New house is all solid surface floors, no carpet. About 2/3 of the finished space is hard wood from 1970.
Does anyone have any suggestions for a powered cleaning gizmo that does some amount of scrubbing with or without water/cleaning solution?
I've done some looking online, but when I get to the reviews, I don't see anything that makes me think "This will be worth spending money on."
EvanB
MegaDork
5/23/19 8:43 a.m.
I use my steam cleaner with the microfiber mop attachment on my hardwood floors. No scrubbing action but a quick pass with it seems to leave them clean.
Steam mop. We have one of those Shark ones with the bottle of hardwood floor cleaner. Cleans up pretty well after a 2 year old, 5 year old, and a dog.
If you want something automated Mint from iRobot.
T.J.
MegaDork
5/23/19 10:00 a.m.
We just use a Swiffer WetJet on our floors. Entire house other than stairs are wood.
Old timey wax, or modern urethane? I think that makes a big difference.
In reply to Streetwiseguy :
Yes, It does make a difference. I don't know for sure yet but I'm gonna say its most likely not wax or oil.
I'll test a couple spots before I pull the trigger on a steam mop.
Curtis
UltimaDork
5/23/19 12:58 p.m.
If it's 1970, it is most likely polyurethane. Up through the mid-50s (regionally dependent) you could expect shellac. 50s-70s, likely varnish. Starting in the late 60s, Poly became the norm. Easy way to check on an inconspicuous area. Put a drop of nail polish remover (the good stuff with acetone) on the floor. Wait 5 minutes. If it bubbles up, comes off with your finger, or is otherwise super soft, it's shellac. I wouldn't steam shellac. Varnish or poly will do steam just fine.
I use a microfiber mop with a sprayer on it. I fill the sprayer with water and a wee bit of vinegar. Not sure why, other than it's what I've always done. It doesn't disinfect, and it's not a surfactant, but at least it doesn't leave streaks. Also makes your house smell like a salad.
Steam for me would likely be overkill. I'm not a germaphobe, but it would loosen up nastier dirt.
Curtis
UltimaDork
5/23/19 1:00 p.m.
Mine is like this, but it comes with a generic, fill-yourself bottle. $20 at target.
I wonder if those cleaning robots work on canoes too.
The canoes are talking to each other. It's a canoe convention! A canoevention if you will.