Who doesn't love clean, sparkling tile floors, or wood floors that gleam after a good mopping? But if you have small children or pets, you may not want them crawling around on a floor that's just been wiped down with chemical cleaners, right? Happily, this doesn't mean you have to resign yourself to less-than-immaculate floors, nor does it complicate matters much. Here are recipes for homemade, natural floor cleaners that you can make yourself - most likely from ingredients right from your very own pantry.

Basic Floor Cleaner

This floor cleaner works well on all floor types - sealed wood, tile, laminate and linoleum - for regular cleaning. And it really couldn't be simpler. Simply mix equal parts of white vinegar and hot water, and mop. There's no need to rinse, and the vinegar smell dissipates once the floors have dried (promise!). The vinegar acts as a mild disinfectant and leaves a nice shine.

Wood Floor Cleaner and Polish

If you're looking to add a bit of shine to your wood floors, give this easy recipe a try:

• 1 gallon of hot water
• 3/4 cup of olive oil
• 1/2 cup lemon juice

This formula does double duty. The hot water and lemon clean the floor, and the addition of olive oil leaves your wood floors with a nice, natural sheen. Simply apply it to your floors with a mop that you've wrung out fairly well; then let it dry on its own. No need for rinsing - once it dries, your floors will look great!

Disinfecting Floor Cleaner

This recipe is great for the bathroom and any other areas of your home that need good, regular, disinfecting.

• 1 gallon of hot water
• 1/4 cup of Borax

Mix the water and Borax in a mop bucket, stirring to dissolve the Borax. Borax is a great disinfectant and will clean up even the grossest messes. You don't need to rinse your floors after mopping with this combo, either. 

There you have it: Three incredibly easy, natural floor cleaners to use all around your home. For pennies, you can have both a clean home and peace of mind.

image: pictfactory