There are many distilled white vinegar uses, and cleaning old hardwood floors naturally is one of them. tb1234. Unsealed wood floors are different from finished hardwood floors because water can be easily absorbed through the wood, having a greater impact on the life and condition of the flooring. Buff with a dry microfiber mop by working in small sections. The following method works well for cleaning tough stains and extra dirty hardwood floors without using a store-bought cleaner. tb1234. Wood Floor Cleaner . Get an expert with sufficient experience to help restore your old hardwood flooring. Next, sprinkle a few drops of water onto a worn area of the floor to test the soundness of the finish. These home remedies are perfect for cleaning and are readily available. Mix vinegar and warm water by adding half a cup of white vinegar to half a bucket of warm water and stir. Dampen a cotton mop in this cleaning solution and then wring out the mop so it does not leave pools of water on the floor. To clean old hardwood floors, start by using a plastic spatula or dull putty knife to scrape off any dried paint, gum, or other hardened materials. Use a damp mop to remove these spills immediately. Brand new or 100 years old, here's how to naturally clean your hardwood floors. Cleaning Old Hardwood Floors Naturally. How do you gloss up or shine your old damaged hardwood floor without doing all this or refinishing? Recoating can be done on old damaged floors. The solution of water and vinegar cuts through debris, dirt, and grime, leaving a streak-free clean floor. Maintenance involves regular sweeping and mopping among other things as discussed below. Alternatively, you can enhance the shine and color of your old hardwood floor by making a spray of olive oil, 1 cup of vodka. Termite-damaged planks, delaminated strips, water damaged hardwood, and insect-infested boards can be replaced. After mopping, you will need to check the floor for water pooling. Routinely sweeping the hardwood removes dirt and protects the seal on the wood while mopping. You can add more or less to the water based on your preference. It can dramatically change a room and give it an updated look. These home remedies are perfect for cleaning and are readily available. If you're a hardwood floor-owner and natural cleaning methods are your thing, then this list is for you. Consider the following: Sweeping on a daily basis is the best way to maintain your hardwood floors. Mix warm water, olive oil, and lemon juice in a bucket and stir the whole mixture. This formula does double duty as it polishes your floor, leaving them with a beautiful natural sheen. During the sweeping or mopping process, use a soft bristle broom, dust-mop or a microfiber mop. You can add 6 drops of essential oil such as lavender or olive oil for a pleasant smell. Modern floors often are coated with polyurethane but older floors may be waxed. Moisture is the enemy of hardwood flooring, but keeping your floor clean is a priority. Communities of wood workers, floor finishers, and general around-the-house handymen take a collective gasp at the thought of unfinished floors, but that doesn’t mean people don’t have them. By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine Go over the whole floor with the mop and ensure that all the dirt and debris is removed. Instead of a cotton mop, you can use a spray bottle or use a cloth mop to control the amount of water you use. Another factor that makes these home remedies the best choice in cleaning hardwood floors with any type of finish is that they lack harmful and potent fragrances that are found in many commercial cleaning products. A finish does more than make the wood floor beautiful. It also seals and protects the wood’s open pores, which, if left exposed, will absorb water, dirt, and spills and will be susceptible to scratches and dents. Natural Cleaning and Shining of Old Damaged Hardwood Floors . Restoring old wood floors brings back their natural beauty and shine. How Long Does it Take for Polyurethane to Dry? When you need to clean and shine the floor appearance, only sand if it’s riddled with stains or marks that chemicals like mineral spirits cannot remove. It should also be done before you mop. Vinegar is an acid and, when mixed with water, the solution’s acidity is lowered and it becomes an effective cleaner for old, damaged floors. Mix equal amounts of vinegar and baking soda to form a paste. Sweep up debris daily. After drying, wipe it up to clear the stain. Sweeping or mopping removes dirt, dust, pet hair, debris and other harmful substances that can worsen the condition of your damaged floors. Spray a small amount of hardwood cleaner onto the floor, and then wipe the floor down with a dry terry cloth mop. You will need to use a damp mop (that has been rung out). You will need to change the cleaning mixture (vinegar, water and few drops of lavender) once it appears dirty. If your wood floor is filthy, you can use this recipe to get it clean. In case you spill a large amount of water on your floor, soak it up with towels to avoid stains and wood damage. Allow the paste to sit for some time till it dries. Recoating is easier, safer and faster than refinishing. For example, you may have a really dark and worn-out stain on your floors. “I suggest using a dust mop regularly, so there is never too much build-up.