[Solved!] Why Your Floor Makes Your Feet Black: For All Kinds Of Flooring

It may seem harmless to walk barefoot on the floor, but it can result in black, dirty feet. And according to the Mayo Clinic, a dirty foot can lead to many fungal diseases like Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis). Generally, this happens when your feet become very sweaty, and sweat, unfortunately, or fortunately, is one of the most common reasons for your feet becoming black on the floor.

It is common for homeowners to experience black feet despite having a clean floor. No matter how long you’ve been a homeowner, you’ll stumble upon such a problem. But many people don’t understand why their feet turn black when they walk on the floor.

The answer to this question isn’t as straightforward as it seems. For several reasons, your floor can make your feet black, which we have discussed below, but sweat might be the most common. Black feet are caused by sweat in combination with body oils and dust that accumulate on your floor.

Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to fix it. This article will explain why your floors make your feet black and how to clean them deeply.

So Let’s Get Started!

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Table of Contents

Why Your Floor Makes Your Feet Black

There are a variety of causes for black feet on the floor, and the following are some of the most common. Take the necessary steps to correct these problems if you are experiencing any of these problems.

A Dirty Floor

Having dirty floors is the most common and apparent reason that your feet turn black. Therefore, mopping your floor correctly at least once a week is the most effective way to prevent your feet from turning black.

However, in homes with heavy traffic and visitors, cleaning the floors may be necessary as often as daily, depending on how much action the floors receive.

Dirty floors can pose a health hazard. It can cause people to slip and fall and harbor bacteria that can make them sick. Moreover, dirty floors are unattractive as well as unsightly and unhygienic. Also, if the floor is dry, you can track dirt from the outside or inside surfaces that you didn’t find dirty.

Also See: How to Clean Shaw Vinyl Plank Flooring? (Beginners Guide)

Having Worn-Out Floor Mat

A worn-out floor mat is a common problem in many households. Whether a worn-out or old carpet, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria and foot sweat. Dirt and dust can build up on a thin, tattered floor mat, which eventually gets transferred to your feet, causing your feet to turn black.

If that is the case, it may be time to replace the worn-out mat or clean the old one periodically, as worn-out floor mats can make your feet black and dirty, which is not suitable for your health.

Also See: How To Clean Your Commercial Floor Mats?

Wet Feet & Shoes

Water can cause stains, so it’s essential to clean your shoes and feet carefully before walking on the carpet. If you haven’t, the heel and toe prints of dirty sneaker soles can stain and permanently discolor parts of the floor.

This discolored floor area will eventually become black due to dirt and sweat from your feet. Eventually, you will have black feet due to that dirty floor. Additionally, wet feet tend to catch more dirt from the floor, which is one reason your floor is black.

Also See: How to Dry Water Under Laminate Flooring? (A Step-By-Step Approach)

Using a Dirty Mop And Bucket

Don’t keep cleaning your floors with the same dirty mop and filthy water. Make sure the mop is thoroughly cleaned, not just washed. Also, if your old mop is worn out, throw it away and buy a steam mop and several different pads to clean the floor instead of getting a new mop and bucket.

Generally speaking, a mop and water are not sufficient to clean a floor. That’s probably why your feet look black after walking on the floor since you’re redistributing the mess. Although a mop can help soak up juice spills, it doesn’t help bacteria. Whether your cleaning solution kills those bacteria, you still push wet dirt around.

Investing in a better floor steamer is a wise idea. Cleaning wood and tile floors with steam is an easy way to make them look cleaner. Aside from being easy to replace as you work, the absorbent, changeable pads help remove dirt from your home. As a bonus, you can use this mop with only water, which makes it environmentally friendly.

When cleaning vinyl or laminate floors, use a standard mop and a cleaning product to help maintain the floor’s condition. Your floors will be clean, and they will stay clean. It takes a few extra minutes, but it is worth it.

Note: It is recommended to avoid using steam mops on vinyl and laminate floors since they can loosen the adhesive and buckle in the corners.

Must See: How to Clean Shaw Vinyl Plank Flooring? (Beginners Guide)

Clean or Replace the Air Intake Filter, The Fans, and The Vents

Fans, vents, and air intake filters may be the primary reason your floor makes your feet look black. Dust is coming through and settling on the surface, making it dirty despite looking clean as new. Air purifiers in almost every home are not harmful to our health, but that’s the only way dust and grime get into our homes.

