We have manufactured hardwood floors in most of the areas of our condo. I use my Swiffer vac every day to keep the dust at bay. I'm horrified to see the amount of dirt on those pads!:eek: Where does it all come from?!!!!
So, my question is: Dusting is one thing but those floors need a [I]real [/I]clean up and the manufacturer says "no damp mopping."
I've been using a Canadian spray product (environmentally friendly) called [B]TrafficMaster [/B]hardwood & laminate floor cleaner. I think I got it at Home Depot. It certainly doesn't clean spots off the floors like a damp mop! I rarely use it. It requires real scrubbing to totally remove spots.
What are you using that you are really thrilled with?
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Minwax has a hardwood floor cleaner that I use. It is a no streak formula. I usually still get down on my knees to wash my floors so I just spray the floor and wipe with a damp rag but occasionally use a mop with a removable pad. I will wet the pad first and really wring it out and then just spray the floor and mop away. I even use it to dust furniture with even though it doesn't say anything about this on the bottle. This product can be purchased at Home Hardware for sure (or they can bring it in if they don't have it on the shelf). Not sure who else stocks it. Check Canadian Tire, Home Depot, Rona or even Walmart.
I also use the blue microfibre mop that was posted above... I have 4 pads and just throw them in the washer after using.
We have espresso-coloured hardwood, so every speck of dust shows!! I used the mop with a dry pad a couple of times a week just to pick up the really obvious specks (like the carpet 'fuzz' from the stairs) and then use the wet mop once a week to really clean. I just use water, no cleaning product or vinegar. They look pretty good and it's been 2 years.
Sorry, I haven't heard of TrafficMaster but I will check around. Yes I am in Canada.
I think some places say no vinegar because it's really an acid so if used too heavily or with some finishes it might be a problem. On something like pergo or any laminate it shouldn't be a big deal as the finish isn't like a varnish or anything. I know my SIL had the same problem using the Pergo cleaner or any other laminate cleaner (and I did the same on my dark hardwood). The cleaners just left a film that was awful. When I had the floor replaced (it was defective) with a medium colour it didn't show though.
I have the Mirage hardwood floors and I have always used their cleaner.
I work for a hardwood floor company and recommend that you follow the manufacturers cleaning instructions. Buy the cleaner from a reputable hardwood floor store not the grocery store. You don't need much of the cleaner, a little goes a long way. The hardwood floor companies we deal with put out private label brands of cleaner and kits (which come with cleaner and mop) The mop is a microfibre cover. Machine wash, air dry. Avoid fabric softener and bounce type sheets if you do put it in the dryer. I have customers coming back telling me they love the cleaning solutions they buy at our store. Some have tried the grocery store brands but have not liked the results. Mirage, Vintage, Torlys....they are all great brands. Oh, it is fine to use a squeezed out damp cloth but not recommended to use vinegar and water. Happy cleaning.
I also use the mop with the removable pad shown in the previous thread. I bought this at the 400 flee market, it came with 3 replacement pads. I only use water on the floors and i make sure that when I wash the pads they do not go in the load that has downy softner in it. I found that if it was washed with softner then it would leave a film on the floor. So only water for me.
Meanwhile I wanted to warn you about swiffers. The problem is they have a relatively solid head on them only covered by a thin cloth/paper. If a little bit of gravel or hard bit gets caught you can scratch your floor. The microfiber mops are plusher so you'd have to have a rock stuck to have the same issue.
I use two Swiffer vacs. They are fabulous. I'm not too concerned about scratching. The vac picks up any dirt.
Y'know, I used nothing but vinegar and water on my floors for years. I had Pergo installed in the kitchen. I started out using a special spray and it just made a mess of my floors. I called Pergo. I was told to use nothing but vinegar and water. My floors were always nice. I don't see why I can't just continue that process. I always wring the pads nearly dry. I use Vileda pads.
Vinegar and water for me, too!
I use the same device as DBD and it works really well on those harder spots. (Like under our son's dining chair!:p)
I actually immerse the microfiber pad into warm water and murphy's oil soap, ring out by hand and then re-attach to my mop. Messy, but it works for me.
I suppose they put the 'no damp mop' instructions for those who think damp means soaking wet. The best thing I have ever found is a microfiber mop (I'll attach a picture). You can use them dry or damp. I find it best to have two pads so I can have one wet and one dry if I need to do some buffing later. The nice part is they are washable and don't cost for endless replacements. You can get them at most places that sell cleaning stuff and there are a few brands. I have a couple and you just want one that feels like it has some quality to it with a mop that swivels easily. You can get them for under $20 and extra pads for about $6 I think. I don't scrimp on them as the cheaper ones just don't clean the same.
Basically I use the dry one to pick up dust and stuff and when I need the extra I just spray some warm water on the head, make sure it's rung out as they just need to be barely damp, and go. If it's really bad I have a bottle of TKO orange cleaner (it's a concentrate so you just need a capful or so in a spray bottle of water) or just plain water and give the floor a light spray and then rub with the mop. That way the floor never actually gets wet but there is enough to loosen any dirt or marks. The mop works on any floor and doesn't require a lot of work either.
Meanwhile I wanted to warn you about swiffers. The problem is they have a relatively solid head on them only covered by a thin cloth/paper. If a little bit of gravel or hard bit gets caught you can scratch your floor. The microfiber mops are plusher so you'd have to have a rock stuck to have the same issue.
BTW don't bother with the floor cleaning kits you can get. The mops are good, the cleaners can leave a film that can makes the floor look cloudy.