Hardwood floors beautify every living space yet are hard to maintain. Cleaning regularly will keep them in mint condition but if not done well can lead to scratches, stains, and even warping. However, with the right materials and techniques to maintain and clean hardwood floors , your hardwood floor will look as good as new since it was installed.
How Often to Clean Hardwood Floors
Cleaning the hardwood floors, especially if you have a light wood floor, should be done once a week so as to look good and remain in good shape. However, some houses with more foot traffic may require more frequent cleanings.. “The heavier the foot traffic, the more quickly dirt, grime and pet hair accumulate in those houses,” said Mary Gagliardi who is an in-house scientist and cleaning expert for Clorox Company. Do not let dirt, stains or spills go unattended; instead tackle them as they occur.
How to Make Your Floors Ready for Cleaning
“It is a must to vacuum your hardwood floors before using a mop. Dirt and debris on the floor can act like abrasives, and if you are not careful, using a mop over your hardwood will inevitably leave scratches” says Alicia Sokolowski president and co-CEO of AspenClean. In addition, vacuuming beforehand makes it easier for the cleaning solution to perform better than if you just start scrubbing without clearing it .For those considering alternatives, SPC flooring offers a durable and low-maintenance option that can withstand heavy foot traffic.
Required materials :
It is essential to have the following stuff handy while cleaning hardwood floors.
- A vacuum cleaner
- Natural soap for dishes
- Water
- Olive oil (if desired)
- Microfiber mop
- A bucket
Best way to maintain and Clean Hardwood Floors
It is good to keep in mind that water should not be allowed to stay in one place for a long time when washing floors. Sokolowski explains that “water on wooden surfaces can cause destruction” adding if the mop is too wet remove some moisture from it. Also any kind of strong cleaner should be avoided like white vinegar or lemon juice; since these substances are strongly alkaline they might damage hardwood flooring.
- Vacuum your floors
- Prepare a mixture of warm water with some drops of natural dish soap in a bucket. (Note: If you desire a natural luster in your hardwood floors, this cleaning formula can include some drops of olive oil.)
- Soak your microfiber mop into the bucket. Remove excess liquid so that the mop is moist but not saturated.
- Mop your floor in small sections at any one time.
- Afterwards, dry-mopping your floors is necessary as this would prevent any water damage, even improving chances for streak-free finish.”
How to Prevent Stains From Spilling onto Hardwood Floors
In terms of getting rid of stains from hardwood floors, it can be rather tricky since they can be damaged by acidic and abrasive materials such as white vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda. According to Sokolowski, “The best way to go about stain removal is to wipe off immediately so they do not settle on the wood.” If there are unremoved stains, try a natural hardwood cleaner or an all-purpose natural cleaner. As a last resort, if you can find out how, replace that stained plank with a new one.
How To Avoid Stripes on Hardwood Floors
To help stop stripes from forming on wooden floors, it is important to clean them with the grain of the wood, as this will help to evenly distribute the cleaning solution. Not letting floors get too wet during cleaning will also help eliminate stripes according to Sokolowski. Additionally, never use strong or abrasive cleaning products because they will leave traces and residues behind.
How to Maintain the Quality of Hardwood Flooring
To keep your floors appearing brand-new for a long period, maintenance is essential. Use the entrance mats, and remove your shoes outside. According to Sokolowski, furniture legs should have rubber pads attached to them to avoid scuffs and scratches from moving about.. To avoid stains, wipe up spills right away. To get rid of dust and debris, hoover and mop hardwood floors frequently. Use a vacuum cleaner with soft-bristle attachment.
Conclusion
To keep hardwood floors looking presentable, they necessitate frequent cleaning and some attention. If you are aware of your flooring finish and adhere to these suggestions, your hardwood floors will remain attractive for a long time. Keep in mind that regular upkeep, fast action on spills and occasional deep scrubbing are the most efficient methods of cleaning hardwood floors. Consequently, they will always be a beautiful component of your home
FAQS
1.Is There a Cleaning Technique for Hardwood Floors That Really Works?
Clean wooden floors every day by using either a broom or pick up a mop specially designed for cleaning hardwoods. Dust and dirt will be collected without causing scratches by treating the head of the mop with an agent before use. A weekly vacuuming is recommended for hardwood floors.
2.How to clean hardwood floors without actually cleaning them?
This do it yourself concoction is used for cleaning your floor in case you want, which consists of olive oil and vinegar in the same quantity, some lemon juice and boiling water.
3.What cleaning solution is recommended for hardwood floors?
In terms of the best outfit from top to bottom, we’ve chosen Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner because it produced perfect results everywhere. All-purpose cleaner in an unscented form attacks stains anywhere and comes packaged in a spray bottle that’s ready to go. If one needs an economical choice that provides more value for less money than Mr. Clean is the ideal candidate diluted with water.
4.is it wise to clean hardwood floors with water?
Your hardwood floors will be ruined if you clean them with water or with a wet mop swab.
5.How to Get Rid Of Stains from Hardwood Floors?
Provided the stain has not set in, water can be used to get rid of fruit stains, pens or printer ink or blood. Red wine stains can be removed using white vinegar. Ammonia can get rid of set stains including iodine and blood. Chlorine bleach is used for coloring dye stains.
6.How do you clean hardwood floors that have been damaged?
In a bucket combine one gallon of water with one cup of distilled white vinegar or half a cup of cleaning vinegar. For the majority of hardwood floors, this technique is secure and efficient. Once the fissures have been cleansed, remove any remaining debris with a soft cloth or hoover.
