It’s safe to use Pine Sol on wooden surfaces and other non-porous surfaces. In this article, we reveal how you can use it to clean wood floors.
What Type of Wood to Clean with Pine Sol?
With a lot of wooden floors out there, you are better off understanding the one that matches the cleaning solutions Pine Sol provides. You can use it for a variety of wooden floors, such as engineered wood flooring and hardwood flooring.
Does Pine Sol Damage Hardwood Floors?
Pine Sol doesn’t damage hardwood flooring, provided you followed the instructions on the label. For the best results, the floor should either be sealed or finished.
How to Put Pine Sol to Good Use on Wood Floors
In this part of the guide, we show you how to use Pine Sol for cleaning wooden floors. Before any other thing, you need to get the right tools. We made a list of these below:
- Pine Sol: you can choose from a plethora of options – Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner, which comes in different scents. You can choose from the Tropical Flower, Lemon Fresh, Sparkling Wave, and Lavender Clean
- Broom: you need this to do the initial cleaning. You can replace it with either a vacuum cleaner or a dust mop.
- Clean towel for cleaning the floor after mopping.
- Microfiber Mop: you need this for mopping the wooden floor. You can also use a conventional mop, especially the one with a hands-free wringing for removing excess water.
- Gloves for protecting your hands and other sensitive parts of the hand from getting into contact with the Pine Sol cleaner.
- A bucket for preparing the mixture.
- A gallon of water and;
- A sponge or bristle-free toothbrush for removing tougher stains.
We are now getting into how to clean your wood floor with Pine Sol. To begin with, clear the surface of any dust or dirt particles. Your broom readily comes in handy here, but you can also use a dust mop or a vacuum cleaner to get the job done faster.
1. Prepare the Pine Sol Solution
Get the bucket and add ¼ cup of the Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner into it. Follow this up by pouring the gallon of water into the bucket.
Stir the content of the bucket to mix thoroughly.
2. Mop the Floor with the Mixture
Get a conventional mop or a microfiber mop and dip it into the bucket. Gently wring out excess water from it before laying down on the floor.
Gently apply the mop to the floor and clean the areas with dexterity. Follow the direction of the wood for a good clean and do not leave the mop on the floor for too long, lest it begins to form a pool of water.
3. Inspect the Floor
As you mop, always spend a few seconds observing the surface. Look out for stains that have stuck to the floor. If this is the case, then you need to dip either a sponge or a bristle-free toothbrush into the mixture on the bucket and scrub at the stains.
4. To Rinse or not to Rinse?
There is a bit of disagreement on whether you can rinse a wooden floor after cleaning with Pine Sol. The fact is that you cannot risk having the solution on the surface for a long time. So, rinsing naturally becomes the next option.
If you are cleaning the laminated wooden floor with Pine Sol, it is a must to wipe the floor with a damp cloth or towel to remove any residues.
5. Allow the Floor to Dry
There are a couple of ways to get a wooden floor dried after cleaning. You can open the windows or turn on the HVAC or fan and position them to the floor for faster effect.
Read: Can You Use Pine Sol on Vinyl Floor?
How to Apply Pine Sol Cleaner via Squirting
The earlier method has to do with dipping the mop into the mixture and cleaning the floor. If you are using a spray bottle, then squirting becomes a faster route to take. Continue reading to find out how it’s done.
a. Pour the Pine Sol into a Bottle
Get a spray bottle and pour the Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner into it, until it is filled to the brim. There is no need to dilute with water.
b. Apply the Cleaner and Mop the Area
The recommended method of applying is in a 1 x 1-meter area. Once you squirt the cleaner on the floor, get a damp mop and wipe the liquid off the surface.
Continue until you’ve covered all parts of the floor.
c. Dry the Floor
It is optional to rinse the floor. If you choose to, get a bowl of clean water, dip a clean towel into it, wriggle excess water out of it, and use it to wipe the sprayed areas.
