There are lots of do-it-yourself, environmentally friendly vinegar recipes that can really get your floor shining and remove crud. These typically involve vinegar along with a couple other household items.
A Word of Caution
Vinegar is a multi-purpose cleaner you can use on many types of flooring such as carpet and tile. While vinegar is safe to use on laminate, vinyl, porcelain, and ceramic tile, it is best to use it sparingly since the acid in the vinegar can dissolve the finish on your floor. Therefore, when you are using it on tiled floors, you want to make sure you cut it with water or rinse it completely with water.
Natural Stone
Due to the acidity, you never want to use vinegar on natural stone such as marble, slate, or concrete. Not only will the vinegar dull your stone flooring, but it will cause etching. This is where pits will actually form in the tile. Additionally, over time it can also bleach the color.
Dawn and Vinegar
The power of Dawn Original dish soap and vinegar are truly unmatched for flooring.
You Will Need
- Spray bottle
- White vinegar
- Dawn Original dish soap
- 5-gallon bucket
- Mop (microfiber pad mops work great)
- Water
- Soft bristle brush (optional)
Instructions
- Fill the bucket with water. Warm water typically works the best.
- In the spray bottle, mix two-tablespoons of Dawn with 1 cup of vinegar. Fill the rest with water.
- Spray the floor with the Dawn and vinegar mixture. Use the mop and gently scrub the tile.
- For stuck-on areas or to spot clean, use a soft bristle brush and scrub the area.
- After scrubbing the entire floor, rinse the mop. Use clean water to rinse the now clean floor.
Vinegar, Baking Soda, and Dawn
If your floors are looking really dingy, then vinegar and Dawn might not cut it. You will also need a scrubbing agent in addition to the Dawn and vinegar's natural grease fighting power.
You Will Need
- 5-gallon bucket of water
- Mop
- Baking soda
- Dawn Original dish soap
- White vinegar
- Spray bottle
- Bowl
- Spoon
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine 2 cups water, 1.5 cups baking soda, 1/3 cup vinegar, and 1/3 cup Dawn. Using a spoon, gently stir, making sure there are no lumps. Add the mixture to a clean spray bottle.
- Spray the floor with the mixture. Make sure to get a nice even coat on the floor.
- Mop the sprayed area. It is easiest to spray and mop in sections.
- Thoroughly rinse with clean water. This is an important step because the baking soda, while working great as a scrubbing agent, can leave streaks if not rinsed. You may want to rinse twice to ensure you remove any baking soda residue.
Vinegar and Water
Sometimes simple is best. Therefore, you can use vinegar and water to clean your floors. You'll need:
- 5-gallon bucket
- Mop
- White vinegar
Instructions
- Fill the bucket with about 2 gallons of warm water. Add a cup of white vinegar to the mix.
- Mop the floor, paying special attention to stained areas.
Additional Tips
With any of these methods, it is important you start with a floor that is free of debris. Remove as much dirt and grim as you can with a broom or vacuum to make your cleaning job much easier.
Tough Stains
If you just need to spot clean an area or you have a tough stain that you are trying to remove, baking soda and vinegar can be your best friends. You'll need:
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Soft bristle scrub brush
- Rag/mop
- Water
- Container
Method
- In a container, mix baking soda and vinegar. You can play with the measurements, but you are looking to make a pretty thick paste.
- Put the paste on to the stain and use the brush to scrub the area gently.
- Rinse with the water and repeat as necessary.
Getting It Clean Naturally
Cleaning your shower, bathroom, and kitchen floors doesn't need to be costly. Vinegar is a great green alternative that can cut grime and scum on floors as well as remove stains.
