Floors can get pretty dirty with footfall, paw prints and dropped liquids and food. But there’s no need to use toxic cleaning liquids (one woman’s puppy got swollen eyes, after walking on a floor cleaned with ‘pet-safe disinfectant’. Use unscented near babies, children and pets or medical conditions affected like asthma, epilepsy, high blood pressure etc).
Also use biodegradable mops or cleaning cloths. Microfiber mops contain plastic, so just deposit plastics in the machine, when you wash the mop heads.
Ekologik Floor Cleaner is a plastic-free pack of 5 biodegradable cleaning pods, for wood, poroud or treated/coating floors. Scented with lavender, they are suitable for mops/buckets or domestic floor cleaners. The biodegradable formula is free from harsh chemicals, with 1 pod effective in up to 5 litres of water. The packaging can be cut up and disposed of in your compost bin (remove stickers).
Bio-D Floor Cleaner makes light work of vinyl, laminate and ceramic tiles. It has linseed oil soap to make it good for wood floors too, sold in large sizes to save money, in easy-to-recycle bottles. The natural oils may separate in storage (like salad dressing!) so shake before use. Add 1 to 2 caps to 5 litres of lukewarm water, then apply to floor with a mop or cloth.
Delphis Eco Floor & Surface Cleaner is a professional brand, ideal for hotels, cafes, hospitals etc. Safe for septic tanks, it’s good for hardwood, tile, laminate and vinyl floors, and slate. You can also use it to clean worktops, cabinets, sinks, tiles, doors and kitchen appliances.
tips for cleaning floors (naturally)
For laminate floors, vacuum and then wipe, but don’t use soap as it leaves a dull film (nor wax it will make your floor slippery). Remove marks with a solution of water and cleaning vinegar, and avoid scourers. Same with vinyl and lino.
Tiled floors can just be swept and steam-cleaned (again avoid wax). Cork tiles can be washed with biodegradable liquid, avoid over-wetting. Same with wood. Use a broom! You can use Hug at Home mats (above) in lovely designs and colours. These trap dirt through recycled cotton on top, which helps mud trailing inside, and have recyced rubber backing.
