How to Clean Wood Floors without Vinegar
While wood floors are relatively easy to maintain, they face a lot of wear and tear from footfall over the years which can make the floors look unclean and even damaged. The build up of dust, dirt and debris can dull the shine of the wood and over time lead to expensive repairs or refinishes. Fortunately, you don't need expensive chemical cleaners to keep your floor looking new. We've put together some of our favourite natural ways of cleaning wood floors to help you to restore the shine in your property. Discover ways to clean wood floors without vinegar below.
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Understanding vinegar
Vinegar is one of nature's most effective cleaners but the high acidity level can make it too powerful for certain floors. While we prefer cleaning floors with diluted white vinegar and water, some flooring may be too sensitive for the solution which can lead to a dull in shine and potential deterioration over time. We have gathered other natural ways to clean wood floors without vinegar to prevent this and always recommend testing a new solution on a hidden area first.
Before you start
Before you start cleaning your wood floor naturally, it's important to know what type of finish has been applied to your flooring. You can check this by dripping some water onto the surface. If it sits on the surface then the flooring is sealed and can be cleaned with a water-base solution. If the water is absorbed quickly then the flooring is unsealed and will require a cleaning process with minimal water. In this situation, we recommend dry mopping and dry brushing regularly to keep on top of dust and dirt.
Top tip: use rugs to minimise damage and scratches to your wood floors
How to clean wood floors without vinegar
Clean wood floors with black tea
Black tea is a cheap alternative to effectively clean and polish wood floors.
Pour four cups of water into a pot and bring the water to a boil before removing from heat. Add the tea bags and leave to steep for at least fifteen minutes.
Remove the tea bags and dip a soft cloth into the tea solution. Wipe the floor down, focusing on areas with lighter stains, and dip as necessary.
The tannic acid in the black tea naturally cleans the wood floor and restores the shine while collecting dirt and debris.
Clean wood floors with oil
This natural way to clean wood floors is a great way to cut through any tough grease and restore the shine in your floor.
Fill a bucket with warm water and add a cup of olive oil and half a cup of lemon juice. Mix until the solution is combined.
Dip your mop into the solution and wring well before applying to the floor evenly. Dip regularly and wring well to avoid excess moisture. Apply to your floor and leave to air dry, opening windows if necessary.
The acidity of the lemon juice will cut through tough grease and neutralise odours while the olive oil will act as a polish and create a coating for the wood floor.
Discover more ways to clean your property naturally without using harsh chemicals on our blog.


