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Tip of the Week

By Solvie Karlstrom | All Posts

Simple Wood Floor Cleaner

10:04 am - January 5, 2007

Photo: Simple Wood Floor Cleaner

We finally removed the big old rug remnant in the centermost space of our apartment that we got for our kids to play on nearly two decades ago. We replaced it with an area rug made of natural fibers, no glues and colors, derived from tea. The new rug is likely to last much longer, it being of better quality, but it is smaller than the old remnant exposing a foot-wide ring of wood floor in serious need of attention. Rather than use a commercial floor cleaner, I looked up the incredibly simple recipe my friend had shared with me - 1 cup white vinegar (or 1/4 cup borax) to a gallon of water. I added a little bit of liquid soap this time, to help with a few sticky spots. After a good cleaning and then a rinsing to make sure no soap residue was left behind, the luster of the wood was fully restored and the room was filled with a light clean smell, not overwhelmed by the fragrances of a store bought brand. I think sometimes that I can see where the old rug used to be, but I think that's just my eyes playing tricks on me. The floor looks great.

For other simple recipes for home cleaners, as well as lists of non-toxic store brands, see our guide to Household Cleaning Products.

© The Green Guide, 2008

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What about refinishing?
posted by wombbat on 2007-01-31 09:32:20  

My floors are hardwood and cleaned with something sustainable, but what about waxing them? I know people maintained wood floors before the advent of polyurethane but what is the green alternative? Would appreciate both DIY recipes and brand name products.

Maintaining wood floors
posted by ksouthwood on 2007-02-04 16:31:06  

I live in Norway now, where wood floors are often oiled after sanding with linseed oil. We have done this in three rooms and are very happy. The oil (first a heavier oil, and then a lighter, maintenance oil) was applied immediately after a professional sanding until the floors were saturated. They were buffed the next day and have been wonderful ever since.

We wash with oil soap or just plain water and, every two years, apply a new coat of maintenace oil overnight, which we buff by hand with an old cloth diaper the next morning.

Water beads up on an oiled floor like it would on a newly-waxed car. Itīs been resistant to stains, too, even though the wood is technically exposed in a way it wouldnīt be if it were polyurethaned. The floors are warm in color, and warm underfoot, too.

The only thing our floor guy warned us about was red wine--apparently you canīt spill red wine on an oiled floor. i doubt this very much, although it hasnīt been a worry since I always manage to keep my wine in my glass!

Hope this helps!

"Green" contractor in CA??
posted by amroseli on 2007-04-19 04:37:30  

I am looking for someone to refinish our wood floors without chemicals. Is there a way of finding such a person in so. california? Where can a purchase a rug like the one mentioned in the article? My son is allergic to carpet and I would like to find an all natural area rug.


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