RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By D. (Guest Post)
(07/23/2008)
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I have come to the conclusion, as we all should, that there is no one "recipe" for cleaning your dirty, cloudy, filmy floors. I have read every post and what works for one, doesn't for another. I am also amazed at how many flooring experts gave contradicting opinions. Just try a little of everything and what finally works for you, then you continue to use it.
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By regina (Guest Post)
(07/22/2008)
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After using an oil soap on my hardwood floors, it left an oily residue. Do I need to clean it with something else BEFORE using the swiffer wet jet solution for hard wood floors? Will just using the swiffer remove the residue? thanx
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By D. (Guest Post)
(07/22/2008)
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My contractor's "clean up" person somehow caused the same cloudy, dirty looking, film on our brand spanking new Brazilian Cherry Engineered floors (1400 sq ft worth). Although she used only water and a damp mop, I think the old mop bucket she used had residuals from other chemicals in it. Anyways, I have researched this alot and have contacted several local flooring people in the area. They all have said DO NOT use ANYTHING except floor cleaners specifically made for your type of floor. Especially do not use Orange Glo (as we all know by now) vinegar, Murphy's, or Windex. Most recommended BonaKemi or just Bona as the fix to these cloudy floors. I was told it will take some elbow grease but the film can be removed. Most engineered floors have Aluminum Oxide mixed in the poly and I was told that this finish is very difficult to ruin. Believe me folks, I am as sick as anybody about my floors. I will let you know how the Bona works. Good luck to us all!!
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By (Guest Post)
(07/21/2008)
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Add me to the list who have ruined their nice shiny finish with orange glo. I tried the vinegar and water method this morning and it helped, but the floors still didn't look great. I then tried the windex this afternoon, and they look a bit better.A guess it will take a few scrubbings to clean off that film (I only used the orange glo once). I wonder after reading all of these negative reports about orange glo why it is still on the market?
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By Phyllis (Guest Post)
(07/16/2008)
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Oh my gosh....what a mess Orange GLow made of my brand new floors. We just moved into this brand new house that has acres of hardwood floor. The person who did the detail clean up before we moved in used Orange Glow, and I cannot tell you what a mess I have. Every drop of water makes a mark and forget trying to just mop up footprints with plain water because it makes a murky, dull mess. I used the v/w it was just okay. The best was Windex/ water. (Greek Wedding anyone). I had to get on my hands and knees and "strip" off the OG. A HUGE TASK given the amount of flooring. I then went over it SEVERAL times with the tea solution. It all took hrs....but it worked.
NEVER EVER use Orange Glow. Now I need to find something to bring back the luster...but I am afraid to use anything. If I could bring legal action against Orange Glow I sure would. They sure caused me a ton of pain and suffering. Just a thought.
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By Tracy (Guest Post)
(07/13/2008)
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Found good advice on this blog. After using Orange Glo hardwood cleaner several times and being thoroughly disgusted with the results, I read this blog and tried the vinegar and water solution. It removed the oily film left behind by Orange Glo and cleaned my floors great. After mopping with the v/w solution, I used the hardwood cleaner by Bona. It was suggested to me by my local flooring supplier and mentioned on this blog. The results were great. Finally, no footprints or oily buildup to deal with. I may just use the v/w solution routinely and the Bona cleaner periodically. Either way, they both worked great.
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By Renea (Guest Post)
(07/09/2008)
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Orange Glo is the worst product ever. I bought it since it says it is specifically for cleaning and polishing hardwood floors. I was cleaning my whole house the other day, including my ceramic tile in my bathrooms. After he floors dried, I had a gummy, chalky looking, grimy feeling film all over my beautiful one-year old oak floors. I was afraid that I had picked up the wrong mop and used Tilex on my wood floors. Well, lo and behold, I find this blog and find out that Orange Glo is the culprit. I mixed up 1/4 cup of vinegar and 1/2 gallon of hot water and I am now in the process of stripping that stuff off my floors. I am having to do this on my hands and knees with a 4 year old and a 6 month old here. It is, needless to say, not fun. NEVER BUY ORANGE GLO! They should be sued.
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By eliz (Guest Post)
(07/04/2008)
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Hi,
I got hardwood floors installed in my house in the fall. I put down a cheap area rug for the time being in my dining room. It did not have a backing. I now have an impression on the floors from the back of the rug especially where there is a lot of high traffic. Can you let me know how to get rid of these marks? Can I buff them out? Thanks.
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By Brandi O. (Guest Post)
(06/25/2008)
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My installer of my hardwood told me to use Windex. Put one to two capfuls of Windex into a bucket of warm water and make sure mophead is rung out real well (only damp) and you don't need to rinse or anything. Works awesome, costs little and I always have Windex on hand. It attracts dust well. Windex is also good for spraying on roses to get rid of aphids.
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By Kathy baumgarten (Guest Post)
(06/24/2008)
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I pulled up rolled out lino off my wood floor. It had been there a long long time and pieces of the floor stuck to the wood. I used a hairdryer to soften the lino and a putty knife to get it out. But there are spots of lino/goo/glue all over the floor. I tried every cleaner made. it was sticky and hard at the same time. I ended up brushing baby powder into the goo, which made it easier to scrape off. now, however, it's like more spots are rising up! I tried scrubbing with a green scrubby, but it is taking forever. Any ideas?
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By Laura (Guest Post)
(06/12/2008)
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2 tea bags per gallon of warm water.
The tannins in the tea (I use tetly) clean the floor and bring them out lovely. :)
Or Murphy's Oil Soap - use about a shot (an ounce) per small bucket of warm water.
Or warm water and vinegar... simple, easy, cheap and safer for the environment.
Editor's Note: Don't use Murphy's on sealed wood floors, it will cloud them.
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By Darkwood (Guest Post)
(06/01/2008)
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Someone suggested toothpaste to wipe away the white smears.
Well, I just tried some Colgate on my dark chocolate hardwood and it eliminated wonders for the white streaks I have on my floor.
Recommended for spot treatment as it is time consuming to rub in the toothpaste, wipe with a damp cloth, then dry with soft cloth. But it works!
