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melbalalala
Little Lady
Member since 5/07 5014 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Help! My dark hardwoor flooring ALWAYS looks dirty! UPDATE
We have VERY dark, almost black, hardwood floors throughout the first level of our house.
The minute we are done cleaning it, it is dirty again. If I am wearing a (clean) sock, you can see the imprint of it right away. This happens with bare feet too! There are smudges RIGHT away, once anyone steps on it. And it's not even really dirt. Its like the body heat of our feet causes an imprint/smudge.
We were using Swiffer for hardwood floors, and also tried Windex. Doesn't work.
Are the cleaners maybe leaving a residue that causes a smudge when we walk on it? Are we just S.O.L. because we have dark floors and they'll show anything?
Anyone have this problem? ARe there better cleaners out there?
UPDATE: Swiffer Hardwood floor cleaner suuckss. I switched to vinegar/water blend and after a few washings my floors are GREAT.
I read somewhere that the Swiffer floor cleaner has some shining oil in it, which leaves the residue I was talking about. They looked fine right after the cleaning but would be all messy after anyone walked on them once. My floors never looked clean before and now, thanks to simple vinegar they are great!
Message edited 1/29/2008 5:40:11 PM.
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Posted 12/3/07 11:12 AM  |
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tray831
Dee-licious!
Member since 3/06 5355 total posts
Name:
His Baby
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Re: Help! My dark hardwoor flooring ALWAYS looks dirty!
I'm a little confused? Is the stain from the floor bleeding through???
If you clean your floors and you walk on them and leave an imprint on the wood, I dont think that means its dirty.....it may mean the cleanser you are using is too harsh.
Are they laminated like as in glossy or is it a dull finish??
Maybe your floor needs to be sealed??
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| Posted 12/3/07 11:22 AM |
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melbalalala
Little Lady
Member since 5/07 5014 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Help! My dark hardwoor flooring ALWAYS looks dirty!
Posted by tray831
I'm a little confused? Is the stain from the floor bleeding through???
If you clean your floors and you walk on them and leave an imprint on the wood, I dont think that means its dirty.....it may mean the cleanser you are using is too harsh.
Are they laminated like as in glossy or is it a dull finish??
Maybe your floor needs to be sealed??
We bought the wood all sealed and cut from Home Depot. It has a dull finish but the wood is definitely coated. We didn't use "raw" wood, if that makes any sense.
The best way to describe it is smudges. If I wash my floor, let it dry, put on a clean pair of socks and walk on it, I can see every footprint.
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| Posted 12/3/07 11:27 AM |
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~Colleen~
my loves...
Member since 5/05 9129 total posts
Name:
guess
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Re: Help! My dark hardwoor flooring ALWAYS looks dirty!
I agree with the PP and I definitely wouldn't use Windex on them.
A vinegar and water mixture will clean the floor.
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| Posted 12/3/07 11:28 AM |
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DRMom
Two in Blue
Member since 5/05 20223 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Help! My dark hardwoor flooring ALWAYS looks dirty!
Try Orange Glo hardwood cleaner. You may also want to have them sanded and refinished with a gloss poly...I have the same issue
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| Posted 12/3/07 11:45 AM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Help! My dark hardwoor flooring ALWAYS looks dirty!
What do you clean it with that you think is leaving the residue?
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| Posted 12/3/07 12:20 PM |
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JldDolphin
Member since 1/07 6929 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: Help! My dark hardwoor flooring ALWAYS looks dirty!
vinegar (not too much) and water mixture is what I use. Basically it's just a damp mop, make sure you ring it out good. They come out great with no residue. I also have used Murphy's Oil and Bruces HW cleaner (home depot). I won't use windex or swiffer. GL! 
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| Posted 12/3/07 4:06 PM |
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FullersBride
LIF Infant
Member since 4/07 132 total posts
Name:
Maria
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Re: Help! My dark hardwoor flooring ALWAYS looks dirty!
My dad refinishes hard wood floors for a living. He says your NOT suppose to use any cleaners on the wood floors because it will build up residues in the wood. I'm not sure how you get the chemical residue off the floors now without doing a light sanding and refinishing, but once you do just sweep and a slightly damp dry mop is all you are suppose to do. 95% of my house is hardwood floors and thats what we do and it is Gorgeous.
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| Posted 12/3/07 5:29 PM |
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melbalalala
Little Lady
Member since 5/07 5014 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Help! My dark hardwoor flooring ALWAYS looks dirty!
Posted by FullersBride
My dad refinishes hard wood floors for a living. He says your NOT suppose to use any cleaners on the wood floors because it will build up residues in the wood. I'm not sure how you get the chemical residue off the floors now without doing a light sanding and refinishing, but once you do just sweep and a slightly damp dry mop is all you are suppose to do. 95% of my house is hardwood floors and thats what we do and it is Gorgeous.
Interesting!
Thanks everyone. I assumed that cleaners were okay.. esp one labeled for hardwood floors. Might try the damp mop, maybe a little vinegar trick to see how it works.
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| Posted 12/3/07 5:41 PM |
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bigtrux707
LIF Infant
Member since 9/07 217 total posts
Name:
Raymond J. Jr.
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Re: Help! My dark hardwoor flooring ALWAYS looks dirty!
one part vinegar to three parts water...
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| Posted 12/4/07 6:51 AM |
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