Cleaning a hardwood floor inexpensively?

Question

I am moving out of my apartment and the floors are hardwood. How can I (inexpensively) lustre them up so they look good. I have heard that vinegar and a bit of water applied will bring out the shine a bit.

Answer 1

Vinegar can also lift the varnish too if it is mixed too strong.

Only use about 1/4 cup vinegar in a Gallon of water. I am not so sure it would raise up a shine either. The vinegar will clean and degrease for sure but shine....???  I don't think so. I would think something with a mild oil base would definately make it shine and not hurt the wood at all.

Answer 2

I own a residential/commercial cleaning service so I clean hardwood floors ALL the time!  The best (and cheapest) way to do it is to first clean them with a small solution of vinagar and water, then when dry, clean once more using Murphy's Oil Soap.  Make sure to not use too much, as it can make the floors slippery and oily.  Simply follow the directions on the bottle and you should be fine.

You can find Murphy's oil soap at most retail stores such as Walmart, Kmart and even Walgreens for somewhere around $5.

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

I clean the floor with Pledge Future and Armor in warm to hot bucket  of water, then use Pledge Future to bring back the shine to 100%. This will last a very long time. Each Pledge Future cost $5 buck can do a kitchen and dinning room area.

Answer 4

oh lordy this is just up my alley, go to walmart get a bottle of  hollaway  house Floor shine for hardwood floors, it makes them look brand new, make sure your floors are clean and then use a damp mop and just squirt in on the floors, i didnt spell that right but make sure you get the one called floor shine for hardwood, and not the floor cleaner one, i sware by that stuff . i am never without it. makes my old floors shine like glass and its 5.00 a bottle. and i hope you have good luck with that. works  GREAT