Cleaning hardwood floors

[Sagebrush]

We recently got hardwood floors and I dont know how to clean them. I have heard that I can use vinegar and water for a green cleaner. Is this true? And if so what is the dilution ratio??

[clint]

No, no, no.

This is a common misconception and misunderstanding of real wood vs. laminate floors.
Laminate floors which are essentially plastic can be cleaned with 1:1 vinegar:water solution.
Because this caught on people began doing it to hardwood. The Taunton Press publications
such as Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding have had discussions on this more than once.
Never use vinegar on real wood. Vinegar is an acid and will eventually dull the surface of the finish
and potentially bleach the wood.

Use an acid neutral cleaner such as Murphy's Oil Soap. It's available all over and is highly recommended for  all wood surfaces.

[Sagebrush]

We had to go with laminate because we have dogs...so can we use the Murphys on the laminate as well?

[snwbnny]

We recently got laminate floors as well. The installers said that water would work just fine. I've tried just water, the water/vinegar combo (both 1:1 and 1:3), and floor cleaners. None have made the floor as shiny as it was when we got it - there seems to be a film or something that is staying on the floor. It's driving me crazy, although plain water seems to work the best - just make sure it dries quickly or you dry it so the boards don't eventually warp. I think it has to do with what you are using to clean them with - the mop itself. I tried swiffer pads, a microfiber mop, and dish towels. None are perfect - still looking for the right kind of mop to use - but the microfiber pads for my cheapo Stater's mop are ok. The problem seems to be spreading the dirt around. The first couple of feet that are cleaned look awesome but then the rest has streaks or a filmy dull look. I have since started using two different ones for one floor cleaning so I have less dirt on them. It helps, but not entirely. A friend just gets on her hands and knees and uses plain water with a dish towel and says hers look wonderful that way. I don't disagree, but there has to be a better way!

Let us know what works for you .

[clint]

If the top surface of the laminate is actually wood. Use Murphy's
If the top surface of the laminate is synthetic, you can use Murphy's
but you could also use vinegar and water at 1:1

[clint]

New floors tend to "gas off" for a long time. The chemicals and glues used in manufacturing leech out and cause that film.

[rdnckgrl78]

We were told never to use any chemical on our laminate floor as it can strip the sealer off and reduce the shine.  We use water and a microfiber mop from QVC for regular mopping.  When we need to clean the floors we use a regular mop and soap, then go back over it with the microfiber mop and water.

[Wrightwood]

Try using some different water as Wrightwood water is famous for leaving marks on everything it touches.

[Sagebrush]

Well I went and bought the Murphys squirt and mop cleaner and my floor looks streaky and Im not happy with it. Any suggestions to get the streak out?

[gypsywolf]

Wow... we have been debating laminate. I think I have just made up my mind not to get laminate.

Flooring and dogs...what to get? Vinyl is so not eco-friendly

[ForestGal]

Well I went and bought the Murphys squirt and mop cleaner and my floor looks streaky and Im not happy with it. Any suggestions to get the streak out?

Get a bunch of throw rugs to cover up the streaks?   

I don't know what to do either.  I love having carpet, but the LR, DR, and hallway carpet is only 6-7 years old, Heidi is 5, and guess what?     My house is built on a concrete slab, and it just seems like carpet makes it cozier.  But I have to get it cleaned a lot. 

[clint]

Dana,

Look into bamboo. It's extremely hard and durable and it's renewable so it's more eco friendly.
It's cut and high pressure formed into flooring strips and then grained and stained. A friend of mine
put it in his bedroom and it looks great.

Clint