• Some floors are wood and others look like wood.Floor image by Einar Bog from Fotolia.com
  
  Green floor cleaners can benefit the environment and the home's inhabitants. Floors are made of different products, so no one cleaner works for all floor types. Try manufacturer-recommended cleaners if they are green; otherwise use a chemical-free homemade cleaner. Chemicals used indoors often remain in the air for long periods of time, endangering sensitive occupants.
  
  

Wood

• Water isn't good for wood flooring, whether your wood floor has a surface finish or a penetrating finish. Try simply using a microfiber cloth or a damp cloth. If you spill water on a wood floor, wipe it with a towel. Buffing with the towel will make a waxed floor shine. The Care 2 website suggests baking soda on a wet sponge to remove scuff marks on a wood floor.
  
  

Laminate

• Laminate floors consist of melamine over paper, according to the Care 2 website. The University of Georgia extension service recommends 1/2 cup white vinegar in 1 gallon warm water applied to the floor with a spray bottle for engineered wood and no-wax floors. Mop with a microfiber mop.
  
  

Vinyl and Linoleum

• Vinyl, linoleum and cork are resilient floors, according to the Care 2 website. They recommend sweeping and dust mopping or vacuuming frequently. Use a damp mop with liquid dish detergent or 1/2 cup of vinegar added to the water. A sponge in jojoba oil will remove scuffs.
  
  

Carpeted Floor Cleaner

• The Earth Easy website suggests equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, followed with a brush or sponge using warm soapy water, to clean carpet stains. A clear water rinse will remove all traces of soap to avoid recurrence of the stain. Earth Easy also recommends cornstarch for absorbing grease spots on carpet as well as a mixture of 1/4 cup each of vinegar, borax and salt to make a paste. Apply the paste and let dry before vacuuming. Another green cleaning method is to sprinkle cornstarch on the spot and wait 30 minutes before vacuuming. Keene State College recommends club soda and scrubbing to remove carpet stains.