Although wooden floors are a long-lasting flooring choice, they can endure significant wear: everyday foot traffic, spills, scuffs, and dust. Dust has a knack for settling in various spots around the house, even when they’ve just been cleaned, such as on windowsills, blinds, skirting boards, and, of course, wooden floors. Although there are numerous floor cleaners specifically designed for hardwood, the solution you need might be tucked away in your fridge.
Mum of two, Emily, who runs home and lifestyle blog Home As We Make It, has shared her top tips to restore wooden floors. To get wooden floors in your home “gleaming”, Emily claims that the secret lies in a condiment kept in your fridge – mayonnaise.
Before you do anything, Emily recommends giving your floors a thorough cleaning. Regular mopping leaves behind residue that dulls the wood over time and makes it susceptible to more dust.
You don’t need anything fancy, just mix warm water with a few drops of dish soap. Use a microfibre mop that won’t scratch the surface, and work in small sections.
Don’t flood the floor with water. Wood doesn’t like too much moisture, and you’ll end up with bigger problems than dull floors.
Wring your mop until it’s just barely damp, then go over each area twice: once to clean, once to pick up any remaining moisture.
While using mayonnaise to revive woodenfloors may sound strange, this condiment contains oils and acids that naturally restore wood.
Emily instructed: “Apply a thin layer to a small test area first to make sure it works with your floor finish.
“If all goes well, spread mayonnaise over the entire floor using a soft cloth. Let it sit for about 15 minutes, then buff it away with a clean, dry cloth.”
The oils penetrate the wood and repel dust, while the vinegar in mayo helps remove grime.
Emily assured: “Your floors will have a warm, natural shine that looks anything but artificial.”
