The question isn't too hard, but I am just looking for some ideas since the main level on the new house is mostly wood floor.
What have you found to be the best way to clean your hardwood floors? I'm not talking about the daily sweeping or swiffering, but what do you use when you want to mop/clean them? You know, what we do before our mother-in-laws come over (love you Mom E!!).
(Even though we all know this is worthless because 5 minutes after you're done, your child will find that random grape, step on it and proceed to track it's sticky-ness all over the newly cleaned floors).
Libman mop with mop head that can be washed in the washing machine with Murphy's oil soap. Love the smell and safe for wood floors. love you girl! (ps, the word verifcation asked for "tries"...lol!)
ReplyDeleteI use Murphy's oil Soap too. Make sure it is the ready to us kind so you don't have to mix stuff. I actually get on my hands and knees with a rag and do my floors.
ReplyDeleteTypo in the previous message. That would be ready to use kind.
ReplyDeleteI use (per sister in law) PolyCare concentrate. They sell it at Bed Bath and Beyond so save your next coupon. I like it better then Murphey's - less filmy. But the key question - is what type of wood are your floors because that makes a big difference.
ReplyDeleteWell, you know I love my Scooba. And I do bathrooms on hands and knees with whatever sprayer is handy. Back in the day, I used a washable mop pad and a homemade spray. Put a teaspoon of detergent (un-scented, preferably) with a splash of vinegar and add lots of hot water to your bucket. Some drops of your favorite essential oil and your'e good to go. Stores forever. All natural.
ReplyDeleteok all of the above, but I would also vacuum them...we use our roomba...gets everything up the crevices.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I got nothin...I need to take all of the suggestions you get :) I agree with R except we don't have a Roomba! :)
ReplyDeleteWe moved into a brand new house and I had the EXACT same question.
ReplyDeleteFor new, unwaxed floors, the wood floor experts agree to use a microfiber mop (like libman). To actually mop, you are supposed to use a 1/2 to one cup of vinegar mixed with one gallon warm water.
Spritz on the solution and mop it up.
It's cheap, easy to do and safe for those beautiful floors!
Okay, because I can't take the disappointment of all the hard work to have Colten puke on the floor moments after I clean, I use my Swiffer WetJet. I actually don't mind mopping when I use that thing. It's awesome! I H.A.T.E. mops, though. Bruce spray is supposed to be the best for hardwood. (Liz taught me that.) :)
ReplyDeleteThe guys who put in our wood floors for us told us that we should only use Bruce dura-luster no-wax floor cleaner.
ReplyDeleteThey carry it at Home Depot. I bought the whole kit when I went there instead of just the bottle b/c I didn't want to have to look for another cloth covered mop when one was already in the box :).
Here is the link to it on Amazon so you can see what it looks like, and may I just say it does work wonders! Our floors look just as nice and new as when we first had them put in a little over a year and a half ago!
http://www.amazon.com/Bruce-Dura-Luster-No-Wax-Floor-Cleaner/dp/B0002MH5Q8
I would use just water and vinegar. Like Amanda said, it is easy and cheap. I was told by the furniture store to use that on linoleum too. Keeps it from discoloring.
ReplyDeleteMom E
I have tried so many cleaners on our floors and have found that every soap I use leaves a film of some sort somewhere! dirt tends to stick to the floors more when I use a soap. I sweep then I use hot water and vinegar. It has worked the best so far and I don't have to scrub dirt or sticky stuff off the floor as much because nothing stcks! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteOh and use a libman mop..they are great!!
ReplyDeleteI am just checking back to see what other said. I meant to post a couple of days ago, that we use the Swiffer Wet Jet.
ReplyDeleteI heard the same as Heather from our neighbors who were here when our floors were put in. Martina told me the guys at Home Depot or Lowe's also told her to never use water on her hardwood floors, which would include Murphy's or any other mixture. I also googled this before and a floor expert said to always use whatever the manufacturer of your floors recommends. And don't get a dog if you want to keep them beautiful!
ReplyDelete-Danielle
I agree with someone who said they hate mopping only to have their kids mess it up. I use my swiffer wet jet regularly. so easy, love it! and then if my floors get really dirty/sticky from something like making homemade applesauce, freezing Iowa corn - the best!, etc then i do the old fashioned down on my hands and knees with a bucket of vinegar water.
ReplyDelete