Hey mamas~ I always get GREAT advice on here-and while i am sure this question has been posted before-i need some help. I have wood floors through a pretty good portion of my house. More specifically, the entryway and kitchen and they drive me NUTS! I have a 3 year old and a 16 month old-so keeping them crumb-free which just doesn't happen and thats ok- i realize i have to sweep SEVERAL times a day to get all those up from under booster seats and high chairs. And while, i will readily admit that i do not mop the floors as much as i should- i cannot find something that i feel like really does a great job when i do mop it. I don't expect them to shine all the time but i am sickened, when after JUST mopping i reach down with a wet paper towel to get something off the kitchen floor that has been spilled and it there is dark marks where my fingers were pressing against the floor! And i just mopped. I cannot find something to get all that dirt off, short of getting on my hands and knees and scrubbing-my kids feet even look dirty so metimes and its so embarrassing. Like i said- i realize i need to do it more-and i willbut i have heard of the Shark but i know its like $80 and i am not spending the money on it unless i know it works. I have heard people rave about vinegar and water-which i have never tried-but i just want some advice on what will work! Help! Thanks ladies!
Do you live in an older house? Do your floors need refinishing? We live in a 1959 house and I had cleaning problems with my wood floors for quite a while. We finally bit the bullet and had professionals come in and refinish all the floors. It was smelly (we had to move out for a week!), but a proper finish on the wood floors made them much easier to keep clean - not to mention much more beautiful.
I have (laminate) wood floors and I love my Shark Steam Mop. I was concerned at first about using it on the floor but I did a test area and there was no problem. It is quick, easy and after the initial purchase, cost free. I use it about once a week and I love it. It does a great job and no more dirty socks! I highly recommend the steam mop it is great for cleaning and sanitizing.
We have hardwood floors throughout the house and tile in our kitchen and bathrooms. I bought the Shark and love it! I recommend it.
If you have a Bed Bath and Beyond around you, I would get it there. They always send out 20% off coupons off one item. If you don't have a coupon, sign up for the emails on their website and they send you a coupon immediately.
I love the swiffer. They have pads for your wood floors. You can use the damp one for spills and the dry one for removing dirt and dust. I recommend this over a traditional mop and broom. It is easy and works better in my experience.
You may also need to refinish the floors. Make an honest assessment of the condition of your floors.
Schnuck's grocery store carries Holloway House products for the wood floor. The trick is get a good seal on the floors so that the dirt is on the surface and not difficult to wipe up. Begin with Quick Shine Concentrated Floor Cleaner or Quick Shine No-Bucket Floor Cleaner. Now is the really good part...now use Quick Shine Floor Finish. It gives the floor a serious shine as it seals the wood and even covers scratches from the dogs! The shine lasts for weeks and you only use the cleaner sparingly with a damp mop (I keep 2 micro-fiber covers-- one to clean and one to apply the shine).
Vinegar and Water. It works and it's cheap!!
My brother-in-law refinished our wood floors and he said to never use Murphy's Oil Soap, or anything like that. It builds up and ruins the finish over time.
Vinegar and water.....YOU SAID IT YOURSELF!! It is cheap, leaves no residue, and it works, so WHY HAVEN'T YOU TRIED IT???
L. - I have the same exact problem at our house. The hard wood floors are washed with either vinegar and water or murphey's oil every 2 weeks, and they are swept daily. Still, our socks look dirty!
I'm hesitant to do the shark - do you think that would damage the wood? I know it is sealed and maybe it is the same as washing it with a damp mop, but I'm worried about damage.
