House Cleaning and Stain Removal Forum

[where'smymop]

What do you guys use to clean your wood or laminate floors?

[mrscleannw]

This is more information than you asked for, but I already had this document handy for our employees.


Hard Floor Cleaning

There are 5 basic types of flooring:
• Swedish Finish Wood
• Wood
• Tile or Linoleum
• Pergo/Bamboo
• Stone, Terrazzo or Marble



Mop buckets can scratch and discolor certain floors, so always place a rag under the mop bucket to avoid damage.
Multiple floor surfaces will likely require a second mop bucket with different cleaning products. Make sure you have a spare bucket on hand.

Swedish Finish Wood

Swedish finish wood floors can be identified by their bright, shiny appearance. Most wood floors in homes constructed in the last 25 years or so have a Swedish Finish. Use vinegar and water on this floor. Do NOT use Murphy’s oil soap, as it leaves a streaky residue. Due to the finish, the floor is easily streaked, and any puddles will dry as spots. Dry the floor after mopping.

OLD Wood

This floor type is usually found in older homes or buildings. These floors are generally worn in appearance, and the surface is porous and holds a lot of dirt. Unless the client requests otherwise, use vinegar and water or Murphy’s oil soap on this type of flooring. Use a minimum amount of water when mopping. Make sure your mop is not soaking wet. Do not set a wet bucket directly on the floor as it may leave a ring. Always wipe it dry.

Tile or Linoleum

Use vinegar and water or disinfectant on this floor. Spots can be scrubbed out with your hand brush or with an abrasive sponge. Cleaning may also be done by hand with glass cleaner.

Pergo & Bamboo

Use vinegar and water or disinfectant on this floor. Use a minimal amount of water to avoid damaging the surface. Make sure you dry immediately.

Stone, Terrazzo, Granite or Marble

Vinegar or other acid base cleaners will DESTROY stone, permanently etching the surface. Marble, Stone, or Terrazzo must be cleaned with plain water or water mixed with a small amount of disinfectant. Stone shows water spots easily, so always dry it thoroughly after it has been mopped.

[wizardofhomesnyc]

I use Mrs. Myers Clean day on most of the wood floors. Just add a little into the bucket and mop as normally. It leaves the floors really clean and glossy floors are like mirrors. No streaks! And the smell is really pleasant, a total aromatherapy while cleaning

[where'smymop]

Hi mrscleannw! Wow! Thank you so much for all that info! That’s really helpful! Also have you heard of the Wow! Cleaning System? It’s got a larger mop head and the microfiber cleaning pad is more absorbent than other cleaners so it cleans better and faster. It also leaves no streaks. I hope that it would be of some help