I have tried a few different products, pledge vinegar wipes, plain vinegar and water, murphy's oil soap for wood floors. Nothing I'm really happy with, because I still get streaks. Also, do you do yours by hand alittle at a time and then dry as you go? Do you use the wipes? Or a sponge mop? Also do you like wood floors? I'm torn, I like them when their clean but it's such a hassle to keep them that way. Thank god I don't have them through out the house. I guess having three cats and two daushunds, and messy family members doesn't help!!! What are your thoughts?

By Heaventree on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 08:25 pm:

I have wood floors throughout the entire house expect the kitchen and bathroom. No way do I do the floors by hand! It would take me years.

I use hot water and a bit of soap, not too much that way I don't have to rinse. I use a Valleta (sp?) mop because it has a large surface area.

It is a major pain to keep them clean especially with the muddy days and my big dirty dog that wants in and out every 5 mins. I would rather hardwood though than carpet. I just wish I could get that dog to wear boots - believe me I've tried .

I also Swifter every other day, it helps pick-up the dog and cat hair and the dust.

By Katherine on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 09:04 pm:

I use Holloway House, you can buy it at Walmart or online. I love the way it shines my floor. I just use a regular sponge mop./

By Mom2three1968 on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 09:30 pm:

Katherine,

I just went to walmart picked up the Holloway House stuff but hadn't heard of it so I put it back, I will have to try it. What type of wooden floors do you have? Are they sealed? I can't tell if mine are sealed or not. They do have a slight shine to them.

By Bea on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 10:12 pm:

I live in a big old house with hardwood floors throughout. I use a bucket of clear water with 1 cup of white vinegar. I dust mop and sweep fairly often, and when I mop (about once a month) I wring the mop almost dry. This prevents the streaks.

By Conni on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 10:30 pm:

Ditto Bea. I use a swiffer- with an old rag on it. Then I walk along with a spray bottle of vinegar and water and very lightly mist the floor/mop dry.

Its the easiest way I have found to do it so far.

By Mom2three1968 on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 11:31 pm:

thanks everyone for the tips. Bea, I don't envy all those hardwood floors you have!!! I only have hardwood from the entry way breakfast area and kitchen then down a little hall and in the half bath. That is enough for me!!

By Colette on Saturday, April 9, 2005 - 06:49 am:

Ditto Bea. We have hardwood all through the downstairs and I use either the dust mop or the swiffer everyday and now that it's mud season I mop almost everyday.

By Feona on Saturday, April 9, 2005 - 08:20 am:

I just water and a mop... Nothing else. Don't do it often. Just when it looks dirty.

By Debbie on Saturday, April 9, 2005 - 09:40 am:

I hated my wood floors too, until we had them refinished. They never looked clean and they always had streaks when I tried to clean them. We found out that the people that owned the house before us used cleaners on the floors that they shouldn't have and ruined the finish. We had them refinished and they look great. I use a dry swifter daily to get all the crumbs and stuff off the floor. In the information that I got from the man that finished our floors, it says to use vinegar and water only. All other cleaners will damage the finish. I do the same thing that Conni does, about once every two or three weeks I use a cloth on a swifter and clean them with a little vinegar and water. Then, I spot clean in the kitchen and entry way when needed.

How old are your floors, could they need to be refinished??

By Jann on Saturday, April 9, 2005 - 10:10 am:

Swifter daily and Holloway House once a week.

By Amecmom on Saturday, April 9, 2005 - 10:57 am:

Vac and them Bona Chemi. It's the best! My FIL refinishes and installs hardwood floors - this is what he uses to clean his own floors. It is excellen stuff and a little goes a long way. I just put in in an empty clorox mop bottle and spray and mop. Very quick and great results.
Ame

By Jann on Saturday, April 9, 2005 - 10:59 am:

I have never heard of it. Is it a liquid?

By Mom2three1968 on Saturday, April 9, 2005 - 11:02 am:

My floors aren't old at all, I think that the wipes are smearing them, and it doesn't help matters much that my family members are messy!!

By Katherine on Saturday, April 9, 2005 - 11:24 am:

My floors are sealed, so the Holloway House makes them really really shiny!

By Amecmom on Saturday, April 9, 2005 - 11:31 am:

It's a concentrate. The company that makes it is Bona. I've seen it at the supermarket, but it would probably be cheeper to get a gallon from a professional cleaning supply or directly from someone who does floors.
Ame

By Jann on Saturday, April 9, 2005 - 12:02 pm:

Thanks, Ame.
My floors aren't sealed and the Holloway house makes them shiney too.