
The steps discussed below will make your unfinished wood floors almost as shiny as treated wood floors:
- 1. Mix 1/3 of olive oil and vinegar into a small pot.
- 2. Add about 5 cups of hot water into the mixture (the quantity listed here should depend on the area you want to clean)
- 3. Pour the mixture into a bucket and use a microfiber mop to clean the floor. Mop in a circular motion until you have gotten the desired outcome.
How to make wood floors Shine naturally?
Homemade Hardwood Floor Shine with Vinegar
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Distilled water
- Spray bottle
What is the best product to shine wood floors?
Vinegar Laminate Floor Cleaner
- 1 gallon of warm water
- 1 cup white vinegar
- Bucket
- Sponge mop
- Microfiber cloth
How do you bring Shine back to wood floors?
Part 2 Part 2 of 3: Keeping Laminate Clean and Shiny
- Sweep or vacuum regularly. Dust and dirt can make your floor look dirty, and they can also cause scratches.
- Mop regularly with the right cleaner. Mop the floor at least once a week after you vacuum. ...
- Use floor mats at entrances. ...
- Clean spills immediately. ...
How do you make a hardwood floor shine?
How to Properly Clean Hardwood Floors
- Wipe up Spills. To prevent watermarks, immediately wipe up any wet spills as they happen.
- Remove Dirt Daily. Sweep, vacuum, or dust mop daily to remove dirt that can cause scratches and wear down the finish of the floor.
- Damp Mop When the Seasons Change. ...
- Buff Dry. ...

How do you make hardwood floors glossy?
1:433:08Housekeeping Tips : How to Make Hardwood Floors Shiny - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd water every week or every other week you can buy this stuff orange glow you know there's tons ofMoreAnd water every week or every other week you can buy this stuff orange glow you know there's tons of different commercial hardwood floor cleaners they're a little more pricey.
What home remedy will make wood floors shine?
To clean your floors with this DIY mixture, combine equal parts olive oil and white vinegar, a few teaspoons of lemon juice, and five parts hot water. Dip your mop or rag into the solution, wring gently, and then wipe down your hardwood floors with this homemade wood floor cleaner that shines.
What is the best product to clean and shine hardwood floors?
Best Overall: Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner Spray. Best Concentrate: Murphy Wood Cleaner Concentrate. Best Vinegar-Based Cleaner: Aunt Fannie's Floor Cleaner Vinegar Wash Concentrate. Best Scent: Method Squirt + Mop Hardwood Floor Cleaner.
How can I get my hardwood floors to shine without refinishing?
Vegetable Oil & White Vinegar: Mix equal parts vegetable oil and white vinegar together to make a simple, yet effective, cleaner for your hardwood floor. Vinegar is a natural polish that is perfect for cleaning. It's acidity will help break down dirt and grime.
How do you make homemade floor polish?
Start with an empty spray bottle (it can be an empty spray bottle from a previous solution, as long as it has been washed). Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then 1 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar. On top of this, add 2 cups of warm water, then shake it up to ensure everything is properly mixed.
Does Murphy Oil Soap make floors shine?
A simple mixture of hot water and Murphy Oil Soap is all you need to keep laminate floors clean and shiny without the need for aggressive cleaners or harmful chemicals. Dip a mop into the Murphy Oil Soap and hot water mixture and mop over the laminate floor with large, sweeping motions.
How can I make my floor shine?
Ways to Bring Back the Shine to Your Laminate FloorsSweep and vacuum the floors. Use a microfiber mop or a soft broom to sweep the debris out of the room. ... Prepare a laminate-formulated floor cleaner. ... Spray a thin layer onto your floor. ... Mop the floor. ... Air-dry the room. ... Buff any additional dull spots.
How do you polish wood naturally?
Make Natural Furniture Polish One of the most popular ways to make fresh homemade polish is by combining equal parts white vinegar and lemon juice in a spray bottle. Vinegar removes greasy finger prints and grime from wood while lemon juice works as a disinfectant and imparts an appealing fragrance to the wood polish.
Why do hardwood floors look dull?
Now that you've figured out what type of finish is on your hardwood floors, there are seven common issues that can cause them to look dull. You're just redistributing the dirt: Using a dirty mop or forgetting to sweep, dust mop, or vacuum the floor before cleaning will simply redistribute the dirt. Imagine all that grit, dust, ...
How to tell if hardwood floors have been sealed?
In a spot with normal foot traffic, place a drop of water on the floor. If the water is quickly absorbed or causes spotting on the finish, this indicates the hardwood has been not been sealed and should never be cleaned with water. But if the bead of water just sits on the surface without being absorbed, it means the hardwood has been sealed.
What happens if you don't seal polyurethane?
