What is a good product to clean hardwood floors?

Question

My hardwood floors just got sanded, sealed and finished with semi-gloss polyurethane. What is a good product to use that will not leave a dull, sticky build up on my new floors?
I want them to stay shiny. Someone told me to use vinegar and water, that just does not seem sanitary. I like to kill germs!

Please help!

Answer 1

Most wood floors can be kept clean by first sweeping or vacuuming with a floor nozzle to remove most of the surface dust and dirt, then damp mopping with clear water (dip a sponge in clear water, squeezing it out so that the mop is barely damp, almost dry). Use very little water and rinse your mop thoroughly after each use since excess water can dissolve protective coatings, alter the color of the wood and raise the grain to roughen the surface.

If your floors are not dirty enough to need mopping every week, then you should not do it, as it will wear the floors faster, not to mention waste your time. Simply sweeping is often all they need.

If need to restore the shine to your wood floor after you get it clean, try damp mopping it with 1/2 cup vinegar and 2 tablespoons furniture polish in a gallon of warm water. Vinegar is also useful for removing any soap residue or build-up, but should not be necessary every week.:)

Answer 2

Use a mild detergent soap. They sell jugs of disinfectant-type detergent concentrate at home improvement stores. About a cup per gallon is good. Avoid oil soaps (like Murphy's Oil Soap). These leave a residue that can build up over time, causing clogging in the sander the next time the floors are refinished (a light sanding and new coat of finish is recommended every 5 years or so).

Of course, you have to clean the floors correctly, too. The best way to clean a hardwood floor is to dip a terry washcloth or rag into the soap solution, ring it out, and scrub an big an area as you can reach at a time. Then, immediately use a clean, dry towel to wipe up the excess water and dry the area you just washed. If you use a mop or any other method where you let the floor air dry, you will get a residue and water spots.

Do this every month or so. In between washings, use a dust mop (those ones that are fluffy and about 3 feet wide on a swivel at the end of a long handle). This will pick up all of the surface dirt, pet hair, etc. You can also use a vacuum with the brush attachment to get dirt out of the corners and cracks.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

Vinegar does kill germs. That is what I use on my hardwoods and they always look beautiful. 1/4 cup white vinegar to 1 quart water. I have used Murphy's OIl, and all the other wood cleaning solutions and this is the only one that doesn't make me re-mop 3 or four times. I put mine into a spray bottle and spray then go over it with my terry cloth mop. Whatever you do, don't use a steam cleaner ( I know they make the ones with the floor attatchment) or bleach as they will strip away the finish and cause irreparable damage to the floors.

Answer 5

Murphy's oil soap is by far the best product out there for the treatment an dcleaning of hardwood floors. Look for it at you rlocal hardware/lumber supply stores. There are other products out there that will clean the floor but may at the same time dry out the wood causing undue shrinkage.

Answer 6

I’m not sure what you’re trying to clean up. Are you trying to get rid of a urine smell? In that case, get an enzyme cleaner from a pet store. Just check the label to see which is safe for wood floors. Did the urine soak into the floor? In that case, you can’t do anything less than replace the boards. Wood is porous, and will soak up liquids if it’s not 100% sealed. Is there residue from solid waste? In that case as long as your floors are sealed (if you drop a little water on it, it beads up), you can clean them with a bit of dish soap and water sprayed on a soft cotton cloth or with a steam mop. I doubt your floors are waxed. It’s more likely you have a high gloss finish on them. Should you ever have to confine the doggies again, kennel them with puppy training papers underneath the cages to save yourself the trouble and your floors the damage.

Answer 7

You really should use something that has a detergent in it or at least an oil soap. Because they are sealed with polyurethane probably any type of cleanser will work and keep them nice and shiny because you don't need to worry about babying the wood. The water doesn't touch it. So I would use a cleaner that is good for vinyl floors. There lots of good ones out there, Top Job is one I like but you must make sure you don't put too much of any of them in your water because its the excess detergent, soap or whatever that dulls your semi-gloss shine. For my wood floors that are older I use Murphy's Oil soap, (I also like the smell) and then follow up with an Orange Oil cleaner we got at a trade show that shines them up really well. Since they are sealed, don't worry its not like a waxed floor, just keep the cleaner on the low side in your water and they should maintain the shine.

Answer 8

If you are planning to start on your woodworking project, this isn't something you should use, it's something that you would be insane not to. Go here https://tr.im/10WEn
Truth is, I've been a carpenter for almost 36 years, and I haven't found anything like this for less than 10's of thousands of dollars.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

Vinegar is a natural germ killer that won't kill you in the process. You could add a little olive oil to the mixture to give it a shine.