Blog - Floorcare

How to Remove Dirt, Oil, and Grease off Your Floor

Written by Jay Goldberg | Nov 2, 2022 11:30:00 AM

 

No one wants a dirty, greasy floor. Not only is it unsightly, but it can also be dangerous. If you have a spill on your floor, it's important to clean it up as quickly as possible. In this blog post, we will discuss how to remove dirt, oil, and grease from your floor. We will provide step-by-step instructions on how to do this, so you can get your floor looking clean and shiny in no time!

Your floors are an important part of your space.

Aside from keeping you upright while going around, they are a focal point of the overall design of your space. Taking care of your floors calls for specific items, tools, and techniques. These depend on the matter that needs to be removed from your floors then you clean them. And these also depend on the type of flooring material you have.

In this post, we will take a look at the different stain remover techniques and tools that you can use on different types of floors, from wood floors to hardwood floors. By the end of this post, your floors will be free of mud and nasty dirt stains with the help of your household materials.

Basic Tools and Items You Will Need

The first thing you will need to do before cleaning your wood floors is to determine which cleaning tools and household materials you will use to get the job done. Here are some of the basic tools and items you will need to remove dirt off your floors.

Dish soap

First, you must have great dish soap in your arsenal.

Dish soap is known to be a powerful grease cutter. You can use it to remove oil and grease spots on your floor.

To use dish soap on your floors, mix two tablespoons of dish soap with a gallon of water. Mop the floor with the solution and let it sit for about five minutes. After five minutes, rinse the floor with clean water.

Vinegar

Another great household item you can use to remove dirt off your floors is vinegar. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant, and it also has potent cleaning power.

To use vinegar on your floors, mix one part vinegar with four parts water. Mop the floor with the solution and let it sit for about 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, rinse the floor with clean water.

Warm Water

In theory, you can use any type of water to clean your floors. However, if you want the best results, it is best to use warm water.

Warm water can help loosen the dirt and grime on your floors, making it easier for you to clean them. In addition, the temperature of the water can also help kill bacteria and germs.

To use warm water on your floors, mix one part of warm water with four parts of cold water. Mop the floor with the solution and let it sit for about five minutes. After five minutes, rinse the floor with clean water. Not only will your wood floors be clean, but they will also have a nice shine to them.

Liquid Laundry Detergent

One thing you need to remember in cleaning your floors is the material. If you have hardwood floors, you will need to take extra care in cleaning them. You cannot just use any type of cleaner on hardwood floors as this can damage the material. Instead, you will need to use a milder cleanser, such as liquid laundry detergent.

To use liquid laundry detergent on your floors, mix one part of liquid laundry detergent with four parts of water. Mop the floor with the solution and let it sit for about five minutes. After five minutes, rinse the floor with clean water.

Spray Bottle

This is not really a major need in cleaning your floors in general, but this can come in handy if you need to pretreat tough stains. To use a spray bottle, fill it with water and add a few drops of dish soap. Spray the solution onto the affected area and let it sit for about five minutes. After five minutes, wipe the area with a clean cloth.

Using a spray bottle is very helpful, especially when you clean the corners and hard-to-reach areas of your floors. In addition, you can use your spray bottle to directly apply the mixture you are using to huge chunks of dirt and mud.

Baking Soda

We all know how baking soda can make every house spic and span, but did you know that it can also be used in cleaning your floors?

Baking soda is a great cleaning agent as it has the ability to absorb dirt, oil, and grease. It can also help remove tough stains on your floor. This is because baking soda is a mild abrasive. Mild abrasives are perfect for cleaning hardwood floors as they can remove dirt without damaging the material.

To use baking soda on your floors, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the affected area. Let it sit for about five minutes and then vacuum the area and then repeat the process if necessary. You can also make a paste out of baking soda and water and use it to scrub tough stains on your floor.

Clean Damp Towel

A clean damp towel is perfect for wiping off the stains gently from your floor. To use a clean damp towel, soak the towel in water and wring it out. Gently wipe the stained area with a towel. Repeat the process until the stain is gone.

In using a clean damp towel, you must ensure that the quality of the towel is not too abrasive nor too rough. This is to avoid damaging your floors. Microfiber towels are perfect because they are soft and absorbent, and they are also very easy to use.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Lastly, hydrogen peroxide is our secret weapon in fighting off stubborn dirt pockets on our floors. Hydrogen peroxide penetrates dirt very easily, making it perfect for cleaning your floors.

To use hydrogen peroxide on your floors, mix one part of hydrogen peroxide with four parts of water. Mop the floor with the solution and let it sit for about five minutes. After five minutes, rinse the floor with clean water. You can also add a few drops of vinegar to the solution to make it more effective.

