The Ingredient You Can Use To Refresh Your Floors With Hot Water

Keeping your floors clean is important, but it's only half the battle — refreshing them and ensuring they stay in good shape is the real challenge when it comes to caring for one of the most important parts of your home. Store-bought cleaners and home remedies both have their benefits and drawbacks, so finding a method that protects and cleans your floors to your standards can involve a lot of trial and error. However, if you're partial to natural options and want a trick that is both simple and budget-friendly, look no further than your essential oil collection. Eucalyptus, to be more specific, can be a great product for your floors, and by adding it to hot water you can keep them fresh, grime-free, and smelling good after every clean.

Eucalyptus not only provides a calming, enjoyable aroma, but it's also renowned for its antimicrobial properties. This essential oil has been used as an alternative for antiviral care, and in a study by the National Library of Medicine, inhaling eucalyptus has been shown to help with everything from asthma to colds. Eucalyptus also has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties when used in clinical trials. Using it on your floors could help reduce viral bacteria, however, this idea is only supported through anecdotal evidence — not scientific — so keep that in mind when trying this hack.

There's a variety of ways to use eucalyptus oil in your home, but using it as a floor cleaner can remove stains and clear away both bacteria and some viruses. It's also gentle on vinyl, wood, and tile; this should become your go-to cleaning product. Even some store-bought cleaners like Soap Nut floor cleaner have eucalyptus in the mixture, proving that it is a popular, reliable choice for cleaning products. The key is to add at least 20 drops of eucalyptus oil into a bucket of hot water, letting the two mix for a few seconds before inserting your mop. You can also pour the solution on flooring in small amounts and wipe it across if you prefer Swiffer-style cleaners. The hot water will also aid in ridding your floors of germs.

The oil will leave your floors free from stains and dirt, and the natural scent will permeate your entire home as a bonus. Don't worry if you have scuff marks on some portions of your floor, because eucalyptus oil can also help remove these. By adding a few drops to a clean towel or cloth, you can create a potent wipe that will make tough stains disappear. For scuffs, avoid diluting the oil, as it's more potent and effective this way. Eucalyptus can aid in purifying the air in your home, and though it shouldn't be your only means of fighting mold, using this oil on areas that might exhibit fungus can keep the spores from multiplying. Eucalyptus is also eco-friendly, keeping harsh chemicals out of the air and benefiting the environment.

It is important to take precautions when using eucalyptus oil on flooring, especially hardwood, as it could potentially harm your varnish. Because essential oils are so potent, they have the potential to cause damage to both the wood and varnish, but diluting them with vinegar or water will prevent staining and other issues. Do a spot test to see how the oil interacts with your floors before using it all over. If you have pets, specifically dogs, take caution, because eucalyptus is highly toxic. It might be best to avoid trying it, but if you do make sure to let your floors thoroughly dry before letting your animals walk on them, and keep the oils safe from the possibility of ingestion. Ventilate the rooms once you're done cleaning, too.

Whether you prefer all-natural ingredients or just like to try new home hacks, cleaning your floors with eucalyptus and hot water will ensure they look, smell, and feel great. No more grime or build-up from chemical-based products: Your floor's new best friend can be found for less than $30 at numerous brick-and-mortar and online stores. Happy cleaning!