How to Save Money With Chemical-Free, Homemade Mopping Solutions (2024)

Equipment / Tools

Materials

1. Using Vinegar as a Mopping Solution

   Vinegar is a natural disinfectant that works well as a mopping solution without leaving any chemical residue on your floors. Although some people don't like the scent, this odor is evident only as you mop and clean—it will fadeaway rapidly as the solution dries.The results left behind are a gorgeous, clean floor. Try these three different combinations to clean your dirty floors. Cut the recipe in half if you have only a small area to mop.

   • Mix 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar and 1 gallon warm water
   • Mix 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar, 1 gallon warm water, and 2 tablespoons mild dish soap
   • Mix 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar, 1 gallon warm water, and several drops of scented oils or lemon juice

   

2. Using Window Cleaner as a Mopping Solution

   Window or glass cleaner may not be a completely natural ingredient, but it is a lot simpler than many of the mopping cleaners you will find sold on store shelves. It works great to give your mirrors and glass a nice clean surface, but glass cleaners can also be used to mop your floors.

   A window cleaner has the added benefit of removing streaks from shiny surface floors and can even eliminate the need to buff your floors dry, depending on the type of surfaces you have in your home. You can even use window cleaner as a spot cleaner on your floors, spraying directly from the bottle and using a wet mop to wipe and remove dirt and sticky spots. The good thing about this recipe is that you can make a lot or a little, depending on your needs.

   • Mix 1 part window cleaner to 1 part warm water to clean vinyl and tile floors
   • For laminate floors, less window cleaner is needed when mopping: try 1/4 cup for each 1/2 gallon of water

   

3. Using Dish Soap as a Mopping Solution

   Mild dish soap can work well as a floor cleaner, and since it is so mild, it can be used on most floor types without leaving a residue.Don't overuse it, though—too much will create a slightly sticky film.

   Here are two different recipes to try:

   • Mix 1/4 cup mild dish soap and 3 cups warm water
   • Mix 1/4 cup dish soap, 2 cups vinegar, 2 cups warm water, and 1/2 cup lemon juice

   

4. Using Rubbing Alcohol as a Mopping Solution

   For laminate flooring, water is usually enough to clean thoroughly. But when you need a little extra cleaning power, rubbing alcohol can help. Rubbing alcohol evaporates quickly, which prevents streaks and lines from drying onto your floor.When you use rubbing alcohol, it helps eliminate the need to buff and shine the floor dry.

   There are two ways to create a rubbing alcohol cleaning solution:

   • Mix 1 cup rubbing alcohol and 1 gallon warm water
   • Mix 1 part vinegar, 1 part rubbing alcohol, and 1 part warm water