Looking for an awesome zero waste floor cleaner? I’ve got you covered. This DIY, natural floor cleaner is perfect for shining up your hard wood floors. I love using it on mine because it makes my home smell lemony fresh without irritating my nose. Not sure about you, but conventional cleaning products really activate my allergies. I always feel like my throat gets sore and like I can’t stop sneezing after just one whiff of artificial fragrances found in most cleaning products. Thankfully, natural cleaning never ever does this to me, and nor will this floor cleaner DIY I’m sharing today. Also, if you don’t have wooden floors, no worries, towards the end of the article I share a really cool DIY carpet cleaning recipe you can give a go. Plus, I’ve included other zero waste floor cleaner options for you later in the article, in case this one isn’t what you had in mind. I come prepared, after all. Ready to grab your cleaning supplies and hop to it? Here’s how to make zero waste floor cleaner for wooden floors.
______________________________
Zero Waste Floor Cleaner
Ingredients (for a small batch):
- 1/2 cup of hot water
- 3 teaspoons of lemon juice (approximately 1/2 a lemon)
- 1 teaspoon of olive oil
- 5-10 drops of citrus essential oil (optional)
For a bigger batch:
- 1/2 cup of lemon juice
- 3/4 cup olive oil
- 1 gallon of hot water
Note: This is intended for wooden floors, but it can be used on tile. This means you can use it in your bathroom. However, for more floor cleaner options, scroll down to the bottom of the page.
Related: 10 Zero Waste Bathroom Swaps
Related: 10 Zero Waste Bathroom Swaps
Directions:
- Heat up some hot water over the stove, then pour it into a heat-resistant bowl or cup. I used a ceramic mug. For a bigger batch, pour it directly into a stainless steel bucket.
- While your water is heating, you can utilize the time to squeeze some fresh lemon juice. Half a lemon should get you about 3 teaspoons of lemon juice (if making a smaller batch). Add it to the hot water when it’s ready, making sure no pulp or seeds get inside. You can add the essential oils now, if you’re using any.
- Then, add the olive oil. Stir until well combined – it’s okay if the olive oil doesn’t evenly spread into the solution completely. It’s now ready for use.
Cleaning with zero waste floor cleaner
Cleaning with zero waste floor cleaner is easy. If you made a small batch, you have the option to store it in a glass spray bottle or swing top glass (like I did).
I’ll admit, all I have is a Swiffer. And I didn’t have a spray bottle on hand. Instead, I just stored my cleaning solution in a glass swing top bottle.
If using a glass spray bottle: Spray the area you’d like to clean with your solution. You have to get kind of close to the ground so this might be a little tedious. This is probably a good option when you only want to cover a small area or specific spot.
If using a bottle or swing top (like me): Dump some of the contents onto the floor you’d like to clean. Then, using your mop or Swiffer, start cleaning the area as you normally would. Spread the solution out onto the floor using your mop or Swiffer. Once spread out, wait for the area to dry before walking onto it.
If using a bucket: Dip your mop into the solution you’ve made and spread it out evenly until area is nicely coated. Then wait for the area to dry completely.
I recommend making this floor cleaner in small batches, unless you have a really big area to clean.
This stuff will make your house smell nice and lemony, but not overbearingly so. If you’d like, you can also use a brush to scrub the floor with it in a particularly dirty area, but I usually don’t find this necessary.
Other zero waste floor cleaners worth trying:
- Water and vinegar – 1 gallon of warm water, 1/2 cup white vinegar.
- Water, vinegar and essential oils – 1 gallon of warm water, 1/2 cup white vinegar, essential oils of choice.
- Vinegar and vegetable oil – 2 cups of vinegar and 2 cups of vegetable oil.
- Castile soap, water and essential oils – 1/2 cup of castile soap, 3 cups warm water, essential oils of your choice.
You can use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar in these DIY floor cleaners. Just adjust the measurements depending on how big a batch you make.