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By UURRRR (Guest Post)
(05/28/2008)
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I have Ebony Polyurethaned hardwood floors that I've always cleaned with Home Depot ZEP hardwood cleaner. It always left the floor shiny, streak-free and beautiful. My housekeeper, for some reason, used Orange Mop & Glo. It left a horrible film over my floors. I'm going to try the water/vinegar combo and see how that works. If that works, I'll make sure she goes back to using the ZEP. Never had a problem with any of their products. If you have stainless steel appliances, try their stainless steel cleaner. Best thing on the market. I just spray it on a dry paper towel or cloth and wipe the surface with it. Wish me luck with my floors.
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By Becky (Guest Post)
(05/25/2008)
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I wished I had read this blog before I bought and used Orange Glo. I spent half of Memorial Day weekend cleaning up the mess that Orange Glo left of my hardwood floors. I agree that this stuff needs to be taken off the market. Luckily a friend told me about Bruce Hardwood Cleaner and it does a wonderful job.
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By Phyllis (Guest Post)
(05/15/2008)
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Our hardwood floor in the dining room has been covered by carpet with pad since the house was built in the 1950's. We're in the process of tearing out the carpet now to expose the wood. The carpet pad has "fused" with the wood in certain spots. Based on everyone's helpful comments, I decided to use 1 part water, 1 part vinegar and 1/2 part citrus alcohol to clean...and yes, the floor is VERY DIRTY! So far, it seems to really be doing the trick. (I tested in on a 3ft square section of the floor.) Additionally, I used that solution with brillo steel wool soap cleansing pads(10 for $1.00) to get up the goo'ed on carpet pad residue, going only in the direction of the wood. So far, so good. I don't think that I'd recommend the brillo portion to all, but for someone in our situation, it's an option that seems to work. After, I oiled the wood with Murphy's oil - being concerned with the drying effect of the alcohol. All in all - a very inexpensive option that seems to be working well.
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
The Orange-Glo Hardwood Cleaner & Polisher should be taken off the market. What the bottle describes as a one step cleaner, shiner, and polisher turns out to be a multi step mopping process to eliminate the film and cloudiness it leaves behind. I used this product and was distaught with how my beautiful hardwood floors appeared afterward. I just mopped again with hot water/vinegar mixture and it looks like that has cleaned up the mess the Orange Glo made. I have thrown the Orange Glo away and I hope others learn from the mistakes I and so many others have made.
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By Gloria (Guest Post)
(05/01/2008)
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I have Brazilian hardwood floors in the house we purchased two years ago. I bought the Orange Glo Hardwood floor kit and now have a filmy, streaky mess on my hands. Since some of the above information is for laminate floors, I need help from people who specifically have hardwood floors. Please tell me how to remove the buildup from the awful Orange Glo hardwood floor products and how to get the shine back. The former owner used vinegar and water, but the floors were dull when we moved in. I tried vinegar and water to remove the buildup and only got a sticky mess and more milky film...Thanks in advance for any help.
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By (Guest Post)
(04/18/2008)
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Use hot water, vinegar, and a little dishsoap.
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By flash343 (Guest Post)
(04/12/2008)
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4/12/08 I have just tried the 1/2 cup of vinegar and a gallon of hot water. I damp moped with this, then towel dryed. I then used Endust. So far, so good. My question is: Will the vinegar eventually eat away the flooring's finish? We are so frustrated with virtually every product. They all seem to streak,etc.
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By jp (Guest Post)
(03/27/2008)
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Do not use Orange Glo! I've been using swiffer wet jet hardwood floor solution for two years and it always left my floors beautiful. My husband used Orange Glo with the wet jet and ruined them. I'm going to try all of your suggestions, let you know!
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By Toni (Guest Post)
(03/20/2008)
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Hi I can also attest to the fact that Orange Glo is horrible for your floor. We just installed beautiful hardwood cherry in a huge room only to look at the dull film left by orange glo. I am so disgusted. I am going to try the vinegar water rubbing alcohol mixture and see how that works. Remember No orange Glo!!!
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By Sue (Guest Post)
(03/08/2008)
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Holloway House products are great I have used them for 5 years and have been very happy with the results.
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By Trisha (Guest Post)
(03/01/2008)
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Guys you really to invest in a iRobot. Life is so much easier, and my wood floors look like they were just installed. Thank goodness I was starting to give up hope. If you want to ask me questions, chazee1 @ hotmail.com
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By Mary (Guest Post)
(03/01/2008)
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I need help I have new hardwood ash floor and I need to remove paint stains that the contractor left. Does any one know what I should use. Thanks,
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By Susi (Guest Post)
(02/24/2008)
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ORANGE GLO ruined my beautiful hardwood floors. I put Orange Glo on my floors at Christmas since I was having company for the holidays and ever since my floors have been a mess. My floors have lots of dull streaks of Orange Glo build up. I have cleaned and recleaned, scrubbed with hands, fingernails, scrubbing pads, vinegar etc etc etc. Yes - I think with a lot of hard work I will be able to get the dull Orange Glo (contradiction in terms - no?) finish off my floors out with a product called Zep Hardwood Floor cleaner from Home Depot, but it's going to take a day of focused effort and probably at least two gallons of the stuff. Lesson learned: don't use Orange Glo!!! Orange Glo should be taken off the market, just as so many others have said.
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By Larry (Guest Post)
(02/18/2008)
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I feel like people may be giving feedback for polyurethaned floors and other finishes like penetrating waxed floors. From what I understand Poly finishes need to be cared for totally different from other finishes. I see many who respond that do have Poly floors but then I see someone respond that a certain approach does not work for them but it sounds like they also may have a different type of finish. It has made it confusing for me too.
I am not a chemist or scientist so I can't speak to acidity concerns but I do know that many products we use to do everyday cleaning and cooking have properties that could be deemed counterproductive but they seem to work. I am going to try all the more homemade versions mentioned here but including dish soap and Windex.
There are only two important things to me.
