This article was co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH. Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
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It is easy to clean sticky hardwood floors. Choose a cleaning solution that is suitable for hardwood floors, like a cleaner specifically formulated for hardwood floors or a mild, everyday cleanser like dish soap. After cleaning and rinsing the floors, buff them with a soft cloth to remove any residual cleaning solution.
Steps
Purchase a cleaner formulated for hardwood floors. In many instances, the best way to clean sticky hardwood floors is with a cleaning solution that is formulated specifically for wood floors. Choose a cleaner with a label that clearly states the product is formulated for the type of hardwood floor you are cleaning.[1]
Try using dish soap. Mild dish soap will help remove sticky residues from hardwood floors. Opt for a pH neutral soap that is vegetable based. Mix 1⁄4 cup (59 ml) of dish soap in a bucket of warm water to create an effective cleaning solution.[2]Advertisement
Use vinegar cautiously. Vinegar may prematurely dull or damage hardwood floors. It can, however, be an effective way to clean sticky floors. Try mixing 1⁄2 cup (120 ml) of white vinegar with 1 gallon (3.8 L) of warm water. Use a soft, non-abrasive cloth to scrub the sticky area.
Prepare the cleaning solution. Prepare the cleaning solution of your choice in a bucket that is large enough for a mop. Follow any directions printed on the cleaning solution label.[3]
Sweep the floors. Before you attempt to remove sticky residue, you should make sure you remove all loose debris from the area. Use a broom to gently sweep the entire surface of the hardwood floor.
Mop the floors with the cleaning solution. Dip your mop in the cleaning solution and then wring the mop out completely. Mop the floor in the same direction as the grain of the wood.[4]
Change the cleaning solution when it becomes dirty. As you are cleaning your sticky hardwood floors, the cleaning solution may become dirty. If it starts looking gray, dump the solution out and prepare a fresh batch to finish mopping your floors.
Rinse by mopping with clean water. Once you have mopped your floors with a cleaning solution, you will need to rinse them to prevent sticky residue from clouding your floors. Fill the bucket with fresh, clean water. Dip the mop in the water, wring out completely, and mop the floors.[5]
Dry with a soft, non-abrasive cloth. Drying and buffing the floors with a soft cloth removes sticky residue that can be left from mopping. Use a cloth made from non-abrasive fiber, like flannel or microfiber, to buff the floor with gentle circular motions.[6]
Expert Q&A
- QuestionHow much cleaning solution and water do I use when mopping floors?
Michelle Driscoll, MPHMichelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Founder, Mulberry MaidsIt is best to follow the directions on the particular cleaning solution you are using.
Tips
- Wring out as much of the solution as possible so it doesn’t pool on your hardwood. Mop it completely dry if you get excess liquid on the floor.Thanks
References
- ↑ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home-products/wood-floor-cleaners/
- ↑ https://www.maidbrigade.com/house-cleaning-tips/how-to-clean-hardwood-floors/
- ↑ http://www.today.com/home/how-clean-hardwood-floors-101-t71716
- ↑ http://www.today.com/home/how-clean-hardwood-floors-101-t71716
- ↑ http://www.today.com/home/how-clean-hardwood-floors-101-t71716
- ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/more-techniques/clean-hardwood-floors
About This Article
To clean sticky hardwood floors, all you need is a mild cleaning solution and a mop. Try mixing together 1/4 cup of dish soap and a bucket of warm water for a homemade cleaning solution. Alternatively, mix together 1/2 cup of white vinegar and a gallon of warm water. Sweep the floor before you mop to remove any dust or debris. Then, mop the floor with the cleaning solution in the same direction as the wood grain. To prevent streaking, rinse the mop and go over the floor again with regular clean water. Then, dry the floor with a soft, non-abrasive cloth. You can also use a store-bought cleaner, just make sure it's one formulated for hardwood since some cleaners can damage wood floors. To learn how to prevent your hardwood floors from becoming dull, read on!
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