Cleaning floors can be a chore. Keep your hard surfaces in tip, top shape with this guide to natural floor cleaning and homemade floor cleaner recipe.
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I was barefoot in the kitchen chopping vegetables when I stepped in on a sticky spot on the floor. Where do these mystery spots come from?
Was it a bit of watermelon eaten as my kids gallop across the kitchen, a splatter from the stove, or something the dog tracked in from outside?
The source of the spot may be a mystery, but the way to clean it is not -> grab a microfiber mop, spray on some homemade floor cleaner, and wipe it away.
Learning to Clean Floors Naturally
We’ve lived in 8 different homes so I’ve dealt with a lot of different hard floor coverings – linoleum, laminate, hardwood, engineered wood, ceramic tile, natural stone, and even sealed cement – I’ve cleaned them all!
This guide will help you keep hard surface floors in tip, top shape…. naturally!
Homemade Floor Cleaner Ingredients
Look online and you will find a million different recipes for homemade floor cleaners. How can you choose?
I want floor cleaner to:
- Do great job cleaning
- Leave no streaks or residue.
- Work on many different flooring types.
- Be safe to use around kids and pets.
What Not To Use
There are several common floor cleaning ingredients I do not use:
- Borax – Borax is a naturally occurring mineral, but it is toxic to the respiratory system and should not be ingested. In addition, Borax scores an F on the EWG scale for respiratory effects and developmental toxicity.
- Baking Soda – Baking soda can leave grit or a film on hard floors. Combing baking soda with vinegar in a cleaner neutralizes both, leaving water and salt. (Learn more in Green Cleaning Ingredients You Should Never Mix.)
- Castile Soap – Castile soap is one of my favorite all-natural cleaners, just not for floors. It needs a rinse and/or thorough drying to prevent residue and maximize shininess…. and drying floors does not sound fun!
- Rubbing Alcohol – Rubbing alcohol contains isopropyl alcohol plus water, denaturants, and artificial fragrance. The denaturants and artificial fragrance are poisonous and should only be used in well-ventilated areas.
What Could Be Used
- Vinegar – Vinegar falls into the MAYBE category. It is cheap, environmentally safe, and effective on dirt but it should not be used on all floor types. The acetic acid can etch natural stone and will damage waxed floors. Some engineered floor and hardwood floors manufacturers also caution that frequent vinegar use can soften or cloud the finish. I use it occasionally when naturally restoring hardwood floors, but I like using a multi-purpose cleaner for general floor cleaning.
What to Use
- Water –Water is nature’s best floor cleaning product. Many times water is all you need to remove dust and everyday build up from floors. Remember, too much water can cause damage to any floor and water should never be used on unfinished hardwood or waxed wood. Use distilled water to prevent mineral buildup from hard water.
- Detergent – Some grime (like oil and grease) resists water and needs an additional cleanser. In no-rinse situations like floor cleaning a mild natural detergent is a dirt fighting must. It leaves less streaks than Castile soap and does not need a rinse to shine. Look for a natural, non-toxic detergent like Sal’s Suds.
- Vodka – Vodka is high purity ethanol mixed with water, it's ph is nearly neutral when mixed with water. Vodka is a good solvent that helps dissolve oil and grime. Vodka also dries odorless and streak free. (Make sure you buy cheap vodka for cleaning!)
All Natural Homemade Floor Cleaner
My favorite homemade floor cleaner uses water, vodka and Sal’s Suds. It is an effective cleaning solution that meets my non-toxic cleaning standards and can be used on almost any floor. The water loosens and wipes away dirt, Sal’s Suds boosts the grime-fighting power, and vodka leaves an odorless streak-free shine. I love being able to clean hardwood then laminate then tile without ever having to switch solutions.
Ingredients
1 cup distilled water
1 cup vodka
3-4 drops Sal’s Suds
Directions
Pour all ingredients into a spray bottle and swirl lightly to combine.
How to Clean Hard Surface Floors
- Sweep or vacuum to remove dirt and debris.
- Use a reusable dust attracting cloth to wipe floors of dust and hair (especially if you have pets or live in a dusty area).
- Spray a small area lightly with homemade floor cleaner and wipe clean with a microfiber mop. Continue in small sections until the floor is clean.
Floor Cleaning Tips
- Use a microfiber mop to clean hard floors. Traditional mops leave extra water on floors leading to streaks. Look for one with an attachable spray bottle and washable pads for easy cleaning.
- Mist floors with a spray bottle instead of using a bucket of solution. The extra liquid takes more time to mop up and can cause water damage.
- Enhance hardwood shine and color by making a spray of with 1 Tbsp olive oil, 1 cup vodka, and 10 drops of essential oil (I use lemongrass and lemon for scent). Shake frequently and spray lightly. Buff with a dry microfiber mop. Work in small sections.
- Keep floor in top shape with regular maintenance. A daily sweep and prompt wipe up of spills will keep floors looking great without much mopping.
