A wooden floor can look beautiful, but it does require some love and attention. Before I became a mother, I could still spill a cast iron pan of vegetable soup on the floor (or so I thought). Now, with two lively children in the house, I know I always have to be ready with a bucket and mop! 💪 Fortunately, a well-maintained wooden floor can be cleaned perfectly without aggressive bleach or harsh chemicals. In this blog, I share my top 10 sustainable cleaning tips, complete with my favorite eco-products like The Pink Stuff Floor Cleaner and smart tricks to tackle stains.
Tip 1: Vacuum or sweep regularly (before the mess gets too big!)
Wood and sand or grit are a bad combo – they unintentionally scratch your floor. Start with the basics: first remove all loose dirt. Use a soft brush attachment or vacuum nozzle without a hard rotating brush. My choice: the Scrub Daddy Damp Duster or a microfiber cloth (for example the Spunj microfiber cloth) to sweep up dust and crumbs. This prevents scratches and keeps your floor shining like new.
Tip 2: Mop dry or barely damp
Wood does not like water – a wet mop is really a no-go. Therefore, fill your bucket with at most ¼ warm water and a splash of The Pink Stuff Floor Cleaner (100% natural and ready to use). Wring that mop! A nearly dry mop is enough to remove dirt and sticky residues. Mop the floor as if you were a Kungfu warrior (yes, my youngest thinks I am a ninja), and your wooden floor will look fresh again without leaving puddles of water behind.
Tip 3: Use vinegar for light cleaning
Vinegar is my secret superpower against soap and grease residues (don’t worry, the smell disappears quickly). Add a splash of cleaning vinegar to warm water (about 1 part vinegar to 10 parts water). Make your mop slightly damp with this (not soaking wet!). Wring well and mop the floor. Vinegar easily dissolves soapy layers and lime scale, helping your floor retain its shine. Afterwards, I leave the door slightly open so the vinegar smell quickly fades – soon you’ll only smell your favorite fresh laundry scent. 😉
Tip 4: Avoid aggressive cleaning agents
Even eco-moms are sometimes curious about mega cleaning bottles from the supermarket, but believe me: all-purpose cleaner, bleach, or green soap tear the protective layer of your wooden floor to shreds. You notice this over time because your floor becomes dull or even slightly shrinks. Prefer a natural alternative: for example, a few drops of dish soap in a bucket of lukewarm water or special wood cleaner. Or better yet: use a natural abrasive like The Pink Stuff paste on caked-on spots, but first ask a professional how your floor is best treated (varnished vs oiled!). Safe cleaning gives lasting shine without worries.
Tip 5: Stubborn stains? Bring in The Pink Stuff!
Oh-oh, an accident happened and there’s a coffee stain on the floor. 🫣 Don’t panic: a stain on a wooden floor is often easy to fix. Mix some baking soda with water into a paste and gently dab it on the stain (use a cloth). Or use a small amount of The Pink Stuff cleaning paste on a soft sponge. Scrub very gently (no corners). Rinse with a lightly damp cloth and dry immediately. The Pink Stuff even removes stubborn dirt edges and spilled drinks while remaining floor-friendly for your wood. Tip: feel free to wear rubber gloves if you’re not a fan of dirty hands. 😉
Tip 6: Protect your floor
Prevention is better than cure, as we always say. Put felt pads under chair legs and table legs so they don’t rub into your wood. Use doormats at the entrance so gravel and grit don’t come inside. And leave shoes at the door (or wear slippers indoors only), because tiny stones in a sole can cause huge scratches. Give your floor some love occasionally with a cleansing oil or conditioner, depending on your floor’s finish. This keeps the top layer supple and dirt less gripping.
Tip 7: Use a microfiber mop or fabric floor sweeper
A real recommendation is a good microfiber floor sweeper or mop. It picks up dust and hairs like a magnet. For example, the biodegradable floor cloths from The Pink Stuff or the damp cloths from Scrub Daddy. You easily attach them to a pole and gently pull them over your floor. This way you don’t have to bend down all the time. Moreover, it saves a lot of cleaning product (a dry cloth without product soaks up dust!).
Tip 8: Regular maintenance
To keep that shine, I schedule a small maintenance session weekly. On Saturday morning, I stand happily with my favorite tune on and an eco-spray in hand (like The Pink Stuff Multicleaner, ideal for all surfaces). Quickly pimp the skirting boards and crooked corners with a cloth. This only takes me fifteen minutes, and my floor remains a joy to look at every day. Small effort, big effect!
Tip 9: Dry wet spots immediately
Spilled? Immediately place a cloth or paper towel on the spot and squeeze out the moisture. If the day’s clothes are in the wash and a glass of liquid spills through? I get startled but grab it immediately with a towel. Wood doesn’t like to sweat, so help by wiping up puddles and airing the room. Better to do this too much than too little, it saves your floor a lot of trouble in the long run.
Tip 10: Enjoy your clean floor!
Done? Give yourself a pat on the back! Grab a nice cup of tea (in that shiny mug of course 😁) and admire your sparkling clean floor again. What a difference, right? By following this routine, your wooden floor stays not only beautiful but also strong for years. Moreover, with natural products and refillable items like The Pink Stuff Floor Cleaner and a splash of vinegar, you’re also being kind to the environment. Nice, isn’t it, that fresh scent of natural cleanliness and a floor that shines. Happy (floor) cleaning! 🍃✨