Haha, isn't it funny how we always think pricier means better? I've been there too—tried some fancy eco-friendly cleaner that promised miracles. Ended up with floors that squeaked like sneakers on a basketball court. Who knew plain water could be the hero all along? Glad you found your simple solution...and saved your wallet from further trauma.
Totally get what you're saying—been down that road myself. Ever tried a splash of vinegar mixed with water? It's simple, cheap, and surprisingly effective. Some folks worry about the smell, but honestly, it fades pretty quickly. And speaking of squeaky floors... sometimes that's less about the cleaner and more about using too much liquid. Ever noticed how just dampening the mop slightly makes a huge difference?
Vinegar-water combo does wonders, totally agree. One extra tip—every few months, buffing with a bit of beeswax polish (just a thin coat!) can really bring out that deep shine. It's gentle on historic wood too... learned that the hard way after some trial and error.
Totally with you on beeswax polish—it's a lifesaver, especially for older wood. One quick note though: make sure the wood surface is completely dry after using vinegar-water before applying beeswax. Even slight moisture can cause uneven absorption, leaving you with patchy spots. Learned that one after a long afternoon of buffing and re-buffing... But yeah, beeswax is definitely my go-to for clients who want that rich, subtle glow without compromising the wood's integrity. Good call on suggesting it.
Totally get the beeswax love, it does wonders for older wood. But honestly, I've found that for some hardwood floors—especially lighter woods like maple or birch—it can sometimes darken or yellow the finish over time. Had a client once who wasn't thrilled with how her pale maple floors turned out after a few applications. Ended up switching to a natural oil finish (like tung oil) which kept the original color intact and still gave that subtle sheen without buildup.
Also, about the vinegar-water trick: it's great for cleaning, but I usually skip it altogether on delicate finishes. Sometimes even a tiny bit of vinegar residue can dull certain types of varnish or lacquer. Learned that the hard way too... spent hours buffing out cloudy patches before realizing what caused it.
Just my two cents though—every wood is different, and it's always worth testing a small hidden area first.