The Power of Warm Water

As mentioned earlier, warm water is a great choice if you want to clean your floors as thoroughly as possible. Why?

The reason why warm water is better for cleaning floors is that it works more effectively since hot water has a greater ability to dissolve dirt and grease, so you can use less soap — or none at all. In addition, the heat from the hot water helps soften the dirt on your floor so that it washes away more easily.

When you use hot water mopping, there's no need for any chemicals except water. This means that you won't be exposed to any harsh chemical fumes while you're cleaning your floors, which makes it safer for everyone in your household. And because there are no harmful chemicals on your floor after mopping with warm water, you'll be able to breathe easier while doing other chores around the house as well.

Which Dish Soap to Use?

There are many different dish soaps on the market, but which one should you use to clean your floors? Some dish soaps contain dyes, fragrances, and other chemicals that can harm your laminate or tile floors which is why it is important to understand which dish soap is best to use. Now, the type of flooring you have will determine which type of dish soap you should use. For example, laminate floors should not be cleaned with an oil-based soap because it can cause the wood to swell and buckle.

Ceramic tile floors, on the other hand, can be cleaned with regular dish soap but make sure it doesn't contain any bleaching agents. These products may discolor your tiles over time. If your ceramic tile floor is sealed with a sealant, this would be okay because it will not affect the sealant or its effectiveness. However, if your ceramic tiles are unsealed and don't have a protective coating on them, then using regular dish soap may cause them to become dull over time due to water spots forming on the surface.

Hardwood floors require more specialized care than other types of floors because they are natural products that cannot be repaired, unlike other types of flooring materials that can be fixed simply by replacing boards or tiles if needed. Hardwood floors, on the contrary, must be maintained regularly by stripping them down every few years (or whenever they need it) so that any old wax or dirt buildup is removed, thereby helping to keep the wood looking new and fresh. Consequently, once the old wax is stripped off, a new coat of wax can be applied to protect the wood and give it a shine.

When mopping a hardwood floor, always use a damp mop rather than a wet one, and do not use dish soaps that contain any type of bleach or ammonia on your hardwood floors because these chemicals can damage the wood and cause it to warp over time. Instead, use a natural hardwood floor cleaner or make your own by mixing one part white vinegar with four parts water.

Which Stain Remover to Use?

The stain remover is another valuable item mentioned earlier in cleaning your floors. The use of this product is quite simple, and it will definitely save you a lot of time. The best way to use a stain remover is by pouring some on the affected area and then scrubbing it with a brush. After that, you can wipe it dry with a rag or cloth.

Before using any stain remover, make sure to test it first on an inconspicuous area of your flooring to see if there would be any adverse reaction. You don't want to end up damaging your floors because you used the wrong product.

It is important to note that you should only use a stain remover when you want to remove oil stains from your floors, such as when you want to remove grease stains. This is because there are other types of stains that require different treatment methods.

How to Remove Dirt Stains

Dirt stains are one of the most common types of stains that you'll find on your floors. They're usually caused by tracking in dirt and mud from outside or by spills and accidents inside your home. Fortunately, dirt stains are relatively easy to remove. You can simply clean a mud stain by mopping or scrubbing it with soapy water. If the stain is particularly stubborn, you can make a paste out of baking soda and water and use that to scrub the stain. You can also try using white vinegar or lemon juice to remove the stain. You may need to repeat this process a few times to completely remove the stain.

If you have any tough stains that won't come up with this method, you can try using a stronger cleaning solution made with one part water and one part bleach. However, be sure to use this solution sparingly and always rinse the area well afterward to avoid damaging your floor. Let the area dry completely before walking on it, or you may end up tracking dirt and mud back onto your clean floor.

How to Remove Mud Stains

Mud stains can be very hard to remove if they have solidified and dried on your floor. The first step is to try and scrape up as much of the mud as possible using a blunt object like a spatula or spoon. Once you've removed as much of the mud as you can, it's time to make a cleaning solution. For light mud stains, mix one part water with one part white vinegar. For tougher stains, mix one part water with one part bleach.

Once your solution is mixed, simply mop or scrub the area with the stain using this mixture. If you have any tough stains that won't come up with this method, you can try using a stronger cleaning solution made again with one part water and one part bleach.

Conclusion

Cleaning your floors does not have to be a difficult task. With the right tools and the proper cleaning agents, you can easily achieve clean and sparkling floors in no time. Try out these tips and see for yourself how easy it is to keep your floors clean all year round!