Wood floors are popular among people of fine taste because these floors create a classic, warm and inviting look. However, that shine and luster fade over time, and you have to polish your floors to bring that luster back. In this post, WFC discusses how to polish wood floors naturally.
The procedure is not hard, though. There are many easily available, natural ingredients that can be used for polishing hardwood floors. Let’s look at how to polish wood floors and fill in those scratches from your furniture. pets, kids or heavy traffic areas.
Sweep and Vacuum
Before you start polishing a wood floor, make sure it is clean. Sweep the floor and then vacuum it. If the surface areas are already clean, you may not need to do both. The point is to make sure there is no dirt or dust on the hardwood floor. To avoid scratching the floor, use a soft broom. If there’s a layer of grime stuck to the floor, use a mop or sponge for cleaning the hardwood.
And once you have prepared the room for polishing, you can get started. Now we will provide some homemade protection recipes and discuss how to use these products to polish your wood floors.
Easy Recipes for Wood Floor Polish Solutions
You do not have to use harsh chemicals to polish your wood floors. There are many natural ingredients that can be used to get the job done. Solutions made from natural ingredients do not cause damage to your floors. These solutions are also very easy to prepare and use.
Here are some easy recipes with natural ingredients:
Recipe 1:
- 1 gallon of warm water
- ½ cup of lemon juice
- ¾ cup of olive oil
You can polish your wood floors and remove greasy substances with lemon juice. To make lemon juice milder, dilute it with water. So it will not be too acidic. Let’s see how to polish wood floors naturally with lemon juice and olive oil.
The procedure is simple. Mix the ingredients in a bowl or container and apply the mixture to the floor, using a piece of clean cloth. Wring out the cloth before you mop the floor.
Make sure you do not leave too much moisture on the floor, because it will damage the wood. Once you have mopped the floor, allow it to dry.
Recipe 2:
- 1 cup of water
- 2 tablespoons of mineral oil
- ¼ cup of white vinegar
Essential oils work the same way as lemon juice. White vinegar is a strong disinfectant while mineral oil gives your floors a brilliant shine. Here is how to polish wood floors naturally with these ingredients:
Put the mixture in a spray bottle and give it a shake. Use it to remove greasy buildup that dulls wood floors. To make the cleaner more powerful, you can add orange or grapefruit essential oils. Spray it on the floor and mop the floor with a piece of clean cloth.
Recipe 3:
- 5 cups of warm water
- 15 drops of orange essential oil
- 1 tablespoon of Castile soap
The main ingredient of castile soap is vegetable oil, so it is a natural cleaner. It can effectively remove stains and scuffs. We recommend some orange essential oil because it will add some fragrance to the cleaner.
Put the cleaner into a spray bottle. If you have prepared a lot of cleaners, you can use a bucket.
Apply it on your wood floors and scrub with a piece of clean cloth. The recipe will not only make your wood floors shiny but also provide long-lasting protection.
Recipe 4:
- ½ cup beeswax pellets
- ½ cup of coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons of mineral oil
Many different oils can be used to polish wood floors. Using some coconut oil, mineral oil, and beeswax, you can make your wood floors shine again. This recipe not only works as a great polish but also restores hydration to your floors.
Here is how to polish wood floors naturally with coconut oil, beeswax pellets, and mineral oil:
Mix the ingredients together in a container and heat the mixture. As the beeswax pellets melt, they will get mixed with the oils.
You can also melt the beeswax pellets in a separate container and then mix them with coconut oil and mineral oil.
Apply the mixture to your floors and mop with a clean cloth using a back and forth technique.
Recipe 5:
- ½ cup of white vinegar
- 3 cups of hot water
- 1/3 cup of rubbing alcohol
- 15 drops of peppermint oil
- 4 drops of liquid dish soap
This recipe is suitable for polishing all types of floors—not just wood floors. So, if you have tiles or laminate flooring, feel free to use this solution.
Common household ingredients are used to make this solution. So, you may not have to go to the grocery store to buy them.
First, pour the water into a small bucket or bowl. Mix in the rubbing alcohol and vinegar. We recommend adding the oils and dish soap later because too much of them will spoil everything.
Once you have mixed the ingredients, use the solution to mop the floor. You can apply it by hand or use a dry, clean cloth.
This floor polish will eliminate ugly stains from your wood floors and make them look shiny. The solution will also leave a lovely smell.
Things to Remember
The recipes mentioned in this post are suitable for polishing all types of wood floors. However, we recommend using oil and vinegar in moderation. Although they are excellent cleaners, too much of them can cause damage to your wood floors in the long run. Too much of these ingredients can also make the floors slippery.
We do not recommend using ammonia to polish wood floors. It not only causes discoloration but also destroys the floor finish in the long run. If you are hesitant to use a particular recipe, try applying a small amount to a corner or hidden area first to see its effects on the wood grain.
Final Thoughts
Use these handy ingredients to polish your wood floors. Also, feel free to be creative. Make your own wood floor polish by mixing these ingredients. We hope you have a better understanding of these natural ingredients and use them effectively to make your wood floors shine again.