1. That something WORKS to remove the smears (Orange Glow, Murphy Soap or whatever the cleaning crew put on my nice polyurethaned floors) and restore the natural shine that poly gives..and
2. That whatever I use will not prevent me from being able to eventually put another coat of poly on my floors when they get worn a few years from now. Too many of the products I hear mentioned put a shine on the floor (Mop and Glo etc.) In order for that too happen it seems like it has to leave something on the Poly that I don't want. Silicone is death to coatings adhering to anything and yet many so called polishes for wood have it.
It seems a crime that these so called helps can create such a mess. So for me its anything waterbased and diluted. NO oil or coating that shines.
That's what I am going to try in small spaces. I am going to try them all but no commercial shine product for me. I don't trust them and I will never let anyone clean my home with anything but a diluted water based cleaner again. I know certain things like Polycare are just that, a waterbased cleaner to clean the floor and let the shine come thru. Thats why we use Poly on floors It comes with its own shine. For me if that shine is gone on a poly floor that is clean and not smudged it is time to put a new coat of Poly on.
Like my cleaning crew, many try to falsely make the floor shine and now I like many are in the mess we are in. Don't let anyone tell you what to put on a Poly floor unless they know what works in total for Poly floors. It still amazes me that I specifically told the cleaning crew no oily anything, just slightly damp mop with water or highly diluted solution, and yet they still thought they knew how to make a floor shine.. NOT A POLY FLOOR THOUGH, NOT MY FLOOR, AND OBVIOUSLY NOT MANY OF YOU AND YOUR FLOORS. (Sorry still aggravates me.) Anyway headed to try these solutions.
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By Carrie (Guest Post)
(02/12/2008)
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You can use nail polish remover to get out a permanent marker or other scuffs without ruining the Laminate Hardwood floors
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By Miranda (Guest Post)
(02/06/2008)
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DO NOT USE ORANGE GO---it will definitely ruin your floor and the "researcher" that posted a comment above stating to use orange glo obviously must work for orange glo because orange glo should be taken off the market!
I have new sealed shiney floors. I used orange glo and the ONLY thing that removed the grimey build up was vinegar and water and some ammonia! HOT water and vinegar. IT CANNOT RUIN YOUR FLOOR SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY SOME ARE AGAINST IT! First off, you must not be mixing the proper solution. Too much of anything is no good and thinking that a once over will fix your problem.
I DO use Murphy's Oil. I am VERY picky and I find that if I DILUTE it, the floors come out extremely clean. NO buildup just very clean and won't show footprints. Periodically I LOVE to use a DILUTED mixture of MOP N GLO HARDWOOD CLEANER. It smells great and it DOES SHINE without residue. Remember, DILUTE every commercial product. I will try Bruce's One Step out of curiosity but I would only use it every 3-4 months. I stick with Murphy's for safe weekly cleanings and vinegar solution once a year. If Murphy's doesn't work for you then YOU ARE USING TOO MUCH OF IT. It does work and cleans perfectly and we walk barefoot year round and never a footprint to be seen. Mop N Glo for HARDWOODS is hard to find but it's the only thing that shines without leaving a residue or footmarks. Remember to keep refilling your bucket with HOT water and dilute commercial products no matter what the instructions are. I am also a fan of the lemon oil.
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By corcione (Guest Post)
(01/31/2008)
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I tried everything even the Harris-taekett same brand as my hardwood floor. Nothing works as well as vinegar mixed with water Wring out a terry rag wrap around mop and Go. It's AWESOME.
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By TJ (Guest Post)
(01/30/2008)
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I have tried most all of the products listed and Im still having problems. I also have pets( small dogs) any suggestions what is the best way to clean up after pets on your hardwood floors?
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I was happy using the 'spray' bottle of Orange Glo, never had a dull film, but then the Walmart where I usually buy it was out and they had a bottle of Orange Glo which wasn't a spray but the directions showed that the application to the floor was the same as the spray. Well now my floors have a horrible film. After reading many of these posts I tried a non-Ammonia based window cleaner "Holy Cow" on a small area of floor and it seemed to work. It appears to have removed the film and brought back the shine. Does any one know what type of chemicals are in the "Holy Cow" glass cleaner so I can buy it in a larger volume so I can apply it by mop rather than on my hand and knees with a spray bottle?
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Footprints - Jatoba (Brazilian) Cherry
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Post By Nancy (Guest Post)
(01/17/2008)
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Has anyone who have Jatoba (Brazilian) Cherry flooring have a problem with footprint marks on the floor and not able to remove it? Our contractor warn me that someone that he knows who had Jatoba floor for five years had this problem where when the members of the family wear socks and walk on the floor, it leaves footprints on the floor and they can't get rid of it. They had to sand the floor down re-seal it, but then after doing all that they still had the same problem.
Has anyone else experience this problem? I've never heard about this until now from the contractor. I'm just a little concern because that's what I'm having installed in our home.
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By Sandy Indiana (Guest Post)
(01/16/2008)
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Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Equal parts of
Vinegar
Rubbing Alcohol
Warm water
Apply with soft cloth.
Will dry streak free.
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By denise w (Guest Post)
(01/16/2008)
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Hi I had a professional cleaning service for several years and the best I came up with was hot water with vinegar every week. Once a month lemon oil. This keeps the floors looking shiny, but it also keeps it from drying out, and cracking.
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RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
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Post By (Guest Post)
(01/16/2008)
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Oh my god! This is as bad as trying to clean laminate! We have a huge kitchen dining area with pergo on it and it is a $%^@# to get it streak free! Just this last year we put hardwood in the living room. Now I have this to face as well! Oh crap!
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Request: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
What is the best thing to use to clean hardwood floors?
Ramona from Pinckard, Alabama
Answers:
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I'll be another person to not recommend Murphy's Oil Soap. It leaves a dull scum on the surface. (06/28/2007)
By Beth - MA
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I use the pledge for hardwood floor cleaner. You just squirt it on, run a damp mop, and its clean, no streaks, so easy! (07/02/2007)
By lonefive21
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Ask a local hardwood refinisher or seller. I researched it a lot and learned not to use vinegar, murphy's oil, or any of these type of things. What I use is a professional dust mop that I bought at a janitorial store for daily cleaning/dusting.
