If you like the cleaning power of vinegar but want to cut the smell just add an essential oil such as lemon.
Vinegar and water to clean wood floors.
Dunk the mop head into the vinegar solution and wring out any excess liquid.
For cleaning unfinished hardwood floors fill the bucket with warm water and white vinegar.
Plunge a clean mop into the water vinegar mixture and ensure it is thoroughly wrung out before mopping.
Using vinegar and water as a homemade hardwood floor cleaning solution can have a negative effect on your hardwood floor.
One of the ways to clean a wood floor with vinegar and water is to use a microfiber cloth dip it into the bucket of vinegar water 1 2 cup of vinegar to 1 gallon of water wring it out almost dry and clean the floor on your hands and knees.
Using a ratio of one gallon of warm water to a half cup of white vinegar fill up a clean bucket.
Too much water can warp your boards cause a ripple effect permanently discolor the wood and produce nonrepairable damage.
While cleaning wood floors with vinegar and water is ideal it isn t the only natural option.
Also change the liquid if it starts to look dirty.
It s important to remember that when you clean your hardwood floors you aren t actually cleaning the wood you are cleaning the chemical finish on the wood.
I do recommend mopping in the same direction of the floor boards if as the water dries it leaves a streak it will be less visible.
Vinegar can do damage to your wood floor finish if the vinegar to water ratio is too strong if you use the wrong type of vinegar or if you allow the vinegar water mixture to pool puddle or over soak your floor.
Lemon oil also helps to cut grease which may be very useful if you re trying to clean wood floors in a kitchen.
Do not use red wine balsamic or apple kinds of vinegar.
You can add a few drops of essential oils for cleaning to the vinegar and water if you choose to.