The Unexpected Cleaning Staple That Does Wonders For Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors look amazing and can add a feeling of luxury to a home. Like other floors, however, hardwood floors can get dirty and grimy as time goes on. While you may be eager to reach for a strong cleaning product to clean them, not just any cleaner will do a great job. Some products can be damaging to hardwood floors and this includes common ingredients such as ammonia, and surprisingly, even vinegar isn't safe on hardwood floors. 

Fortunately, there's another unexpected cleaning staple that can be helpful and safe, and you probably already have it around. There are many genius ways to use borax at home, but it can be used to clean hardwood flooring as well. It can also be used on tile and linoleum floors for the same purpose. Although you may think that borax would be too abrasive or damaging to hardwood floors, it's actually very safe to use for cleaning them. However, it shouldn't be used on hardwood floors that are unsealed. Additionally, you'll want to be careful when using borax and should do it correctly to get the best results. 

To clean hardwood floors with borax, you can simply sprinkle a bit on a damp sponge and wipe away any stains and dirt you see. Then, rinse with water. This simple solution may be useful for spot cleaning and keeping your floors free from dirt and grime. However, it's said that borax works best for cleaning hardwood floors when used with other floor cleaners, helping to boost overall cleaning strength.

To fully clean your hardwood floors, you'll need to grab a mop and add some warm water to a mop bucket. Then, mix in two tablespoons of borax along with four tablespoons of vinegar and one tablespoon of Castile soap. Mix these together and then use the solution to mop your hardwood floors normally. Be sure that you don't use too much of the mixture at once. Too much water can damage hardwood floors so aim to keep your mop just somewhat damp. If you make this common hardwood floor cleaning mistake, try to dry it quickly. You can do this with the help of a ceiling fan or by drying the floors with a microfiber cloth. When you're done cleaning your floors with borax, their appearance should have improved greatly.