Wooden floors can be difficult to clean; using the wrong mop or the wrong products can cause a grimey buildup, leave streaks or strip the finish. However, there is a natural solution to spotless, gleaming floors which can be found in your kitchen cupboard. Home experts at Apartment Therapy revealed one simple drink that cleans wooden floors quickly and effectively in just minutes.

The secret? Black tea. This simple, all-natural cleaning method is not only effective but budget-friendly, and it’s perfect for anyone looking to maintain their floors with minimal fuss. Here’s how to safely and easily clean your wood floors using just black tea and water.

Black tea 

Black tea is a popular drink that contains tannic acid, which can gently clean wood surfaces. The expert shared: "Tannins in the tea add a light, warm 'stain' and help to bring out the wood’s natural warm tones.

"In addition to its beautifying qualities, black tea derived from the Camellia sinensis plant contains polyphenolic compounds that prevent microbial growth."

Here's how to do it:

First, sweep and vacuum your floors to remove dust and debris before initiating any mopping. To create the natural tea-based floor cleaner, start by bringing half a gallon of water to a boil in a large pot.

Once the water reaches a rolling boil, remove it from the heat and place eight bags of black tea in the hot water for ten to 15 minutes. After brewing, press any remaining liquid out of the tea bags before discarding them.

Allow the tea to cool until it reaches a lukewarm temperature. Once the tea has cooled, dip a clean rag into the mixture and wring it out thoroughly. The expert warns to always test the solution on a small, hidden area of your wood floor to ensure it doesn’t cause any discolouration or damage.

If all looks good, begin applying the tea to your floors using the rag, following the natural direction of the wood grain. Avoid using excessive amounts of liquid, as wood floors should never be soaked, as too much moisture can cause warping or damage over time.

Gently work the rag into areas with light scratches or wear. Depending on your floor’s tone, you may want to adjust the number of tea bags used.

Four to six tea bags should be enough for lighter wood, while ten to 12 bags may be needed for darker floors to achieve a deeper, richer effect. The solution can be stored and used for up to 24 hours after brewing.

Other ways to clean wooden floors

According to Handyman experts at Front Door, there are two other kitchen cupboard items that can also effectively clean floors. They said: "Although it might sound like a recipe for salad dressing, vinegar and vegetable oil can be used as a natural hardwood floor cleaner.

"Mix one part white vinegar and one part vegetable oil in a spray bottle, shake vigorously, and apply to your floors. This solution is best for those concerned about using water on certain hardwood floor finishes."

If you do not wish to waste any food or drink, dish detergent can also be used to remove oil, dirt, and dust from your floors. Mix one part vinegar with three parts water, and then add a few drops of dish detergent for some extra-powerful cleaning.