NWR: Super random cleaning question

N.C.DoubleYou · July 2009

I know it's random and maybe a bit stupid....but I can't seem to find anyone who knows the answer to this. DH and I's home was built in 1950 so our hardwood floors are SUPER old...and I need to clean and disinfect them (as our 8 month old has begun crawling - thus picking up every morsel of dirt and dust even after sweeping **argh**). Does anyone know what kind of product I can use? These floors are not like the new shiny light wood floors....they're a darker wood and the panels are really thin. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

anna.oskar · July 2009

Use a mixture of 1 part vinegar 9 parts water. Get the mop just damp, you don't want puddles sitting on that old floor. It smells while you do it but the smell goes away once dry and it won't damage the old floor.

N.C.DoubleYou · July 2009

Awesome! Thanks Anna.O! Perhaps the smell will even drive my DH and son out and about for a bit! Two birds with one stone!

anna.oskar · July 2009

It IS a bit stinky while you do it, reminds me of dying easter eggs.The lady who owned my old house (1914) before me, left a note when I moved in telling me how to care for her prescious house.It was very sweet.The same mix can be used for streak-free windows too.

mwhitson14 · July 2009

We use a special wood cleaning agent bought at a specialty hardwood shop here, can't remember the name but it's in a brown bottle.However, anna's suggestion is probably cheaper and something you have on hand

bombtones · July 2009

What about a steam mop? No chemicals for baby's mouth, but disinfected!

The_Fried_Monkey · July 2009

I wouldn't do a stea mop, unless you are certain the finish and protective coating on the wood is in excellent condition. When was the last time they were refinished?The vnegar, water and barely damp mop are good idea. You can always follow up by wiping the wod down making sure there's no more moisture. Our house is really old, with wide plank wood floors but they have all been refinished and have thick coats of polyurethane(sp?). So my housekeeper just mops with murphy's oil soap and then follows up with a dry towel to get up the extra moisture.The safest thing I can rec is to look in the phone book and call a flooring company. They should be able to tell you what will work best to clean, disinfect and not ruin the floors.

N.C.DoubleYou · July 2009

Thanks

I wasn't sure about using a steam mop either....and I'm not sure when the last time the floors were finished either. I think tomorrow morning I'll try the vinegar on a small area and see how it works. Thanks for all the advice!!

Ssaaraahh · July 2009

When I was a kid we had floors like this. They had to be waxed yearly. We just used a regular wood floor cleaner most of the time, but I remember having to use a special cleaner to strip the wax and then using wax and a buffer once a year. I remember it being a complete pain, but the floors looking awesome when it was done. Sorry I don't remember the name of any cleaners we used, but if your floors are the same type as ours were you might want to look into waxing them to protect them and give them a little shine too.

saschaduran · July 2009

Jealous of your old home and old wood floors. Everything in Vegas is like 5 years old.

paradyse · July 2009

Vinegar is best & won't hurt the baby. And if you have a really grimy spot, you can up the concentration up to equal parts vinegar & water without hurting even the most delicate wood. And don't be afraid to let it sit 5-10 minutes on a stain or whatnot. That little bit of time won't hurt.

NWR: Super random cleaning question

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