Wood floors add a touch of elegance and warmth to your interiors. These floors are strong and durable and make your space look classy. Wood floors tend to lose their luster over time, but you can make them shine again without using harsh chemicals. In this post, we are going to discuss how to make wood floors shine naturally.
Hardwood floors are beautiful, but that is not the only reason for their popularity. Homeowners like these floors because they do not lock in dust particles, pollen, and allergens. There is only one drawback of hardwood floors: they require more cleaning and maintenance. If there are kids and pets in your house, you have to be more careful about the maintenance of your wood floors (does yours get sticky after mopping? Find out why).
So, How Can You Make Them Shine By Natural Means?
Here are some ways to clean wood floors with natural ingredients:
- Water and Vinegar Solution
Vinegar has strong cleansing properties. Many people use it to remove stains from countertops, appliances, and bathrooms. When it comes to cleaning hardwood floors, vinegar is highly effective. If there is grime buildup on your floors, you can rely on vinegar.
By mixing vinegar with water, you can make a highly effective but chemical-free cleaning solution. Vinegar is edible, so this solution has no harmful effect on health. It is also environmentally friendly.
Mix ½ cup of white vinegar with a gallon of lukewarm water. Dip a piece of clean cloth into the mixture and then wipe the wood floor. The results will amaze you. The vinegar will remove the grime buildup, and your floors will sparkle again.
- Oil and Vinegar Solution
Water is used as the base of most cleansing solutions, but a water-based cleansing solution is not the best option for cleaning wood floors. You can safely use water if it is a laminated floor, but water-based solutions are not always recommended for wooden floors.
To solve the issue, make a water-free solution. The procedure is a simple one. Create a mixture of ½ cup of olive oil or vegetable oil, and ½ cup of vinegar. Now use a mop cloth to wipe the floor with the solution.
- Clean Wood Floors with Tea Bags
Take some water in a pot and boil some black tea. Simmer the tea for some time. Allow it to cool down. Dip a mop cloth into the water and then wipe the floor with the soaked cloth. Your wooden floor will shine like new, in minutes.
- Oil Solution
Besides cleaning your wood floors, this solution will add an amazing fragrance to your space. You will need a squirt bottle to apply this solution. Here is how to make wood floors shine naturally with this oil-based solution:
Make a mixture of 2 cups of warm water, 2 tablespoons of essential oil, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Shake it well and then use the squirt bottle to spray the mixture on your wood floor. Wipe the floor with a mop cloth, in circular motions.
- Soap-Based Solution
Soap-based solutions are often used for cleaning mirrors and windows and equally effective for cleaning wooden floors. It is pretty easy to make the solution and apply it.
Add 5-6 drops of liquid soap to ¼ cups of vinegar. Add some water to the mixture and shake it in a spray bottle. Then apply this solution to your wood floor and wipe it with a clean cloth.
- Cleaner Made from Dish Detergent
This solution is highly effective for cleaning laminate floors. Now let’s see how to make wood floors shine naturally with this solution.
Add ½ tablespoon of detergent and ½ cup of vinegar to 2 ½ cups of lukewarm water. Put the solution in a spray bottle. Then apply the solution to your wood floors and clean the floor with a microfiber cloth.
- Solution Made from Lemon Juice
Add half cup of lemon juice and ¾ cup of olive oil to 1 gallon of warm water. Use this solution to clean your wooden floors. The floors will sparkle in minutes.
Tips for Protecting Wood Floors
Now you know how to make wood floors shine naturally. However, by being a little bit careful, you can keep your floors always looking shiny. By ensuring proper care and maintenance, you can prolong the durability of your wood floors. Here are four quick tips:
- Prevent water damage – Moisture can be damaging to wood floors. If you find an area with a haze or milky coating, it is most likely a sign of water damage. It usually occurs near an exterior door or kitchen sink. You can easily polish it away with a piece of clean, soft cloth.
- Reduce traffic wear – Reducing wear in one of the high traffic areas is an important part of wood floor maintenance. You can place mats or rugs in front of the main doors. Tell guests and residents to remove their shoes before they enter the house. If possible, enforce a policy of “no shoes” inside the house.
- Prevent sun damage – The sun’s UV rays cause discoloration of your wood floors. It is caused by photochemical oxidation, which is a chemical process. Some wood floors darken while others fade. You can deal with UV rays by installing blinds, curtains and other types of window treatments. Curtains can protect not only wood floors but also furniture from UV rays.
- Clean your wood floors regularly – Regular cleaning is an important part of wood floor maintenance. Sweep your floors every day and remove extra dirt, dust, and grime. To do that more effectively, consider using a microfiber dust mop. Think about deep cleaning often.
Final Thoughts
With a few natural ingredients and a little know-how, you can easily make your wood floors shine again. The procedure is not expensive or time-consuming, but it requires a little bit of effort on your part. After all, cleaning is not a one-time task. So, maintaining regularity is the key.