How to Clean Wood Floors With Mineral Spirits
Mineral spirits has been used to spot clean tough stains on wood floors for years. It is important to understand that this is not a way to clean your entire floor; this is only to be used for stained areas of your floor that will not come clean with other methods.
If you have older wood floors and have found stained areas, there is a solution that is inexpensive and can help give your floors a quick facelift in the more damaged areas. Mineral spirits is meant to be used on spots of your floor; it is not to clean your entire floor. If your floor is so stained that you feel the whole thing requires treatment with mineral spirits, you should consider refinishing instead. This is meant for older wood floors, not the newer laminate type. As with any other cleaner, test a small hidden area first.
Supplies
- Cloth or rag
- Steel wool, use a fine grit
- Wax if your floor requires it
- Fans
- Mask
- Gloves
Directions
- Turn on fans and open windows; you absolutely must have a well-ventilated place to work.
- Put on your mask and gloves before you start work.
- Follow the application directions for your floor from the floor types listed below.
For finished floors
- Apply mineral spirits to rag or cloth and rub the spot, making a circle as you go.
For wax/unfinished floors
- Scrub lightly with your fine wool.
- Apply mineral spirits to rag.
- Rub in a circle over spot.
- Reapply wax, if your floor requires it.