How To Clean Painted Wood Floors
A message in my inbox this week came from Joan who asked, "What is the best way to clean a very grimy painted wood floor?"
Before I get to an answer for Joan, let's talk generally about wood floors and the difference between a painted wood floor and a finished wood floor. I would never suggest that anyone treat them as equals when it comes to cleaning.
- MORE: How to Clean and Care for Hardwood, Laminate, and Luxyr Vinyl Floors
Please, make sure you never use a painted floor cleaning formula on your finished hardwood or laminate floor because it will be too harsh and could cause damage.
Paint by definition is different than say a polyurethane finish, typically used on hardwood floors. Paint is tougher, especially latex enamel that has been formulated for wood floors.
Although water isn't recommended for cleaning finished wood floors because it raises the grain, it's safer for painted floors because the paint prevents moisture from soaking into the wood. Even so, Joan will want to dry her painted wood floor promptly to prevent the wood from absorbing any moisture.
Because Joan used the word "grimy" to describe this painted floor, I'm going to assume this painted floor has dried on spills and dirt that's been ground-in over a period of time—a worst-case scenario.
Sweep
Using a stiff bristle broom, thoroughly sweep the floor to loosen and remove as much debris as possible.
Vacuum
Vacuum the floor using the hard surface setting or attachment. If there are cracks between the boards, use the crevice tool to remove all of that dirt and debris.
Painted Floor Cleaner
To mix up a batch of Painted Floor Cleaner add the following carefully measured ingredients to a one-gallon container.
- 4 teaspoons Super Washing Soda
- 5 tablespoons borax
- 4 teaspoons blue Dawn liquid
Fill to within an inch of the top of the container with hot water. Mix gently until all ingredients are incorporated.
NOTE: This cleaner is excellent for cleaning any painted wood surface such as window sills, woodwork, baseboards and painted furniture as well, making sure to follow these instructions.
Test
Test this cleaner in an inconspicuous place of the painted floor (like in a closet, behind a door) to make it does not cause any harm to the paint, especially if the paint is old cracking, brittle or even beginning to chip or flake off.
Scrub or mop
Fill a spray bottle with the cleaner, or pour into a mop bucket depending on how you wish to clean the floor: on your hands and knees with a rag, stiff brush, or sponge—or using a good strong floor mop. Either way, work in small areas—spraying or mopping a small area at a time, scrubbing until clean.
- MORE: Some (But Not All) Spray Bottles are Designed to Fail
Rinse
Fill a bucket with clear water. Rinse the mop if you've been using one, or use a clean one. Mop the floor a second time with clear water to remove all cleaning residue.
Dry
Dry the floor immediately with a clean, dry towel. Drying by hand prevents streaks and collects any remaining dirt left on the floor.
Resources
Super Washing Soda
This is a specific product from the Arm & Hammer company that is very different from baking soda, typically available in the laundry aisle of stores like Target and Walmart, or you can Super Washing Soda. It also goes by the generic name "soda ash" when used in swimming pools to manage ph balance.
Washing soda is powerful against dirt, but can be harmful to some surfaces like fiberglass, acrylic, and even painted surfaced if used to make a very strong solution. In the Painted Floor Cleaner formula, the washing soda is greatly diluted but still powerful. It should do no harm. Still, you need to test it.
- MORE: 10 Brilliant Ways to Use Washing Soda That Will Make Your Life Easier
Borax
Sold mostly under the name Twenty Mule Team Borax, you'll find this in the laundry aisle, often in supermarkets, or online.
- MORE: 13 Reasons to Keep Borax in the House (and Why It's Safe!)
Blue Dawn
Blue Dawn Dishwashing Liquid is available in any grocery store, supermarket, discount department store and online.
- MORE: 23 Remarkable Ways to Use Blue Dawn Outside the Kitchen
Small batch
If you would rather make up a much smaller batch of Painted Wood Floor Cleaner that you can mix in a 16-ounce spray bottle, I've done the math:
- 1/2 teaspoon Super Washing Soda
- 2 teaspoons borax
- 1/2 teaspoon blue Dawn
- 2 cups hot water
A word of caution
If you've been following for very long, you'll recognize these ingredients as very similar to our Homemade Laundry Detergent. They are but in very different quantities. Please DO NOT use your batch of Homemade Laundry Detergent to clean your painted wood floors. It is way too harsh and you will not be happy.
We are a Everyday Cheapskate participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you., an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon, at no cost to you.
First published at Everyday Cheapskate: 7-25-16; Revised & Updated 4-15-21
More from Everyday Cheapskate
Homemade Stain Remover for Laundry and Carpet
Easy DIY Ways to Control The Cost to Heat Your Home This Winter
Ingenious Tips for How to Store Bread To Keep It Fresher Longer
8 Things You Should Never Plug Into a Power Strip
How to Combine Quick-Service Food with Home Cooking For the Win
Spooky Tales of Scary Tricks Just Waiting to Be Played on You
This is The Secret for No More Wadded-Up Bed Sheets!
6 Winners in the Generic vs. Name-Brand Competition
A Very Effective Way to Cut Winter Heating Bills
Please keep your comments positive, encouraging, helpful, brief,
and on-topic in keeping with EC Posting Guidelines
How To Clean Painted Wood Floors
Source: https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/how-to-clean-painted-wood/
Posted by: griffinlonlied1957.blogspot.com
0 Response to "How To Clean Painted Wood Floors"
Post a Comment