Keeping hardwood shiny without losing my mind

I've had decent luck adding a bit of baking soda to the vinegar-water mix. It seems to neutralize the smell somewhat without weakening the cleaning effect. Just be careful not to add too much, or you'll end up with a fizzy mess (speaking from experience here...). Also, have you tried airing out the room with a fan or open window right after cleaning? It helps dissipate the vinegar scent faster, especially if you're sensitive to smells.

Good tip about the baking soda - I hadn't considered that it could neutralize the vinegar smell without affecting cleaning power. Have you noticed any residue issues on your hardwood afterward, or does it rinse cleanly? Might give this a try next weekend...

I've tried baking soda with vinegar before - worked pretty well, but I did notice a slight powdery residue if I didn't rinse thoroughly. Quick wipe-down afterward solved it though...just don't go overboard with the baking soda.

- Agree on the baking soda residue - been there, done that.
- Another thing I've found helpful is using a microfiber mop with just warm water and a tiny bit of dish soap. Less residue, less rinsing hassle.
- Also, avoid anything too abrasive or acidic too often... hardwood can be finicky.
- Learned the hard way after my floors started looking dull from over-cleaning. Moderation's key, I guess.

I've noticed the microfiber mop trick works well too, but I sometimes wonder if dish soap - even a tiny bit - could build up over time? Had a client once whose floors got cloudy after months of mild soap use. Maybe it's brand-dependent...?