Therefore, I recommend you clean your fans and vents and replace your air intake filter. Make sure to replace all filters on all appliances and ensure combustion-based appliances are functioning correctly. Plus, take off all shoes before entering the house, and keep your windows shut when you leave your home.

Wrong Cleaning Products

We should be careful about the cleaning products we use. Most of us probably know that using the wrong product can negatively affect our skin and clothes, but what about when it comes to our feet?

If you are using a cleaner not made for floors, it might not be as effective as a floor cleaner. You will have to scrub harder and more often to get rid of dirt, which can cause your feet to become black. But suppose you use a floor cleaner that is made for floors. These problems do not happen in that case because it has chemicals specifically designed to clean hard surfaces like floors.

Knowing the difference between the wrong cleaning products and the right ones is essential. The wrong ones can make your feet black. It happens when you use a product containing bleach, typically used to clean clothes or dishes.

It can also happen when you use a product with ammonia, which is usually for removing stains from carpets and upholstery. These products are not meant for your floors; they can harm your feet if you walk on them barefoot.

Also See: Can You Use Pine Solution for Vinyl Flooring? (Answered!)

Black Foot Remediation: The Best Way to Clean Them

You don’t need to do anything complicated to clean dirty feet that are black due to oil and dirt. Just follow these steps:

To begin with, fill a tub with some warm water and squeeze the lemon juice into it. It will act as a chemical peel on your feet. Lemons have a low pH, so they exfoliate dirt and loosen it.
Next, you’ll want to make your exfoliator. Use large grain salt and sweet almond oil. Then, mix that with your favorite body wash, and it’ll remove the dead skin cells that are locking in that dirt and oil.
Thirdly, you need to soften your skin and seal it in moisture while preventing it from becoming dirty. You can do this by making your balm from shea butter, beeswax, and cocoa butter. Mix them and let them cool before massaging them over your feet.

A Step-By-Step Guide to Deep Clean Your Floor

The only way to get rid of the black feet problem is by deep cleaning the floor properly. Follow the below mention guide to deep clean your floor.

Step 1: Remove the Objects From the Room

Start by removing the appliances and furniture from the room. It will prevent interruptions while you are cleaning the floor. Additionally, this method allows you to clean the entire floor thoroughly. Moreover, by doing so, you will avoid damage to your furniture caused by sprinkles of cleaning solution.

Step 2: Scrape Up Any Debris on the Floor

Using a bristle brush or butter knife, clean up any debris from the floor, such as wax or residue. I have always found that only mopping doesn’t work as well as getting down on hands and knees, scrubbing it with a bristle brush, and then wiping it dry with a towel.

If you have vinyl or laminate flooring, you should use a plastic scraper rather than a metal one. This way, you will not damage the flooring.

Step 3: Completely Vacuum or Sweep the Area

Next, sweep or vacuum the entire floor thoroughly. I prefer a vacuum cleaner because it is fun, but vacuum cleaners collect more dust than sweepers.

Step 4: Cleaning the Floor With a Dry Mop

Now install the mop pad inside the mop. Simply dry and mop the entire surface with it. You will see that a lot of black dirt, hair, and unseen dirt will be accumulated by the mop. Using this long-handled mop, you can also reach those areas that are difficult to reach with a vacuum. Additionally, make sure you wash the mop pad after cleaning it.

Step 5: Using a Wet Mop, Clean the Floor

The next step is to mix your cleaning solution with water, ideally using a solution formulated for your flooring type. Once that is done, fill a spray bottle with the cleaning solution, spray it on the entire floor, and start mopping.

Also See: Will Acetone Damage Laminate Floor? (Explained)

Step 6: Allow Everything to Dry

Finally, let the floor dry completely, and then place your appliances and furniture back in place. It would be best if you also cleaned the appliances and furniture a bit. Also, ensure you thoroughly wash that mop pad before using it again since dust and debris from them can be transferred to the cleaned floor, eventually turning your feet black.

To Conclude

After reading this article, I hope you have an answer to why your floor makes your feet black, how to clean the floor deep to prevent this problem, and how to clean those dirty black feet.

Let me know if you still have any questions in the comments section. I will be happy to assist you.

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[Solved!] Why Your Floor Makes Your Feet Black: For All Kinds of Flooring