How to Clean Hardwood Floors
With today's advances in wood flooring stains and finishes, cleaning your wood floors has never been easier. Regular maintenance requires little more than sweeping with a soft bristle broom and vacuuming with a soft floor attachment, if your wood floor includes a beveled edge that could collect debris. But remember, cleaning hardwood floors actual means cleaning the finish, not the wood itself. Floors should also be cleaned periodically with a professional wood floor cleaning product recommended by a wood flooring professional, but here are some tips and tricks that can be used in between those deep cleanings.
What Products Not to Use
Although Oil Soaps are a very popular wood cleaner, avoid using them. They are made from vegetable oil and when mixed with water and used on a surface, the water evaporates, leaving a film of vegetable oil behind. This coating will cause the finish to haze and the floor may even need to be sanded and recoated to remove the film. Also, in regards to polyurethane surface floors, do not use any type of acrylic dressing (such as Mop and Glow) or apply paste or liquid wax.
What to Use to Clean Hardwood Floors
The best cleaning products for polyurethane surface floors can normally be found in your kitchen. Special soaps and mild cleaners are made for any natural oil finished floor. However, you will get the best results by using the recommended cleaning product provided by the manufacturer of the finish that was used on the hardwood floor. As a general rule of thumb, it is always best to consult with the finish manufacturer, no matter what the finish is.
How to Use Hardwood Cleaning Products
Even if you use the correct cleaning product, you want to use the correct cleaning process as to not damage the finish. It is recommended that you use a light, damp applicator and avoid abrasive action, such as severe rubbing with a cotton rag. Abrasive action will slightly dull the finish. In addition, do not use a saturated mop.
Get Rid of Marks on Hardwood Floors
It is expected that flooring will receive good use, and with that may come marks. If any tar, black heal marks, lipstick, adhesive or crayon gets on your polyurethane floor, the marks can be removed with a non-abrasive waterless hand cleaner. The oily residue can be removed with a damp cloth when you are finished removing the marks. If water spots are a problem, clean the floor in the same direction as the wood grain and it will be less noticeable.
Other Helpful Tips
- Use throw rugs both inside and outside doorways to help prevent dirt and other debris from being tracked onto your wood floors. This will prevent scratching. For wood flooring in the kitchen, place an area rug in front of the kitchen sink.
- Wipe up spills immediately with a slightly dampened towel.
- Avoid walking on your wood floors with cleats, sports shoes and high heels.
- Put stick-on felt protectors under the legs of furniture to prevent scuffing and scratching. When moving heavy furniture, do not slide it on wood flooring. It is best to pick up the furniture completely in order to prevent scratches.
This information has been referenced from industry experts and is only recommended for a longer lasting product. Application and maintenance depends on the product used to finish your floor. Please consult the finish manufacturer for more detailed information.