Wood floors, with their glowing luster and homely ambiance, can single-handedly improve the appearance of a room. Needless to say, it’s just as important to keep the floors squeaky clean to preserve said luster. But water and wood usually don’t go very well together. So, that brings out the question – can you use dish soap to mop wood floors?
You can use dish soap to mop wood floors if the floors have been already laminated with water-resistant protective layers. The polyacrylic, polyurethane, etc. stain-resistant layers cannot be damaged by non-abrasive cleaning agents. As such, it’s alright to use regular dish soap to mop wood floors with a proper finish.
However, the situation isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. Dish soap can cause irreparable damage to wood floors if not used correctly and safely. Let’s figure out the dos & don’ts of using dish soap on wood floors in today’s article.
Can You Use Dish Soap To Mop Wood Floors?
Dish soap is a cost-effective and efficient cleaning agent to mop up sealed hardwood floors. But you shouldn’t use dish soap or any other cleaning agents on untreated wood floors.
Using cleaning chemicals on raw wood can cause discoloration issues. Plus, with no water-resistant sealants, the water can easily seep into the floor and damage the wood. Sealed hardwood floors, on the other hand, will remain unaffected by the corrosive properties of the regular dish soap with mild chemicals.
Cleaning Finished Wood Floors With Dish Soap: Step-By-Step Procedure
To clean treated wood floors with dish soap, follow the instructions below –
Step 1: Mix The Cleaning Solution
Use only water and dish soap to make your cleaning solution. Don’t add vinegar, ammonia, or any other harsh chemicals. The ratio of dish soap to water should be 1:4 for best results.
Step 2: Dust The Wood Floor
Use a broom to clean the dirt off the floor so it doesn’t get muddy later. Use soft strokes to prevent scuff marks.
Step 3: Wet The Mop
Wet your soft cleaning mop with the cleaning mixture. Microfiber mops work best for wood floors.
Wring the mop enough times so that it’s *just* damp. Because watery mops will leave your wood floors slippery.
Step 4: Dry The Floor
After wiping the surface, use a dry mop to soak up all the water from the surface. Then let the clean floor air dry.
Safe Use Of Dish Soap On Wood Floors: Tips & Tricks
Keep in mind the following tips to avoid damage while cleaning wood floors with dish soap –
- Avoid using boiling water
- Avoid using too much dish soap
- Wipe away any spillage immediately
- Dry the floor as soon as possible after cleaning
Common Dish Soap On Wood Floor Mistakes & Their Fixes
| Indication | Possible Cause | Relative Solution |
| Sizzling noises | chemical reactions | neutralize the area with water |
| Muddy concoction | lack of proper dusting | use an ample amount of water first to wash off the dirt |
| Strong pungent smell | high chemical concentration | dilute the cleaning concoction |
| Burning smell | chemical reactions | check sealants for damage |
| Increase in temperature | too much friction/exposure to direct heat or sunlight | arrange for proper shade and let the floor cool down |
| Severe discoloration | accidental bleaching | rinse everything off immediately |
Frequently Asked Questions
How to prevent the floor from getting muddy while cleaning or washing?
Before using soap and water on the floor, dust off first. Removing the dirt particles will both decrease your workload and keep the floor from getting muddy.
Why shouldn’t I use high-speed water guns to wash hardwood floors?
The burnish on wood floors can get damaged beyond repair upon getting exposed to high-speed water guns. So, it’s highly recommended to use soft microfiber mops instead.
How to restore luster to wood floors after cleaning them?
Air-dry the floor completely to restore the luster to the floors. However, don’t use steam cleaners to dry wood floors as the heat can be detrimental to the protective layers.
What causes wood floors to become brownish over time?
Wood floors can significantly lose their luster upon being exposed to direct sunlight for a long time. The affected area normally becomes brownish & dull from the scorching heat.
How many times should I mop the wood floors in a week?
Mopping the wood floors properly once every week should do the trick. However, high-traffic usage can demand frequent dust-offs and dry clean-ups to keep the floors clean.
Final Verdict
So, can you use dish soap to mop wood floors?
The answer is yes as long as you don’t overuse water and provide proper aftercare to the laminated floors.
Use lukewarm soapy water and just slightly damp the microfiber sponge or mop so there’s no excess water in there. And it’s best to not use dish soap on raw wood floors. Burnish the floors as soon as possible and then use soapy concoctions to keep the floors perfectly clean.