Everyone wants a home with shiny hardwood floors, right? Get rid of that carpet and reveal (and refinish) that vintage floor underneath.
Cleaning hardwood floors is different from cleaning carpets or tiles. You have to take extra steps to make sure that you’re protecting it.
We’re here to offer you a few tips for cleaning hardwood floors so you can keep your floor in good condition. Read on to learn more.
1. Vacuum and Sweep Often
Let’s face it: hardwood floors seem to attract dust, crumbs, and other debris. How did it get there? Nobody knows, but you need to get rid of it.
It’s in your best interest to sweep or vacuum (yes, you can vacuum hardwood floors) as often as possible. This may be every day if you have children or shedding pets, or it may be a few times per week.
By getting rid of the debris as soon as you see it, you’ll have less work to do later.
One of our top hardwood floor cleaning tips (from experience): if your vacuum has a brush that has both rotating and non-rotating options, we recommend switching the rotating option off. The rotating brush will send dirt and debris flying instead of pulling it into the vacuum. You’ll end up with a bigger and more frustrating mess.
2. Mop With Cleaners, Not Water
When it’s time to mop your floors, don’t mop in the conventional way. You don’t want to use a bucket full of soap and water on your hardwood floors. That’s fine for tile or laminate floors, but it will ruin your wood.
Check for cleaners that are approved for the type of finish that your wood has, as well as the type of wood. Not only are they safer for your wood floors, but they’ll also provide more shine and better protection between mopping sessions.
If your floor is still wet after you mop, try to sop up some of the water with a microfiber pad on a cleaning tool like a Swifter.
3. Don’t Let Spills Stand
The hardwood floor refinishing cost can be hefty. To avoid needing to refinish your floors too often, get rid of any spills or other liquid mishaps as soon as they happen.
Some finishes offer protection against water, but it only goes so far. Especially in places where there’s less of a barrier (like the gap between the wood and carpet or tile), spills can cause your wood to warp, discolor, or even come up from the ground.
Clean spills with a soft microfiber cloth as soon as you spot them.
4. Don’t Use Rough Bristles
If your broom has rough bristles, either get a new one or use a tool with a soft microfiber pad to remove debris from your floor.
If you’re too rough with your hardwood floor, you can wear down its shiny finish. You’ll make the floor more susceptible to stains and damage.
Use These Tips for Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Cleaning hardwood floors is easy as long as you have the right tools. Avoid excess water, use the right cleaning products, and sweep often with a soft brush. Your floors should stay in good condition for a long time!
For more helpful articles about maintaining a home and more, visit the rest of our site.
