You may have Windex in your storage as it’s a good and powerful cleaner. But do you know how it could be used? As you know, Windex has several variants with different chemical compounds and purposes.
Can you use Windex to clean the floor? Or should you look for other alternatives? If you’re curious about using Windex on hardwood floors and all the pros and costs, keep reading to get the answers.
Can I use Windex on a hardwood floor?
Yes, you can use Windex for your hardwood floor. However, be careful when choosing the Windex variant. Make sure that it has the lowest Ammonia content.
Windex is a cheap way to clean hardwood floors that works well and won’t hurt them. Use Windex to get rid of this dirty buildup that you can see through on your wooden floor. Windex can also clean linoleum, vinyl, and laminate floors.
Most people forget that they can’t use ammonia on a hardwood floor. It will remove the protective layer and make the wood more susceptible to scratches. Ammonia also can ruin the color and wood structure.
The best method to maintain a hardwood floor is to avoid ammonia altogether. But most cleaning products have ammonia content. It’s almost impossible to avoid this substance.
What you can do is find one with the least ammonia content. Thankfully, Windex has the ammonia-free variant.
Which Windex cleaner works for wood?
Windex has several cleaner products. Each has a different variety of ammonia content. As you know, your hardwood floor can only take a small amount of ammonia.
Instead of grabbing the only available Windex or the one currently on sale, you should have the Windex ammonia-free variant in your house. This variant works on various surfaces, including the hardwood floor. You can use the product to clear wax and other hard stains on your hardwood floor.
Even being ammonia-free, Windex still works great on the stain. Still, you need to be careful during the application. Make sure you’re pouring it only a little on and scrub your floor too hard. Remember, you want to maintain your hardwood floor.
How to Clean Hardwood Floors with Windex
Windex can be used in many different ways on sealed wood floors. Some ways to clean hardwood floors might not work well.
People often mix Windex with warm water in a bucket.
Windex has harsh chemicals that can damage some surfaces or finishes, like the finish on a wood floor.
If you use Windex to clean real wood floors correctly, it won’t hurt the wood, and the floor will still look like natural wood.
Instructions
• Add 1 cup of Windex to 3 cups of water.
• Wet the lint-free cloth with Windex. Do not saturate.
• Try the Windex on a dark corner or a part that doesn’t get much light. Wait from 10 to 15 minutes to dry.
• Look at the spot test to see if it has changed color or looks bleached, both signs of exposed wood. If the varnish stays put, the test spot will look just like the rest of the room, clean and varnished.
• Look for signs that the wood in the test spot has grown and gotten bigger.
• Don’t use Windex on the plant stain if the test area is peeling or swelling.
• To clean the floor, use a cloth without lint.
Tips and Warnings
Some say you can make a cleaning solution by mixing 10 parts water with 1 part Windex.
Remember that you shouldn’t use any cleaning solution on your floor until it has been varnished or protected with something like polyurethane varnish. It’s also similar when using vinegar to clean wood floors.
A 100% Windex solution on your floor won’t hurt the enamel after you varnish it. Adding water to the floor won’t keep it safe. Windex protects you from unnecessary wear and tear, but the amount of Windex you need depends on the stain.
If your floor starts to change color or get bumpy, don’t keep using Windex to clean it. Changes in the color or height of the ground are very hard to fix.
Before you move on, you should either take off the varnish and refinish the floor with an oil-based varnish like polyurethane or wax the floor and clean it with a cleaner that is safe for wax.
If you don’t get rid of the water, it will get into the wood through the floor. This could cause your floor to sag or sag. You shouldn’t use this method if you want your hardwood floor to last as long as possible.
To get rid of film residue, use Windex. Don’t use an ammonia-based cleaner on hardwood floors all the time. In the long run, it can hurt the soil.
Most people use Murphy oil soap, Fabuloso, or pine sol to clean wood floors. This is another product to clean dirt and oil off wood floors.
Things to consider before using Windex on hardwood floors
Before using Windex on your hardwood floor, you must consider several things. First and foremost is your hardwood floor condition.
Depending on your wood’s finish, you may not be able to use Windex on it. Windex is great when you have issues like a cloudy surface on a hardwood floor.
Or if you made a mistake by cleaning your floor with a wax-based cleaner, it leaves a wax stain. Yes, it works great for targeted cleaning instead for the whole floor.
Remember to take the necessary precaution when using Windex to clean. You should use a glove and keep it away from children’s reach and your pets. Being a cleaner product, Windex has chemical compounds that can be toxic for humans and pets after inhaling it for too long.
Pros and cons of using Windex on hardwood floors
Since you may have been using Windex to clean your windows, you also can use it on your floor. However, do understand that there are better solutions than this.
Windex has chemical compounds that may leave some residue. You may see some Windex stains here and there if you’re clumsy.
Even though it’s a multi-purpose cleaner, misusing Windex may ruin your wood instead of cleaning it. Some may say that Windex leaves less residue than other brands, but it depends on the wood and finish type.
Another disadvantage of Windex is that you can only use it a little or for the whole floor. It also has toxic compounds that are dangerous for you.
However, it’s an effective and reliable cleaner. Windex can work great on cleaning a difficult stain on your floor.
It is also good to clean surfaces like glass and even marble. You can keep a few cleaning supplies at home. Windex is a powerful tool for general home maintenance when you use it properly.
Precautions when using Windex on hardwood floors
Windex can irritate your eyes and skin. You can consume it if you breathe or touch it with your skin.
It can cause serious issues such as shortness of breath, sore throat, and severe lung illness.
When Windex is left on the skin for an extended period, it might cause redness, a rash, or a burning sensation. Touching your eyes may cause pain and make it difficult to see. If you swallow Windex straight, you may get nausea and stomach cramps.
So, when using Windex, please don’t get it on your skin. Always use gloves to protect your hands when applying Windex.
Keep Windex out of the reach of children and pets.
Windex cleaner alternative for wood floor
No need to worry if you don’t have Windex to clean your wooden floor. You can use one of these alternatives that work as great to clean stains. Next thing you know, your hardwood floor is looking brand new.
If you’re aiming to go all-natural, you can use a vinegar and water mixture to clean your hardwood floor. Vinegar is one of the most popular household items capable of cleaning multiple surfaces. Combine two cups of warm water, half a cup of vinegar, and 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol.
This is the primary cleaner that you can use on multiple surfaces. You also can trade vinegar with lemon juice since both have similar acidity levels.
Another alternative is using bleach or hydrogen peroxide. But just like ammonia, you must be careful when using bleach or a cleaner containing bleach.
Some woods can’t handle bleach well and can do more harm than good.
Final Thought
Windex should only be used to clean film residue from wood floors. If you do these things, your wood floor will be strong and last for many years. To clean hardwood floors, you need the right tools and ways to do it.
Using the wrong cleaner on your hardwood floor could damage it in a way that can’t be fixed. It will also cost you money and time to replace it. A good cleaning product should be simple, safe for people and animals, and gentle on floors.
If you want to use Windex on wood floors, you can spray a small amount on spots with sticky residue or wax buildup. Even that needs to be immediately cleaned if it has ammonia.
You can relax a bit if it doesn’t have ammonia, but you still need to ensure the residue is gone. If you use Windex more than once and leave it on longer than you need to, it will damage hardwood floors.
Windex glass cleaner can be used on any glass. A cleaner for glass that works on hardwood floors can also be used on other surfaces. Windex is a great choice because you won’t have to use different cleaning products for different surfaces.
Do what we say if you want to use Windex on hardwood floors.