Is it possible to wash floors with vinegar after painting - what are the dangers of old methods?

It is possible, even necessary, to wash floors with vinegar after painting, but it is important to do it correctly: follow the proportions exactly and do not wash too early, until the paint has dried. Read on to learn how to wash the floor without damaging the fresh coating and why you should use vinegar.

Preparing the vinegar solution correctly

Household vinegar is universal: it not only destroys odors and has disinfectant properties, but also removes greasy stains. Quickly and efficiently copes with even minor dirt and dust that appears on a freshly painted surface, especially after drying. Housewives love this method of cleaning the floor for its effect of enhancing color saturation.

The first thing you need to do before washing is to properly prepare the vinegar solution. The procedure is important, since too hot water or a high concentration of vinegar will only aggravate the matter and cause unsightly stains.

A vinegar solution for cleaning floors after painting is prepared as follows:

1. We take a standard plastic or zinc bucket with a volume of 10 liters.
2. We collect a full bucket of hot water. The most important thing when cleaning the floor is to choose the right water temperature. It should not be boiling water, but also not just warm liquid. A suitable temperature is one at which you can hold your hand in the water, but not for long - up to 5-7 seconds.
3. Add 2 tablespoons of simple vinegar to the water. It is also called household or home.Concentrated acetic acid, even if it is found in the house, cannot be used.
4. Mix thoroughly for 15–20 seconds.
5. Let's start cleaning the floor.

By exceeding the concentration of vinegar in the solution, you can first cause the enamel to lose color and subsequently peel it off. Vinegar, even household vinegar, is a very aggressive substance and should be used extremely carefully.

Ammonia can be a high-quality and inexpensive replacement for vinegar. But the proportions are different - 1 tablespoon per 6-8 liters of water is enough. Remember that a large amount of the drug in the solution will have the opposite effect.

How to wash the floor with vinegar without consequences?

The vinegar solution is ready: the water is at the required temperature, and the amount of vinegar does not exceed two tablespoons. You can start cleaning the floor.

The sequence of proper floor cleaning with vinegar solution:

1. Soak a soft cloth in the solution and wring it out well. Remember: too wet rags will cause new stains or permanent fading of the enamel. Therefore, the rag for washing the floor should be damp, but not wet.
2. Carefully rinsing no more than 3 m² floor, it is necessary to change the solution to a fresh one. And so on until the entire freshly painted surface is washed.
3. Under no circumstances should you re-rinse an already clean surface. It's better to do this in a few days. Rubbing the surface is also not recommended, because vinegar, even in low concentration, remains too active a substance that can break down some paints and varnishes.
4. After the area has been treated with a vinegar solution, you should carefully wipe the floor with a cloth soaked in clean water, without adding any detergents.

It is better to use soft rags for cleaning floors and replace them after several procedures. Dirty rags with small or large debris will be the first cause of scuffs and scratches on a newly painted floor.

When can you start cleaning the floor?

The floor is painted and shiny with fresh enamel, floor paint or varnish. The question arises: when can you start washing? Answer: not immediately and not even after 2-3 days.

• First, the enamel should be given time to dry thoroughly.
• Secondly, the coloring composition must be absorbed into the wood. This process is lengthy - even with proper air circulation and constant room temperature, it takes at least two weeks.

Some home craftsmen make a mistake: after a few days they try the painted floor by touch and, if the enamel or paint does not stick to the hand, then immediately start washing it. It is not right. The topmost layer dries very quickly, within a day it feels like you can walk on the floor. But the lower layers will take time, sometimes a lot of time. Therefore, remember: you can wash the painted floor no earlier than after 1.5–2 weeks.

What should you not do?

Never try to get rid of stains on a freshly painted floor using simple laundry soap and hot water. This is a serious mistake that will lead to new problems:

• even more divorces;
• fading of enamel;
• possible peeling of the coating.

Vinegar is a proven household product that perfectly combines quality, productivity and affordability. When used correctly, a beautiful, sparkling floor surface and a long service life of the enamel or paint are guaranteed.