Besides sweeping, what else can I do to clean hardwood floors?

Question

My boyfriend says I shouldn't use water. If I shouldn't use water then what do I use?!

Answer 1

By hardwood, I'll assume you have older flooring, and not the new laminate..
A LITTLE water is OK, so long as you don't "soak" the floor... Murphy's Oil soap also makes an excellent RTU (ready to use) product. I highly recommend it. In either case, just make sure your mop is only slightly damp, and rinsed often.

Answer 2

whatever you do, DO NOT USE WATER EVER! Your floor will turn black, not immediately but over time. I suggest buying a product specifically for Hardwood floors. There are some good ones out there. Go to a Home store and look at what's out there and ask ?'s. Spend the extra money it is worth it to have a beautiful shiny floor. Clean it and make sure to wax it every so often. I had the most beautiful hardwood floor and I got down on my hands and knees and wiped my floor down every 2-6 mos. and then waxed it. Enjoy your beautiful floor!!! Windex will harm wood, beware! Do not use it on furniture except non-wood stuff.

Answer 3

I know that this is going to sound weird but I use tea on all of my hardwood floors. Tannic acid, the acid in tea that stains everything, is a wonderful cleaner. It will cut through everyday dirt and grime. Bring to a boil 2 quarts of water and 4 to 5 tea bags, I use the cheapest tea I can find. Let it cool to the touch. Wring out a soft cloth till it is just damp, I use a microfiber mop, Wash the floor. You will need to rewet and wring out the cloth often so you are not pushing the dirt around. Your floor will be nice and clean.

Answer 4

Most wood floors have been treated with something to protect them. You can use water (with vinegar or any cleaner that says it's safe for wood floors) BUT you need to dry it too. Or you could use a slightly damp rag to wash the floor. If you aren't a fan of handwashing/drying the floor then try using a "mop kit". You spray the floor with the cleaner and mop it up with a terry cloth mop. There are also ready mops that you can use. It has a pad that will dry the extra cleaner off the floor. Clorox ready mop and swiffer wetjet are two good ones.
http://www.polycare.com/wood-floor-cleaning-mop.htm

Answer 5

The swiffer type products are good for light cleaning, say in lieu of sweeping with a broom.

I agree that Murphy's makes a great wood floor cleaning product. I happen to love the smell, some people don't care for it. If you find you don't care for it, there are plenty of products especially made for wood floors. There is one called Orange-Glo that I have used with good results.

Answer 6

I have hardwood floors in my house too. My mom cleans them, but she uses a spray and a cloth "swiffer" type thing. It looks like a broom handle with a flat board at the end, then you put this cloth thing on the end that you take off and machine wash when your done. It helps the wood, and makes it clean. Hope this helps!

Answer 7

You can use a swiffer, swiffer wet-jet, a bissell flip-it with wood floor cleaner, ti works like a steam cleaner, vacuuming, mopping, and sucking up the water. You can use vinegar and water, murphy's oil, getting on your hands and knees with a big wet towel and wiping it all down, then drying it. Many different ways, water's ok as long as it dries promptly.

Answer 8

Some might say Windex but that will streak.....they lie, it does. I use white vinegar 1:1 solution with water. If the floors are filthy use the Windex first then use the vinegar after to restore shine. Vinegar rinse on your hair cuts residual soaps and conditioners and leaves it soft and shiny.....

Answer 9

yes he's right, you don't want to use water as you would a linoleum floor but a damp mop is OK. They sell a wood floor cleaner at Home Depot and it makes the floor look like new,

Answer 10

If you use water and Murphy's Oil Soap it fine! You have to use water to clean them, as long as they still have the varnish on them it's not problem. If they don't you can still do it they are hardwood!!!!! The only thing you will have to do is sand them before they are re-varnished which you have to do anyway.