Waxy buildup: If the floors were not sealed with a polyurethane finish and rely on a carnauba paste wax to create the shine, the wax can build up and look dull.
What does it mean when water sits on hardwood floors?
If the water is quickly absorbed or causes spotting on the finish, this indicates the hardwood has been not been sealed and should never be cleaned with water. But if the bead of water just sits on the surface without being absorbed, it means the hardwood has been sealed.
How to get rid of milky wax on floor?
You can use mineral spirits and elbow grease one small area at a time to remove the milky look of acrylic waxes. To completely restore the shine, you'll have to strip and reseal the floors. Harsh chemicals such as chlorine bleach, ammonia, undiluted vinegar, or pine oil can damage floor finishes.
Can you refinish engineered hardwood floors?
Solid hardwood floors can be refinished and resealed numerous times. Even engineered hardwood, which has a thinner veneer as the top layer, can be refinished and resealed a couple of times before needing to be replaced.
How to prevent watermarks on a car?
To prevent watermarks, immediately wipe up any wet spills as they happen .
What is the best way to clean hardwood floors?
Tea is great for getting small pieces of dirt out of the grooves of your hardwood floor. Vegetable Oil & White Vinegar: Mix equal parts vegetable oil and white vinegar together to make a simple, yet effective, cleaner for your hardwood floor. Vinegar is a natural polish that is perfect for cleaning.
How to shine a floor with lemon juice?
Shine Floor With These Natural Ingredients. Lemon Juice Mixed With Water: Lemon juice is perfect for cleaning. First you have to dilute the juice with some water, then you can use it to shine your floor. It’ll give your floor a nice lemony scent without using any chemicals.
Is it hard to beat hardwood floors?
Everyone loves a shiny hardwood floor. It’s one of the first things you’ll notice when you walk into someone’s home. It’s really hard to beat that hardwood look and feel, but especially when it has a nice shine to it. If you’re looking to save money and you don’t want to use any chemicals in your cleaning process, ...
How much does a microfiber mop cost?
Microfiber mops: $14-$25. Microfiber mop kits: $40-$65. Use a mild cleaner when needed: When floors remain dingy after light mopping, they might need a general cleaning. Avoid soap because it can leave a residue behind that dulls the floor’s gleam and collects dirt. A mild detergent-free cleaning solution is best.
What to do if your hardwood floor is marred?
Refinishing the floor: This involves sanding away the surface including stains and scratches, cleaning it and applying one or two fresh finish coats. This is the only option for badly marred hardwood flooring.
What to do when your floor is worn?
When the floor’s finish is worn to the point that cleaning doesn’t restore the shine, you have two options: Recoating the floor: This involves lightly sanding the surface, cleaning it and applying a new coat of finish. This is a good option when the floor is generally free of deep scratches and stains.
What to do if you leave water behind?
If you’re leaving water behind, dry it with a towel, and wring your mop or sponge more thoroughly next time
How do I clean a soiled floor?
Get the loose dirt off daily to weekly: Not only does dust and dirt make a floor dingy, walking on the debris will slowly but surely scratch and dull the finish . A dry microfiber mop is preferred for loose dirt, but one slightly damp works well for lightly-soiled floors. There are several quality microfiber mops with washable heads, and some are part of floor care kits that include a bucket and spin mechanism to remove excess water. If gaps exist between planks, use a hard-floor vacuum or lightweight multi-surface vacuum with the rotating brush turned off before mopping. This step should be done at least weekly in homes with a “shoes off” policy, more frequently when shoes are worn inside.
How far in front of you should you mop?
A sponge works well too, but you’ll have to do the work on hands and knees. Mop areas you’re comfortable working from one position, perhaps 2-3 feet in front of you and 4-6 feet side to side. Dump and refill your bucket as needed to ensure you’re mopping with clean solution.
How to get rid of stuck food on floor?
Spot-treat stuck-on food and dirt: A few drops of water used to soften stuck dirt is preferred to a harsh cleaner or scrubbing tool. Sprinkle a few drops directly onto the spot, wipe away the dirt with a soft cloth within five minutes, and dry the floor.
What to do if engineered hardwood floors are wet?
Vacuuming. Dirt and dust may be the worst enemies of your engineered hardwood floors. These annoying, tiny grains are notorious for sticking to small crevices at the seams of the boards. If they are wet, things get even worse. To avoid curling at the edges of engineered hardwood boards, regular vacuuming is advisable.
How to avoid curling on engineered wood?
To avoid curling at the edges of engineered hardwood boards, regular vacuuming is advisable. However, you should not use the vacuum sweep extension. Use the soft attachment of your vacuum cleaner to prevent scratching, which can attract even more dirt.
What to use to restore mirror finish?
It is advisable to avoid floor cleaners or restorers which contain oil or wax. Once it dries, use a lambswool floor buffer to bring back the mirror finish.
