It depends on the type of floor (wood, stone, concrete, tile), how it is finished, and how soiled it is.

Most commercial floor cleaners have a high pH plus additives. I'd suggest using a detergent less aggressive, and perhaps diluting it more to the point where bubbles begin to form but don't foam.

If it's an historic floor a conservation surfactant/soap is probably a better choice, with a product like Vulpex or Triton. If it's a relatively modern floor with no historic or artistic furnishings or collections directly on the floor(e.g.furniture or sculptures),  something like Murphy's is acceptable if it's diluted down.

You also want to clean with a dryer damp mop when collections are present or nearby so as to minimize the amount of moisture that will be evaporating in the room if you have rH sensitive collections present.

Of course you should look into strategies to minimize the need to clean - from applying wax and buffing to isolate dirt from the floor to using area carpets and floor coverings for high traffic areas.

Also consider what people walk on before they come in the door. I've seen several historic buildings with sandy soil paths outside where the 200 year old wood door sills and floors near the entrances have literally been sanded down by visitors where the original wood has to be replaced. So always be proactive and consider ways of protecting original surfaces from what comes in on people's shoes.

Cheers!
Dave

David Harvey
Senior Conservator and Museum Consultant
Los Angeles CA
www.cityofangelsconservation.weebly.com

On Mon, Aug 12, 2013 at 7:01 AM, Zlotnick, Marta <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Hello, Dave,

When you say “a damp mop with a mild detergent,” do you have a specific detergent in mind?

Best,

Marta

 

From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David Harvey
Sent: Friday, August 09, 2013 2:55 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] cleaning hardwood floors in galleries

 

Hi Everyone,

From a concerned Conservator:

Please - Do not use Vinegar (Acetic Acid) on floors in museums, historic houses, or galleries with collections. There are far better choices available than exposing your collections to fumes from an organic acid that corrodes lead and attacks other materials.

A  damp mop with a mild detergent is fine (be careful of water on unfinished floors).I am sure my colleague Marc Willams may have more to add here.

Cheers!
Dave

David Harvey
Senior Conservator and Museum Consultant
Los Angeles CA
www.cityofangelsconservation.weebly.com

On Sun, Jul 21, 2013 at 7:56 AM, Natalya Buckel <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Marta,

 

Do you mean cleaning them on a regular basis or a more thorough clean?  We simply vacuum our hardwood floors daily and polish them with Harrell's wax while we are closed in the winter (they can become very slippery!).  You can consult the National Trust's Housekeeping Manual for more specific guidelines.  At home I use a mixture of vinegar and hot water on my hardwood floors!

 

Best wishes,

Natalya

 

Smallhythe Place

National Trust

On Wed, Jul 17, 2013 at 9:46 PM, Zlotnick, Marta <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Hi, everyone,

 

Could anyone recommend a product for cleaning wooden (finished) hardwood floors in galleries, without producing a museum-unfriendly environment?  I’d be happy to hear votes for plain water, too, if that’s what you use.

 

Thanks,

Marta

 

Marta Zlotnick
Registrar
Dumbarton Oaks
Washington, DC

 

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