Learn how to clean hardwood floors in a smart, safe way by learning about different kinds of hardwood flooring, proper cleaning products, and time-saving methods. You don’t need to be a cleaning guru to build a knowledge base about the best way to clean hardwood floors.
Know Your Hardwood Floor Types
It’s essential to know the different and most common kinds of wood flooring in order to understand the best way to clean hardwood floors. A lot depends on wood type, and you’ll need to know it before embarking on a floor-cleaning project. Here’s a quick rundown of the different hardwood floor types and how each one should be cleaned:
- Solid: Use a very soft broom and vacuum floor attachment to pick up dust. Use a pH-balanced cleaner or vinegar-and-water on a slightly damp mop for deeper cleaning. This kind of wood flooring is composed of a single piece of wood.
- Engineered: These floors are multiple layers of wood, and can better resist moisture. Clean the same as solid flooring, but it’s okay to use a bit more warm water on the mop.
- Laminate: Vacuum or dry mop, and be careful not to not scratch the surface of this non-wood flooring. Laminate is designed to look like real wood, though, so use cleansers that are labeled “Safe for Laminate Floors.” Don’t use too much water, and never use steam.
How to Clean Hardwood Floors
What to Clean Hardwood Floors With
Knowing how to clean hardwood floors the right way is a valuable skill. One of the main pieces of that puzzle is figuring out what to clean hardwood floors with. Fortunately, there are certain cleaners that are pH-balanced and specially created for wood flooring.
In addition, you can always use a 1:10 mix of vinegar and water, but only if you can’t get your hands on commercial products. What to clean hardwood floors with in most cases? When dry mopping, use a microfiber cloth head for daily dusting chores. But when a deeper clean is called for, rent or buy a small steam cleaner that’s designed to deal with wood floors.
While there’s no best cleaner for hardwood floors, be sure to avoid oil-based products, ammonia, or abrasives. Weekly vacuuming and sweeping keeps scratches to a bare minimum. Use high-quality wood-specific polish every month or so to protect the surface and enhance the appearance of the floor.
Daily Maintenance
To maintain the natural beauty of hardwood floors, daily maintenance is a must. Sure, you might skip a day now and then, but try to complete this chore at least six times per week. Sweep or use a high-quality microfiber cloth to remove debris, dirt, and dust that has the potential to scratch the wood’s surface.
In high-traffic or very dirty areas, use a vacuum’s floor attachment, but don’t use beater bars, which are a feature of some vacuums. Do a quick visual inspection for damage that may have occurred from shoes or furniture impact. Wipe up spills immediately and keep a microfiber cloth handy for instant removal of scuff marks and other slight damage.
Weekly Cleaning Routine
Designate one day each week for hardwood floor maintenance and cleaning chores. Do a complete vacuuming job with a soft attachment brush to get up debris and dust. Then, use a pH-balanced cleanser or a vinegar-water solution on a slightly damp mop. Focus on high-traffic zones. End by buffing with a dry microfiber cloth to bring out the shine. Consistent weekly care can add many years to the life of hardwood floors.
Deep Cleaning & Stain Removal
When attempting to remove stains and do deep cleaning of hardwood floors, it’s important to take a careful, planned approach. Step one is vacuuming the entire surface to get debris and dust.
Next, add a bit of pH-balanced cleanser to a slightly damp mop. Check to make sure the mop is only moist, not dripping with excess water. If there are stains, make a small amount of paste from water and baking soda and apply the gooey substance directly to the stained area. Rub it in with a very soft, preferably microfiber, cloth.
If the stain doesn’t come out after your first attempt, consider purchasing a hardwood floor stain removal product from a reputable retailer. To avoid stains, don’t use harsh cleaning chemicals. Clean up spills as soon as they happen. Finally, buff the floor when you are through removing the stains.
Preventative Care Tips
Employing commonsense tips is another aspect of the best way to clean hardwood floors. Here are three suggestions that can keep your wood flooring in tip-top shape for many years:
- Every Day: Minimize dents, nicks, scrapes, and scratches by using furniture pads and area rugs as makeshift shields against everyday damage. Avoid letting wood floors endure long periods of sunlight.
- Occasionally: Prevent wear and dirt buildup in high-traffic zones by sweeping and vacuuming on a regular basis.
- Seasonal: Pay attention to the seasons. First, keep humidity at non-extreme levels to prevent warping. In winter, use a damp mop to remove tracked-in salt.
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