, you’ll find it’s an excellent addition to any busy household for a sparkling clean environment you can be proud of.
Safety is paramount to the folks at Windex, so every single nozzle is fitted with a mechanism that must be twisted to the ‘on’ position before use.Any little ones who happen to be running around won’t be able to get their hands (or mouths!) on its contents.
So long as your surface is sealed, whether it’s granite, stainless steel, or marble, or even your chrome and plastic bathroom fixtures, this cleaning agent will buff it up ‘til it looks brand new in no time at all.
Conclusion
Always use the right cleaning products and techniques on your wood floor.
The wrong choice of a product can cause permanent damage to your wood that will cost you time and money to replace.
A good cleaner should be gentle on the floor, easy to use, and safe for pets and humans.
Regular cleaning is key for a lasting beautiful hardwood floor.