Getting your floors clean can be one of the toughest chores in the home. Not only is it the largest surface in every room, but it is also, well, down on the floor, where it is constantly collecting dirt and grime from settling debris and unwashed shoes. Because of these woes many people are tempted to turn to the slew of fancy chemical cleansing products that the big box companies come out with each year.

 

The problem is that commercial cleansers are often made with toxic elements that can fill the atmosphere of a room with noxious, poisonous fumes. This can ruin the air quality of an interior space, and many people who use these products experience symptoms such as dizziness, eye irritation, fatigue, and respiratory problems. Luckily there are a number of natural alternatives that you can use to keep your floors looking great, in a green way.

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Long Term Maintenance

You can drastically reduce the need for all of those harsh, yet powerful chemical cleansers by simply taking the time to maintain a regular cleaning schedule. By getting rid of dirt and grime before it builds up you will have an easier time removing it. Try to set a regular schedule, possibly rotating different rooms each week, so that your home is constantly in a flux of cleansing. 

Having a rug at any entrances to the home is another way to help keep dirt outside and off your floors.

You can also take this one step further and place rugs at the entrances to every room, making both a decorative and functional statement. 

Simply asking people to remove their shoes when they come into areas with more delicate flooring is another precaution you can use. It’s not out of the question to even request that people leave their shoes at the front door, though you’ll have to beware stinky guest’s feet. 

All Natural Floor Cleaning Methods

Floor cleaning methods are specific to the type of floor you are working with. Always follow the manufacturers instructions, and if you have a warranty check to ensure that specific cleaning methods will not void it. Finally, you should test these cleaning techniques out on a small out of the way section of the floor first, to be absolutely certain that discoloration does not occur.

Hardwood Flooring: You want to avoid saturating these floors at any time. Excess moisture can sink into the material causing plumping, warping, and the growth of mold. Instead use a natural solution of ½ cup water, ½ cup vinegar, and 1 or 2 drops of dish soap mixed in a spray bottle. Spritz this on the floor, and mop it clean with a cloth or microfiber mop. If moisture remains dab it up with a clean towel. Avoid shining products as they can build up over time.

Laminate Floors: These materials have a clear protective coat that rests over the surface making them nearly impervious to stains and damage. Because of this they generally just need to be swept and vacuumed on a regular basis. Most staining agents can be wiped up. Avoid soaps and shining products as they can make laminates appear cloudy.

Resilient Flooring: A solution of ½ cup water ½ cup vinegar, and a splash of dish soap can be put in a spray bottle and spritzed on laminate floors for an ecologically friendly cleansing solution. Then just mop it up with a Swiffer or a microfiber mop. These floors are impervious to most staining agents so any other regular maintenance shouldn’t require more than just sweeping and vacuuming periodically. 

Tip: Apply a baking soda paste solution to remove scuff marks from resilient floors.

Ceramics: The best way to clean ceramics is to wet mop them using warm water with a low PH soap, such as dish detergent. Acidic substances can sometimes have a chemical reaction with ceramics which can cause a stain. You should also avoid abrasive cleansers as they can scratch the glaze.