Cleaning Hardwood

[Llyra]

Up until now, I have just been sweeping my new hardwood floors, and doing spot cleans with a damp rag, but they're getting grubby and it's time to do a real thorough cleaning. My DD has just started crawling, and I don't want her crawling on a dirty floor, but I also don't want her crawling on something that's been cleaned with strong chemicals. I've never had hardwood before, and I don't know how to clean it. What do I use?

[stashalou]

Hi there! I just mop mine with a mix of equal parts white vinegar and water.

Stasha

[melissa17s]

Vinegar can be hard on some finishes. I would test a section of the floor that is out of the way to make sure it won't cause problems before using regularly. Also, having standing water on hardwood is not good and can damage. We vacuum our floor regularly and spot mop with no need to do major mopping. I like orange oil citra-solve. Twice, we have tried steaming with a mop attachment on a hand held steamer. That worked alright, but it seemed like lots of extra work.

[scheelimama]

My dh really likes cleaners with real orange oil in them for the floor. I think it makes it more shiny. We are on the lookout for an organic cleaner of this type or something without any nasty chemicals.

[ekblad9]

I believe Earth Friendly Products has an orange cleaner as does Trader Joe's.

[bendmom]

I own a cleaning company and we have tried just about everything for hard wood. The PP is right in that water is bad for hardwood adn vinager can be harsh on some types. I have realized that on all the dif. types you pretty much have to use water or a chemical cleaner if you want to get the job done. I use Bioclean concentrate w/ cold water and just wring the heck out of the mop before I clean. It does a great job, and I don't have to go over any spots with a rag. I'm sure there are other ways out there, but this is what works best for me and the million hardwood floors we clean.