Cleaning Wood Floors

try these cleaning wood floors tips. These natural formulas are for wood with a hard finish that's in decent-to-excellent condition. If these techniques do not restore the original look, then it may be time to refinish the wood.

Wood Formulas

Hardwood Floor Wash
1-1/2 cup water
1-1/2 cup vinegar
20 drops peppermint oil

Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle. Use sparingly, working on small sections of the floor at a time. Wipe clean and dry.

Fragrant Woods Cleanser
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon liquid castile soap
4 drops essential oil, a fragrance you like. We use pine and lavender

Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle. Use sparingly, working on small sections of the floor at a time. Wipe clean and dry.

Fine Furniture Dusting Formula
This is a great formula for general dusting. Substitute one of your favorite essential oils if you like, experiment, it's fun.

1/4 cup oil soap (like Murphy's oil soap)
3/4 cup water
5 drops tea tree oil
15-20 drops cedar essential oil

Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well before using. Spray onto very soft cloth and dry with very soft dry cloth.


Cleaning Wood Floor Solutions

Black heel marks
These can be removed by rubbing 2 or 3 drops of one of the following essential oils on the scuff mark with a soft cloth.

tea tree / cedar / eucalyptus / citrus

Burns
If the burn is only on the finish and not into the actual wood, try a mixture of:

• Rottenstone or ashes
• linseed oil
• 2 drops tea tree* or peppermint oil

Rub into the spot and buff. *Don't use tea tree oil on dark wood.

Crayon
Rub in a mixture of tea tree* or peppermint oil with toothpaste, wipe clean with vinegar. *Again, don't use tea tree oil on dark wood.

Grease stains on floor
Place ice cubes on the spill immediately to harden the grease and stop it from soaking into the wood any farther. Once hardened, scrape off with a wooden object like a wooden spoon or spatula. If the grease penetrates the wood, apply some vegetable oil soap and a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil on the spill. Blot repeatedly with clean paper towels or soft cloth.

Read more about keeping you hard wood floors healthy.

More wood floor cleaning tips