cleaning a hard wood floor -suggestions

jimthecello · 03-20-2004, 04:48 PM

So I live in house with 2 other roommates and our landlord is getting pissed with our hardwood floor. I don't blame him though- it is getting pretty sick. We have mopped it with Murphy's oil. But that was maybe once a month. Once in awhile we sweep. Yes, this a college house.

Anyway, now we have major built-up dirt and grime and it will not come off with regular mopping.

Anyone have any ideas of what we could do/use to get this grime off without pernamently ruining the wood?
Sure we are probably going to need to scrub on our hands and knees with abrasive pads. I was just hoping for an easier way. Thanks

gsparkler · 03-20-2004, 04:56 PM

i don't know how bad yours is, but all i do is sweep like every other day. then maybe 1-2 times a week, i wet my mop, pour some cheap wood floor cleaner down (from the dollar store) and mop. so i don't know if it

worse than normal...

whirlygirl · 03-20-2004, 04:58 PM

Wow, I can't believe it's that dirty with once a month mopping. I sweep pretty often, but only mop a few times a year.

One thing - hardwood is not supposed to be wet. Damp mop, don't wet mop, and towel-dry when you're done.

**katz** · 03-20-2004, 05:00 PM

don't use anything abrasive.. just a good floor scrubbing brush.. and yes, you will have to get on your hands and knees to do it.

get some wood floor cleaner and start scrubbing.. after it's been scrubbed clean, give it a good wash with murphy's oil soap. only use the oil soap once a week as it will build up. use the wood floor cleaner.. and put some throw rugs in your heavier traffic areas.

PotatoFace · 03-20-2004, 07:21 PM

vinegar.

cut through the grime nad grease.

jimthecello · 03-20-2004, 08:11 PM

HOLY SHIT!!@!!!!!!!!!!

Just tried the vinegar.....I let it sit for a couple of minutes....i hardly had to scrub!!!!

I don't think it could get any easier.

THANK YOU Starry starry!!!!!

PotatoFace · 03-20-2004, 08:13 PM

your welcome. it works like a motherfucker.

vinegar works on anything. the acidity in it cuts through grease and grime. use it on your hair too.

josh · 03-20-2004, 09:52 PM

Vinegar in your hair? Lovely. My Dad used vinegar to counteract the effects of sunburn. Not sure how effective it was, but he sure did stink after every trip to the beach...

Anyway, did the vinegar strip off the Murphy's Oil? I hope so. That's really not good to use in high traffic areas, because as you found out it attracts gunk. It's better just to use a swiffer wet (or similar - I just use glass cleaner, but then my floors are heavily polyurethaned) as needed.

PotatoFace · 03-21-2004, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by josh

Vinegar in your hair? Lovely. My Dad used vinegar to counteract the effects of sunburn. Not sure how effective it was, but he sure did stink after every trip to the beach...

Anyway, did the vinegar strip off the Murphy's Oil? I hope so. That's really not good to use in high traffic areas, because as you found out it attracts gunk. It's better just to use a swiffer wet (or similar - I just use glass cleaner, but then my floors are heavily polyurethaned) as needed.

rinse your hair with vinegar.

one third vinegar two thirds water. after you shampoo before you condition.

It makes your hair shiny and lovely. The conditioner makes the smell go away from the vinegar

josh · 03-21-2004, 01:55 AM

It doesn't make you smell like rancid eggs?

PotatoFace · 03-21-2004, 02:04 AM

nope
the water dillutes the smell and so doe the conditioner

Ben · 03-21-2004, 02:08 AM

Hard wood mmmm.

gsparkler · 03-21-2004, 02:10 AM

yummy hard wood.

PotatoFace · 03-21-2004, 02:11 AM

ohh god

YOUR WOOD IS ENORMOUS!!!

Ben · 03-21-2004, 02:12 AM

Do you belong to the hard wood clique?