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Across the Fence:  How do you clean Hardwood floors?  |
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quiltee
True Blue Farmgirl
7728 Posts
Linda
Terrell
TX
USA
7728 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 28 2012 : 08:55:04 AM
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I live in a 1900s farmhouse that was somewhat updated before I bought it. It has hardwood floors throughout, and I would like ideas on what to use to clean them. They have varnish or something like that on them, but there are cracks between many of the boards. I'm sure some of you have some super simple ideas for me.
Thanks in advance!
Linda O
quiltee
Farmgirl #1919 |
Edited by - quiltee on Jul 28 2012 08:56:20 AM |
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Wauka Mountain Mama
True Blue Farmgirl
239 Posts
Fran
Fairburn
Ga
USA
239 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2012 : 10:39:06 AM
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I would say that you should get your floors waxed, that will save the varnish & fill in the cracks.
I personally have 60 year old floor boards that have lost the wax & varnish. I only use Murphy's oil soap, I just make sure the mop is wrung out really good so I don't get too much water on the floor so it will dry quickly & I mop only when the floor really needs it. So far I've seen no damage to my floor boards.
Live simply. So that others may simply live.
http://waukamountainmama.blogspot.com/ |
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quiltee
True Blue Farmgirl
7728 Posts
Linda
Terrell
TX
USA
7728 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2012 : 12:10:10 PM
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Thanks, Fran -
The floors MAY have wax on them. One person said they thought so. How can I tell for sure? They are shiny and the surface seems hard. I think they redid the floors before I bought the house. I have Murphy's Oil Soap and wondered if that was the way to go. I think my main problem is all the cat fur - 2 minutes (if even that) after I sweep them, cat fur has found them like a magnet. Maybe I need hairless cats? No - I don't think so. LOL!
Thanks, again.
Linda O
quiltee
Farmgirl #1919 |
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Wauka Mountain Mama
True Blue Farmgirl
239 Posts
Fran
Fairburn
Ga
USA
239 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2012 : 9:49:06 PM
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LOL! I have two cats so I know what you mean. For my birthday a few years back my mom gave me a small upright dirt devil vaccum thats safe to use on hardwood floors & I find that works waaaay better than a broom because dust/fur doesn't get a chance to fly around & then resettle.
Iam not really sure how to tell if your floors are waxed but I would think they'd have a pretty good shine too them & the cracks if they're not too wide apart would be filled in with the wax. You should be fine with the Murphy's oil. I would just avoid excess water which probably isn't too wise for hardwoods even with wax.
Live simply. So that others may simply live.
http://waukamountainmama.blogspot.com/ |
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pnickols
True Blue Farmgirl
808 Posts
Patricia
Parma
Ohio
808 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2012 : 06:55:27 AM
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| my house is all wood floors, I use a dus tmop daily, sometimes several times a day and Murphy's oil. my doggie leaves little white hairs on the floor so I sweep often |
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quiltee
True Blue Farmgirl
7728 Posts
Linda
Terrell
TX
USA
7728 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2012 : 07:29:41 AM
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the only room that isn't hardwood floors is the bathroom. LOL! And the cat hairs take over! Murphy's Oil works pretty well; I was just wondering if there might be something else.
Thanks for the suggestions Fran and Patricia!
Linda O
quiltee
Farmgirl #1919 |
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acairnsmom
True Blue Farmgirl
1319 Posts
audrey
cheyenne
wy
1319 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2012 : 09:31:12 AM
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I had some hardwoods refinished in our first house. They told me to vacumn them to get the dirt in between and then just use plain vinegar and water as a cleaner. I had 5 cats and two dogs back then. Oh, the floors were polyurethane finished so that may make a difference. Never needed to wax them.
Audrey
http://prairiecairncottage.blogspot.com/
.jpg) Good boy Hobbs! I love and miss you. |
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quiltee
True Blue Farmgirl
7728 Posts
Linda
Terrell
TX
USA
7728 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2012 : 1:50:27 PM
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From what is between the boards in the cracks, I think mine might be polyurethane, too, and not waxed. I had heard of vinegar and water, but wasn't sure. I may try that, too. Thanks!
Linda O
quiltee
Farmgirl #1919 |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2012 : 9:21:48 PM
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| Linda, your place sounds just like ours, right down to the cats and that the downstairs wood floors being fairly modern hardwood replacements (c. 1970s). The upstairs still has the original heart pine, much the worse for wear, I'm sorry to say. I refinished the downstairs floors myself about 5 years ago, ending with three thin coats of low-sheen polyurethane. Both upstairs and down, I use a steam mop periodically. When the floors are dry, which usually doesn't take too long, I follow with Orange Glo, which I get at Bed, Bath and Beyond. This is the only store-bought "cleaning" product I use. It makes the floors look very nice, smells fresh (not chemicalish) and is safe for the cats. I would not use Murphy's Oil Soap because it can be slippery, which is dangerous, and I don't think it would be good for the cats to walk on it and then lick their paws. Between moppings, I just use a dust mop and vacuum. Nothing is ever enough. I can't imagine how the lady of this house kept it clean 100+ years ago when it was a farm with a hard-working husband, 7 kids, 6 wood stoves going in cold weather and no air conditioning, just open windows and porches when it got hot. Whew! |
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quiltee
True Blue Farmgirl
7728 Posts
Linda
Terrell
TX
USA
7728 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2012 : 06:29:35 AM
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Thanks, Rosemary - I'm with you. Just how did the lady of the house years ago keep the place clean and cool. I have a steam mop and wasn't sure if I could use it on the floors here - I used it on my ceramic tile at my previous home. I will try Orange Glo, too - I LOVE BB&B coupons and use them all the time for lower cost things; I have also used Orange Glo previously. The floors are Oak, and seem to have some hard coating (I'm assuming polyurethane) on them - I can tell this in some of the cracks. I love the old house.
Linda O
quiltee
Farmgirl #1919 |
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Across the Fence: How do you clean Hardwood floors? |
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How do you clean Hardwood floors?