Afterward, allow the floor to dry by either allowing natural air to flow in through the doors/windows or turning on the HVAC.
Read: Can You Use Pine Sol on Laminate Floors?
Benefits of Cleaning Wooden Floors With Pine Sol
Besides the versatility and multi-surface usage, using Pine Sol can prove beneficial for wooden floors. Here are some good reasons why homeowners, especially those with hardwood floors, should make it the number one floor cleaner.
a. Less-Harmful Ingredients
Beyond the excellent clean it gives, Pine-Sol is highly recommended, because of the less-harmful ingredients it contains. Due to the dexterity and professional care required of wooden floors, it is important to use cleaners that do not cause more harm.
For example, the most active ingredients in Pine Sol include:
- Pine oil
- Ethoxylated alcohol
b. Sweet-Smelling and Shiny
Pine Sol not only restores the shine to the floor but also leaves a sweet-smelling scent behind. You have an array of scent options to choose from:
- Tropical Flower
- Lavender Clean
- Lemon Fresh and;
- Sparkling Wave
A Guide to Using Pine Sol on Wooden Floors
Moderation is always the key when working on a wooden floor with cleaning agents. Although the ingredients in Pine Sol are not particularly harmful, at least, to wooden floors; it makes sense to still use them in smaller quantities.
The following guidelines will help you use this hardwood floor cleaner without any hassles:
a. Reduce Moisture Application
You don’t want to leave excess water on the floor. Always mop the floor thoroughly and dry after cleaning.
b. Tackle Marks with a Sponge/Toothbrush and not Mop
The mop will not get you anywhere if you are looking to remove stubborn/stuck-on stains and marks on the floor.
Instead, dip a sponge or a bristle-free toothbrush into the mixture and use the same to gently rub away the stains or marks from the floor.
c. Use Pine Sol Mixture Only on Recommended Woods
You wouldn’t clean all types of woods with Pine Sol. The manufacturer recommends using it mostly for wooden floors, which are either finished or sealed. If your hardwood floor doesn’t fit into this description, it is not ideal to use the Pine Sol mixture to clean it.
FAQs
1. Can You Use Pine Sol on Laminate Wood Floors?
Yes, it is safe to use Pine Sol on laminated wood floors, but make sure to dilute it with water because applying it in a concentrated form can damage the floor. The floor must be finished and do well to wipe the floor with a damp cloth to remove any residues left behind after mopping.
2. Do You Have to Rinse Pine Sol?
The Pine-Sol mixture can remove grime, but you may need to rinse the floor with water when done mopping. This is a measure to prevent the cleaner from leaving behind residues.
3. Is Pine Sol Toxic?
Yes, Pine Sol contains some toxic chemicals, which is why the ingredients are rated D by the EWG. This signifies that some of the ingredients or chemicals are acutely toxic.
4. What Safety Measures are Recommended when Cleaning Wood Floors with Pine Sol?
Always wear a glove to protect your hand and sensitive parts of your skin from getting harmed by the cause of prolonged use of the cleaner. If you have pets, do well to keep them away from ingesting the liquid.
5. Is Pine Sol Safe for Use on Wooden Floors?
The major concentration is on the biodegradation of the cleaner. Yes, Pine-Sol is biodegradable and as such, doesn’t release toxic chemicals into the immediate environment.
Conclusion: Pine Sol Makes a Great Wooden Floor Cleaning Solution
Homeowners with wooden flooring in their houses count on the ingredients in Pine Sol to break-down tough stains and restore the shine to the floors. By diluting the cleaner with water, you will reduce some of the toxicity, while having more liquid to work with when cleaning the floor.
Finally, while cleaning the floor with the mixture does wonders, regular maintenance is also required to keep the floor in good shape. Sweep regularly, dab at any liquid spilled on the floor, and vacuum when the floor becomes excessively dirty. Also, invest in door mats and restrict wearing footwear inside the house to reduce the chances of marks on the floor and introducing dust particles on the surface.