Comments on: Vinegar and Oil Recipe for Cleaning Hardwood Flooring?

By: Richard

Richard — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:11:59 +0000

There are so many different finishes used on wood flooring these days, including some which are closer to plastic than any kind of varnish.

Oiled flooring just requires a good oil soap like Murphy’s. The method to use it is at the first site below.

Polyurethane-Coated Hardwood Flooring is usually cleaned with either oil soap in water or vinegar in water, see the second site (including comments). Unlike older finishes, polyurethanes can build up a static charge and also they are not prone to water damage.

Vinegar works well on glass, but was usually used on floors because it was available, not because it does a great job. However, to keep the lady happy, I would suggest using the minimum amount of a professional oil soap in water with only a tablespoon or so of vinegar added (white vinegar is better than cider vinegar). Just use enough of this solution as needed to remove the dirt. Do not leave this on to soak.
References :
http://www.ehow.com/how_112_clean-oiled-hardwood.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_14867_clean-polyurethane-coated.html
http://www.vintageflooring.com/maintenancec.html

By: Mary N

Mary N — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:32:59 +0000

NEVER use water on hardwood flooring. My husband is a retired hard wood flooring expert.

They have professional cleaning supplies for hard wood. Use those instead. You can purchase them at a hard wood flooring store.

Dont use the junk they sell in the grocery store.
References :

By: Muffett :

Muffett : — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:45:59 +0000

No I haven’t. I clean a house with hardwood through out and she ask that I only use vinegar and water on them. As for oil that your client asked for, I would think that would be Murphy’s Oil soap. Vinegar would only cut the suds that attract dirt and dull the finish. Murphy’s does not suds up, so I doubt that is a solution for that. Take a few minutes and ask her to clarify what she is asking. I would think any oil added to vinegar and water would make the floors very slick and a danger to those walking on it.
References :
professional cleaner

By: sophieb

sophieb — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:29:59 +0000

seems to me like oil and vinegar don’t mix. We used to use it on salads and the ingredients always separated, so we used them separately from two cruets.

I’ve cleaned wood floors before, and if they are varnished then merely cold water will take off the dust and make them shine.

Perhaps when that lady was telling you maybe she meant cleaning the wood with vinegar and then using an oil or polish on the bare (not varnished) wood. One cannot use oil on top of varnish because it just has no effect because the oil does not sink into varnished wood.

If your wood floor isn’t varnished, then it might be a good idea to invest into it being varnished to make your cleaning a lot easier. But I’d suggest that you have it done professionally.
References :

By: Shane

Shane — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:23:59 +0000

I know that boiled linseed oil is in some home recipes for polishing wood, but I think it would be dangerous on a hardwood floor. I'd stick with the vinegar and water.
References :