Hardwood floor cleaner & mildew

[koshkabegemot]

So I've got 2 questions

Comments

[lapenn]

Is your house fairly dry? Run a fan after you shower that points the shower air into the house. That helps us dry out the shower curtain. Also, how often do you shower? There's two of us, but we only usually use the shower once a day, so the curtain is able to dry out. Shake your curtain off after the shower too.

[koshkabegemot]

I usually shower daily--I've got a fan I can use, but my electrical outlet is in a weird spot (above my medicine cabinet on the light fixture there). But that's what extension cords are for.

[rainarana]

First off, get a microfiber mop, as it leaves a lot less water on the floor that other types. Then mop with water and white vinegar, which is all I use on our floors.

[koshkabegemot]

How long does the vinegar smell usually stick around for after? Just until it dries?

[rainarana]

I never really smell it at all. You don't use that much, really. About 1/2 cup vinegar to a gallon of water, but I never really measure.

[reptiliancandy]

You can wash your shower curtain liner instead of tossing it. I just throw mine in the washing machine, usually with a load of rags I use for cleaning. Comes out looking brand new!

[koshkabegemot]

. . . no idea why that didn't occur to me. lol

[reptiliancandy]

It didn't occur to me for a long time either until someone mentioned it to me. It was definitely a "duh" moment. :)

[deafelis]

I second this. My mom had clear plastic shower curtains for a while, and she would always wash them in the washer and then hang them back up to dry. I need to do this with ours, too, now that I think of it. Thanks. :)

[deafelis]

We have newer hardwood floors (imperfectly installed by the previous owner), and we knew they came from Lumber Liquidators. I called them about how to wash it, and they were pretty adamant that water is bad for hardwoods because it can warp the wood. They said they always recommend using a product that has an alcohol base, rather than a water base. They also said that a cleaner with detergents in it can make the floor look hazy, which lined up with my experience with the cleaners we were using before.

They sell a hardwood floor cleaner made by Bellawood, which works reasonably well, though I think any alcohol based cleaner would work as well. Not straight rubbing alcohol, but an actual floor cleaner. The other nice thing about the alcohol based cleaner is that because it evaporates so quickly, you don't have to worry about getting it between the boards.

I don't have any suggestions for resealing your floors though, sorry. :)

[koshkabegemot]

Oh, awesome. I never knew that. Thanks!

As far as resealing my floor goes--once I clean it, I'm just gonna call maintenance and ask them to fix it.

[rainarana]

I think it's because most people use standard mops, which you absolutely shouldn't, but a well wrung microfiber leaves very little water on the floor.

[supermelanie]

You CAN wash the plastic ones, but mine would shred about half the time I did that. I finally invested in one of the cloth liners like they have at hotels. IMO it doesn't mildew as much/quickly and it holds up to loads of washing. Also, if you have the space in your bathroom & budget, you might consider a dehumidifier. It was a game-changer for the fan-less basement apartment I used to inhabit.

Also, I LOVED my counter top dishwasher! It made my life more worth living. Srsly.

[koshkabegemot]

I had a dehumidifier in my last (also basement) apartment, but I sold it. It's actually a lot drier in this one, and the mildew wouldn't be an issue if I could get that damn window open. -.-