Can You Use Vinegar on Hardwood Floors?

For quite a few years now, vinegar has been making a comeback as a jack-of-all-trades cleaning agent, praised for its non-toxic, pet-friendly features, and cheap price. But what about your hardwood floors? Can you use vinegar to clean them? 

The answer is a little more complex than a simple yes or no, so keep reading as we break down the best way to clean your hardwood floors and on what occasions you can use vinegar instead of ready-to-use cleaning products!

What’s the best way to clean hardwood floors?

Before we talk about vinegar as a cleaning solution, let’s be honest about one thing: when it comes to the best way to care for hardwood floors your best bet is to use a proper hardwood floor cleaning solution about once a month, coupled with daily dusting, and weekly vacuuming. This way, you ensure they remain as sparkling as when they were first installed for years to come. 

Consistency is key, so the most important thing to do is to make sure you’re not abandoning your floors for weeks at a time without any vacuuming or microfiber sweeping. 

Is vinegar safe to use on hardwood floors?

When it comes to vinegar as a cleaning agent, perhaps even more important than knowing the type of hardwood you have — from maple to pine —is knowing your flooring’s finish. If your floors are waxed or unfinished, you’ll want to stay away from vinegar, since it’ll most likely cause unwanted discoloration. 

On the other hand, if your hardwood floors are sealed or prefabricated, a solution of vinegar and water won’t negatively affect the look of your floors. Just remember to dilute the vinegar properly, and avoid drenching your floors with liquid. Added vinegar or not, too much water can be damaging to hardwood floors.

Vinegar on hardwood floors: pros and cons

One pro of using vinegar as a cleaning agent is that it’ll fit within anyone’s budget, as it’s extremely affordable. It is a safe, non-toxic substance for those worried about their pets or crawling toddlers, and it’s extremely effective at cutting down the dirt and grime that tends to stick to floors and requires some serious scrubbing to remove. 

On the downside, a con of using a vinegar and water solution is that it is very possible to overuse it and cause damage to your floors, so remember: vinegar is a very abrasive substance! Always use the recommended vinegar-to-water ratio of ½ cup of vinegar to one gallon of warm water. To stay on the safe side, test the mixture on a small, unseen corner of the room before cleaning, and never leave any standing water — make sure to continuously wipe or mop.

What are the best products to use on hardwood floors?

The best products to use on your hardwood floors are without a doubt those with specialized formulas made to preserve their integrity and shine.

Here are some of our favorites:

• Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner, a water-based formula with a biodegradable composition suitable for all finishes that effectively removes dirt and grime without leaving residue. 
• MAPEI UltraBond Urethane Cleaner, for those with urethane-finished floors. Unlike with vinegar solutions, you won’t have to worry about causing discoloration with this product.
• Bona Pro Series Hardwood Floor Refresher will revive your floors by bringing back shine and filling scratches.
• Bona Pro Series Hardwood Cleaner is a versatile option for those looking for a product that will work for their every-day cleaning needs and for special occasions, when dealing with stains that just won’t budge. But don’t worry, this powerhouse cleaner is completely safe for pets and children.

Hardwood Floors FAQ 

What is the disadvantage of cleaning with vinegar?

Cleaning your floors with a vinegar and water solution (and a couple of drops of essential oil for a pleasant fragrance) is harmless depending on your flooring’s finish, however, some disadvantages can pop up in the long run. Vinegar, as discussed above, is an incredibly acidic substance, and with constant use over a long period of time may corrode your floors leaving them dull and discolored. 

Why is my floor sticky after mopping with vinegar?

The answer is a simple one: you are likely using too much vinegar in your solution. Always stick to the ratio of ½ cup of vinegar to one gallon of warm water, and if your floors are still sticky try to lower the vinegar portion even more. 

Can vinegar make floors less slippery?

Vinegar cannot make your hardwood floors less slippery. Frequent vacuuming and mopping is your best option when it comes to preventing this undesired effect, coupled with special treatments and finishes that can add more texture to your floors if due to the daily wear and tear they’ve grown too smooth over time. In any case, contact the pros if you’ve been having issues keeping your floors non-slip and we’ll help you out!