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Can I use Windex on my hardwood floors?

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There is not much written about using Windex on hardwood floors, but not many people know the truth about this fantastic overall cleaner.

Can I use Windex on my hardwood floors? Yes, you can, but you need to use the Ammonia-Free version of Windex. It safe, universal cleaner and will not harm your hardwood floors. Use it with a Swiffer sweeper to get the best results. 

I think you would love my hardwood flooring buying guide you can check it after reading this one.

What is Windex, and is it safe to use it on my hardwood floors?

Trusted by generations, Windex is probably the most apparent and undefeatable solution when we are talking about window cleaners. The company offers three main products. First is the original version of Glass cleaner, second is Vinegar based version, and the third option is the Ammonia-free version. Not many people know that Windex Ammonia-Free version does amazing results cleaning hardwood floors.

Windex Ammonia-Free version is excellent for hardwood floors 

When buying and testing several different cleaners on your floors, you expose them to various chemicals, not knowing how they will react after. The best thing would be having only one and universal cleaner for almost all surfaces. Windex developed an ammonia-free version, and cleaning results are amazing. Besides floors, you can clean windows, cultured marble and glass items as well.

It does not leave a buildup on your floors compared to some other competitors. Some complain that great floor cleaners such as Bona leave Footprints. With Windex ammonia-free cleaner, you won’t have these problems at all.

How do we clean our wooden floors with Windex Ammonia-Free cleaner? 

The cleaning process for our hardwood floors is pretty much straightforward just follow this few simple steps:

  1. For best results, when cleaning beside the Windex ammonia-free bottle, we need a mop, dry Swiffer sweeper pads, pair of gloves, and vacuum cleaner.
  2. First, vacuum your floors, where you want to apply Windex.
  3. Attach dry pads to your mop.
  4. The producer does not recommend cleaner mixing with water, so spray it directly on your floor. 
  5. Clean spot by spot or room by room
  6. When spraying Windex on the floor, take your mop with dry pads attached and start cleaning the floors. 
  7. Check how your wooden floors are laid down and clean in the same direction 
  8. After done, leave it to dry completely. 
  9. My recommendation is to clean your floors ones per month. Don’t overclean them. 

Can I use an ammonia-based Windex cleaner on my wooden floors? 

Ammonia, in general, is bad for your wooden floors. When they get exposed to ammonia, It can discolor and dull the overall finish. Your hardwood floors will lose its shine, become darker, and look old (in a not right way). Because of this, Windex should not be used when you want to clean the sealed wood floors. On the other, ammonia-based Windex, is very useful when removing buildup caused by wax when polished.

Removing wax buildup from your hardwood floors

When our floors are old, and scratches appear, we start to polish them to prolong their life. A lot of polishing products use wax to make the so-called protective layer or film over your scratches. This layer makes your scratches disappear and bring back shine to your floors. We repeat this process every 2-4 months. We are not all professionals, and the problem occurs after several coats of polish are applied. The problem is called the buildup.

You have two options:

  1. If you are not planning to re-sand it after, you can remove wax and buildup from your floors and apply a new coat of fresh polisher again.
  2. If you plan to sand your floors after removing wax, I will clean my floors with regular hardwood floor cleaners after sending them.
cleaning hardwood floors with windex
source

The polisher can be removed with specialized remover such as Simoniz polisher remover or use an inexpensive alternative such as Ammonia-based Windex, also known as a wax stripper. Don’t apply it directly, but spray it on your dry Swiffer sweeper pads and then clean your polish off. 

Also read my extensive post on: Can you use swiffer on your hardwood floors?

Removing residue on your hardwood floors

The first and safer / more straightforward way would be cleaning your floors with the Amonnia-free Windex version of cleaner. Spray it on your residues and leave it for 1 or 2 minutes after taking some sponge and scrub the sprayed area. Immediately after washing, take dry mop or a damp towel and wipe the area. You don’t want residue to dry on the floor.

The second probably the riskiest version is to mix water and Ammonia to form a solution for mopping your floors. Mix 1 teaspoon of ammonia with 1 gallon of water. Both of them are dangerous for your floors, so caution is needed. Standing water can penetrate threw your hardwood floors and start twisting them. Ammonia, when left unwiped, can make them dull and old. With this option, cleaning residue from your floors should be faster. Test everything in one small area first. Wring your mop each time as much as possible before applying the solution to your floors, after dry your spot immediately with Swiffer sweeper pads or something similar.

The third solution is risky but faster than the second option because there is a lot less preparation and no water involved. We use Windex spray and spray directly on our mop and after wipe residue on our floors. This can be a slow process if film or residue on the floor is very thick. A lot of your energy rubbing our floors will be needed.

Every cleaner and polish removed should be tried on one small area first. If it pasts your test, start cleaning your whole floor 
How to Remove Windex stains from your wooden floors or furniture?

If your bottle of Windex got spilled and left for no reason without cleaning immediately, you will most probably see the stain on your wooden surface. Take mayonnaise (that from the fridge) and cover your stain with it. Leave for about 15-20 minutes. After removing your stain should magically disappear. With this method, you can get rid of most water ring stains. You can try on all types of wood.

Is Windex Safe on Humans and Pets?

Original Windex, if cleaned and entirely dried without inhaling or spraying near our pets, is safe to use. Ammonia, which many cleaners include, is exceptionally toxic in large amounts, so it is better to use the Ammonia-free version for our floors and regular cleaning around our house.