Hard Floor Cleaner with Castile Soap
A bucket of warm water with a little Castile Soap cleans most sealed hard floors.
Takes 2 minutes to mix
What you’ll need
- 2½ tbsp (40 ml) Castile Soap
- Bucket
- 4 litres Hot or lukewarm water (depending on the type of floor)
- Mop
Method
- Start by preparing a solution by adding 2½ tbsp (about 40 ml) of Castile Soap to 4 litres of warm water and give it a good mix. For heat-sensitive floors like wood, use lukewarm water.
- Mop as usual. Just mind not to soak hardwood with too much water.
- Castile Soap can leave a white residue if used with hard water. Rinse clear with cold water if necessary.
Use for: To clean your hard floors
This solution will lift dirt and grime, making it an excellent choice for cleaning all floors, including your bathroom floors, and painted or sealed woodwork (excluding oiled or waxed surfaces).
Why it works
The soap lifts grime and grease from the floor, and a well-wrung mop stops excess water reaching the seams.
The science: How oils become soap (ScienceDirect) → · Hard water and soap scum (USGS) →
B&M Pro-Tip 1:
Castile Soap is highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way. Start with the smallest amount suggested and see if it works for you. Using too much can leave a bit of residue.
B&M Pro-Tip 2:
Warm water suits tile and stone; wood and laminate need lukewarm, because heat makes boards swell and shrink. Hot or cold water? →
B&M Pro-Tip 3:
Rosemary or Ginger Essential Oil are a fresh choice in mop water. Which oil for which job →
Quick questions
Can I use it on laminate?
Yes, with a well-wrung mop. Laminate swells if it gets too wet.
Why is there a white film?
Hard water. Use less soap or do a final mop with clean water.
Try this next: Floor Cleaner: Bicarb →
