Furniture polish should never be used to clean hardwood floors, because doing so creates a dangerously slippery surface. If polish gets on your floors, you can fix the problem with a simple solution of water and distilled white vinegar, the same mixture sometimes used to remove a buildup of polish on furniture. The mixture will also cut through the polish residue left on your hardwood floors and other surfaces on which polish does not belong. Removal may take more than one attempt, however, if the furniture polish was applied thickly or more than once.
Things You'll Need
Broom or dust mop
White distilled vinegar
Warm water
Clean mop or rag
Soft, dry towels
Step 1: Sweep
Sweep or dry mop the floor to remove any dust and dirt residue. This helps prevent scratches when you wash the floor.
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Step 2: Mix Your Cleanser
Combine 1/4 cup of vinegar and 1/2 cup of water warm water to make a cleaning solution if you need to clean only a small area. For larger areas, use 1 cup of vinegar to every 1 gallon of water.
Tip
- Use vinegar only for cutting furniture polish and other tough stains. Because it is slightly acidic, constant cleaning with vinegar slowly eats away wood floor finishes.
- Distilled white vinegar is preferred for cleaning, but apple cider vinegar will do in a pinch.
Step 3: Wash the Floor
Wet a rag or mop with your cleaning solution and wring it out thoroughly so that it is almost dry. The less water applied to hardwood floors, the better. Wash the floor with the rag or mop, working in small sections and moving with the grain of the wood.
Step 4: Dry
As you work, dry each section of the floor with a soft cloth to add shine to the floor and avoid water spots.
Tip
Drying helps with shine, but don't worry if your floor air dries before you wipe it down. Vinegar doesn't leave streaks, so don't need to rinse or dry it.
Home is where the heart is, and Michelle frequently pens articles about ways to keep yours looking great and feeling cozy. Whether you want help organizing your closet, picking a paint color or finishing drywall, Michelle has you covered. If she's not puttering in the house, you'll find her in the garden playing in the dirt. Her garden articles provide tips and insight that anyone can use to turn a brown thumb green. You'll find her work on Modern Mom, The Nest and eHow as well as sprinkled throughout your other online home decor and improvement favorites.