For carpets:
If you have a carpet, then I recommend combining 1 cup of white vinegar, 2 cups of water, 2 teaspoons of salt and 15 drops of essential oil. Pour it into a large spray bottle (either glass or a re-purposed plastic one) and spray it liberally onto your carpet. Allow the carpet to dry, then vacuum the treated areas.
If you’re trying to remove odor or pet stains from your carpet, try mixing 2 cups of white vinegar, 2 cups of warm water and four tablespoons of baking soda together. Spray the area that needs to be treated generously, then let it sit for 5 minutes. Gently rub and blot the area with a soft cloth (no paper towels here).
Would you give this zero waste floor cleaner a try?
For more zero waste cleaning tips, check out my favorite all purpose cleaner or my zero waste tub and sink cleaner.
If you enjoyed this article, be sure to share it! If you like my content, sign up for my newsletter to get notified every time I write a new blog post. To support me even further, please consider buying me a cup of tea to help support my blog.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Excellent post. I always check this type of blog, and I’m impressed with Extremely useful info specially the last part, I care for such information a lot. I am exploring this particular info for a long time. Thanks to this blog my exploration has ended. commercial green cleaning products
I admire this article for the well-researched content and excellent wording. I got so involved in this material that I couldn’t stop reading. I am impressed with your work and skill. Thank you so much. commercial cleaning companies near me
I also have a swiffer! When I went zero (or nearly zero) waste, I sat down to my sewing machine and made several "swiffer" cloths. I used light weight fleece (I had several smallish pieces) and flannel – I cut the fleece to fit the swiffer "head" and attached flannel pieces to the sides that then wrap around and get poked into the holes on the back side of the swiffer head. What I love about these cloths is that I can use them for both sweeping and mopping. I use one to sweep and one to mop. Then, they go into the laundry to be washed and used again another time. I think they work better than the swiffer brand things you buy!
Totally awesome posting! Loads of valuable data and motivation, both of which we all need!Relay welcome your work. Tiling companies London
?m impressed, I must say. Really rarely do I encounter a blog that?s both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. Your idea is outstanding; the issue is something that not enough people are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I stumbled across this in my search for something relating to this.Get Best Fabric FR fabric suppliers from Daletec.com in all over the world.
I really enjoy the post.Much thanks again. Cool.
check this
They are well constructed but can be an eyesore in a beautiful landscape. Next you have the plastic drainage basins these are made by a number of different companies and most of them are built to last a lifetime.
nắp hố ga composite
Rug ought not be put in territories were water, synthetic substances or difficult to clean items could be spilled on the floor covering. Kitchens, duplicate rooms, storage spaces, and doorways to structures are not a decent area to put floor coverings in light of the fact that your rug cleaning costs will be high. Terrible score underlay will influence how the stain drenches into the floor covering and how troublesome stain evacuation becomes. carpet cleaning NYC
Paste down Flooring: In private establishments, most flooring that is built is either click together or tongue and woods.flooring Vancouver
great ideas about sanitation nice blog. we also have the best Sanitation Products Store Online at affordable price . for more info visit our website.
Well, its really informative information regarding cleaning services. as we provide melbourne commercial cleaning companies at affordable prices. for more info visit our website.
Thank you so much for such an informative piece of information 🙂
If anyone interested similar one's have a look here
besttoolsbrand
Thanks
Your blog contains very useful and informative ideas about cleaning services. as we provide Commercial Cleaning Supplies at affordable prices. for more info visit our website.
Wow 🙂
This is an incredible collection of ideas!
Waiting for more helpful pieces.
You would amazing to read a similar one here-
https://bestofcleaner.com
Not only are chemicals harmful to your family but they are also bad on pets. floor cleaning mop
Hello, I just read out your blog, it’s quite interesting and informative thank you for sharing it, if you can search fro steam cleaners, you can buy from Express cleaning supplies they supply a range of carefully selected cleaning & hygiene products at affordable prices.
Nice post and absolutely outstanding. we provide box carpet extractor at affordable prices. for more info visit our website.