Cleaning Wood Floors: Tips And Guidelines

Know Your Finish

Before putting any cleaning substance unto your wood floors, it is important to know its type of finish. Generally, wood floors are either pre-finished or finished after installation. For pre-finished materials, it is best to consult with manufacturers first before cleaning wood floors.

Some manufacturers often recommend a certain brand of solution to keep their products clean and to maximize its use. It will not also hurt for you to consult professionals for wood floors that are not pre-finished. Most will recommend a cleaning solution that will not dull the surface of your floor. Keep in mind that it is not advisable for floors with polyurethane finish to be waxed, as it leaves residues that may build up over time.

Have the Right Tools on Hand

Standard tools for cleaning wooden floors include broom, floor duster, vacuum cleaner, and terry cloth rag or a mop with micro-fiber cover. Cleaning wood floors entails regular use of a broom to remove dirt and dust that will scratch and make the floor dull.

Vacuuming once a week is also fine, especially on low maintenance floor. Most professionals also recommend mopping the wood floors once a week to maintain its luster, especially in areas where people often converge. In cleaning floors, especially those made of wood, make sure that the rag or broom is properly wrung out of excess water or cleaning solution, making it almost dry so as to prevent wetting the floor. A dry rag can then be used for buffing the wood floor to restore it to its shine.

The Lesser Water, the Better

The lesser contact between liquids and wood floors have, the better are the chances of wood floorings to last longer. This means that spilled water, wine, juice, and other forms of liquid must be wiped with rag cloth at once. Make sure that rags or mops are wrung out properly when cleaning wood floors, as water can make floors contract and expand, leading to the possibility of it cracking and splintering.

Make sure that you also regularly check hard-to-reach places and corners, as damp, unattended parts of the floor may start to rot and may support the growth of harmful microorganisms.

Maintenance Is Important, Too

To make sure that you don’t have to spend more effort and time in cleaning wood floors, maintaining it is the key. This includes minimizing the use of stiletto heels whenever inside the house and refraining from moving large furniture often. Claws of your pet dogs and cats should also be regularly trimmed, as scratches on floors will also lead to its eventual damage.

Most professionals would also recommend putting area rugs on parts of the house that experiences heavy traffic, such as hallways and main doorways. Having a professional look into your floors after a few years or so will also help.

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