Wooden floors can look dull and worn in spring, but you can restore their shine and reduce dust build-up without harsh chemicals or spending any money at all.
Wooden floors have overtaken carpet as the flooring of choice in many homes due to their low-maintenance nature, yet come springtime, they often require a thorough clean to ward off wear and tear. It’s extremely common for floors to begin losing their lustre at this time of year, as warmer weather prompts us to throw open the windows, allowing more dust and pollen to drift inside.
This leads to debris settling on the surface, forming a thin layer that leaves floors looking tired and lacklustre. If this build-up of grime is left unchecked, it won’t just make a room appear untidy — over time, these fine particles can gradually erode the finish, potentially causing permanent scratches. Fortunately, Nell Regan Kartychok, a DIY expert and founder of Rhythms of Play, has an old-fashioned cleaning trick to keep floors gleaming: all you need is a few drops of olive oil.
She said: “Olive oil is a fantastic natural cleaner for wood, so this recipe is the best mixture to clean wood around the house without harsh chemicals.”
Why use olive oil to clean a floor?
It may sound completely bizarre if you’ve never given it a try, but adding a splash of olive oil to your mop bucket provides a natural polish that helps restore the wood’s natural shine.
Olive oil nourishes the wood without the need for heavy mopping, while restoring its colour and leaving it looking far richer.
Buffing olive oil into the floor can also help disguise minor scuffs and light scratches, leaving it looking considerably better — without splashing out on pricey products.
Olive oil helps revive and restore wood, while combining it with an acidic ingredient, such as vinegar, creates a solution that can break down floor residue, keeping it free of dust throughout spring.
How to deep clean a wooden floor
You will need:
- 400ml of water
- 60ml of white vinegar (or use apple cider vinegar for darker wooden floors)
- Two tablespoons of olive oil
- 20 drops of lemon essential oil (optional)
Lemon essential oil contains limonene, which can help cut through grease build-up and carries antimicrobial properties.
Bear in mind, however, that animals cannot process essential oils in the same way humans can, and exposure can be toxic to them — so steer clear of this ingredient if you have a cat or dog at home.
It’s worth noting that olive oil gives floors a natural shine, but applying too much will make the surface extremely slippery. Only a few tablespoons are needed for it to be effective, so be careful not to overdo it.
Method:
Simply pour the water, olive oil, vinegar and essential oil (if using) into a 16-ounce glass spray bottle.
Spray bottles are widely available in the gardening aisle of most supermarkets, as well as pound shops, garden centres or online through most major retailers.
Give the bottle a thorough shake before every use, then lightly mist the floor with the solution. You should never saturate a floor during cleaning, as excessive moisture can cause damage to the wood. Take care not to apply too much.
Then simply mop the floor, working in small sections — misting and mopping as you go — to ensure no area of the wood stays damp for too long.
Once you’ve finished, run a microfibre cloth or a dry mop across the floor to ensure it is thoroughly dry — this also helps prevent streaks on the wood.
Your wooden floor should now be spotless and gleaming, so you can cross deep cleaning it off your spring cleaning checklist.
