How to Clean Your Hardwood Floors
Our floors have to withstand a lot. Between children, pets, and a barrage of visitors, the foot traffic on our flooring is nearly constant, which is why having quality flooring in your home is a necessity. It is for this reason that so many opt for hardwood flooring. A durable, classic look, hardwood is an attractive flooring option that is consistently able to withstand the test of time.
However, as resilient as hardwood flooring is, it does have its limits. But don’t worry! With care and maintenance, homeowners can help ensure the continued beauty of their hardwood flooring. By establishing a cleaning routine for your hardwood, you’ll help guarantee that your hardwood floors never lose their luster.
For tips and tricks on cleaning your hardwood floors, follow this guide.
1) Sweep or Vacuum to Remove Dirt and Other Debris
You’ll want to sweep/vacuum your floors to help remove dirt, pet hair, and other debris weekly to keep your hardwood looking great. Removing this debris is essential as it could potentially lead to scratches and work its way into the foundation of your flooring.
When sweeping, pay extra attention to corners and other hard-to-reach areas where build-up is most prevalent. If you decide to vacuum instead of sweeping, do so using an attachment, as a beater bar can severely damage your hardwood floors.
2) Wet Mop With A Manufacturer Approved Wood Cleaning Product
With your floors now void of dust and dirt, it’s time to go a little deeper. While the first step should be completed every week, how often you wet mop your floors depends entirely on how pristine you want them to look. Some choose to wet mop weekly, monthly, or just a handful of times a year. We recommend wet mopping your floors with an approved cleaning product (at least) once a month.
When it comes to selecting a cleaner, pay close attention to what product you choose, as some solutions may damage the integrity of your hardwood. When in doubt, contact your manufacturer or opt for a homemade cleaning solution.
Once you’ve selected your cleaner, saturate your mop in the solution and then wring it out until it is damp. From there, you’ll begin mopping the floor, being mindful not to let excess liquid pool in areas of your hardwood as that can create streaks and damage.
3) Wet Mop With Clean Water
Once you’ve finished mopping with your cleaning product, rinse out your mop, saturate it in clean water, wring it out until damp, and proceed to mop up the cleaning solution.
4) Wipe Up Any Remaining Liquid
Use a dry towel to absorb any remaining liquid on the floor. A ceiling fan can also be used to expedite this process. Once dry, your hardwood floors should look sublime.
What Works Best for You
There are many ways to clean your hardwood floors. This is just one simple and easy-to-follow routine that can help your hardwood flooring stay beautiful and make sure it doesn’t weather over time. In truth, which care and maintenance routine you follow for your hardwood floor isn’t as important as the fact that you have a care and maintenance routine period. By giving your hardwood floors a little tender-loving-care regularly, you can help ensure that they stay as gorgeous as the day that they were installed.
Are you interested in learning more about hardwood flooring care or thinking about getting new hardwood installed? Our experts at Flooring 101 are waiting to assist you and will guide you through your home office flooring renovation every step of the way.
