Properly cleaned floors are not hard to obtain, especially if you stay ahead of the game. Put down tough-bristled mats, park gritty boots and shoes at the door, sweep, dry-mop, or vacuum often, and when the floor looks dull, get into all the nooks and corners with a damp mop and a neutral solution. Show
Hardwood Floor Cleaning and Maintenance StepsIn most households, wood floors should be cleaned at least four to six times a year. Floor installer Michael Dittmer, who lives outside Chicago, dispatches a robot vac daily to keep an eye on his entire first floor. “Then I clean the kitchen floor weekly and in other rooms twice a month.” Of course, he has a yard, dogs, and teenage boys. For many households, this regimen should do the trick. 4 Methods To Clean and Maintain Your Floors
5 Ways to Avoid Major Damage
For a neutral solution, you want a pH level of about 7, or matched to cured poly; higher is too alkaline, and lower is okay for an all-purpose cleaner, but not here. One example is Bona’s free & simple Hardwood Floor Cleaner ($18; Bona). Is it Safe to Use Vinegar to Clean Hardwood Floors?Don’t use vinegar or baking soda solutions. Old-fashioned remedies involving vinegar or dish detergent can’t do the same job as today’s multi-functioning solutions and can actually damage or dull polyurethane. Unfortunately, the cure is sometimes worse than the grime. “Too much water, any amount of steam!” says Brett Miller, a technical expert at the National Wood Flooring Association. Other no-no’s: strong vinegar or baking soda solutions that can degrade polyurethane, and “glow” enhancers that sound as if they would work on your hair. What Makes Wood Floors Shine?Here are the key components to look for in ready-made solutions engineered specifically for wood floors:
Wood Floor Cleaners and ToolsBroom and Dustpan Vacuum Cleaner Microfiber Mop Some spray mops have refillable tanks riding on the shaft, such as Libman Freedom Spray Mop ($30). O-Cedar’s Dual-Action Microfiber Flip Mop ($20) has pads for dry and wet mopping—throw them in the wash but avoid fabric softener, which can cause streaking. Or go for a microfiber string mop that can be wrung out till just damp, like Casabella’s Spin Cycle Mop ($30; Casabella). What should you not clean hardwood floors with?Don't use straight ammonia, alkaline products or abrasive cleaners. They'll dull or scratch the finish. Don't rely on lemon juice or a vinegar-and-water solution to clean hardwood floors. "I don't recommend using vinegar or lemon juice, at least not in large quantities, as these can damage the floor's seal," said Wise.
Is Murphy's oil soap good for wood floors?Whether you're cleaning one area or all of your flooring, Murphy® Oil Soap is safe to use on hardwood floors.
How do you clean hardwood floors and make them shine again?How to Properly Clean Hardwood Floors. Wipe up Spills. To prevent watermarks, immediately wipe up any wet spills as they happen. ... . Remove Dirt Daily. Sweep, vacuum, or dust mop daily to remove dirt that can cause scratches and wear down the finish of the floor. ... . Damp Mop When the Seasons Change. ... . Buff Dry.. How do you clean really dirty hardwood floors?How to Clean Really Dirty Hardwood Floors. Sweep the floor thoroughly with a vacuum cleaner. ... . Pour 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar in a clean mop bucket. ... . Dip a cotton cleaning cloth in the vinegar solution. ... . Wipe the cloth over a 3-by-3-foot section of the wood floor to remove dirt and grime buildup.. |