Vinegar can be hit or miss for sure, but honestly, mild wood soap hasn't been great for me either—seemed to leave a residue after a while. I've had better luck with a microfiber mop and just plain warm water. Floors look clean without that weird film...
I've had similar experiences with vinegar and wood soap—both left me feeling kinda meh. A few years back, I worked on a client's house with gorgeous old hardwood floors, and she swore by using just warm water and a tiny bit of rubbing alcohol. I was skeptical at first, but honestly, it worked wonders. Floors dried quickly, zero residue, and the shine was subtle but noticeable. Might be worth giving it a shot if plain water isn't quite cutting it for you...
Totally agree on the rubbing alcohol tip—it's surprisingly effective. One thing I'd add is to make sure you're using a microfiber mop or cloth when you do it. Regular cotton mops tend to leave streaks or lint behind, which defeats the purpose. Also, don't go overboard with the alcohol; just a splash in warm water is plenty. Too much can dry out the wood over time. Learned that the hard way on a client's floor once...
"Also, don't go overboard with the alcohol; just a splash in warm water is plenty."
Couldn't agree more with this. I've found that less is definitely more when it comes to hardwood floors. Another thing worth mentioning—if you're budget-conscious like me—is that diluted white vinegar can sometimes do the trick too, especially for routine cleaning. Just be careful not to go too heavy-handed since vinegar is acidic. I've been using it sparingly for years, and my floors still look great without spending extra on specialized cleaners.
I've had mixed results with vinegar myself. It definitely works well for routine cleaning, but I've noticed that over time—even diluted—it can dull the finish slightly, especially on older hardwood floors. Might depend on the type of finish you have, though.
"less is definitely more when it comes to hardwood floors."
Totally agree with this point. I've found that microfiber mops with just a bit of warm water and a drop or two of mild dish soap do wonders without leaving residue or streaks. Also, every few months, I use a tiny bit of olive oil on a soft cloth to buff out minor scratches and restore shine. Sounds weird, but it actually works pretty well—just don't go crazy with it or you'll end up skating around your living room... learned that the hard way.
