Wooden flooring is a popular choice for busy areas of the home, and while it's more resilient than carpet when it comes to staining, it's still susceptible to dust build-up and unsightly scratches that become increasingly noticeable over time.
Natural Alternative to Chemical Cleaners
When it comes to reviving tired wooden floors, it's tempting to reach for specialist floor cleaners, which are often packed with harsh chemicals. However, experts at Wood Floor Doctor have revealed a natural alternative that not only restores the appearance of your floors but also keeps dust at bay for longer – and it involves nothing more than a humble cup of black tea.
For wood floors that are a similar shade to black tea, the solution works to revive the floor's natural brown tone, enhance the wood grain and reduce the visibility of scratches, leaving your floors with "clarity and shine".
How It Works
The secret lies in the tannic acid found in the tea, which is responsible for giving wood floors a "brilliant shine" while also helping to repel dust. Unlike many shop-bought products, black tea leaves no sticky residue behind.
As a cheap, natural and homemade remedy, it's an appealing option for anyone looking to keep their floors in top condition without breaking the bank.
Application Tips
It's worth carrying out a patch test in a discreet area first, just to ensure you're happy with the outcome. To prepare the solution, steep around six tea bags in just under a litre of boiling water for approximately 10 minutes. Remove the tea bags and leave the solution to cool completely before use.
Apply the black tea to wooden floors using a clean, soft cloth. Alternatively, a spray bottle works just as well. Once applied, use a dry rag to swiftly mop up the liquid from the damp areas. Work in sections when applying the black tea mixture to ensure proper drying.
Expert Caution
While some might reach for a mop to spread the solution, this approach makes it difficult to control the amount of liquid going onto your wooden floors, and drying them afterwards becomes problematic. The specialist warned: "I definitely do not recommend the wet mopping technique. It could be a quick way to wreck your floors."
For anyone tempted to try this cleaning method, the professionals did issue a caution. They advised: "If you are going to use black tea, be very careful to use a minimal amount of the cleaning solution on your floors each time."
It's important to remember that this black tea mixture is only suitable for darkly stained floors. On lighter wood flooring, it may result in dark streaking.
