Vinegar and water seem to be a magical cure-all for all kinds of grime. But when it comes to cleaning hardwood floors with vinegar and water, is this just another Old Wives’ Tale, or will it do the trick? Yes and yes!

The Secret Cleaning Powers of Vinegar

So, what makes vinegar so special? Vinegar is produced from the fermentation process of liquids like wine or apple cider. White vinegar is best for cleaning as it won’t leave behind any color. What’s so preferable about vinegar to other cleaning solutions is it’s organic and non-toxic.  After all, it is something you’d be okay with eating! So, in a nutshell, it’s safe on your floors, and the people walking on them. It’s also powerful, killing bacteria, mold, odors, and other pesky enemies of a clean environment. As an added bonus, it’s real cheap.

How to Clean a Hardwood Floor with Vinegar and Water
Cleaning hardwood floors with vinegar and water is pretty simple. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide.

1. Clear the way! Sweep or vacuum the area you’ll be cleaning and make sure all dirt and dust are MIA. You’ll also want to move furniture and rugs out of the way.
2. Mix vinegar and water in a mop bucket – the ratio should be a half cup of white vinegar to a gallon of water.
3. Grab your mop and dip into the mixture. However, ring it out until it’s only just damp enough to make a difference. You don’t want to introduce puddles of water onto your precious hardwood floors! Rinse your mop frequently.
4. Get to mopping! If you mop with the flow of the floorboards, you’ll leave no traces behind and your floors should dry on their own. Make sure to wipe off any leftover liquid with a towel, though.
5. Replace your vinegar and water with a new mix if it gets too dirty.

Cons of Cleaning Hardwood Floors with Vinegar and Water

While cleaning hardwood floors with vinegar and water is recommendable, there are some drawbacks. For starters, some dirt is just too stubborn for the cleaning duo. If you’ve encountered an especially tough stain or grease spot, try some wood cleaner.  As well, if you’re not careful with your mopping technique, you’ll end up with too much water on your wood floors (no good), and even a sticky residue.  When in doubt, get the best Austin maid service to help!