I also bought the floor system from Bona Kemi. The microfiber mop and the hardwood cleaner. I use this about every two weeks. It really works and is made by floor refinishers. Won't hurt your floor finish.
http://www.bonakemi.com/products/specials/WM710013303.htm
The company also has a system for laminate floors. (07/09/2007)
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I use Rejuvenate on my hardwood floor, it brings back the luster to a dull floor. It is the easiest and the cheapest way to bringing life back to a dull finish. You need to use a good hardwood floor cleaner, then apply the rejuvenate to the floor, it takes about 45 minutes for it to dry, but it looks as good dry as it does wet! (07/12/2007)
By tracy
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Please! Please! do not use ORANGE GLO HARDWOOD FLOOR CLEANER. It leaves your floors cloudy and dull. I tried two other floor cleaners and it made it worse. I had hardwood floors in the past before this product was on the market and I use plain old soap and water with a damp mop and
put towels on the floor and skated through to dry them. It is work! but I am in really good shape after having five kids.... (08/01/2007)
By p.simon.
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Hi RAMONA, here in Topeka, I have tried the windex, which gummed up my buffer and never did get didn't get past the gummy mess on that section, now I'm going back in and giving it another try! (08/01/2007)
By therese
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I've read the ENTIRE blog here about hardwood floors and I'm greatly discouraged with so many contradicting opinions. 13 years ago I lived in a home with all hardwood and I tried every product on the market, despite being clean the floors just looked cloudy and dull. I must admit it even caused me to feel depressed at times. I paid a professional every 4-6 weeks to bring in a heavy duty buffer and treat my floors at the expense of $200 each visit. I finally found a product at a local owned hardware store called Bruce's One Step. After cleaning my floors I would pour this formula right out of the container onto the floors and spread it with a mop. The hard part was knowing when it was dry as it looked the exact same as it did wet!! VOILA! The floors looked BRAND NEW better than after $200 spent to buff.
The most recent mistake I made, having relocated to a fabulous home with all hardwood yet again after 13 long years, was trying the Orange Glo, Bissel flip-it and swifter!! My dining room is trashed!! Lesson learned! For all of you still reading these blogs, please go online and look for Bruce's One Step. Once you get the cloud and film off the floors don't use any other products for restoring shine other than Bruce's One Step if you're fortunate enough it may be in your local hardware store. I believe Bruce's has many other products to help strip and remove the grime and build-up. Best of luck to you. (08/05/2007)
By Sheri Lynn
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I can also attest that the Orange Glo left my wood floors a cloudy mess... I have read every post here trying to figure out what the best method would be to get the shine back on my floors. I tried squirting a small area (2' x 2') with windex with vinegar and scrubbed, towel dried, scrubbed again and towel dried and I could see that the cloudy build up was gone, but there is no way I can hand scrub my entire wood floor! I checked into the "Bruce's One Step" that someone else suggested but it is only to be used on waxed floors. I have polyurethane floors. Can a sponge mop with windex or a vinegar/water solution work? I physically am unable to hand and knee the entire job! (08/06/2007)
By Stephanie
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I have had hardwood floors for years and I have never been able to stop the foot prints left by my kids. Just have everyone wear slippers and that problem will disappear. As far as cleaning the floors, I use an amazing product called Mystic Mop. I lightly spray the area I am working on with plain water then I go over once or twice with the mop, I then buff the area with a micro fiber cloth mop. It leaves a fantastic shine. I still get foot prints as my husband and son refuse to wear slippers but if they did the floors would continue to shine.
I have tried everything out there and this is the simplest and cheapest as well as giving the best result. (08/12/2007)
By Michele
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I recently had my hardwood floors refinished and the floor guy told me Never to use any kind of oil (Murphy's oil) on the floors and to only clean them with the water/vinegar solution. He recommended using the solution every three months or so and just damp mopping with hot water in between cleanings. So far it has worked well for me and is very inexpensive. (08/16/2007)
By JS
Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I have read over all these entries and now I am even more confused. I have used the Orange Glo and I hate it. It put a milky looking film on my pre-finished hardwood floor. And you can see everywhere we have walked. I tried just using soap & water and it didn't work. I also used a spray from Fuller that said it was for Bruce Flooring. That is what I have but it didn't work either. What is the best way to get this milky film off my floors and make it shine again? I saw a product online called Quick Shine by Hollow House. Has anyone used this product? Does it work? Just thought I would ask someone -- anyone -- before I put more money into trying products. I am just sick looking at my floor with the milky film. I am ready for my glossy look back. Any suggestions are most appreciated! (08/17/2007)
By Lisa
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I have double trouble, as I first cleaned with Murphy's Oil Soap, and then the Orange Glo Polish. Talk about a horrible filmy mess! I see that others have posted about the build-up problems, but I'm not seeing any solutions! I'm thinking about trying a small spot with hot water and detergent. (08/22/2007)
By DMC
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Okay... here's what I did and it worked!
Mixed hot water and dish washing detergent (Dawn) I know it's radical, but I was desperate. Used a soft brush (!) and then dried with a soft towel in the direction of the grain. It worked! No more hazy white film! No more Orange Glo ever! (08/22/2007)
By DMC
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Hi All!
