Wooden floors are a beautiful addition to most homes. They’re practical, stylish, and can elevate your home’s decor. However, if they’re not cleaned properly, wooden floors are prone to dust, dirt, and debris. While giving wooden floors a quick hoover removes grit and debris, it doesn’t deeply clean floors and can leave behind a layer of dirt.
Most people will resort to chemical floor cleaners to clean their wooden floors, but these can be expensive and potentially harmful if used incorrectly. Laura Harnett, founder of eco-cleaning brand Seep, explains that there is an eco-friendly and more cost-effective way to clean wooden floors without using harsh chemicals.
She spoke to Express.co.uk to share her advice for cleaning wooden floors using a natural item you likely already have at home: tea.
She said, “You can clean natural and varnished wood floors with tea, as the tannins have gentle antibacterial properties that can inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungus, and yeast.
“Tannins are chemical compounds from the leaves of the tea plant and give the tea its taste and colour.
“The strongest quantity tannins are found in black tea and the longer the tea is stewed then the more tannins will come out in the water.
“Boil 10 to 15 tea bags in a large saucepan full of water for about 15 minutes and let the mixture fully cool before using it.
“Use a bamboo cloth and rub in a circular motion. It is a very gentle cleaning agent so will not remove walked-in dirt without a bit of a rub using a more abrasive eco sponge.”
Asda sells a 40-pack of tea bags for just 40p which works out at just 1p per tea bag. If you used 15 tea bags, this would cost just 15p.
When cleaning flooring, Laura suggested being careful not to over-saturate it, as this can damage the wood.
Before using the tea method, it’s best to test an inconspicuous area of the floor to ensure it doesn’t get damaged.
Rather than using a mop, Laura suggested using a large, slightly abrasive cloth, like a bamboo cloth.
Alternatively, you could use a large sponge, such as an eco sponge, with a scourer, as the loofah side will help to gently lift tougher grime.
The cleaning expert suggested using baking soda and a small amount of water to remove tougher marks and thicker grime on hard floors.
She said: “For thicker grime on all types of flooring other than carpet or sisal, make a gently abrasive paste using baking soda with a small amount of water and gently scrub this on with circular movements using an eco sponge with a scourer.
“Wipe up any excess residue using a soft cloth and some warm water and don’t let any excess water stay on the floor. Always test an area first, just in case.”