You can add 6 drops of essential oil such as lavender or olive oil for a pleasant smell. Make sure you are sweeping or mopping in the direction of the wood grain to prevent dirt and grime from getting stuck in cracks between planks. Routinely sweeping the hardwood removes dirt and protects the seal on the wood while mopping. If you live in an old home, wood floors are a classic touch. Alternatively, you can enhance the shine and color of your old hardwood floor by making a spray of olive oil, 1 cup of vodka. You need to avoid ammonia, vinegar or products with harsh chemicals and water-based hardwood floor cleaners. Recoating can be done on old damaged floors. A perfect way to add some freshness to your home is to restore your old wood floors. There are many home owners who have discovered the ease and efficiency of homemade hardwood floor cleaners such as vinegar, olive oil, lavender, baking soda, and lemon in cleaning hardwood floors.. Buff with a dry microfiber mop by working in small sections. There are many home owners who have discovered the ease and efficiency of homemade hardwood floor cleaners such as vinegar, olive oil, lavender, baking soda, and lemon in cleaning hardwood floors. Select cleaning products that are appropriate for your floor’s finish and clearly labeled “for wood floors.” If you’re not sure what kind of finish you have, contact the manufacturer or check with a wood flooring pro. It can dramatically change a room and give it an updated look. I use vinegar to clean my wood floors because it’s gentle, natural, and it fits into my budget. If your wood floor is filthy, you can use this recipe to get it clean. The following method works well for cleaning tough stains and extra dirty hardwood floors without using a store-bought cleaner. After mopping the floor, pick up the excess water with a clean towel to avoid water from soaking in and damaging the wood. Mix vinegar and warm water by adding half a cup of white vinegar to half a bucket of warm water and stir. This cleaning solution can either be used as a spot cleaner or for cleaning large areas. Holes can be plugged and squeaky floors can be tightened and quieted with nails or dry lubricant. Apply the paste to the stain using a sponge or cloth. You will need to use a damp mop (that has been rung out). Natural Cleaning and Shining of Old Damaged Hardwood Floors, Mop the floor using a hardwood cleaner at least monthly, Avoid sanding unless it’s absolutely necessary, Consult an expert with restoration experience, Dog Urine Soaked Into Hardwood Floors: What To Do Now, How to Restore Hardwood Floors after Carpet – Step by Step, Acacia Hardwood Flooring, Pros, Cons and Cost. Place a mop inside the mixture and wring out excess water before use. Vinegar is an acid and, when mixed with water, the solution’s acidity is lowered and it becomes an effective cleaner for old, damaged floors. In case you spill a large amount of water on your floor, soak it up with towels to avoid stains and wood damage. Fortunately, almost all old floors can be salvaged or refurbished in many ways. Dark vs Light Hardwood Floor – Which is Better. The professional will be in a position to advise you as to whether the entire floor requires refinishing, patching, or replacement. How Long Does it Take for Polyurethane to Dry? With our homemade wood floor cleaner You can use warm water and a mop to clean your floors daily. When floors are extra dirty or when more cleaning power is required, check out these homemade hardwood floor cleaners that can save you time, effort and money: Wood floors are known for being relatively low maintenance, and most of the time, a light damp mopping with a little bit of warm water is all that’s needed for routine cleaning. Brand new or 100 years old, here's how to naturally clean your hardwood floors. 1-gallon hot water; ¾ cup olive oil; ½ cup lemon juice ; tb1234. If your floor is riddled with spots, stains, scuff marks, or debris, remove them with mineral spirits and then mop the area thoroughly. You begin the process by filling a bucket with warm water. “I suggest using a dust mop regularly, so there is never too much build-up. If you're a hardwood floor-owner and natural cleaning methods are your thing, then this list is for you. Dampen a cotton mop in this cleaning solution and then wring out the mop so it does not leave pools of water on the floor. Good care and maintenance is the best way to ensure that your old wood floor does not get damaged. Place ¼ cup of vinegar in the large mop bucket which now has warm water in it. tb1234. A complete floor refinishing may need to be done to improve the floors’ appearance. The main purpose of olive oil is to shine the floor whereas lemon is to remove dirt, grime, and debris from the floor. After drying, wipe it up to clear the stain. These home remedies are perfect for cleaning and are readily available. You will need to change the cleaning mixture (vinegar, water and few drops of lavender) once it appears dirty. When you need to clean and shine the floor appearance, only sand if it’s riddled with stains or marks that chemicals like mineral spirits cannot remove. Modern floors often are coated with polyurethane but older floors may be waxed. If the wood floor is old (20+ years old), you should avoid sanding it. Allow the floor to air dry for a few minutes. Sweep up debris daily. tb1234. The solution of water and vinegar cuts through debris, dirt, and grime, leaving a streak-free clean floor. And some new finishes are penetrating oils. It should also be done before you mop. Using the wrong product can leave a sticky mess. These home remedies are perfect for cleaning and are readily available. During mopping, it is recommended that you use cleaners labeled for hardwood floors. This means that they are safe for the environment and humans. Before using vinegar to remove dirt from your old damaged floor, ensure that you sweep the floor clean. Communities of wood workers, floor finishers, and general around-the-house handymen take a collective gasp at the thought of unfinished floors, but that doesn’t mean people don’t have them. By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine Instead of a cotton mop, you can use a spray bottle or use a cloth mop to control the amount of water you use. If your wood floor finish is badly damaged, avoid using a wet mop. Sweeping or mopping removes dirt, dust, pet hair, debris and other harmful substances that can worsen the condition of your damaged floors. How do you Clean and Shine Old Damaged Hardwood Floor? To clean old hardwood floors, start by using a plastic spatula or dull putty knife to scrape off any dried paint, gum, or other hardened materials. Recoating is the addition of a new layer of protection that will adhere to the previous finish. Natural Cleaning and Shining of Old Damaged Hardwood Floors . Get an expert with sufficient experience to help restore your old hardwood flooring. Another factor that makes these home remedies the best choice in cleaning hardwood floors with any type of finish is that they lack harmful and potent fragrances that are found in many commercial cleaning products. Mix warm water, olive oil, and lemon juice in a bucket and stir the whole mixture. Spills from ink, coffee, tea, juices, paint, chemicals, or pet messes can cause dark stains on your wood floor. Instead, always use a mop with as little moisture as possible during cleaning. https://www.mom4real.com/3-ingredient-homemade-wood-floor-polish-recipe After mopping, you will need to check the floor for water pooling. Allow the paste to sit for some time till it dries. We earn a commission when you buy a product through the provided links ©2020 Woodfloorscleaner.com, All Rights Reserved. In this article, you can find more details on how to clean and shine your floors as well as further maintenance tips. Cleaning Old Hardwood Floors Naturally. This formula does double duty as it polishes your floor, leaving them with a beautiful natural sheen. How do you gloss up or shine your old damaged hardwood floor without doing all this or refinishing? Woodfloorscleaner.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. In case there are traces of water left on some areas of the floor, use a clean, absorbent towel to pick up excess water. Ensure the mop is not over-saturated with water. Laminate Flooring vs Hardwood – What’s the Difference? Moisture is the enemy of hardwood flooring, but keeping your floor clean is a priority. Wood Floor Cleaner . While most wood floors seen in houses today are finished with some sort of polyurethane, sealing, etc., there’s a dilemma faced by those who have floors that are not finished at all. and 15 drops of essential oil (Use lemongrass and lemon for scent).