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Hard flooring is perfect for the busiest areas of the home, but while it's more durable than carpet, it can still become remarkably grimy. Furthermore, the effects of wear and tear become increasingly apparent over time, which is why regularly cleaning your hard flooring with the right products is essential.

While wooden floors are generally straightforward to clean, as temperatures rise, many households may find their floors remain dusty despite frequent vacuuming and mopping. All wooden materials tend to generate considerable static electricity during warmer weather, causing dust to drift into homes through open windows and continuously settle on the floor. However, floor-cleaning specialists at All Kleen Carpet Cleaning Services claim that dust can be kept at bay for longer and wooden flooring can maintain its shine if you have black tea to hand.

They said, "In addition to being a comforting and refreshing drink for your body, black tea can also refresh and even clean your hardwood floors. The tannins in black tea act as a light and warm stain that brings the natural warm tones out of your hardwood, while the polyphenolic compounds found naturally in the Camellia Sinensis plant that black tea is made from attack germs and prevent their growth."

The specialists noted that the intensity of the tea colour, and consequently the colour of the "stain", can be adjusted to suit your needs.

For lighter wooden floors, four to six tea bags are recommended, while for particularly dark hardwoods, 10 to 12 tea bags are advised. Should you test the tea and find it too dark, simply dilute it with a little extra water, or alternatively, add more tea bags if you require a deeper shade.

Before mopping with the tea, however, ensure the floor is completely clean. Sweep thoroughly and then vacuum to make certain the surface is entirely free of dirt and dust.

Bring 1.9 litres of water to a boil in a large pot over high heat on the hob. Once boiling, turn off the heat and steep the eight black tea bags in the hot water for 10 to 15 minutes.

Once the time is up, remove the tea bags, squeezing out all remaining liquid before discarding them.

Allow the tea to cool until it is barely warm to avoid damaging the floor finish. Should you need to speed up the cooling process, begin by boiling only half the water, steep the tea, then add another eight cups of cold water.

Once the mixture is lukewarm, pour it into a large bucket and take it to a less conspicuous area of the room to test it on your floor. A corner would be an ideal spot.

Dip a clean cloth into the tea and wring it out thoroughly, as you should never saturate your wooden floors with water. Apply the tea to the test area, working in the direction of the woodgrain.

Once you are satisfied with the colour the tea brings to the floor, mop the remainder of the surface using small amounts of the mixture. Allow the floor to dry fully and enjoy your beautifully refreshed wooden flooring.