This Is The Best Fix For Sticky Residue On Hardwood Floors

Floor Sticky After Mopping? It Could Be Cleaner Residue

The purpose of this post is to share a highly useful floor cleaning tip I used to get rid of a sticky, hazy film that had accumulated on my hardwood floors. Of the many, many potential fixes I tried, the tip in this post is the only thing that worked, and I know it will help anyone whose floors are affected by the same issue!

But even if your hardwood floors are perfectly clean, it’s really easy to fall victim to sticky residue if you don’t know how to prevent it. So be sure to read to the end of this post, because I’ll tell you exactly how to prevent residue buildup from forming in the first place! :-)

I didn’t even realize there was a problem until I had a cleaning company over to deep clean the tile and grout in my kitchen. While they were doing that, I asked one of the technicians if they cleaned hardwood floors too, since I figured mine could probably use it.

He said they did clean hardwood floors, but that my floors had a buildup of hazy residue that would need to be removed before they could use their equipment on them. I wasn’t sure what he was talking about until I folded back one of my living room rugs and saw the difference for myself! (I also felt the difference, because the exposed floor felt sticky compared to the area under the rug. Yuck!)

Related: This Is The Single Best Way To Clean Your Area Rugs

What Causes Sticky Residue On Hardwood Floors?

So where did that hazy film come from? It turns out that the cleaner I had been using was to blame! Certain cleaning products leave residues on hardwood floors, and over time, those layers of residue can become a nearly impenetrable film of sticky, hazy buildup.

So not only is it important to use the right floor cleaners, but it’s also important to use the right amount of cleaner. If you’re using too much or it isn’t properly diluted, you’re almost certainly going to experience residue problems.

Other things that can contribute to residue buildup on your floors include accumulated dirt and grime, remnants of spills or stains, and adhesive or tape residue.

Related: 7 Mistakes That Are Ruining Your Hardwood Floors

How To Remove Sticky Residue From Hardwood Floors

To remove sticky residue from hardwood floors, you’ll need ammonia-free glass cleaner, a scrub pad or sponge, and some microfiber cloths. Apply the cleaner and let it sit for a minute before scrubbing, then wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.

Get all the details in my step-by-step tutorial below.

You’ll need:

• Ammonia-free glass cleaner
• Gentle, non-scratch scrubber
• Microfiber cloths

Directions:

Step 1 – Spray A Small Section Of The Sticky Floor

Start with one section of your floor about 2 sq. ft. in size. Spray the glass cleaner liberally over the area and let it sit for about a minute. Letting it sit gives it time to penetrate that tough layer of buildup (which is why waiting is one of my Golden Rules of Cleaning!)

Step 2 – Gently Scrub The Buildup

Next, scrub the area using a gentle scrubber, like the scrubby side of a non-scratch dish sponge. This will help cut through the buildup loosened by the glass cleaner.

(Note that I recommend you scrub, not scrape. Scraping at the loosened residue is bound to leave behind scratches!)

Step 3 – Wipe The Cleaner And Sticky Residue Off

Immediately after scrubbing, wipe the area with a microfiber cloth to remove the residue and glass cleaner. Move to a new section of floor and repeat these steps, continuing on until all of your flooring is clean. (It’s not a quick process by any means, but it is extremely effective!)

Related: The Most Blissfully Simple Mop You’ve Never Heard Of

How To Prevent Residue Buildup On Hardwood Floors

To start, keep your floors clean and clean up any spills and stains right away. If you’re dealing with sticky residue from adhesive, tape, or stickers, check out my tips for removing stickers and adhesive residue. (While I normally reach for vinegar when dealing with sticky messes, undiluted vinegar can be too acidic for hardwood floors, while diluted vinegar may not be strong enough to help much.

To keep your hardwood floors clean and less sticky, don’t wear shoes in the house and use mats at entrances and in high traffic areas. (Keep in mind that sticky messes can also originate in the kitchen, so having a mat in there isn’t a bad idea either!)

Finally, make sure you’re using a residue-free cleaning product meant for hardwood floors. Not sure if your preferred floor cleaner leaves behind a residue? Test it by spraying some onto glass or a mirror and wiping it off — if it looks hazy, using that cleaner will likely lead to buildup problems over time.

Have you ever noticed a sticky residue or hazy film on your hardwood floors?