• Clean your hardwood floor with natural household products.texture of wooden floor image by Elnur from Fotolia.com
  
  Hardwood floors are beautiful and last for decades, but they require regular cleaning. You can find a wide range of hardwood floor cleaning products at any home improvement store, but these products can be expensive and sometimes contain dangerous chemicals. Save money and protect your family's health by using natural household products to clean your hardwood floors.
  
  

Detergent and Water

• If your hardwood floors have a surface finish, like polyurethane or varnish, mop your floors with a mixture of 1/4 cup of mild dishwashing detergent and a bucket of warm water. Since water can damage wood floors, wring out the mop before you use it and buff the floor with a dry towel after mopping.
  
  

Vinegar and Water

• You can also clean hardwood floors with a surface finish with a mixture of a small amount of white vinegar and a bucket of warm water. Vinegar makes a great all-purpose cleaner; it can remove mildew and mineral deposits and fight odors. However, some experts consider vinegar a poor choice since it can eventually dull the finish of hardwood floors.
  
  

Vinegar and Oil

• Combine one part white vinegar with one part vegetable oil to shine surfaced hardwood floors. Rub the mixture into your floor with a rag.
  
  

Baking Soda

• Sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge to rub away scuff marks on surfaced hardwood floors.
  
  

Linseed Oil

• If your hardwood floor is unsurfaced or unsealed, rub in linseed oil with a rag. Never used water-based cleaners on unsealed hardwood floors.