How to Sanitize Wood Floors With Bleach

Sweep your hardwood floor. Use a broom with soft bristles that will not scratch your hardwood floor. Your floor must be free of debris and dirt prior to sanitizing with bleach.

Prepare your cleaning solution. Pour 1/2 cup of white vinegar into 1 gallon of warm water. There are a variety of over-the-counter cleaning solutions you can purchase to clean your hardwood floor. White vinegar will not damage the finish on your hardwood, but test the solution on a small section of your floor to ensure no damage occurs.

Mop the floor with the cleaning solution. Wring out the mop thoroughly to prevent water from damaging the wood. Overlap your mop strokes to ensure you cover every part of the floor.

Dry the floor with a fan or a clean towel to make sure the wood is completely dry. Do not allow puddles or wet spots to remain on your hardwood floor, because they may lead to stains and other damage. Block off the area to ensure that pets, children, and other adults do not walk on the floor.

Pour 3/4 cup of bleach into 1 gallon of warm water. Bleach will successfully kill bacteria that reside on your hardwood floor.

Test the bleach solution to ensure it does not damage the finish on your hardwood floor. Wipe a small area of the floor with the solution and a sponge. Allow the area to dry. Do not use the bleach solution on your hardwood floor if it causes discoloration or damage to the finish.

Start mopping at the farthest corner of the wood floor using overlapping strokes.

Dry the floor with a clean towel. Alternatively, you can use a fan or allow the hardwood to air-dry. The chlorine in bleach evaporates, leaving no stains or residue.