Hardwood floors are a beautiful addition to any home, but they require special care and attention to keep them looking their best. The best way to clean hardwood floors is to use a microfiber mop or vacuum, and regular checks with a broom or mop will help keep them clean. Learning how to clean hardwood floors with vinegar is an economical and safe way to keep them looking their best. It's important to avoid using vinyl or tile floor cleaners, as these products can damage hardwood floors.
If you're not sure what the best hardwood floor cleaning products are for your home, talk to the flooring manufacturer. Allowing hardwood floors to get too dirty can damage the wood itself, so it's important to clean them regularly. To see if the floor is clean, wipe the freshly scrubbed areas with a white cloth. The best way to scrub hardwood floors with a surface finish starts by saturating a sponge mop with the cleaner, wringing out excess liquid until the mop head is damp but not dripping, and then scrubbing 3-foot sections of the floor with circular movements to remove dirt and grime. It's also important to store a cleaning cloth or small towel next to the door to quickly clean up wandering puddles on wooden floors. High temperatures and too much moisture can cause hardwood floors to discolor, warp, and crack over time, so it's important to make sure they are properly sealed.
If the spatula removes the protective wax from a floor with a penetrating finish, use a soft cloth to reapply solvent-based hardwood floor wax to the scraped area and then polish the repaired area with the cloth. For floors with penetrating finishes, it is best to remove stains by following these steps, using only a suitable hardwood floor cleaner and a scouring pad designed for floors with a penetrating finish. Vacuuming is an effective way to remove dust from hardwood floors, but it's important to use a floor brush and avoid the mixer bar, as its swivel brush can dent hardwood floors. Dusting with a mop that has been treated with an agent to remove dust, dirt and pet hair can help protect the floor surface. To further protect your hardwood floors from scratches and marks, use floor protectors under furniture and add carpets to play areas. The best way to clean hardwood floors starts with smart preventive measures that not only help protect the floors but also reduce the time spent cleaning.
As an added benefit, you'll probably only need to clean high-traffic areas throughout the week. However, don't let dirt and dust settle in corners and along baseboards either - especially if you have pets or children who spend their time close to the floor.
