Don't use vinegar or baking soda. Many DIY home cleaning solutions involve the use of vinegar or baking soda, but these are, in fact, the worst things you can apply to your wood floors. They actually damage and dull the polyurethane, which can irreparably ruin them.
You can use a commercial wood-cleaning product, like Bona or Murphy Oil Soap. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. You can also make your own cleaner by mixing one part vinegar to 10 parts warm water. Add a few drops of liquid Castile soap.
Cleaning Hardwood Floors: The Do's and Dont's
Vinegar and Ammonia: Cleaning products that have a base of vinegar or ammonia eat away at the dirt on your floor - and also the floor's finish itself. Over time, the acid will wear down your hardwood, leaving you with splotchy patches that are difficult to revive.
Since vinegar is an acid, it will actually break down the finish on the surface of your floor, and over time it will reduce the shine, and leave a dull appearance. Using vinegar and water to clean floors can also lead to an excessive amount of water on the floor, which can cause swelling and discoloration.
When mopping hardwood floors, make sure to wring most of the water out of the mop so it's damp and not sopping wet. Rinse the mop when necessary. Avoid leaving any standing water on the floor, which can damage the wood. This is especially true for prefinished hardwood floors.
Begin by dusting or sweeping your floors well. Then make a cleaning mixture using 4 cups warm water and a few drops of castile soap or dish soap. Do not shake, but gently mix this, then mop or scrub small sections at a time, drying them with a clean cloth or dry mop after."
You can use a broom or a vacuum without a beater bar (the beater bar can damage hardwood surfaces) to clear away the debris. But the best choice is a microfiber dust mop. The fibers in the mop attract and trap the dirt, and you can then toss the mop head in the washer so you have a clean mop each time.
Dish soap is a gentle cleaner that won't damage the natural wood, and it's perfect for light jobs and daily upkeep alike. In a large bucket, mix two to three tablespoons of dish soap with one gallon of warm water. Dip your mop and wring it over the bucket, then gently mop the surface of your floors.
Only use water and a pH neutral cleaning product that is suitable for timber floors. Avoid using household detergents or methylated spirits as these can remove the varnish that protects the surface of the floors. It's also recommended not to use polish or wax products as these can make the floor surface very slippery.
While its strength makes it great for removing permanent marker and tough stains from metal surfaces, it is not a good mix for wood surfaces. This product can also remove wood finishes such as varnish and wax. If a white mark is left, it is a sign that either the varnish or wax was removed or damaged on the surface.
Avoid harsh detergents, vinegar cleaning solutions, and any other abrasive products. Clean hardwood flooring with steam, a small amount of water, or a cleaning agent purpose-made for hardwood. Mild, ph-neutral soaps also work. Remove hardened mounds of dirt with warm water and a putty knife.
Olive Oil and Lemon Juice Solution
A combination of olive oil, hot water, and lemon juice does a great job of removing stains from floors while also living them looking rich and shiny.
Never use Methylated spirits or any other type of petroleum distillate as it will degrade the floor coating and make your floor look very dull. Wipe up spills as soon as they occur with a dry cloth or paper towel.
It is a neutral cleaner. This means it is safe to use on most surfaces in your bathroom, including grout. Methylated spirits is safe to use on glass, sinks, chrome taps, ceramic, stone, marble and grout. (Do not use on painted or varnished surfaces).
Use methylated spirit for tougher jobs: For timber furniture with more ingrained grime, use a methylated spirit for a deeper clean. Never use a white spirit as this will leave a greasy residue.
The main difference between white spirit and methylated spirit is their respective chemical basis or source. The former is a solvent derived from petroleum, while the latter is a solvent derived from alcohol.
The surface must be cleaned using a lint-free cloth with methylated spirits to remove natural oils (white spirit is not effective). In extreme cases, the use of cellulose thinners should be considered.
Beware: this is only appropriate for traditional finishes such as french polish or wax. Rub a thin film of methylated spirits over the affected area and set light to it with a match. Stand back for two or three seconds then blow out the flame.
Metho is suitable on surfaces such as plastic, metal, stainless steel, ceramic, glass, enamel, laminate, timber, vinyl, painted surfaces, porcelain, epoxy/sealed surfaces and most washable surfaces. Metho is popular for removing ink and other stains from non-porous surfaces, upholstery and clothes too.
Inhalation: Material may be an irritant to mucous membranes and respiratory tract. Skin contact: Contact with skin may result in irritation. Ingestion: Swallowing can result in nausea, vomiting and irritation of the gastrointestinal tract. Eye contact: An eye irritant.