Cleaning hardwood floors with vinegar is controversial. While some believe that it is not safe, others see it as an impervious task if you follow the right steps. The acidic nature of vinegar discourages many people from using it to clean hardwood floors.
Hardwood floors require a cleaning solution with a neutral pH or close to it. How then can an acidic vinegar be useful in hardwood floor cleaning?
Well, you can lower the acidity of the vinegar by mixing it with water. A properly mixed solution will penetrate grime and dirt so that you can achieve a smear-free floor.
8 Simple Methods Of Cleaning Hardwood Floors With Vinegar:
There are many methods of carrying out this process so that you can get the best result. Some of these methods are discussed below.
Method 1: Mopping with Vinegar and Water
Tools & Ingredients:
- White Vinegar
- Water
- Mop
- Vacuum cleaner
- Essential oil
Step By Step Process:
Step 1: Sweep or vacuum your floor so that you can get rid of debris and dust. Mopping a floor with debris and dust can lead to scratching of your floor. You can use a dust mop to eliminate fine dust after dusting or sweeping. Regular sweeping and vacuuming will keep your floors clean and prevent frequent mopping.
Step 2: Mix a gallon of warm water with ½ cup of white vinegar in a bucket. If you like, you can add about 3 drops of essential oil and use this solution to mop your hardwood floor.
Step 3: Carry out the mopping in the direction of the hardwood, making sure you cover the entire floor. If the solution gets too dirty during the mopping process, you should change it.
Pro-Tip:
Open windows and doors to quicken the drying process, and nobody should step on it until it is dry.
Method 2: Spraying with Vinegar and Water
Tools & Ingredients:
- White Vinegar
- Water
- Microfiber Mop
- Spray bottle
Step By Step Process:
Step 1: : Take your spray bottle and fill it with 3 teaspoons of white vinegar and 16 ounces of warm water.
Step 2: : Wet the tip of a microfiber mop with warm water and squeeze it until it is damp. Spray the solution of water and vinegar on your floor before wiping it up with the mop.
Pro-Tip:
Avoid using a very wet mop because too much water on your hardwood floor can damage it. Also, you should stay away from commercial cotton mops because they can contribute to too much wetness of your floor. Instead, you should consider a sponge mop. Protect your floor by wiping off extra moisture left on the floor after mopping.
Method 3: Cleaning Small Area with Vinegar and Cloth
Tools & Ingredients:
- White Vinegar
- Water
- Rag
Step By Step Process:
Step 1: Mix a gallon of warm water with ½ cup of white vinegar in a bucket.
Step 2: Dip a clean rag into the solution and squeeze it until it is moist.
Step 3: Wipe your floor with the moist rag, making sure you work in sections. If the rag dries up, wet it as often until you cover the entire floor.
Method 4: Scrubbing Sticky Messes with a Sponge and Vinegar
Tools & Ingredients:
- White Vinegar
- Water
- Scrubbing Sponge
- Clean rag
Step By Step Process:
Step 1: Use the above proportion to make a solution of vinegar and water.
Step 2: Spray the solution on a sticky mess and scrub it with a scrubbing sponge.
Step 3: Clean off the mess with warm water before drying it with a rag.
Method 5: Using a Vinegar Solution in Your Steam Mop
Tools & Ingredients:
- White Vinegar
- Water
- Clean rag or towel
- Steam mop
Step By Step Process:
Step 1: Use 3 teaspoons of white vinegar with 16 ounces of distilled water in your steam mop.
Step 2: Trigger the steam once in a while so that your floor will not get too wet.
Step 3: Use a clean rag or towel to get rid of moisture from your floor after steam cleaning it.
Method 6: Cleaning with Oil and Vinegar
Tools & Ingredients:
- White Vinegar
- Vegetable oil
- Spray bottle
- Clean rag
Step By Step Process:
Step 1: Get two cups of white vegetable oil and mix it with two cups of white vinegar in a spray bottle.
Step 2: Shake the solution properly so that it can blend very well.
Step 3: Spray the solution on your floor and rub it in with a clean rag.
Step 4: Use a separate clean rag to dry the floor and repeat the process until you cover the entire floor.
Method 7: Making a Cleansing Polish with Vinegar And Olive Oil
Tools & Ingredients:
- White Vinegar
- Olive oil
- Water
- Essential oil
- Mop
- Rag
Step By Step Process:
Step 1: Blend ⅓ cup of white vinegar, ¼ cup of olive oil and 5 cups of hot water. You can add 12 drops of essential oil if you like.
Step 2: Use this solution to polish your floor, using a clean rag or damp mop.
Step 3: Use a clean rag to buff the floor in circles after you have finished polishing the floor.
Method 8: Combining Soap with Vinegar
Tools & Ingredients:
- White Vinegar
- Plant-based or ca stile soap
- Water
- Essential oil
- Towel or
Rag
- Mop
Step By Step Process:
Step 1: Blend ⅛ cup of white vinegar, ⅛ cup of plant-based or castile soap with one gallon of warm water. If you like, you can add 15 drops of essential oil.
Step 2: Use the solution to clean your floor, using a clean rag or damp mop.
Step 3: Rinse it with hot water and dry it with a clean rag or towel.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q 1: Why should you use vinegar to clean the hardwood floor?
A: Vinegar is not expensive and you can use it in many ways. It is a non-toxic and economical way of maintaining your home.
Q 2: Is it safe to use vinegar on the hardwood floor?
A: Vinegar is safe on a hardwood floor. It is not toxic and will add glamour to your floor when you mop it.
Final Words:
Maintaining a clean hardwood surface is a major concern of many homeowners. A white vinegar solution offers a great solution without creating a hole in your pocket. When you clean hardwood floors with vinegar, you will leave your home smelling fresh and looking spotless.