Cleaning Hardwood Floors

Cleaning hardwood floors can be an easy task, if done regularly. With regular cleaning of hardwood floors, they will look new for years. You should clean once in a week to keep them neat and tidy. Even if you cannot see any dust or dirt on the surface, your floors will need cleaning. A wood floor can be cleaned using common cleaning methods.

How to Clean Hardwood Floors

All wood floors need regular vacuuming and mopping. You can use a broom, a dust mop, or a vacuum cleaner to remove the dust and dirt. Make sure you clean all the areas including the hidden spaces under the furniture. For cleaning wood floors, you can move the furniture and clean underneath them. If you do not clean properly, dust and dirt accumulate and they enter the pores of the wood. Now, as the first part is finished, start mopping from one corner. The best kind of mop for wood floors is a microfiber mop. Plain water should not be used to clean hardwood flooring. However, it can be used to clean some types of engineered wood flooring.

To clean engineered wood flooring, dip the microfiber cloth in water and squeeze. You should not squeeze all the water out. At the same time, it shouldn’t be dripping. Make sure you do not pour water on the floor, as this may damage the flooring. Mop the entire floor, until all dirt is gone and the floor is sparkling clean. You can repeat this process for cleaning wood floors, if necessary. To clean solid hardwood flooring, you can use hardwood cleaning products recommended by the manufacturer. Use of plain water can destroy hardwood floors.

Best Products for Cleaning Hardwood Floors

When it comes to cleaning hardwood floors, one of the best hardwood cleaning products is white vinegar. Many feel that nothing can beat this natural floor cleaner. It can be used on both solid hardwood and engineered wood flooring. Before cleaning a wood floor with vinegar, you should sweep the entire floor properly. Mix vinegar with warm water. Usually, they are mixed in 1:2 ratio. That is, add two parts of water to one part of vinegar. Dip the mop in the water-vinegar solution. Squeeze out excess water. Make sure your mop is not dripping. Mop the entire floor. White vinegar has both cleaning and antibacterial properties. Along with cleaning your entire floor, it also disinfects the floor. If you are worried about its smell, the fact is that when the floor dries, the smell will also go away.

You can also use artificial hardwood floor cleaners that are available on the market. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Always use pH neutral cleaning products. Do not use oil-based soap for cleaning hardwood floors. They may damage the surface finish of the flooring. It will also form a dull layer on the surface of the wood.

Maintenance of Hardwood Floors

Hardwood flooring is a life-long investment. Proper maintenance is necessary to prevent any damage to the flooring. Always wipe off spills, whether water or any other fluid immediately. Use a professional wood cleaner once in a while to clean the hardwood floors. Prevent scratches and dents by using adhesive felt pads under the furniture legs. You can also use wax to polish the floors. Make sure you select one which can be used on your hardwood floors - many waxes should not be used with polyurethane finishes. Cleaning hardwood floors isn't difficult and the reward will be a beautiful wood floor that will last for many years.