Your Floors Will Literally Shine After Cleaning With This All-Natural, Toxin-Free Ingredient

Who doesn't love a sparkling clean floor? They easily reflect natural light to add a subtle gleam, lend a bit of sparkle to the everyday, and make your home feel tidy. But for those looking to make their home a little more eco-friendly, it feels like the only way to keep your floors clean for longer is with store-bought chemical-laden cleaners. It is possible to get shiny floors without the toxins. All you need is the handy, all-natural cleaning ingredient, glycerin.

While those traditional cleaners can make your floors shine, they often come with multiple unseen downsides, namely dangerous toxins. The American Lung Association cautions that many cleaning products on store shelves have chemicals that can create health and respiratory issues. This has more homeowners searching for eco-friendly and all-natural alternatives. Glycerin is ideal because it is effective at breaking down grime, safe for multiple surface types, and a cheaper alternative to eco-friendly floor cleaners on the shelf today.

Now, if you like to check your beauty or personal care product labels, you probably recognized glycerin. It's one of the most common ingredients in cosmetics. But glycerin's powerful antimicrobial and moisturizing properties are more than just for hand soaps and lipsticks; it's a powerful, natural ingredient that gently and effectively cleans and polishes your floors.

How does this common household ingredient clean your floors to a shine? It's all due to this compound's abilities. Glycerin, also called glycerol, is a syrupy, clear, odorless liquid that is naturally derived from plants and animals, or produced synthetically. Because glycerin is a humectant (it absorbs water from the air to create moisture), it can moisturize and preserve whatever it's applied to. When cleaning your floors, it means glycerin can lift away dirt without damage, thanks to its mild nature. It can also help prevent dust, limescale, and stains from settling into your floors, while its antimicrobial properties remove any bacteria. Plus, its ability to hold onto moisture allows it to bring that clean-home shine to your floors.

Using this natural cleaning ingredient is easy. The next time you're ready to mop, simply mix a teaspoon of glycerin into a bucket of water. Keep in mind that a little product goes a long way. If you use too much glycerin, it may make your floors feel tacky. Test it in an inconspicuous corner of your floor first to make sure you have the right mixture. If it looks good, mop your entire floor, then let it dry. Want to check if your floors are really clean or not with glycerin? Use a white towel to rub on a small area and check to see if any dirt comes up.