How to clean hardwood flooring
Oh no! Spilling something on your brand new floors can quickly spell disaster! Luckily, hardwood flooring is one of the easiest types to clean.
Dirt, dust and water can take away from your floor’s natural aesthetic appeal. Some methods work better than others and understanding what works and what doesn’t is essential.
At Speciality Interiors, we’re hardwood flooring experts. Are your floors due for a cleaning?
Follow our tips and your space will look brand new in no time.
Best ways to clean hardwood floors
You have many choices when it comes time to clean your hardwood floors. However, each way works best for certain situations. Let’s review some!
Sweep or vacuum
Sweeping might feel like a step back in time, but it’s a quick and efficient way to remove dirt and debris. Grab your broom when you’re clearing a small room because it can get into those hard to reach places.
A vacuum is revolutionary because you can clean large areas with ease. Remember to turn your vacuum to its “hard floor” setting to avoid scratching. This feature turns the brush roll off. Specialty Interiors recommends purchasing a vacuum with rubber wheels, which is less likely to damage your floor than one with plastic wheels.
Grab a mop
When we tell you to grab a mop, don’t get a huge bucket to go with it! Soaking your hardwood floors will damage them, so ensure you use a damp mop and rinse when needed.
A great alternative is a flat mop with hardwood floor cleaner. Follow your manufacturer’s instructions when you work with any type of cleaner. Vinegar, vinyl floor cleaner or tile cleaner are not for hardwood floors. They will damage the finish.
Wipe it up
No one likes stepping in a sticky mess! If you spill something like juice, rub the spot with a damp, clean cloth and hardwood flooring cleaner. Soak up the wet spot with a microfiber head mop.
You’ll pick up any debris because the mop head is charged with static electricity when rubbed against your floors.
How often should I clean my hardwood flooring?
Think about the amount of foot traffic each room gets. The kitchen and bathroom likely have several people going in and out of them. They’re also the most common places for spills and other mishaps.
For high-traffic areas in your home, clean them once a week or more. The longer a stain sits on a hardwood floor, the harder it is to get out. If you notice water on your hardwood floors, don’t let it sit or your finish will become tarnished.
We use some spaces more than others for various reasons. A small closet can be cleaned with a quick sweep. Waiting longer to clean a lesser-used space like this one won’t hurt it as much.
Tiny spaces with hardwood floors you don’t see as often can be cleaned once a month. However, you should remember to get into all the nooks and crannies if you want to maintain your hardwood floors.
