Wooden floors will be shinier and dust-free if wiped with one natural item that cleaners love. A simple solution promises shinier wooden flooring that is free of dust for a longer time.
Wooden floors have grown increasingly popular compared to carpet in UK homes due to their far simpler upkeep, yet during spring and summer, they frequently require a thorough clean to ward off deterioration. It is remarkably common for floors to begin losing their lustre at this time of year, as this season sees us leaving windows open more frequently, potentially allowing additional dust and pollen indoors. This leads to debris settling across the floor, forming a fine layer that leaves the surface appearing genuinely worn and lacklustre. If all the debris is left to build up, it can not only leave a room appearing unkempt, but gradually, these fine particles may erode the finish, potentially resulting in permanent damage.
To avoid this, cleaning influencer Danielle, who goes by @momthatlovestoclean on TikTok, has shared her “amazing and natural” cleaning solution for shinier floors. Danielle has four ingredients she uses in her wooden floor cleaning recipe, but there is one key product that is essential for “breaking down dirt and grime and adding shine” – and that is black tea.
Why Black Tea Works
Thanks to its high tannin content, black tea can bring out the natural tones of the wood, giving it a refreshed look. Plus, the compound can lift and cut through grime, cleaning your floors. Although other teas do have tannins in them, anything other than black tea is not recommended. The different teas vary in tannin levels, and anything other than black tea either contains a lower amount or is inconsistent.
How to Clean Wooden Floors with Black Tea
To clean wooden floors with black tea, you will need boiling water and about six to 12 black tea bags, depending on the hue of your floors. The darker the wood, the more tea bags you will need. Essentially, boiling tea leaves brings out the tannins that are needed to clean and polish your floors. Once this is cooled, dip a soft cloth in the tea and wring it out well. After all, moisture can be damaging to hardwood floors, but once the cloth is not dripping wet, it should be safe to use. Wipe the floors following the grain of the wood (this helps prevent streaks), and you should notice a difference straight away.
After cleaning your floors, it will be a convenient time to use tea bags to clean your kitchen windows.
Other natural staples help care for wood too. Some homeowners dilute white vinegar in water, while others use olive oil, lemon juice, or linseed oil, though these can leave stronger smells or a faintly greasy film that holds dust.
