How to Clean Wood Floors Properly
How to Clean Wood Floors Properly
Most wood floors are simple to maintain provided they are cleaned properly to keep their gloss, and they offer warmth and a distinctive appeal to any type of house design. However, constant foot traffic tracks in dirt and filth, which accumulates on hardwood floors and makes them appear dingy. If you also have pets, dust mites are also likely to get more numerous every day.
Putting aesthetics aside, it’s safer and healthier for you if floors are kept clean. A slight layer of dust or filth may make wood floors slick and dangerous for falls. Asthma and respiratory ailments are brought on by the accumulation of dust and dust mites.
When Should Hardwood Floors Be Cleaned?
Wood floors should be swept, vacuumed, or dust mopped every day to maintain the finish, and spills should be cleaned up very afterwards. Depending on how frequently the floors are used, you should undertake a more thorough cleaning once a week or once a month.
Before start
The most important thing to decide before you start cleaning is whether you have solid hardwood flooring, engineered hardwood flooring, or laminate flooring with a wood-look finish. Although they have extremely similar looks, laminate requires different maintenance than solid or engineered hardwood. The same cleaning routine may be used on solid and engineered hardwood floors, however laminate should never be cleaned with hardwood floor cleaners since the oil and wax in the formulas might degrade the finish.
Wood and wood-like flooring types
- Solid hardwood flooring: This type of flooring is laid in strips or planks and can be left unfinished or stained. Any hardwood (oak, maple, teak, walnut, or ash) that was cut from a single solid piece of wood is acceptable for the flooring.
- Hardwood flooring made of engineering This flooring is created by adhering a number of delicate hardwood plies together. To reinforce the floor pieces, the layers are layered with the grains flowing in various orientations. A thin veneer or a thicker hardwood layer that may be sanded and polished over time might serve as the surface layer.
- Wood-look laminate flooring There is no hardwood on this flooring. The surface is made up of fiberboard with a photographic picture of wood on it that is coated in a thick coating of melamine resin.
Cleaning Equipment for Hardwood Floors
You can utilise a variety of cleaning equipment. The best option for sweeping up dust and crumbs from hardwood floors while avoiding further damage is a broom with soft bristles. Nylon or rubber can be used to make the bristles. Both types of bristles are charged with static and work to pick up particles. Grab the accumulated dirt with a dustpan or hand vacuum.
Compared to cotton or sponge mops, microfiber mop heads are more effective in attracting dust and are simple to wash and maintain. You may use a vacuum on hardwood floors, but to avoid scratching them, pick one with soft-bristle rollers and a retractable beater bar. To get to the room’s dusty corners, use the upholstery brush attachment.
Solution for Cleaning Hardwood Floors
The majority of wood floors are sealed with polyurethane or polyacrylic urethane, therefore it’s crucial to pick a cleaning agent that will leave the sealer shiny and free of stains. Never use strong chemicals like vinegar that hasn’t been diluted, ammonia, pine oil, or chlorine bleach. Instead, pick a professional solution designed for sealed wood floors. On a wood floor that has been polyurethane sealed, never use liquid or paste wax.
What you’ll require
Resources / Tools
- Vacuum, dustpan, or broom
- The microfiber mop
Materials
- Commercial floor cleaner for wood
- Printed towels
- Water
How to Clean Engineered or Solid Wood Floors
1. Vacuum or sweep Daily
Every day, sweep or vacuum the floor to get rid of the dirt and debris that might harm the floor’s finish. Regularly clean the area rugs’ undersides. Scuff marks should be removed as soon as you see them.
2. Deal with messes as they arise
Never let any dry messes or liquid spills that can cause water rings sit on hardwood floors for longer than a few minutes. This is crucial for mud and other substances that are dark in colour and can leave stains that are difficult to remove.
Give the floor a last “rinse” with a cloth or mop that has been mildly soaked with water after wiping up the spill with a paper towel or cloth. To avoid streaks, wipe against the grain of the wood.
3. Weekly Dust Mop
Dust mop wood floors at least once a week to remove the stray dust particles that seem to emerge overnight.
4. Damp Mop During Seasons
It should only be necessary to damp mop with a cleaning agent a few times a year if you have been swiftly cleaning up spills and keeping the floors clear of dirt and dust. Never use a mop that is dripping wet. Every sealant on wood floors may be harmed by too much water, which will also make the flooring buckle.
To prevent spots, lightly dampen a microfiber mop, sweep the floor while maintaining the wood’s natural grain, and let the floor completely dry before stepping on it. If you are in a region with hard water, use distilled water to damp mop the floor. Hard water’s high mineral content can make floor finishes appear drab.
Choose an industrial wood floor cleaner with a spray applicator if you must. Too much of a good thing may make floors sticky and make dirt stickier. Cleaning just requires a little mist of one-half teaspoon per two square feet.
How to clean Laminate Flooring with a Wood-look
Wood-look laminate flooring requires little maintenance. Clean up spills right away, and do regular sweeping or vacuuming. Use a steam mop for thorough cleaning instead of wet mopping, which might distort the underlayers. Steer clear of abrasive cleansers like pine oil and anything that claims to leave a sheen. The laminate will appear dull due to the waxy buildup. To dampen your mop, choose a small amount of normal dishwashing liquid in warm water.
Homemade cleaning solution for wood floors
Diluted vinegar is one of the most affordable and efficient cleaners for hardwood floors. A suitable ratio is 1 gallon of warm water to 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar. You may incorporate a few drops of your favourite essential oil into the cleaning solution to leave a pleasing aroma behind while you clean. As it dries out, the vinegar scent will disappear.
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