Many homeowners are choosing to use natural, homemade cleaning solutions for their hardwood floors. Homemade cleaners can be just as effective as commercial ones, and tend to be less expensive. Since natural cleaners don’t contain the chemicals often found in products in stores, they tend to be safer for those in your home, and for the environment.

Apply cleaners to your floor in small sections using a spray bottle to prevent excess moisture, which can penetrate wood and cause damage like warping and cupping. Using a dry microfiber mop, since there’s plenty of moisture in the spray, work the cleaner into the surface along the grain of the wood in back and forth motions. Rinse and squeeze excess water from the mop until you’ve finished the entire floor.

Here are a few DIY cleaning solutions to try:

Castile Soap, Warm Water, and Essential Oils

Mix a teaspoon of Castile soap, four cups of warm water, and 10 drops of your favorite essential oil and pour into a spray bottle. Work the cleaner into sections of the floor using a microfiber mop.

Vinegar and Water

A simple mixture of warm water and vinegar can remove dirt build up on your hardwood floors. This cleaning combo is also effective for cleaning kitchen countertops and bathrooms. To give your solution a pleasant scent add in a few drops of essential oil.

Black Tea

Black tea can clean your floor and give it a natural shine. Bring four cups of water to a boil, then remove it from the heat. Add a few black tea bags, allow them to steep for ten minutes, then pour the tea into a bucket. Soak a soft cloth with the tea, wring out excess liquid, and wipe down your floor for a scrumptious shine.

Dish Detergent, Vinegar, and Water

This trifecta is perfect for laminate flooring. Use in combination with a microfiber mop or sponge.