I hope this homemade floor cleaner helps you keep your home spic and span naturally!
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Kari
Can a couple of drops of Dawn be substituted for sales suds.?
Bren
Yes, you can use any liquid dish detergent (the kind for hand washing dishes not dishwashers).
Janet
You mention you’ve had sealed concrete floors so I assume this cleaner is also suitable to use on concrete? I’ve read conflicting articles about using vinegar on the sealed surface but the vodka sounds safer as it is ph neutral.
Bren
Yes, I’ve used the solution (1 cup water, 1 cup vodka, 3-4 drops Sal’s Suds) on lots of different floors with great success. I would spot test your floors if you have concerns. Good luck!
Maria Cook
I have bamboo floor can I clean them with the same recipe for hard wood floor?
Bren
I would check your manufacturer’s guide or spot test.
Stephen Howard
Hi. Love your site.
What would you recommend to clean/mop tile floors?
Thanks
Bren
I use the water with a few drops of dish detergent. You can also use the vodka recipe above. For tile grout I use this mixture.
Deb
Is there a purpose to the essential oils other than fragrance and adding another oil to the olive oil? Lemongrass smells good to us, but cats have a far greater sense of smell, they live near the floor, and I’m not sure they will like fragrance. Unless it dissipates quickly. If there is a non-fragrant alternative to fragrant essential oils? Thank you for sharing all the great natural advice on your site!
Bren
Deb, the essential oils add some anti-bacterial properties to the floor cleaner but the cleaner will work just fine without any essential oils. With pets (especially cats) it’s best to limit their exposure to EOs. Good luck!
Liz
I can’t use vodka, so I was thinking about
substituting isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. I know it’s not as “natural,” and I read your warning against using it (I already take precautions when using it in other cleaners, since I’m aware of its toxicity, especially when inhaled), but I wondered if it would be as effective if I used it in place of the vodka, and/or if it would be harmful to my floors’ finish. My thinking always is that if I know what I’m putting in my homemade cleaners (meaning I’m in control of what it is, how much I use, and how I use it), it’s still probably way safer than, for example, whatever is in the mystery “juice” that comes with things like my Bona. If all of that makes sense! I just want to make sure what I use is actually effective — and won’t harm my pretty floors in the process!
Bren
You can use isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol (look for one with no artificial color or fragrance). I would spot test any new cleaner to make sure it does not damage your floors.
Sarah
I have a stained concrete floor that I spilled rubbing alcohol on. It “burned” the floor, leaving a white spot that I don’t know how to get out. Any suggestions?
Bren
The burn is probably a spot where the concrete sealer or stain was dissolved. Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) is a solvents that can dissolve or damage many finishes/sealers. I would check the instructions on the sealer/stain you used and see if you can reapply to repair the damaged area. Good luck!
Mrs. Merritt
Please give the measurement for the bucket. I’m old fashioned. Thank you.
Bren
If you have a gallon bucket (16 cups) you would need 8 cups of distilled water, 8 cups of vodka and 24-32 drops of Sal’s Suds to fill it halfway. I would not advise mopping wood floors from a bucket, they will get too wet which can damage the wood. Also, it would be very expensive to make an entire bucket of this solution when most would get thrown away at the end of mopping. It’s best to spray on and mop or wipe off.
Mrs. Merritt
Thank you. I think I have tiles floors or natural stones.
Michelle
What do you recommend for tile floors?
Thanks, Bren!
Bren
I use this to clean grout and plain water with a few drops of handwashing dish detergent. Easy peasy!
Michelle Holden
Hi Bren,
Can your hardwood floor restorer be used on timber laminate floors? I am looking for something pet friendly that will cover some light scratches.
Thanks,
Michelle
Bren
Michelle, I’ve never tried it on laminate floors. Most laminate manufacturers sell repair kits that contain colored wax pencils, putty and a small applicator to repair minor scrathes. I would try one of these kits or a wood repair kit.
Michelle Rose
Well I tried it and it worked a treat. It filled in any light scratches without the need for chemicals. The only thing is my spray bottle needs to be a third or more full to work so I tripled the recipe. That was too much lemongrass oil, Apparently too much can be bad for cats so I would suggest much less essential oils for pet owners! Some oils are poisonous to dogs and cats if ingested also. I only found this out today.
Bren
Thanks, Michelle. I am glad it worked for you. I agree, it is best to be cautious with EOs around pets.
Michelle Rose
Hi Bren, I did some research online and it seems lemongrass oil is NOT safe for cats as it contains limonene. I suggest a few drops of geranium oil or one of the essential oils supposed to be safe for cats if used in very small amounts in an oil base.
Bethany
Just to check, you can use this on tile too, right? I saw your grout and tile cleaner, but I don’t want to have to scrub grout that thoroughly every week. Thanks so much!
Bren
Yes, I use it on tile too. I use the grout cleaner ocassionally when the grout needs a deep clean.