How to Clean Wood Floors and Furniture in 5 Steps

Overview

Working Time:

1 – 2 hours
Total Time:

1 – 2 hours

Skill Level:

Beginner
Estimated Cost:

$10

Cleaning the wooden surfaces in your home is an annoying but necessary habit that prolongs the quality of furniture and floors. Of course, wood is one of the trickier materials to clean because of its aversion to water. So, many turn to commercial wood cleaning products brimming with harsh chemicals, unbeknownst to the buyer.

According to the Environmental Working Group’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning, even one of the most well-known wood cleaners—Murphy Oil Soap—contains ingredients that cause concern for biodegradation, aquatic toxicity, air pollution, and human health. On an A to F grading scale, Murphy Oil got a C. Several Pledge wood floor cleaners received a D, and MOP & GLO received an F.

With scores like that, you might feel inclined to boycott commercial wood cleaners altogether and clean your wood the old-fashioned way: with vinegar, olive oil, and beeswax for a shiny finish. Here’s how to do it in five steps.

Tools

6
microfiber or lint-free cotton cloths
Bowl or spray bottle

Dust With a Damp Cloth

First, remove dust and debris from your wood surface with a damp cloth. Because sitting water can damage wood, you’ll want to immediately wipe the wetness off with a dry cloth. This should suffice for regular dusting, but deep cleans—to remove grime and stains, for instance—require a little extra work.
Make Your Own Wood Cleaner

Yulia Naumenko / Getty Images

Olive oil and vinegar make a natural and gentle cleaner that’s entirely safe for wood and healthy enough to use in your home. The acetic acid in vinegar digs deep to lift dirt—and stains, even—with no harsh scrubbing. It should be used only with a carrier, though, as the acidity can actually chew through the protective finish if used alone.

Olive oil is a great carrier; it moisturizes and nourishes wood, helping to bring out its natural shine. Aim for a two-to-one ratio of vinegar and olive oil—a half-cup to a quarter-cup is a good amount—then add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and/or up to 30 drops of lavender essential oil for a fresh scent. Without added fragrance, the vinegar solution will smell strongly for only a few minutes, then the odor will go away.

Only use this solution on finished wood (i.e., most wooden furniture and flooring). On raw wood, vinegar acts as a stain.

Treehugger Tip

Use white vinegar for light to medium woods and apple cider vinegar for those darker in color.
Apply Solution to Wood

Keep your cleaning solution in a bowl or transfer it to a spray bottle for application. Spray the mixture directly onto your wood surface or apply with a cloth. With the cloth, rub the mixture in, going with the natural wood grain. You shouldn’t need to do much scrubbing; let the vinegar go to work on dirt and stains.

Treehugger Tip

As with any new cleaning solution, you should test this method on a small, inconspicuous section of wood before applying it to the entire piece of furniture to make sure it doesn’t cause discoloration or strip away the finish.
Dry, Dry, Dry

Photographer, Basak Gurbuz Derman / Getty Images

Apply the vinegar and olive oil mixture to the entire surface, then go back to the start and wipe the mixture off completely with a fresh, dry cloth. Get the wood as dry as possible to avoid splotching. Drying the wood is especially important with floors, as the oil can leave surfaces very slick.

When mopping up the mixture, rub in circles. The oil in this solution has a polishing effect.
Protect With Wax

Occasionally—every six months to a year and a half, depending on how much use the wood gets—furniture and flooring require a fresh coat of wax. Wax not only hides scratches and enhances shine, but it also protects the wood from stains and further damage.

To make your own natural, food-grade wood wax, combine a third cup of melted beeswax or vegetable-based alternative (like carnauba or candelilla) with a cup and a half of flaxseed or walnut oil. Allow it to dry completely so that it becomes a semi-solid paste.

Unlike olive oil, flaxseed and walnut oils are drying oils, which harden when exposed to oxygen. This creates a thin protective layer over furniture and floors. Apply lightly and evenly with a cloth and work the wax into the wood, going with the grain. Allow the wax to soak in for roughly 30 minutes, then use a fresh cloth to buff it to a sheen.

More Tips for Maintaining Household Wood

Different types of wood require different types of care, so do your research and, if possible, check with the manufacturer on how best to maintain your furniture.
When cleaning, always start with the gentlest method and move to more abrasive methods as needed.
Wetness is the true enemy of wood, so follow your parents’ advice and use coasters.
Before throwing away furniture, try stripping the wood, restaining it, and refinishing it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is vinegar safe for cleaning wood?

White vinegar is safe for wood as long as it’s diluted with a carrier oil. If used alone, the high acid content can strip away the wood’s protective finish.

Is it OK to clean wood with water?

A small amount of water can be used to dampen a cloth for dusting, but any water used to clean wood should be mopped up completely and immediately to prevent leaving watermarks.

How do you remove watermarks naturally?

A solution of two parts vinegar mixed with one part olive oil helps remove stains, including watermarks, from wood.