Hardwood floor cleaning

[Quattro Pete]

We use one of these shark steamers to clean our hardwood floors. It seems that no matter what fluid we use in it (including just plain water or water with vinegar), we always end up with some unsightly streaks.

What do you guys use (tools and liquids) to clean your floors?

 

[JustinH]

For my fake "laminate" hardwood floors, I use a bottle of alcohol based window cleaner, and a soft cloth.

For the real hardwood floors, I use murphy oil soap in a hot bucket of water, and a sponge.

 

[StevieC]

My folks have hardwood flooring throughout their house and it ranges from cherry to oak to bamboo to laminate (Multiple levels) and they clean it using a standard cleaner like Pinesol (sp?) and then follow up with a damp towel with just water in it.

Works great, and then every once and a while they will follow up with Orange (Like Murphy Oil but with an orange smell) it's like a greasy liquid that brings out the shine and makes it smell really nice.

 

[Captain_Klink]

steam cleaning is bad news for hardwood. just a plain SLIGHTLY damp mop with a bit of vinegar and water is needed. should NOT be dripping. you are cleaning the polyurethane coating, NOT the wood.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: JustinH
For my fake "laminate" hardwood floors, I use a bottle of alcohol based window cleaner, and a soft cloth.

For the real hardwood floors, I use murphy oil soap in a hot bucket of water, and a sponge.



I had good luck with Murphy's as well. Certainly worth looking into.

 

[marcre]

I've heard people say they've warped and ruined their hardwood floors by using a steam cleaner on it.

Best bet is to get a product made specifically for the type of floor you have.

 

[Geo_Prizm]

I suggest Bona Kemi.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Thanks all. I actually picked up some Bona Cleaner and Polish (two separate products) from AceHardware yesterday. Will give it a try with a mop and bucket.

 

[simple_gifts]

I seem to recall reading Murphys as a bad choice for poly coated floors.

 

[Geo_Prizm]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Thanks all. I actually picked up some Bona Cleaner and Polish (two separate products) from AceHardware yesterday. Will give it a try with a mop and bucket.


Polish is what they call 'refresher', am I wrong?

 

[bigmike]

Originally Posted By: Captain_Klink
steam cleaning is bad news for hardwood. just a plain SLIGHTLY damp mop with a bit of vinegar and water is needed. should NOT be dripping. you are cleaning the polyurethane coating, NOT the wood.


+1

You can also use it in a spray bottle and wipe up with a towel.

I use 1 cup vinegar for 1 gallon warm water.

I've tried all kinds of other stuff, but this is the only one that works and it's BITOG CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP.

 

[Scienceman]

Use what Billy used for this Hardwood floors!

 

[Billy_D]

I use PolyCare Cleaner for my hardwood floors. It is recommended for all types of unwaxed residential and commercial hardwood floors, cabinets, furniture, doors, railings, counters and woodwork.