The proper and regular cleaning of hardwood floors is required to maintain them in the way they look and the feeling of durability. Decay, sand, and dust often find their way and then stick thus, each of them concerns the surface of the hardwood floor can be the same for your hardwood floor, this will cause scratches, discoloration, and may be highly risky for coronavirus.
Regular cleaning of your hardwood floor such as sweeping and vacuuming it is not the only maintenance you should offer in your room. Weekly chores have to be done by sweeping, mopping, and even using a vacuum cleaner to get rid of any particles on the wood surface.
Moreover, the whole cleaning process of the wooden surface can be quite controversial because using unqualified chemicals or wrong handling may produce more damage than good. Here is where we, at CleanThisCarpet.Com, will give you detailed instructions on the proper way to clean hardwood floors. Over time, wood floors can be children of moisture and their lack of resistance to Liquid can deteriorate quite fast. One of the common effects is the floor being more or less discolored or even in some places it can appear as if it has mold.
Cleaning Hardwood Floors Like the Pros
The ideal hardwood floor cleaners are often made with mild natural ingredients you can find at home. A microfiber flat-head mob is the best option for cleaning hardwood floors, and it has the capacity to effectively control moisture and remove dirt in a better way than traditional mops. Besides, you will also need a vacuum cleaner and a bucket of water to make the cleaning process perfect.
Prepare Your Hardwood Floors for Cleaning
Dust, dirt, and debris are the worst enemies of hardwood floors, so you need to sweep and vacuum before you start your cleaning course even if you do it on a regular basis. It is a good idea to look through the vacuum brush and remove any debris that can scratch your hardwood. Besides, take care of the corners and behind the moldings and use the vacuum’s wand attachment to clean the baseboards.
Prevent Streaks When Cleaning Hardwood Floors
You may feel all your effort has come to nothing if you find streaks on the hardwood floors after cleaning. It’s recommended to avoid streaking by sweeping and rinsing along the grain of the wood. Be sure to mix the cleaning solution properly, and change the rinse mop water regularly. In addition, do not allow the floors to be over-saturated or let the cleaning solution sit for too long before rinsing.
Hardwood Floor Cleaning Fundamentals
Spray the cleaning solution that you have prepared on a 3×3 area lightly while you are mopping and move in the same way as the grain of the wood. If you still need grit off the floors, a little cleaner should be enough to do the job. When you mop the floor, be sure to walk backward so that you don’t step on the wet floor. You don’t have to rinse but let the hardwood floors dry. In case they look dull afterward, you can buff them with a clean, dry microfiber mop to restore their shine.
How to Remove Stains From Hardwood Floors
The most modern hardwood floor you have is certainly the easiest to remove stains. Nevertheless, it is still a quick and relatively effortless task. To ensure that there are no stains on the floor, immediately clean up spills, especially from liquid such as wine or fruit juices. Alternatively, you can use the gentle and safe hydrogen peroxide to remove the stain at home. Buff the stained area with the cloth and leave it for about 2-4 hours, then clean up with 5% white vinegar.
Moreover, even with the most modern finishes, like those that withstand 30-year warranties, floors can still show signs of gouging and marring by shoes, furniture, and an assortment of other things. The best way to tackle light scuffs is to use a clean sock or mail someone to bring you a tennis ball. For deeper scratches, dampen a sponge and then apply some baking soda to enhance the effects. After you’re done with that, swipe the surface with a damp cloth, and then, for the best, use a dry cloth to wipe it bight like new again.
The Best Hardwood Floor Cleaners
Maintenance and cleaning of hardwood floors can be accomplished without the use of specialized products or methods. They can be washed with the common household substances in the market which can have good effects. The important consideration is to be familiar with the hardwood type as well as the finish, and then strictly follow the cleaner’s instructions.
Most of the times the best wood floor cleaner one can use is a do-it-yourself solution that is made from non-hazardous and simple substances. The majority of commercial products are chock full of toxins that may cause lung problems and skin, and eye irritation as well as a plethora of other health issues.
To your home kitchen, create an Eco-Friendly-Products hardwood floor cleaner with a 50/50 solution ratio of 3% hydrogen peroxide and natural vinegar. You will also require a few microfiber cloths, two mops, the Broom that Has it All, and a gallon-size bucket with fixed rolling casters.
