Hardwood Floor Cleaning Tips
Hardwood floors are a significant investment that take such a beating once they are installed. We track dirt onto them, walk all over them, and still, we expect them to look great at the end of each day. How do you keep your floors looking great despite receiving heavy foot traffic on a day to day basis?
Vacuum The Floor Every Week
You most likely do this already, but it always bears repeating. Do you want to know why? Dust is comparable to sandpaper, and if not removed, it will wear through the finish of your hardwood floor. You can protect your wood floor’s finish and maintain its gleaming appearance by vacuuming it regularly. Don’t forget to use an attachment with a felt surface that will run along the floor. Don’t use attachments with rotating brushes or beater bars because they can cause scratch marks on the floor’s finish. In case you don’t feel like using the vacuum, you can always use microfiber sweepers or dust mops.
Hairspray and Furniture Polish
These two products can easily cloud the finish of your hardwood floor. Be sure to clean them off right away using a damp towel. If you want to do a more comprehensive cleaning, you can spray it with a window cleaner that does not contain ammonia.
Be Cautious With Rain and Water
Water will not only damage the finish of your hardwood floor but also penetrate deep into the wood and lead to staining. If you are expecting rain or it is already pouring down in your area, be sure that you close the windows. Don’t forget to place trays under all potted plants that are on the floor and obviously, wipe up any water as soon as you see it.
Get Rid Of Residue
Store a non-wax cleaner in a convenient spot in your house where you can access it quickly if you need to clean up minor issues before they end up damaging your floors. If you see any dirt or spill, clean it right away. Use a cleaner that does not contain wax to get rid of the residue. Always remember that dirt is among the most common culprit behind damaged hardwood floors and that’s why you have to deal with them right away. Aside from that, any form of liquid can ruin the hardwood floor’s finish and cause staining, which is why you have to take care of it right away.
Understand The Rules When Using Waxes and Restorers
It is possible to restore what used to be a stunning wax finish with additional wax. However, there are cases when waxing is not ideal. You can’t use it for polyurethane, varnish, or shellac. It will make the floor slippery and negatively affect the subsequent finishes. For polyurethane, you have to use a polish that is designed for that specific material. For other types of surface finish, then it is highly recommended to use an all-purpose floor restorer. But before you use it, you have to test the restorer first on a hidden area to make sure that it will not peel off.
Use Doormats
Place doormats in and out of your house. Even though vacuuming and spot cleaning are good cleaning practices, you have to keep the dirt out of your home in the first place. You should also consider getting a six-foot-long mat for your front door. By having a longer mat that leads up to your front door, the more people, including family members and visitors, will rub moisture and dirt off their shoes intentionally or unintentionally as they walk in.
Put Area Rugs On High Traffic Zones
The finish on hardwood floors that are installed on high traffic zones will eventually wear out. The easiest way to reduce the wear is to place some nice looking throw rugs in areas that receive heavy foot traffic.