Ok, so for the first year and a half of trying everything I got my hands on to keep my hardwoods clean, here is what I came up with to do and not to do. Do not use water and laundry detergent; it dulls the floors. Murphys and Pinesol don't completely work. the Murphys will have you busting your bottom. It gets sticky. I have two small children that are just now walking and I'm not sure how many outfits each of them destroyed from crawling on those floors. Both of their knees would be dirty and their little feet. My grandmother came to visit and seen how I mopped almost everyday, without success. So she took me to the store, picked up a new and actually a cheaper mop than I had been using (the ones that you squeeze out with your hand and have the cotton noodles hanging). Then I bought some Mop 'n Glow. The bottle says to NOT use on hardwoods, but I was at my wits end. I used it and continued to mop a 5 session on my hardwoods. My grandmother told me that it was important to keep mopping sections over and over until the mop rinsed clean. I was completely exhausted after the hour of mopping but it definitely paid off. I have shiny beautiful floors and the kids are still clean after playing in the living room. lol (09/03/2007)
By Robyn
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Regarding white film from Orange Glo and/or Halloway House wood floor products seems to be a huge problem. I read everyone's feedback and tried everything. I'll never really know what worked for sure, but the thing that finally removed the film for me was Mr. Clean. I diluted it in water, rinsed, and dried it with a soft towel. I could see the white powder from the polishes coming up as I applied the Mr. Clean. I'm sure most of you figured this out, but just in case....the mop set up that comes with the Orange Glo Starter pack can be used with ANY rag. At least something was worthwhile in that package. This comes in handy when you have to mop the floor 500 times to remove the polishes. (09/13/2007)
By Christina
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I had heard that pet owners should be careful of certain cleaners since pets lay on the floor and then often lick their fur. I haven't tried anything yet, but I think I'm going to try the vinegar and water solution. I'll just start with a small amount of vinegar (maybe 1/4 cup to a gallon of water). (09/20/2007)
By Lynn
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I called around a few floor dealers several told me to use Murphy's Oil. With 3 kids the floors always seem dull, dirty or sticky after mopping w/ Murphy's Oil. So another dealer told me never to use Murphy's on the hardwood floor (it leaves a film). That I must now clean my floor with TSP to remove the film, then damp mop it and then to use Polycare. He also said after the Polycare treatment to just use water to mop the floor. (09/20/2007)
By Monica
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
patg:
Thank you so much for your advice regarding how to clean off white, smudged residue from hardwood floors. I tried every product imaginable and the 2 cups of ammonia per gallon of hot water did the trick. I took a wet cloth and wiped the floors then used a micro buff rag and wiped off the damp floor. This process was time consuming doing a small portion of the floor at a time, yet it looks wonderful! NEVER again will I use any Orange Glo or Murphy's Oil products, I'm going to clean with Bruce's One Step. Thanks again! (09/21/2007)
By Raina
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I have beautiful Jatoba (Brazilian) Cherry hardwood floors that were installed 2yrs ago. I have NEVER used an over the counter cleaning product such as Murphy's oil or Orange Glo...the floor gets vaccumed 2x/week (more often during the summer months) and I use a damp microfibre cloth to spot clean any obvious marks such as footprints or sticky messes. Once every 2 to 3 months I get down on my hands and knees and clean every square inch of floor with a damp microfibre cloth and a spray cleaner recommended by the company who installed the floor. The key is a clean cloth....I will use 2 or 3 per room and have used upwards of a dozen cloths cleaning my main floor. The floors look fantastic and people are always complimenting me how great they look...even though they only get 'washed' every season. Of course, we don't wear shoes in the house.
I know many people don't want to get down on their hands and knees (and I can hear the moaning), but it's the best solution. (Sept 27/07) (09/27/2007)
By Vesi
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I used to use Bruce's cleaner on occasion and would spot clean with damp cloth and ALWAYS had beautiful dark wood floors. Unfortunately do to the inconvenience of going to the flooring place to get it I tried Orange Glo. AWFUL, cloudy, dingy and nasty floors is what I'm now inconvenienced with. Once I figure out what will fix my mess I will go back to my old ways. Pleased to find the local (and national) "HOME" store now carries Bruces. Hope this helps. (10/13/2007)
By Rachael
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
For all of you out there trying to maintain your hardwood floors - it doesn't have to be that hard! The point of having hardwood floors is to have very little maintenance. You really only need to use cleaners if you have spills or scuffs. For the most part, you can just use a terry cloth mop. One of the most important things you can do is make sure you have all of the dirt off the floors. (walk off mats help tremendously)PLEASE ask the retailer you purchased your floors from what to use or invest in a product like the Bruce Cleaner that is made just for hardwood floors. Make sure your cleaner says on the bottle that it is specifically for your type of hardwood floor. I am all for being thrifty, but thrifty does you no good if you ruin your hardwood floors. These websites are from trusted sources. Please take a look and also look at the care section for other floors on the following site:
www.wfca.org
http://www.wfca.org/hardwood/care.aspx
http://www.woodfloors.org/consumer/maintReg.aspx (10/19/2007)
By A former hardwood salesperson
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Yikes! I just had hardwood flooring installed a few weeks ago. Seeing all of the contradictory advise on here, I am afraid to do anything to them! For now, I guess that I will just vacuum and dust regularly, clean up spills as they happen, and use area rugs in high traffic places. (10/21/2007)
By Stephen from Boston
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Our floors are only 2 years old. Light Bavarian Cherry Wood. We just can't seem to get rid of this greasy like film? Any suggestions on what type of product works best? (11/04/2007)
By Kim Rose
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I just tried the Shark steam mop and it's bad. It made my floors into a greasy streaky mess after 2 uses. I have small children and cannot go more than 2 days without needing to clean my hardwood. What will get this film off of my floor? I've never tried any of the oil products or the Orange Glo and will never. What about the water and vinegar? Somebody help me please. (11/08/2007)
By Stacey
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I came on this site to find a solution to cleaning my hardwood floors; we recently exposed them after yrs. of being covered by rugs. Yea!
Many people on this site are saying that there are many contradictions on this page and that they are more confused than ever as to what to use. On the contrary, I found this page to be very helpful. People are clearly saying,"DON'T Use Orange Glo, Murphy's Oil Soap or products such as Fuller that claim to be good on "certain" hardwood floors EVER!"
I initially thought that you couldn't use water at all but here are the things I learned on this page.
1.Yes, you can use a water based solution if you only dampen the mop or rag you are using.
2.A product called BRUCES 1 STEP seems to be coming HIGHLY recommended by people on this site that have tried it; I didn't see anyone dispute it. All are saying that it WORKS GREAT!
3.Also people on this page are RUMOURING that Vinegar and Water (which is an affordable solution) works and some claim that it even comes recommended by the people who are selling the hardwood floors.
4.Another solution I saw recommended on this page is to find out what kind of hardwood floors that you have; go to the nearest store that specializes in hardwood floors and ask them exactly what product to use for your specific type of floor.(seems like a pain to me and the products they recommend may end up being expensive; but I could be wrong)
5.To get the FILM and dirt up use Mr. Clean, I tried it in a small spot and thought it worked great However, I was afraid to try it on my whole floor until I found someone else on this site has tried it and it worked for them. "Mr. Clean recomends you dilute it in order to use it on finished wood." No one disputed it and I won't either.
