Clean And Polish Old Hardwood Floors With A Cooking Staple

Hardwood floors bring a warm, timeless charm to any home, but they can start to look dull after a while — foot traffic, pet claws, and daily dust tend to wear down the shine. While there are plenty of hardwood-specific cleaners out there, they're often pricey, and many come with chemicals you might not want on your floors (or around your family). Luckily, there's a simple, surprising solution sitting right in your kitchen: cornstarch.

If you mostly use cornstarch to thicken sauces or add crispness to fried foods, it might surprise you to know cornstarch has unconventional uses around the house, including being an excellent cleaner for hardwood floors. This is because cornstarch is a gentle but effective polishing agent, meaning it can help you lift away dirt, tackle scuff marks, and bring back some natural shine — all without scratching the wood. Plus, it's non-toxic and eco-friendly, making it an easy choice if you want to refresh your floors on a budget and without chemicals.

Cornstarch's mild abrasiveness also makes it great for buffing out grime, while its absorbent quality helps it soak up any oily residue that might be dulling your floors. If your hardwood is looking a little lackluster, cornstarch might just be the natural solution you're looking for. The best part? It's very cheap, too. You can get a 16-ounce pack of cornstarch for less than $3.

Here's what you'll need: some cornstarch, a soft cloth or microfiber mop, and warm water. First things first, give the floor a good sweep or dust to remove any loose dirt or particles. This will keep the cornstarch from just spreading the grime around. A soft-bristle broom, such as the YONILL hardwood floor broom, or a microfiber cloth work perfectly for this since they won't scratch up the wood.

Next, mix up your cleaning solution. Take about a tablespoon of cornstarch and add it to a tablespoon of warm water. Stir it up until the cornstarch dissolves. To polish the whole floor, dip your microfiber cloth or mop into the cornstarch solution. Wring it out well, so it's just damp, not soaked (you don't want too much water on hardwood). Wipe down the floor in sections, moving with the grain of the wood. The cornstarch helps absorb any oily buildup and lifts dirt right off the wood's surface, giving it a clean, polished finish. Let the floor air-dry, or wipe it down with a dry cloth to speed up the process.

If you're in the mood for a little extra shine, grab a dry cloth and go over the entire floor one more time. This step isn't strictly necessary, but it can give the floor a final polish that makes it look freshly waxed. It's just one of the many ways you can bring old hardwood floors back to life.