A clean home really starts with clean floors. If your floors don’t feel clean, it’s hard to feel like anything else is. I like to keep my cleaning routine as natural as possible, but a lot of homemade wood floor cleaners are very acidic, which can wear away the finish on the floor. I came up with a recipe that does a great job cleaning, will not damage your finish, and only costs 32 cents! Believe me when I say it does not disappoint.
For green cleaning month, a hardwood floor cleaner is a must! I did make a recipe a few years ago when I first started my blog, but after further research I’ve found it to be too acidic. When you wash hardwood floors, you aren’t just washing the wood, but also the finish. Acid can wear it away. I made this new recipe, wanting to keep it pH neutral so it wouldn’t do any damage.
And in that process, I think I made it even more effective! I really love the results of this new recipe, and I think you will too.
I always like to explain why I use each ingredient in my recipes, so here is why.
Ingredients:
- Vinegar: non-toxic cleaner, antimicrobial, all natural and inexpensive
- Borax: natural and sustainable cleaner, disinfects, anti-fungal and keeps away bugs
- Dish soap: surfactant, dissolves dirt and grease
- Essential oils: for scent, and depending on the oil, can have different properties like being antibacterial, anti-fungal, etc. (I used peppermint in this recipe)
I’ve started pH testing my cleaning recipes to make sure they are the appropriate pH for whatever job they are doing. In general I try to stay pH neutral. pH strips are by no means perfect, but I’m pretty confident saying this recipe turned out a 7 (or maybe 7.5) based on the strips. So job well done!
Ready for the recipe?
Homemade Wood Floor Cleaner
Ingredients:
- 1 and 1/4 cups hot water
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1 and 3/4 tsp borax
- 1 pump dish soap
- 5 drops essential oils (optional)
Instructions:
- In a medium bowl or measuring cup, mix hot water, vinegar, borax, dish soap, and essential oils (in that order)
- Add to an empty spray bottle or spray mop cartridge. Spray a small amount on floor and wipe up with a microfiber cloth or mop
I love love love my new homemade wood floor cleaner! It is so effective. Chicago in spring can really do a number on your floors. Between snow and salt, and melting snow and mud, you’re always tracking things in to your home, even if you REALLY try not to.
So believe me when I say I need a good floor cleaner. This one works so well!
Not only does it look amazing and shiny, it feels so smooth and soft. You know, that squeaky clean feeling. Just check out the pictures. You can really see that shine!
I had some salt stains right under our little shoe shelf, so I thought it would be a good example of how great this homemade wood floor cleaner is. I just did one spray with my mop, and literally 2 swipes (forward and back) and they were gone. And if you’ve dealt with them before, you know those salt stains can be tricky!
I’ve been using a Bona hardwood floor mop for a few months now, and I love it. The spray mechanism is much more effective than the one on my old casabella mop. The only thing is, it comes with a cartridge full of bona hardwood floor cleaner. I prefer green cleaning products, but I really don’t mind the bona stuff. But the cartridge is refillable, so once I used up the stuff it came with, I just replaced it with this awesome homemade wood floor cleaner (which is also much more affordable!)
Can’t beat that shine right? I really couldn’t be happier.
Let me know how making your own wood floor cleaner goes for you!
Darlene says
i recently got bamboo flooring. Will this be safe for that.
Susie says
It should be as it is pH neutral- but to be safe it’s always best to spot test on a small area before cleaning the whole floor.
Penny McElhaney says
Does this work on laminate floors. I used bona but would like to make my own. Plain water leaves streaks.
Susie says
Because it’s pH neutral, it should work on laminate floors. I would spot test it first to make sure it works and doesn’t damage the floor.
Rachel says
We’ve been meaning to give our hardwood floors a deep cleaning session, so I think I’ll give this recipe a try. Thanks for sharing the tips!
Erica says
Directions say “1 pump dish soap” – since my dish soap isn’t in a pump, how much dish soap would you estimate is needed? (E.g. 1 tablespoon, etc.).
Susie says
I would say it’s about 1/2 tsp, but that’s just an estimation.
Shelly says
I am wondering why you got rid of the olive oil from the original recipe? I’m looking for a cleaner that will condition the wood floor as well.
Susie says
I was focused on making sure this recipe was pH neutral, and I also wanted to be able to use it on my tile floors. If you’re using it for wood floors only you can still include the olive oil.
Barbara Karr says
Does this recipe make the floor slippery like waxed floors? They look wonderful. I have MS and do not do well on slippery floors.I sure would love to treat my floors ad ave them look like this!!!
Susie says
Maybe just for a few minutes but once it is dry they shouldn’t be too slippery.
Dayna Y says
I have read that Borax has some carcinogens. Could I try Mrs. Meyers or some other substitute?
Susie says
You can remove it from the recipe, but it will raise the pH. You could try my old recipe, which is not pH balanced: http://pinsandprocrastination.com/natural-wood-floor-cleaner-recipe