- 4 cups of water and juice
- – A teaspoon of pure castile soap
- – Lemon juice or your favorite essential oil
Fill the water, castile soap, and the fragrance you have chosen in the spray bottle. After mixing the solution well, follow suit by grabbing your mop. Now, you can finally start with your cleaning. You can unique it up after water is drastically pouring through your hardwood flooring kitchen by receiving your water and using a bucket. It can cause significant damage to hardwood floors.
Cleaning Products to Avoid With Wood Floors
It is very important to understand which cleaning products will cause your hardwood floors to be damaged, so you can choose the right ones every time. The internet is overflowing with advice on hardwood floors cleaning, most of which are based on good intentions and the idea of saving time. However, the excessive amounts of water or heat, as well as the use of oil soaps that are indispensable, continue to be harmful for your elegant floors.
String Mops
Cotton mops made of traditional cloth materials tend to absorb an oversupply of liquid, consequently leaving you with too much cleaner. A point often forgotten is that this over-cleaning leaves behind marks, on the other hand, the excessive amount of water causes the wood to deteriorate quickly if it is given the opportunity.
Steam Mops
Although steam mops are very good for isolated areas, such as cermamic and laminate floors, since the heat and the moisture can effectively dissolve filth and destroy germs, the steam can reach the cracks in wood surfaces, thus, it can blemish the surface.
Oil Soaps
Even though oil soaps give an attractive surface and are fairly acceptable when it comes to washing, they can also lead to a frequent build-up which becomes a liability over time. The floors that have this buildup are slippery and they have these irritating films that make the process of refinishing difficult.
Ammonia or Vinegar
Strong alkaline cleaning agents like ammonia and white vinegar can cause mottled stains and permanent haze by being too intrusive from the surface through to the sub-layers under the wear layer, even when they have been diluted.
How to Maintain Hardwood Floors Between Cleanings
One way to maintain wood floors between cleanings is by removing dirt that can scratch the surface with a broom or mop that is soft-bristle or microfiber.
Select mats for the areas that receive the most foot traffic to minimize the wear and tear of the flooring. Also, it is advisable not to wear shoes with a sharp point on the soles, to avoid dents.
Immediate wiping up of spills with a damp cloth is the best way to prevent moisture damage. Maintain the humidity in your home at a relatively constant level between 35% and 55% to minimize the wood’s swelling and shrinking. In the meantime, you may utilize a dry cleaning solution that is designed specifically for hardwood floors to get rid of smudges or light stains.
Additionally, put felt pads under table legs and rearrange furniture periodically so that improper wear between the boards will not develop. Doing all these small, daily activities will enhance the aesthetics and the longevity of your wooden floor.
FAQs
Can I use vinegar to clean my hardwood floors?
White vinegar should be avoided as it can discolor the wood finish and damage the floor’s surface. Rather, you can make a home cleaning solution by mixing distilled water, castile soap, and essential oils.
How often should I mop my hardwood floors?
It’s recommended to mop the floor by the end of the week or once every 2nd week depending on the foot traffic. You should not mop too much as excess moisture can harm your floor.
Can steam mops be used on hardwood floors?
No, steam mops should not be used on hardwood floors because the heat and water can penetrate into the wood fibers, causing swelling and damage. Regardless, stick to traditional mopping methods – using a mild cleaner solution.
Is it necessary to use special products for cleaning hardwood floors?
Absolutely not! Hardwood floor care is a job that can be done without the use of specialized cleaning products. The blending of a homemade solution and a mild cleanser developed explicitly for wood floors works great.
Conclusion
Cleaning and maintaining the hardwood floors that you have is not a hard job nor is it expensive at all. Once you have the right tools and know-how, you can keep them looking great and prolong their life.
Be reminded not to use strippers, excessive water, and heat when cleaning your hardwood floors, and be sure to stick to the regular maintenance schedule to avoid damage caused by daily wear.
It is also advisable to set rules about the high-traffic areas and wear and tear that can result from shoes worn in the house. By providing the right treatment to your hardwood floors, their aesthetic appeal will remain magnificent over the years.
So why are you hesitating to start now? Begin following these pieces of advice while you clean your house in such a way that it will be completely clean and attractive tomorrow! Oh, my goodness!
