Keeping your home spotless is never an easy task, especially when it comes to your floors. No matter how often you mop, scrub, or polish, sometimes the results just aren’t as satisfying as you hoped. You might notice dull tiles, stubborn dirt between the grout lines, or even an unpleasant odor that lingers. The truth is, most people use the wrong cleaning products or overlook one key problem — the buildup of grime deep between the tiles. Luckily, there’s a powerful home remedy that not only restores the shine of your floors but also keeps unwanted insects like ants, cockroaches, and spiders far away.
This method requires only a few simple household ingredients, and one of them might surprise you. Let’s see how this all-natural yet incredibly effective cleaning formula works.
Why Floors Still Look Dirty After Cleaning
Even if you clean daily, your floors can still look dingy or feel sticky underfoot. The reason is that dirt and bacteria accumulate in the grout — those narrow lines between tiles that are difficult to reach with a normal mop. Over time, this trapped grime darkens the grout and dulls the overall appearance of the floor.
Ordinary cleaners and disinfectants may remove surface dirt, but they rarely penetrate deep enough to clean the grout. Worse, many commercial floor cleaners contain chemical residues that attract more dust and dirt after drying. The result? A floor that looks clean for a few hours but quickly returns to its previous dull state.
That’s why the secret to spotless, shiny floors lies not in stronger chemicals but in using the right combination of natural ingredients that both clean and disinfect effectively.
A Surprising Ingredient That Keeps Insects Away
The star of this method is an unexpected one — naphthalene, more commonly known as mothballs. Traditionally used to keep moths away from clothing, naphthalene has a strong odor that also repels a variety of household pests, including ants, roaches, and spiders.
While most people use it only in closets or storage areas, it can be surprisingly useful for home cleaning when handled correctly. When dissolved in hot water and mixed with other household cleaning agents, it helps sanitize floors while leaving behind a faint scent that keeps insects at bay.
However, since naphthalene is a strong substance, it should always be used in small quantities and handled with care — gloves are a must.
The Ingredients You’ll Need
To prepare this effective DIY cleaning solution, you’ll need just five ingredients:
-
15 naphthalene balls (mothballs) – to repel insects and disinfect surfaces.
-
1 capful of fabric softener – to leave a pleasant scent and a smooth finish.
-
200 ml of white vinegar – a natural degreaser and antibacterial agent.
-
3 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid – to cut through dirt, grease, and grime.
-
Hot water – to dissolve the ingredients and enhance their cleaning power.
Together, these ingredients create a perfect balance between cleaning strength, disinfection, and a long-lasting fragrance that refreshes the entire home.
Step-by-Step: How to Prepare and Use the Solution
Once you’ve gathered all the ingredients, follow these simple steps to make and apply the solution.
Step 1: Crush the naphthalene balls
Put on rubber gloves to protect your hands, as naphthalene can be harsh on the skin. Place the 15 mothballs into a sturdy plastic bag and crush them using a hammer or rolling pin until they become a fine powder. This allows them to dissolve more easily in water.
Step 2: Dissolve the powder in hot water
Pour the naphthalene powder into a large bucket or basin filled with hot, almost boiling water. Stir well to help it dissolve completely.
Step 3: Add the other ingredients
Now add the white vinegar and stir again. Vinegar will help remove grease, kill bacteria, and eliminate bad odors. Next, pour in the dishwashing liquid, which boosts the cleaning action and helps lift dirt from both tiles and grout. Finally, add the fabric softener to give the floor a smooth texture and a pleasant, long-lasting scent. Mix everything together thoroughly.
Step 4: Add more hot water if needed
If the mixture feels too concentrated, you can add a little more hot water to dilute it. The goal is to create a balanced cleaning solution that’s strong but safe for your floor surfaces.
Step 5: Mop the floors as usual
Use this solution just as you would any regular floor cleaner. Dip your mop into the mixture, wring it out well, and clean your floors section by section. As you mop, you’ll notice that dirt and grime lift away easily, leaving the tiles cleaner and shinier.
The Double Benefit: Clean Floors and No More Insects
What makes this formula particularly impressive is its dual effect. Not only does it clean and brighten your floors, but it also acts as a natural insect repellent. The distinct smell of naphthalene, combined with vinegar and soap, discourages ants, roaches, and spiders from entering your home.
Unlike chemical insecticides, this solution doesn’t leave sticky residues or stain your tiles. It’s also much safer for families and pets when used properly, as it eliminates the need for spraying harsh insect repellents indoors.
Tips for Best Results
-
Use hot water whenever possible, as it enhances the dissolving power of all ingredients and helps disinfect surfaces more effectively.
-
Don’t overuse naphthalene. The smell can be strong, so start with a small quantity and increase only if necessary.
-
Avoid mixing with other cleaning chemicals. Vinegar and dish soap are safe together, but adding bleach or ammonia can create harmful fumes.
-
Rinse occasionally. Once a week, you can mop with plain hot water to remove any residual build-up and maintain the shine.
A Simple, Powerful Cleaning Habit
With this simple home remedy, you can say goodbye to dull floors and persistent grime in the grout. At the same time, you’ll enjoy the extra benefit of keeping insects away naturally — without relying on toxic products.
By using naphthalene, fabric softener, white vinegar, dish soap, and water, you’ll create a cleaning “potion” that’s inexpensive, effective, and easy to prepare. Regular use will leave your floors spotless, shiny, and fresh-smelling while helping to maintain a healthier home environment.
It may sound too good to be true, but once you try it, you’ll see just how powerful this old-fashioned yet clever cleaning trick really is. With just a few common ingredients, your floors — and your entire house — can look cleaner, smell fresher, and stay insect-free.
