Cleaning Your Floors Naturally

I hate most household cleaners.  I hate the way they smell.  I hate what's in them. I hate what they do to the environment.  Not that I'm going to run out and hug a tree or anything, but you know what I mean.

So a few years ago, I gradually began transitioning to more natural ways of cleaning my home, as part of my effort to minimize chemicals in my life.

Let me first say that I love the Swiffer system (no, this is not a paid endorsement, but maybe one day I can work that out - wouldn't that be rad?), even if it is emerald green.  I use the dry cloths to pick up the dust on my furniture and on my hardwood floors.  I used to use the wet cloths, until I got tired of the smell, ingredients, etc.  I don't love those so much.  They aren't terribly effective, and they leave a sticky residue on the floor. (oh yeah, that's why this isn't a paid endorsement.)

Not to mention how messy a regular mop is, when you have to use the bucket and all that nonsense.  What a hassle.

Here's my easy, natural alternative.


I use the Swiffer mop handle, but instead of the wet cloths, I use cheap, reusable barmop dishcloths and a solution of water and Dr. Bronner's Castile soap.  I use about a capful or two of the soap in a quart of clean water in a spray bottle.

Here's what I do:

1. Wrap a clean, dry cloth around the base of the Swiffer mop, as you would any Swiffer cloth
2. Spray a section of the floor with the Castile soap solution
3. Mop the section with the cloth
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the remaining sections of the floor
5. Wet a clean cloth with water and mop the floor again to pick up the soap residue
6. Rinse out the cloth and repeat step 5, if necessary
7. Allow the floor to dry

The ridges in the cloths are great at gently scrubbing the crevices of the floor and picking up stubborn dirt.  The cloths are cheap, but durable, and can easily be tossed in the washer when you're done cleaning the floors.  I found some at Homegoods for about $3, and again at the Grocery Outlet for about the same.

The Castile soap is all-natural, and cleans well.  I clean most surfaces in my house with it.  The scent is strong and earthy, and although I'm partial to the  rose/hemp blend, the almond, peppermint, and lavender versions are also nice.  It's usually available at Target in the natural soap aisle, with the cosmetics, or at drugstores.  It's not expensive, and will last you for ages.  Plus it has countless other uses.

This technique will work on linoleum, tile, and wood floors.  If using on wood, check to make sure the soap won't discolor the flooring by testing on a small, unseen area.  I doubt it would harm the wood floors, but since I don't have any guarantees, and I don't want to be held liable for your damaged floors, do be a dear and make sure you do step 5 above.  It's important that you clean up any residue in order to protect your floors.

There you go.  Easy!