Contractor Secrets: The Best DIY Cleaners for Maintaining Floors
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Keep that new flooring look alive with our best DIY floor cleaners. We’ve been flooring contractors in Toronto and the GTA for decades, and we can speak first hand to the affordability, effectiveness, and safety of these simple solutions.
In fact, in just a few minutes, these DIY floor cleaners can be mixed together to not only clean, but also protect your flooring.
Why Use DIY Floor Cleaners? Advice from Top Toronto Flooring Contractors
While there are certainly many good quality floor cleaners you can buy, DIY floor cleaners have many benefits. Perhaps the most notable is that they can be made quickly, easily for pennies per use with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
Another benefit of DIY floor cleaners — and one that we as eco-conscious flooring contractors in Toronto are always quick to mention — is that they are non-toxic and environmentally friendly.
Of course, as with any floor cleaner, not every DIY option is good for every type of flooring surface. Hardwood and engineered hardwood flooring, natural stone, tile, laminate, and vinyl all require different cleaning and care and as such, your DIY solution will need subtle tweaks for the different types of floor in your home or office.
With that in mind, here is what you need to know about making your own DIY floor cleaners and how to make them.
The Four Parts of a DIY Floor Cleaning Solution
The cleanser, protector, base, scent–these are the four components of a floor cleaning agent. Admittedly, the fragrance isn’t 100% necessary, but adding a pure essential oil to your mix can help invigorate your space with the power of aromatherapy.
What’s more, many essential oils contain antibacterial properties, which can help to further clean your floor. Some of the most popular fragrances for floors that are also antibacterial include lemon, lavender, lemongrass, cedarwood, and peppermint.
Now that you know what will be going into your DIY cleaning concoction, let’s get into the best solution for the most popular types of flooring.
BEFORE YOU CLEAN!
Sweep the area you plan to clean thoroughly. Not only will this remove loose dirt and debris, but it will prevent the particles from scratching your floor.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU WASH YOUR FLOORS?
High traffic areas should be swept daily and washed once or twice a week. Flooring in rooms that are used infrequently, like a guest room or formal living or dining room, can be swept bi-weekly and washed once a month or as needed.
DIY Hardwood or Engineered Hardwood Flooring Cleaner
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp. distilled white vinegar
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 2 cups warm water
Directions:
Combine all of the ingredients together in a spray bottle. Shake well. Spray on a swept floor and mop in sections with a damp (but not saturated) mop, spraying new areas and mopping as you go. Allow your hardwood or engineered hardwood flooring to dry before walking on it again to avoid slipping or smudging.
Pro-tip: Use this solution on your wood baseboards too! Spray and wipe with a clean, soft, lint-free or microfiber cloth.
DIY Natural Stone Floor Cleaner
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 tsp dish soap
- 10 drops of lemongrass essential oil
Directions:
Combine all of the ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake well. Spray on the swept floor, but be sure not to saturate the floor — natural stone can be porous, and too much moisture can result in mold or staining. Allow the floor to air dry.
DIY Tile Floor Cleaner
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1 tbsp dish detergent
- 1-gallon hot water
- 15 drops peppermint essential oil
Directions:
Combine all ingredients into a mop bucket. Stir until you see that the baking soda has dissolved. Using the mop, apply the solution to your floor. Wring the mop thoroughly so as to not soak the floor. Allow the floor to air dry.
DIY Laminate or Vinyl Floor Cleaner
Ingredients:
- 1 cup vinegar
- 3 cups water
- 1 tbsp dish detergent
- 10 drops lemon essential oil
Directions:
Combine all ingredients into a mop bucket. Use a mop to apply the solution to your floor. Wring the mop thoroughly so as to not soak the floor. Allow the floor to air dry.
Many of our clients use DIY floor cleaners due to their affordability, ease and eco-friendly perks — and as top flooring contractors in Toronto, we continue to recommend them. They work as well — if not better — than many commercially sold options. See for yourself. Use one of our favourite recommended solutions next time you need to clean your floors.
