Cleaning hardwood floors is a delicate process that requires special attention and care. It is important to understand the behavior of wood and the environmental factors that can cause damage to your floors. To keep your hardwood floors looking beautiful and avoid costly repairs, it is important to clean them regularly and methodically. When cleaning hardwood floors, it is important to avoid using too much water.
Excess water can cause damage to the floor and even to the subfloor. Using a soaked mop or excessive water to clean hardwood floors often results in deformed, water-stained, and damaged hardwood floors. You'll notice that the floors will start to blacken and increase mold accumulation. The key to maintaining the aesthetic appeal of your hardwood floors is to work in small areas at a time and use a damp mop.
If you can blow the mop or pad, it means you're working with too much water. It is also important to be aware of the cracks and gaps between individual wooden floorboards, as these can expose bare wood to environmental factors, making it vulnerable to water damage. Manufacturers and industry experts advise against cleaning hardwood floors with water because wood naturally expands when wet and can cause the floor to crack or chip. In spring, as air humidity in homes increases, hardwood floors expand and cracks begin to close.
Similarly, when the air is humid, for example in spring or when a humidifier is used, wooden floors absorb moisture and swell. It's easy to think that a slight spill on a wooden floor isn't a problem, since it's not a rug that can be stained. Some vacuums have a setting that allows you to stop the mixer bar, especially for vacuuming hardwood floors. Cleaning hardwood floors with water, or using too much water, is one of the main causes of wood floors to blacken, stain with water, become deformed and ruined. Raw hardwood floors are often sealed with a polyurethane finish to create a powerful protective barrier against environmental conditions and damage to the floor.
Hardwood floor owners often blame hardwood flooring contractors for an unsatisfactory installation, since they don't understand the behavior of wood. Water damage to hardwood floors occurs when the wood is vulnerable and exposed, although not always to the naked eye. For example, during the winter months, in colder climates, when homes are heated and the air is dry, hardwood floors lose some of their moisture and shrink. Cleaning hardwood floors with water, or cleaning products that contain water, is obviously an effective option for hardwood floor owners. A busy family life, including pets, will inevitably involve wear and tear over the long life of any hardwood floor.