Ps. to the mop & glo user; I LOVE mop and glo (I use it to shine my REGULAR floors AFTER a good Mr. Clean cleaning - the results are great for a long time) but if mop & glo is telling you NOT to use it on hardwood floors you may want to call the manufacturer of mop & glo and find out the reason; maybe there is a long term effect that you are not seeing yet, who knows. I want to say thank you to the people on this site for all your tidbits of information as I said I found them very helpful. Good luck to everybody and don't stress, enjoy the beauty of your hardwood floors I know I do. (11/12/2007)
By By Theresa
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I use a damp mop, very damp and mix a little vinegar with it. I have new polyurethane and it does wonders. As i said I wring my mop until until it is barely damp. It brings back the shine. I do this a couple of times a week and use a dust mop the rest of the time. It doesn't loose it shine, but the vinegar makes it even shiner. I would definitely recommended a damp mop diluted with vinegar. I could not stand to go 2-3 months without my floors being mopped. My children are grown, so i don't have that problem. I use vinegar a lot as a household cleaner. (11/16/2007)
By Charlene
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I have been buying my wood floor cleaning products from http://www.cleaningwoodfloors.com/ and they have been great about recommending the right products for what I have needed to do.
They also provide some resources I found to be useful, including troubleshooting tips and a FAQ section. (11/26/2007)
By
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Don't use a Swiffer Wet Jet! It left a filmy mess. I am having some luck using Windex and a plain Swiffer to get it up. It takes some elbow grease too! (12/05/2007)
By Anissa
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
How about Glass Plus to clean Urethaned floors. Picks up dirt and leaves a sheen (12/08/2007)
By Chrissy
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I am trying to find a way to clean my client's floors without leaving streaks. So far from what I have seen on this page the majority of people are saying Mr. Clean. So I am going to try it. Thanks. (12/12/2007)
By TRACI WHYTE
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I have 85 yr old red oak hardwood floors, that were refinished and sealed with semigloss poly in July. The hardwood guy said to use vinegar and water which only dulled the shine and made the floor sort of tacky. The floors are beautiful, although asked a neighbor what she uses to clean floor, she said Orange Glo hardwood. Cautiously, I used it in small area and it felt smooth and looked shiny. The orange glo worked okay until 3-4 months later, a horribly film built up and I have researched a way to get that smooth slippery clean feel back and the shine too! Out of desperation, I tried the ammonia and hot water with a non scratch sponge, and spent the next 3-4 hours scrubbing and wiping down the dry microfiber cloth small areas 4 feet aprox. This is my whole first floor.
Wow, my floors are back! Shiny, gloss and beautiful color. I didn't think I could get it back to look like newly finished. I had bruises on my knees from all the vigorous scrubbing, but the only way! I do this every month, now my husband helps, but the results are really something to be proud of. People always comment on the beauty of the wood, asking if it's just been done.
Hope this helps former Orange Glo users to get their floors back. (12/25/2007)
By Laura
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Well, what has always worked for me is to get on my hands and knees and wash the floor with a solution of dishwashing liquid and water, and then rinse with vinegar and water. Finally, I dry with several terry towels. The dishwashing liquid is mild but slightly to the alkaline side, so it removes grease and household dirt very well. The vinegar removes alkaline-based soils and helps to completely rinse the detergent from the floor - far better than plain water can. Don't mix the two together, thinking you can avoid a step! Each will only cancel out the benefits of the other.
Cheers, and rock on! (12/27/2007)
By Viola
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I used vinegar and hot water and they came out great, I bought a house 4 months ago, and it is a 125 yrs old, it had carpet in the dinning room and front room so I pulled back the carpet to see what was under it and found it had hardwood floors . I had them redone. I used swifter cleaner for hardwood floors and it left them very streaked , so tried half cup of vinegar and 1 gallon of hot water and dried them with a cotton towel and the streaks are gone and they have a great shine again. (12/28/2007)
By LYCKRISH63
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Request: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I have never had hardwood floors before. Ours have a polyurethane coating, high gloss. It appeared that the floor was smudged with footprints. Using a Bona product. Another similar product was recommended but it still has dull smudges. I tried an Orange Glo product but it was streaky. Then tried a Swiffer product for hardwood floors, now it's really streaky! Can anybody tell me how to get back to the high gloss, smudge free, shine we first had?
R.P from Purcellville, VA
Answers:
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Try warm water and a little ammonia, wash with a rag then buff with a dry rag.
By patg
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
We have a "Shark" steamer. It cleans our hardwood floors great! Read the instructions first and if it safe for your type of floor, the hot water is a plus because it disinfects as well.
By Joanna
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I use the vinegar and water solution to clean. Then after it dries, I spray a little Endust with a soft dry cloth to make the floor shine.
By EC
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I use Orange Glo and every so often wipe the mop with water. Than when it dries, I use Future. It's not too bad. But I am still searching for something to make it glow!
By Sylvia
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
If water and vinegar left any sort of film, it just means your floors were that saturated with dirt/other products. The water should be HOT or very warm and sometimes you need to mop 2 - 3 times. As far as wearing off any finishes, not so - vinegar is not very acidic, it's made from natural products so it's nearly impossible for that to happen. I promise after 2-3 moppings with the vinegar/water solution, your floors will be gorgeous! If streaking still occurs, you may want to contact the person who refinished your floors and find out what product he put on there.
By Stephanie
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Stephanie, I don't know where you got your info but VINEGAR IS ACID DILUTED TO A 5% SOLUTION! Just look at the back of any bottle of vinegar and you'll see the words right there. Or do a simple web search for the definition of vinegar. And just because something is "pure and natural" doesn't mean it can't ever do harm. Our stomach acid is Hydrocloric Acid diluted to a 3% percent solution, pure because there is no other chemical mixed in, found in nature, but NOT harmless. Chlorine gas is pure since it is an element with no other elemental atom or molecule attached, found in nature, but NOT harmless.
