The Best Way to Clean Hardwood Floors

Photo by thespruce.com

Hardwood floors are loved for their look, shine and durability. However, many people debate the best way to clean hardwood floors. There is definitely a responsibility to owning wood flooring, so let’s take a closer look at this realtor.com article for the best steps to maintaining these floors.

Get the dirt first. Remove dirt and debris as often as possible, as the smallest specks of dirt can scratch the floor’s surface and leave them looking dull. Vacuum or sweep every 2-3 days, making sure to turn off the beater bar of the vacuum for better suction power.

Wipe spills immediately. Some substances can actually eat away at the top coat of polish on your floors – mustard, milk and pet urine are some of the main culprits.

Clean with a damp mop. Most wood installers recommend cleaners that contain isopropyl alcohol, which dry quickly. You can also make your own solution by adding a cap full of white vinegar to a gallon of water. It will dissolve grease and grime, but won’t strip the finish. Remove scuff marks with a tennis ball. Do NOT use a steam cleaner/mop on wood floors. It opens the woods pores and causes damage to the finish.

If your floors have lost all of their luster/shine and have enough damage to them over time, they will most likely need to be refinished. Refinishing means taking the top layer of wood and sanding it down to remove marks and then adding a sealant. Wood floors should be refinished every 10 years, unless they have substantial traffic from pets and/or kids, which could mean refinishing every 3-5 years.

For more tips, check out this thespruce.com article.