Laundry Detergent is Not for Floors
When I first became certified, I never imagined I’d be writing about this. But here we are.
If you’ve been watching TikTok, you’ve probably seen this “super great” life hack to use laundry detergent on your floors. Some people swear by it. Some people are wrong.
What’s in Laundry Detergent?
It’s just soap, right? Wrong. Laundry detergent is a chemical engineering marvel, designed by top scientists employed by corporate giants to do one thing really well: make your laundry sparkling clean, fluffy, and beautiful— no matter what they looked like when you tossed them in. Here’s what makes that possible:
Alkalis: these are chemical components that are on the base side of the pH scale. Some of them are mild, but others are really strong. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is the mildest at pH 8.4. Washing soda (sodium carbonate) is a pH of 11.
Fluorochemicals: brightening agents that make white and colored dyes look brighter without using bleach. They absorb UV light, so if you want to see these for yourself, shine a UV flashlight on freshly washed clothing and watch it glow.
Surfactants: surfactants surround soil, help lift it off of surfaces, and suspend them in water so that they can be rinsed away.
pH buffers: These help boost the pH of a product even higher than the sum of its chemical components.
Suds control agents: silicones help to prevent laundry detergents from bubbling up during the wash cycle. If you have ever tried to use dishwashing liquid in the washing machine, you will know how important these silicones are.
Enzymes: enzymes help break down odors by digesting or breaking down the proteins in bodily fluids. They have no substitute in odor control or cleaning human or pet waste, but do not aid the cleaning process in the absence of these soils.
Fragrances
Dyes
Why Laundry Detergent isn’t appropriate for floors
pH: The alkalis in laundry detergent are too strong for your floors. If you have hardwood floors, luxury vinyl plank, or tile, your floors will prefer a neutral pH cleaner.
Dilution ratios: Did you know the average washing machine uses 19 gallons of water per load? The amount of detergent you use per gallon is tiny. This is impossible to accomplish in a mop bucket.
Build up: So since you cannot dilute laundry detergent properly in a bucket of mop water, and because it has a lot of chemicals you don’t need for floors in it, it is really easy to see chemical build up when you clean floors with laundry detergent. Dull looking floors, streaks, and other blemishes are common for people who misuse laundry detergent as a floor cleaner.
Warranty: Remodeled recently? If you have newer floors, they are likely covered under a manufacturer’s warranty. Using a product in a way that is inconsistent with its labeling on your floors will definitely void your warranty. You cannot sneak this by your inspector: certified flooring inspectors contracted by flooring manufacturers are highly trained and experienced.
What We Recommend Instead
If you are looking for great soil lifting power on floors, look no further than Sal Suds. It dilutes to a neutral pH. It is plant-based, biodegradable, and safe for kids and pets. It it is labeled for use on floors, won’t void your warranty, and does a great job.
Amber Starling, Author
Founder and President of
Good Witch Cleaning Services, LLC
IICRC Journeyman Textile Cleaner