I'm a researcher and I've done much research on this subject. First, you must know the finish on your floor. If it is oil-based stain, then cleaners for polyurethane finished floors will cause problems. You will need to wax instead and buff regularly. If floors smear, it is usually because either they were WAXED at some point in the past or there is still fatty substances (meat fat, cheese, salad oil, the list is endless) left on the floor that were not adequately cut and removed with the cleaner.
Vinegar can leave a nice shine at the end of a good cleaning job but it will not cut grease adequately. Only detergent can do that. Have you ever tried cleaning greasy clothes with vinegar? The key is a light touch. Use a small amount of any neutral detergent in water and do not soak the floor. If the mess is still there or streaking occurs, then you need to do it again and again until the substance is completely removed. Also, it is worth noting that for modern finished floors, vinegar is no longer endorsed by the National Wood Flooring Association.
To restore shine, you either need to buff the area or use a polish such as Orange Glo cleaner and polish. If your floor finish is not in good condition to begin with, then the shine may never return and the acid in vinegar, although very weak, will only hasten its demise. But you can use a product like Quick Shine to put a durable shiny coat on top. Or try Orange Glo Refinisher, as long as you have a polyurethane finish and NO WAX left behind.
If wax was ever used in the past it must be stripped using a good wax stripper before applying any other type of floor product. Or you must rewax. You can't use both. Wax is tenacious, will sink into wood, and will always interfere with any other type of product you try until it is completely stripped. Also, as wax breaks down from wear it will mix with water and smear. It is a soft substance and can create indentations such as paw and foot prints if not maintained properly.
Hope this clears up the confusion!
By finch
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors- Thinner
My mother-in-law uses paint thinner to clean the floors about 3-4 times a year. It's a horrible smell for the first week, but it takes off any stains and gives a nice shine. Since it dries quickly it won't damage the wood like water.
By crystal
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I used Orange Glo for years and eventually had a mess of a build-up. Today I tried Sam's Club floor stripper and it worked beautifully.
By mrh
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I use Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner. You just spray it on and use a swiffer-like Bona mop with a microfiber cloth to clean the floors. It is environmentally friendly too.
By NC
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I own a house cleaning business and have tried A LOT of different cleaners, most of them either leave a dull finish, streaks, or once you step on the floor leave foot prints. Whet I love to use it's the Floor-mate, it's a machine to safety clean your floors and it dried them too, you are supposed to use the provided solution but I just use REALLY hot water and it leaves the floors really clean and no residue behind. If you don't want to buy the machine, you can also just use HOT water and a mop, and work on a small area and then dry it with a terry cloth mop, and some elbow grease the first time, and it'll leave your floors looking really good. You can also use some water to lightly spray in the stains and by the time you get to them, they'll come right off, I finish off the floors either with a swiffer cloth to pick up any hairs or a dry terry cloth mop. I know hey say that water damages your floors but I've used this for years and I've never had a single problem. Of course it just depends the amount of water you use, don't go and dump the whole bucket.
www.pollyscleaning.com
By Polly's Cleaning
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
We built our home two years ago with hardwood floors, pre-treated wood. We've always used Eureka's Deluxe Enviro Steamer for hardfloor surfaces. I LOVE IT! It used NO chemicals, NO floor cleaner, just water....which it heats...very very hot. And actually steams cleans everything off the floor. In fact, it sanitizes the floor. It never dulled my floor. So, much to my dismay, it broke. I substituted with Orange Glo, and what a disappointment! My floors are horrible! There is a terrible hazy film that just wont come off! Today I am trying the vinegar and water to see if it will help....luckily my steamer is back to work, and I will never use any thing else again! I'll let you know how the vinegar and water turns out. Wish me luck!
By Melanie
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
To everyone just tuning in DO NOT USE ORANGE GLO ON HARDWOODS - IT WILL RUIN THEM!!!!
By John
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Hello everyone, I am so happy to see that I'm not the only person who has wrecked my new hardwood floors with commercial cleaners. Mine have had paw prints and kid prints on them since a week after we moved into our new dream home. I have used EVERYTHING including vinegar and hot water as well as the steam cleaner. After visiting this site, I figured I would combine advice that was posted, and the results are BEAUTIFUL!! I have the hardwood floors that I had installed 6 months ago!! I was scared to death to use a stripper, and know that ammonia works to do that job. So I used Windex. I sprayed it on the floor and used a swiffer max to spread it. After which I got on my hands and knees with a towel and hand dried it. I could feel a sticky substance on the floors as I did this. Afterward, the floor looked VERY DULL, but the streaks and paw prints were GONE. I did this a second time and felt little flakes coming off. I was in a panic thinking I was going to have to refinish my floors, but after drying it with the towel a second time, my original floor was beginning to gleam underneath! I guess I had to remove the layers of crap that have made my floor look soooooo bad. I finished it off with my Shark steam pocket, and whoa, put your sunglasses on. It's my gleaming wood floors again!! I have learned one thing. My master bedroom has hardwood floors that I have only swiffered all this time, and they still look brand new. I guess when it comes to wood, Less is Best! No more commercial cleanings for me. Hope this helps someone. Good Luck!
By cleanqueen
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I have also ruined (I hope temporarily) my polyurethaned hardwood floors with Orange Glo. I bought an Orange Glo kit that included both a cleaner and the refinisher, but when I just now read the labels, one of them says, in small print, to never use it with the other. In short, they make two hardwood floor products that should never be used on the same floor, and they package them with their mop in a starter kit. Nice. My kitchen, living room, dining area, and dining room are a streaky mess. It's going to take forever to fix this by myself. I'd like to sue Orange Glo. I tried a vinegar solution, and I tried hot water. If I scrub and scrub with a cloth, the waxy stuff comes up and the floor is OK underneath, but it took me 15 minutes (and hurt my fingers) to do a teeny spot. If someone finds a machine or cleaner that will take this goo all off at once, please let me know!
By Cathy
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I was so glad to find this website. I have new hardwood floors & ruined the with OrangeGlo. I tried the cleaner the manufacturer suggested but it hasn't helped. The floor is cloudy, spotted and awful. I tried cleaning a small area with the vinegar solution and it seems to work.
