Hardwood floors are a beautiful addition to any home, but they require regular maintenance to keep them looking their best. As a general rule, hardwood floors should be vacuumed at least once a week and cleaned with water every one to two months (more or less frequently, depending on traffic). To reduce cleaning time, use rugs and mats to reduce the amount of dirt on the floors. Even so, you should sweep daily, vacuum weekly, and scrub every week or two.
If you're using a commercial cleaner for hardwood floors, choose one with an aerosol applicator or a mop that includes a refillable spray function, such as Bona. But if not, mopping with water can damage the floors, since there is no barrier that prevents water from soaking into the wood. If the wood starts to rot, split or splinter, or turn black, it's a sign that you need a professional to fix the floor or possibly replace it. Solid and engineered wood floors can receive the same cleaning regime, but never use hardwood floor cleaners on the laminate, as the oil and waxes in the ingredients can dull the surface. However, professionally cleaning hardwood floors at least once a year can make a big difference in the beauty and longevity of your floors.
To keep the finish bright and clean, hardwood floors should be swept, vacuumed, or dust-cleaned daily, and spills should be cleaned up as soon as they occur. Moisten a microfiber mop slightly and always clean it following the grain of the wood and allow the wood to dry completely before walking to prevent staining. Since most hardwood floors are sealed with cured polyurethane or polyacrylic urethane, it's essential to choose a wood floor cleaner that leaves the sealant shiny and free of scratches. Another way to clean hardwood floors is to use a flat mop and a hardwood floor cleaner, according to the manufacturer's instructions. To capture the dust bunnies that seem to appear out of nowhere, clean hardwood floors at least once a week.
However, if you have excessive dents, scratches, or water damage, you may need to repaint your hardwood floors. If your floors have lost their shine or you don't have the time or desire to clean them, schedule a regular maintenance visit with a local professional hardwood floor cleaning service. You should clean the floor more thoroughly weekly or monthly, depending on how much the floors are used. Cleaning and polishing hardwood floors will breathe new life and beauty into your home, but you don't need to handle the task yourself. Knowing how to clean hardwood floors will make your home look first-class. With regular maintenance and care, your hardwood floors will last for years.
