If you want to keep your beautiful flooring investment looking new, then learning how to properly clean and maintain hardwood floors should become a top priority. Unlike carpeting, dirt and grime have nowhere to hide on hardwood floor surfaces.
Daily Schedule – Dusting and Sweeping
Maintaining your hardwood floors should start with a daily dusting using a microfiber cloth or mop. This will help protect against surface damage and scratches. Microfiber cleaning pads trap particles of dirt and household allergens using static electricity. Using an ‘old school’ broom isn’t very effective as the bristles just push the dirt around. The floor may look clean but in effect it is actually still dirty. When using a microfiber mop try to avoid lifting the mop off the floor as you clean, this will keep the dirt trapped onto the pad.
Weekly Schedule – Vacuuming and Mopping
The harder to reach areas will benefit from weekly maintenance. Wet mops and vacuums are great for removing dirt from troublesome areas such as corners and the grooves between every slab of hardwood. Caution should be a priority when mops and vacuums are used to avoid damaging the hardwood floors. A beater bar vacuum should be adjusted (if possible) to avoid hitting and scratching the floor. Wheels on a vacuum could potentially scratch and damage the floor. Remember, water and wood don’t mix when using a mop. Always avoid using too much liquid on your floor. A light mist with a hardwood floor cleaner is usually enough to give your floors a great clean.
Cleaning Hardwood Floors has never been easier with the Rotowash Floor Cleaning Machine
Advanced Hardwood Floor Cleaning Tips
Always use the proper tool to clean your hardwood floors. Electrostatic microfiber pads attract dirt and common household germs and allergens.
Water and vinegar, soapy cleaners and steam cleaners should be avoided. Vinegar, along with water can actually dull your floors shiny finish over time. And, both soap and wax can leave residues. Steam cleaner machines put excessive water and heat which can lead to floor cupping problems and potential long-term floor damage.
The use of protective mats or rugs in high traffic areas can reduce the amount of dirt and soiling from getting onto your floors and enhance the life of your floors. The mats should be designed explicitly for hardwood floors as some mats have a rubber backing that might trap water moisture leading to potential damage effects to your floors.
Monthly Cleaning Schedule – Polishing
Polishing hardwood floors refreshes, renews and protects. Remember that floors with a protective sealant means that we are actually cleaning the protective finish rather than the underlying hardwood. Microscopic scratches can be filled in when using a polishing product. Polishing hardwood floors can be a rather easy task that takes minimal effort.
Yearly Schedule – Deep Cleaning
For hardwood floors that experience a high level of traffic it is recommended to have them deep cleaned. Or, every 3 to 5 years a sand and finish can be beneficial. A sand and refinish will remove all of the old protective finish and any deep gouges or scratches.