By Joan Stewart
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
My entire house is wood or tile floors. I sponge damp mop or swiffer damp mop the tile first and when the mop is almost dry, then I run it over the hardwoods - picks up all remaining dust and shoe prints, scuff marks etc. For final shine, I use paint thinner! (it's what was used when floors were installed and cleaned) I put cut up old t-shirts around the swiffer head - keep the paint thinner in a spray bottle and lightly spray the t-shirt - your wood floors will shine. It also removes anything sticky and leaves the most incredible shine!! Then just toss the t-shirt ! The odor does not linger. DO NOT use ORANGE GLO or Murphy's Oil on your wood.
By kjreynolds
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Tip: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Daily cleaning of hardwood floors can be a challenge, especially if you have pets. The best tool I have found for daily maintenance of my hardwood floors is a good vacuum cleaner. Mine has a low setting made for flat floors and it works well for pet hair, dust and paw prints. Make sure you let muddy paw prints dry before trying to vacuum.
Answers:
Request: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
What is the best way to clean hardwood floors? I have found that with cleaners like the Swiffer wetjet or Murphys oil soap and others leave a film and streaks whether I dry it with a cloth or let it dry naturally. I also tried to dilute the cleaners thinking I've used too much. Most of my main floor is hardwood and I miss the shine!
Loni
Feedback:
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Some of us just cannot get on our hands and knees any longer! I drop a terry cloth towel (now a cleaning cloth) onto the floor and step on it to rub the floor dry. No more sore body, just clean floors. (10/31/2006)
By hsorbits
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Mr. Clean
I have polyurethane floors. My cleaning lady uses Mr. Clean to clean my floors. My floors never have a film or dull finish. They sparkle and shine. Read the back of the carton. You mix 1/4 cup of Mr. Clean with 1 gallon of water. I vacuum first with an Oreck vacuum cleaner. Then I use a soft mop and Mr. Clean. It turns out nice every time! (11/10/2006)
By michelle
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Request: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
What is the best way to clean hardwood floors? I have found that with cleaners like the Swiffer wetjet or Murphys oil soap and others leave a film and streaks whether I dry it with a cloth or let it dry naturally. I also tried to dilute the cleaners thinking I've used too much. Most of my main floor is hardwood and I miss the shine!
Loni
Answers:
RE: Hardwood Floor Cleaner
I am all about vinegar and water for wood floors also. I responded to a similar question but a hardwood floor company suggested 4 oz. to 1 gallon of water. And they are against commercial cleaning products.
Shannon (06/11/2004)
By sjk
RE: Hardwood Floor Cleaner
Have you tried 4 oz. to 1 gallon? That doesn't seem like enough. I used 1 cup to 1 gallon, and it didn't work too well. (12/14/2004)
By Miranda
RE: Hardwood Floor Cleaner
I am curious to try this vinegar and water tip on the hardwood floors. I am helping my father prep up his rental apt. to rent out, and there is a lot of dust on the living room/dining room floors from the latest home improvement project. So, I am figuring that using this water/vinegar solution will clean up the dust residue and give the floors a nice shine. Wish me luck, and I will be writing to let you how well it comes out. (03/25/2005)
By Patricia
RE: Hardwood Floor Cleaner
Use a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water to clean hardwood floors. It's cheaper than the commercial cleaners and chemical-free! (06/21/2005)
By Dianne
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
We recently had our hardwood floors re-sanded and polyurethane. The man who did our floors said only to clean them ONCE a year with vinegar and water. Other than that, simply sweep often and spot clean with plain water--anything else and you risk damaging the finish. (06/22/2005)
By ght
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Vinegar smell is short lived. I clean with it daily. (09/07/2005)
By Jennifer from CA
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I have polyurethaned wood floors. Can't imagine not cleaning them every week, especially in the kitchen. Vinegar and water works fine and there is no smell! The vinegar smell dissipates after a few minutes--and it works well (09/21/2005)
(09/07/2005)
By KathleenLI
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I have been trying for weeks to remove the cloudy look to my hardwood floors. I believe that murphy's oil soap is what put it there. I will NEVER use that again! It's driving me nuts trying to get that terrible dull coating off the floor. (09/22/2005)
By Valerie
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I use windex on my hard floors. They turn out really nice. (09/25/2005)
By Joyce wis
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I use a bucket of hot water and a little Murphy's Oil soap. Lemon oil works well too. (09/26/2005)
By Tanya
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Use cheap shaving cream on your floors. Spray it on and then wipe it off. Gives the floor a nice shine. (09/26/2005)
By sjackie2000
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Try cleaning your floors with armstrong dura-luster. It comes in a spray bottle and the floors look great. I have a problem finding it and at present, I'm all out. I tried min wax and I didn't like it at all, left my floor dull. The person that put my floors down said vinegar but I don't think it's as good as the cleaner and does not smell good either. (12/12/2005)
By lizzy195
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
i just used the water and vinegar on my floors and i loved it. I used about 1/2 a cup to 2 gallons and did it throughout my house. (01/03/2006)
By Dana
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I use Bruce hardwood floor cleaner just spray it on and wipe off. The flooring company recommended only using this stuff you should never use water to clean hard wood floors. You can get the floor cleaner at Home Depot or try any company who sells hard wood floors. (01/25/2006)
By Jeanette
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I tried the water and vinegar solution and it left a cloudy film on my hardwood floors. I'll never use it again. I only use cleaner recommended by the professionals. It's worth the money. (06/05/2006)
By Kate
RE: Cleaning Hardwood Floors
I used vinegar on my floor, and it took the finish off. I will never use it again. (06/23/2006)
By Gail
Vinegar and Water
My floors are polyurethaned. Since house construction I have only ever used vinegar and water (1 cup vinegar to 1 gallon of water). I damp mop the floors then dry them (on hands and knees) with a soft towel, essentially buffing them. I get lots of compliments! I do this about every 3 to 4 months. In between cleanings I just sweep with broom, then use the swiffer or pledge dusters to pick up any remaining dirt and for a shine. (10/25/2006)
By CMW
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