Avoid cleaning with white vinegar and water for wood floors

For many people looking for a quick and easy DIY cleaning solution, nothing beats vinegar and water. Cleaning with vinegar and water is cheap, safe for the environment, and generally does a great job at cleaning many items in your home.

Just please don’t use them to clean wood floors.

Using vinegar and water as a homemade wood floor cleaning solution can have a negative effect on your wood floor. It's important to remember that when you clean your wood floors, you aren't actually cleaning the wood you're cleaning the chemical finish that's on the wood. The finish is the protective layer of your wood floors.

Since vinegar is an acid, it will actually break down the finish on the surface of your floor, and over time it will reduce the shine, and leave a dull appearance. Using vinegar and water to clean floors can also lead to an excessive amount of water on the floor, which can cause swelling and discoloration.

The best way to clean wood floors

When it’s time to clean your floors, here are some wood floor-cleaning tips to remember:

• Prepare your floor for cleaning by sweeping or dust-mopping to get rid of large particles of dirt and debris.
  
  
• Use a pH-neutral cleaner that will be gentle on your wood floors.
  
  
• Use a fine spray mist, and clean your floor in sections. Avoid putting too much liquid on your floors.
  
  
• Use a microfibre mop to clean. Traditional mops can work, but they often leave unnecessary excess water on your floors.