Wooden and laminated floors might seem easy to clean, but it is really common for people to use too much water when mopping them. Having a soaked floor dulls wood and causes laminate surfaces to appear blotchy so your home looks untidy even if you clean it regularly.
However, Lily Edwards, an expert from Resand, has shared there is a simple way to deep-clean flooring and help restore its shine — and all you need are a few tea bags. Lily explained: “You have to steep several black tea bags in boiling water for a few minutes to create a strong tea solution. Then allow the water to cool down and pour it into a spray bottle. The next step is to mist the solution onto the laminate flooring and wipe it clean with a microfiber mop or cloth.”
It might sound bizarre, but black tea contains tannic acid, a natural compound that effectively cuts through grease and grime without harming the floor’s protective finish.
Tannins helps remove any grimy buildup that is making a floor look dull, and because tea evaporates cleanly, it won’t leave behind streaks or cloudy residue.
Regular use can also enhance the natural colour of a wooden floor and reduce the appearance of light scratches and scuff marks.
Tea is a simple way to help restore the natural shine on floors so they can easily have a polished look without having to mop them constantly.
How to use black tea to clean wooden and laminated floors
You will need:
- Four to six black tea bags
- One litre of boiling water
- Clean cloths
- Basin or large bowl
- Mop or spray bottle
Instructions
To begin, place a few tea bags into a basin, and boil a kettle. Once the water is hot, pour it into the basin and leave it alone for 10 to 20 minutes.
Once the water is at room temperature, you can use it to clean. Do not use boiling hot water to mop a floor as it damage the finishes and could cause it to crack.
Then, you can lightly dip a mop in the tea solution, and then wing it out thoroughly before using it clean a floor. Alternatively, you can place the solution in a spray bottle, lightly mist the floor and then use a cloth to buff it.
Do not soak the floor as too much moisture cause streaks and stains. Once the floor is clean, dry is thoroughly and it should look incredibly shiny without much effort.
