Flooring in wood is an old school and beautiful design for your home. They warm up, characterize, and modernize homes. But keeping them beautiful takes care, and frequently. And, if the floor gets damaged from use, spills and wear, then it will become dull. There are innumerable store-bought products that you can buy to polish your wood floors, and some of them use harsh chemicals that are bad for the environment and your health. The good news is, there are natural options to get and keep your wood floors sparkling. I will discuss in this essay about a natural wood floor polish, my experiences and advice, and my personal suggestions on how to polish wood floors so they look shiny and green.
How To Polish Wood Floors With Natural Methods?
Before we get into the “how,” you need to get your “why”. The synthetic chemicals in most store-bought floor polishes — ammonia, phthalates, formaldehyde — release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. Such chemicals are a source of indoor air pollution, and can contribute to asthma, rashes or other diseases, particularly if you have allergies or sensitivities. And they often arrive in disposable plastic bottles which end up in the environment.
Then again, natural polishing techniques use low-tech, non-toxic ingredients that are not harmful to your family, pets or the Earth. They’re also cheap as most of the ingredients are probably on hand in your pantry. As a homeowner, switching to natural didn’t only improve my home’s air quality but also let me know that I was using safe, sustainable products.
All You Need To Know about Natural Wood Floor Polishing Tools and Ingredients.
To scrub wood floors at home, you will require some simple tools and materials. Here are a few of mine:
Microfiber Mop or Cloth: Microfiber is fantastic for picking up dust and dirt without getting in the wood.
White Vinegar: Natural degreaser to clean dirt and polish.
Olive Oil or Coconut Oil: They’re like natural sandpaper, they nourish the wood and bring it out in a shiny coat.
Lemon Juice: Fresh smelling and natural degreaser.
Baking Powder: Great for stubborn stains or scratches.
Natural Oils (optional): For aromatherapy and antibacterial effect.
Soft Bristle Brush: Scrub muddy spots without scratching the wood.
These accessories will make polishing very quick and easy. I find that if I have an individual cleaning caddy with these items it is easier to prep and I’m ready to tackle floor cleaning any time.
How to Polish Wood Floors Naturally : Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Clean and Mop the Floor.
Detach all furniture and rugs from the surface before polishing. Clean the floor sweeping or vacuuming up dust, dirt, and debris. Anything on the floor will scratch it when polishing. I know first hand how to do this but if you fail to do it you’re going to regret it so clean your clothes.
Step 2: Add Your Natural Polish To The Bowl
You can find a couple different recipes of natural polish to use, based on your preference and floor quality. My two favorites are:
Vinegar and Olive Oil Polish: In a spray bottle, whisk 1/4 cup white vinegar and 1/4 cup olive oil together. Blend in 10-15 drops of your essential oil of choice (I prefer lavender or lemon). Shake well before use.
Lemon Juice and Coconut Oil Polish: Mix 14 cup of lemon juice and 1/4 cup of melted coconut oil. This mixture works especially well to dissolve grease and add shine.
These two recipes are very simple and powerful. I like to mix and match them depending on the season — coconut oil is great for winter when it is cold, but vinegar and olive oil are good for any time of year.
Step 3: Apply the Polish
Brush or dab the polish lightly on a small part of the floor. Smear the polish evenly, along the grain of the wood, with a microfiber mop or cloth. Do not wet the floor too much because that will make the wood warp. Working in small sections for me is a good way to get even coverage without streaking.
Step 4: Buff the Floor
With a clean dry microfiber cloth buff the floor once the polish has dried. This is a must-do for high shine. I put on some music and try to make it a fun part of my day, it’s like arm-training!
5: Remedy Scratches and Dirt / Spots.
Scrub the area with a few drops of baking soda if you have a stubborn stain or scratch. Scoop gently with a soft bristle brush, then dry with a clean cloth. Follow with your natural polish to seal in shine.
Natural Polished Wood Floor Care Experts Advice for Keeping Naturally Polished Wood Floors Well.
It Takes a Special Care: You can Polish your Wood floors every 2 to 3 Months to keep them shined and free from scratches. Even dust from sweeping or vacuuming it will not scratch the surface of the floor.
– Doormats: Add doormats at the front entrances so that dust and dirt does not get tracked onto your floor. A little effort will last you a long time on your wood floors.
Don’t Drink Too Much Water: Water is wood’s worst enemy. Use a dry (but not wet) cloth to clean or polish so that it won’t warp or chip.
Make a Slight Test: Before using polish on your floor, test it on a small hidden area to see if it is compatible with your wood finish.
Think About Sunlight: Wood floors smudge in prolonged direct sunlight. Keep your floors protected by curtains or blinds when the sun is most intense.
Personal Experiences and Lessons Learned
Wood floors were dead and drab when I first bought my home. My first thought was to try the mass-produced polishes but the chemical odour was too overwhelming, and I was concerned about the health effects on my dog. That’s when I looked to natural alternatives. A lot of tinkering, but eventually I settled on the vinegar and olive oil solution that transformed my floors without using toxins. I didn’t just look beautiful with the floors but it also became more enjoyable because I was using clean natural products.
A lesson that I’ve picked up is consistency is the key. Polishing wood floors obviously takes a little bit more effort than using the industrial kind, but you pay for it. Then I get used to it and then it’s like, you know what, that just happens to be fun.
