My Favorite Tips for Cleaning Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are timeless.  They look amazing–even when they are a little beat up AND they feel cleaner than carpet that can trap in all sorts of dust and other unmentionables.  I have had them in every house I’ve owned for years now, and over that time, I’ve tried A LOT of different cleaning methods.  Some I’ve liked, others not so much.  Here’s a few of the ones that have stuck:

1. Get a misting/spray mop.  I like the ones that you can put your own homemade cleaner into personally.  Since the key to maintaining hardwood floors is to limit the amount of moisture they actually receive, the spray mister on the mop gives just the right amount to clean, but not soak.  It also makes mopping easier…you mix your cleaner of choice every couple of months, mop how ever often you choose, and then toss the reusable cleaning pad in the washer.
2. For regular everyday cleaning solution, I use vinegar and water.  I’ve tried store-bought cleaners, and while they did the trick, I didn’t feel like they did any better a job than the vinegar and water.  {Some experts say vinegar and water will dull your finish faster, but I have not had that experience in the YEARS that I’ve used it, but again, I think that is largely in part to the mister mop not putting too much MOISTURE onto the floors and the fact that I don’t have waxed wood floors.}
3. Sweep or vacuum regularly {regularly is open to very loose interpretation–let’s face it, we are all busy people}.  BUT, getting dust/debris off of the floor will limit scratches.  If  you have a vacuum that you can turn the roller brush off, that is the way to go, otherwise, you may want to use the upholstery attachment or a standard old broom.  A swiffer sweeper type cleaner also works great if you have it too.
4. Deep clean about twice a year.  I’ll admit, I should probably do this more, but about twice a year, I get a bucket of vinegar and water and a sponge/rag and I DEEP clean the floors on my hands and knees.  This means a little elbow grease and time, but it will get that layer of grime that weekly mopping just can’t.  Just make sure not to over-wet the floors.

I try to keep it pretty simple–which is why I love hardwood in the first place, it’s so forgiving to me wanting to have a life and not spending too much time cleaning.  Do you have any “swear by” tips for cleaning your hardwood floors?

~Mavis