"I know vinegar can be controversial with hardwood floors—some people swear by it, others say it's too acidic—but hear me out."
I've heard the vinegar thing before, but honestly, I'd be careful with it long-term. My neighbor used diluted vinegar for years and eventually noticed some dulling and slight discoloration. Could depend on the finish or wood type though... For me, a tiny bit of dish soap in warm water, wrung out mop, and immediate drying has kept things shiny without issues.
I've actually had a different experience with vinegar, funny enough. My parents' house has hardwood floors that are probably older than I am, and my mom's been using diluted vinegar for decades without any noticeable dulling or discoloration. Granted, they're oak floors with a pretty tough finish, so maybe that's why they've held up so well. But I do think the key is moderation—she only uses a small splash of vinegar in a bucket of warm water, and she never lets it sit or soak. Just a quick mop and immediate drying with a towel.
On the flip side, I tried the dish soap method myself once and ended up with a weird film on my floors. Maybe I used too much soap or didn't rinse enough, but it took me forever to get rid of that residue. After that fiasco, I switched to a hardwood-specific cleaner (Bona, if anyone's curious), and it's been smooth sailing ever since. It's pricier than vinegar or dish soap, but honestly, the peace of mind is worth it for me.
I guess it really does depend on your floor type and finish. Older finishes might handle vinegar better, while newer polyurethane coatings could react differently. If you're unsure, maybe test a small hidden area first? Better safe than sorry...
Interesting to hear your experience with dish soap—I had a similar issue myself. Thought I'd save a few bucks by skipping the fancy cleaners, but ended up with that same annoying film. Took forever to get rid of it, too. I've been hesitant to try vinegar because I've heard mixed things, but your mom's method sounds pretty reasonable.
Do you think the towel drying step is crucial? I usually just let mine air dry, but maybe that's part of my problem. Also curious if anyone's tried microfiber mops versus traditional cotton ones—does it make a noticeable difference in shine or streaks? I'm all for budget-friendly solutions, but not if it means extra elbow grease every weekend...
I've actually had great results with microfiber mops—made a noticeable difference compared to the cotton ones. They seem to trap dirt better without leaving those annoying streaks behind. As for towel drying, I do think it helps. Air drying can sometimes leave water spots or dullness, especially if your water is hard (like mine unfortunately is...). Might be worth giving towel drying a try at least once to see if it changes things for you.
"Air drying can sometimes leave water spots or dullness, especially if your water is hard (like mine unfortunately is...)"
Yeah, totally agree about the hard water issue—it's a sneaky culprit for dull floors. I've found microfiber mops helpful too, but honestly, what made the biggest difference for me was tweaking the cleaning solution itself. If you're dealing with hard water, adding just a splash of distilled white vinegar to warm water can help neutralize minerals and reduce those pesky streaks. Just be cautious not to overdo it—too much acidity isn't great for hardwood finishes.
As for towel drying, I get the logic, but personally, I find it a bit tedious for larger areas. Instead, I usually mop in smaller sections and quickly follow up with a dry microfiber cloth attached to a flat mop head. It saves my knees and sanity, haha. Plus, it's eco-friendly since you're not using disposable towels or wipes. Might be worth experimenting with if towel drying feels like too much hassle.
