I've noticed the vinegar thing too—works great at first, but yeah, it can dull things down after a while. The olive oil trick sounds interesting... might give it a cautious try. Definitely don't wanna turn my hallway into an ice rink, haha.
"Definitely don't wanna turn my hallway into an ice rink, haha."
Haha, been there... sort of. A couple years back, I got overly enthusiastic about this DIY hardwood polish recipe I found online. It was basically olive oil mixed with lemon juice—smelled amazing, by the way—but let's just say the results were... slippery. My dog skidded straight into the dining table, and even I had a few close calls in socks. Lesson learned: moderation is key.
Honestly, vinegar is my go-to for quick cleans, but yeah, it does seem to dull things after repeated use. I've heard some folks swear by black tea (cooled down, obviously) to bring out the shine without leaving residue. Haven't tried it myself yet, though—anyone brave enough to pour tea on their floors?
Also, has anyone experimented with beeswax-based products? My neighbor keeps raving about them, says they're natural and leave a nice subtle shine without slipperiness. I'm tempted, but after the olive oil incident, I'm a bit wary of anything that sounds too good to be true...
Haha, your olive oil story made me laugh because I had a similar experience with coconut oil once. Thought I'd discovered the holy grail of floor polish—natural, smells great, and budget-friendly. Well, let's just say my hallway turned into a slip-n-slide for about a week. My cat still gives me suspicious looks whenever I open that jar...
Anyway, I've actually tried the black tea thing you mentioned. It wasn't bad! Didn't leave any weird residue, and it did seem to bring out the wood grain nicely. But honestly, it wasn't exactly a miracle shine either—more like a subtle refresh. Plus, brewing tea specifically for my floors felt a little... extra? Like, am I really making tea for my house now? 😂
I've also heard good things about beeswax-based products, but haven't pulled the trigger yet because they seem a bit pricey. I'm always hesitant to spend money on something that might end up unused in the cleaning cabinet graveyard (you know, next to the half-empty bottles of miracle cleaners that didn't quite pan out).
Right now, I'm mostly sticking to diluted vinegar with a drop or two of dish soap. It's cheap, easy, and doesn't leave me skating around the house. But yeah, it does dull things down over time. I've been thinking about trying Murphy's Oil Soap—my mom swears by it—but I've also heard mixed reviews. Some people say it's amazing, others say it leaves buildup.
Has anyone here actually used Murphy's regularly on hardwood? Curious if it's worth giving a shot or if it's just another cleaning myth...
I've used Murphy's on my hardwood floors for years, and honestly, it's solid. Doesn't leave buildup if you dilute it properly—just don't go overboard. My floors aren't mirror-shiny, but they look healthy and clean without the slip-n-slide drama...worth a shot imo.
"My floors aren't mirror-shiny, but they look healthy and clean without the slip-n-slide drama..."
Haha, totally feel you on the slip-n-slide drama—been there, done that, nearly broke a hip. Murphy's is decent stuff for sure. I've tried it myself, and while it did keep things clean, I eventually switched to a homemade vinegar-water mix with just a drop or two of essential oil (lemon or lavender usually). Honestly, it's been a game changer for me. Floors look fresh and smell amazing without any buildup issues.
Also, I found that buffing with a microfiber mop after cleaning makes a surprising difference. Not like "see-your-reflection" shiny, but more like "wow-these-floors-are-loved" shiny. It's subtle but noticeable enough that guests occasionally comment on it...which is always nice.
Anyway, whatever keeps us sane and upright on hardwood floors is a win in my book.
