Using vinegar to clean hardwood floors is an economical and effective cleaning product that will not damage hardwood and will keep your floors beautiful for many years.

Remove as Much Dirt as Possible

The first step to cleaning hardwood floors is to remove as much dirt and grit as possible. Dirt and sand can be very abrasive to hardwood, therefore they should be vaccumed or dry mopped frequently. A vaccum cleaner with a bare floor attachment works best, but a dust mop can be used. It is also helpful to expose as much floor surface as possible by removing rugs and furniture to give a more even clean appearance.

Vinegar and Warm Water

After vaccuming or sweeping the floor, mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 1 gallon of warm water. Soak a clean mop with this solution, and then WRING the mop out thoroughly. The mop should be damp, but never soaking wet! Begin mopping in the far, back corner of the room. Rinse the mop as needed. The vinegar solution will dry quickly and streak free, so there is no need to rinse. Prefinished floors may need to be buffed with a clean, dry cloth to enhance the shine. Wait until the floor is completely dry before replacing rugs and furniture.

TIPS

• Vinegar and water (or any water based cleaning) can only be used on sealed floors.
  
  
• Water should never stand on hardwood floors. This can cause damage to the hardwood.
  
  
• The most important aspect of keeping hardwood floors looking new is to keep dirt and grit off the floor