How to get rid of grime on floor?
You should use warm water and a microfiber or sponge mop. Adding one ounce of dish soap per gallon of water won't hurt your floors. However, the dish soap shouldn't contain any kind of wax or oils. The solution water will dissolve the grime and make it easier to remove. You should squeeze the mop thoroughly.
How many grits to buff floor?
The procedure involves buffing your floor with 120-grit sanding screen. A couple coats of new finish are then applied. It is usually polyurethane based, but you should check with the manufacturer or a professional to ensure the best result.
Is engineered hardwood real wood?
Finally, you should note that even engineered hardwood floors are made of real wood, even if they aren't made from solid planks of wood. Manufacturers usually glue and press together two inner-core layers of plywood with a hardwood veneer layer on top. So it is still a real wood floor. You don't have to be a professional cleaner to understand how ...
Can you recoat engineered hardwood floors?
If the surface of your engineered hardwood floor is all crackled and floor restorers don't help, you should consider screening and recoating them. However, it can be a tricky process so you may need to hire professionals. The procedure involves buffing your floor with 120-grit sanding screen.
Why are laminate floors dull?
Residue from using the wrong cleaning products and a build-up of dirt can make laminate floors appear dull. Here are several ways to make those laminate floors shine again.
How to remove pet hair from laminate floors?
tb1234. After dry cleaning the floor to remove pet hair, dust, and dirt, fill the bucket with water and vinegar. If you cannot tolerate the smell of vinegar, add several drops of essential oil to mask the scent when you clean laminate floors without streaks.
How to clean a soiled floor?
Mix the water, vinegar, and oil in a squirt bottle and give it a good shake. Begin at a far corner of the room and squirt the cleaning solution onto the floor , making sure that you don’t overdo it.
How to clean a floor with a microfiber mop?
1/2 cup white vinegar. 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol. Spray bottle. Microfiber mop. tb1234. Sweep the floor clean of dirt and debris before wet cleaning. Combine the water, alcohol and white vinegar in a spray bottle and shake well. Make sure to label the container for future use and safety.
What is the best cleaner for linoleum?
Baking soda is an ideal ingredient to use for cleaning purposes. It is an alkaline powder and mild scouring agent that works well for breaking up dirt and grime. This cleaning solution can also be used safely on tile floors and linoleum.
Can you use a steam mop on laminate floors?
This recipe is also an ideal cleaner for wooden floors. It is gentle enough to use on real wood and leaves the floors with a nice shine and no streaking. There is a lot of controversy about whether using a steam mop on laminate floors is a good idea. Some people say that it is fine and others would never do so.
Can you use vegetable oil to polish laminate floors?
A homemade laminate floor polish not only brings back the floor shine but can help eliminate scuffs while protecting the floor finish. The following method shows how to polish laminate flooring using vegetable oil.

Benefits
Issues
- Now that you've figured out what type of finish is on your hardwood floors, there are seven common issues that can cause them to look dull.
Examples
- Using a dirty mop or forgetting to sweep, dust mop, or vacuum the floor before cleaning will simply redistribute the dirt. Imagine all that grit, dust, and dirt getting trapped in the cleaning solution and simply staying on the surface of the floor.
Effects
- Many acrylic-based liquid waxes that promise to make your wood floors glow can actually make the floors look worse. When they are applied on top of polyurethane finishes or paste wax, the finish can look patchy or turn milky. You can use mineral spirits and elbow grease one small area at a time to remove the milky look of acrylic waxes. To complete...
Risks
- Harsh chemicals like chlorine bleach, ammonia, undiluted vinegar, or pine oil can damage floor finishes. Read labels and choose a commercial product that is formulated for sealed wood floors and follow manufacturer and expert guidelines on how to keep wood floors shiny. If the floors were not sealed with a polyurethane finish and rely on a carnauba paste wax to create the shine, …
Results
- Even if you are doing everything correctly, using too much cleaning product or water will leave floors looking worse. More is not always better.
Preparation
- After damp mopping or waxing a hardwood floor, the job should be finished with a good buffing to prevent streaking. Simply use a dry microfiber mop to buff the finish and ensure a shiny floor.
Prevention
- If you have pets with Edward Scissorhands toenails, forget to put clean doormats inside and outside entrance areas, and frequently wear stilettos or cleats in the house, you're going to have scratches. Scratches equal dull floors. Practice a little prevention. Follow up with a completely dry microfiber mop to prevent streaking.
Durability
- No finish on hardwood floors lasts forever if the floor is used. Solid hardwood floors can be refinished and resealed numerous times. Even engineered hardwood, which has a thinner veneer as the top layer can be refinished and resealed a couple of times before needing to be replaced.