Hardwood floors are beautiful and often add value to a property. If you have hardwood floors in your home, you probably appreciate how durable they are as well as their visual appeal. However, cleaning hardwood floors can present some challenges.
It is important to learn how to clean hardwood floors without damaging them. Using the wrong products or methods can permanently damage your hardwood flooring and lessen their value. With proper care, your hardwood floors can last for many years. Keep reading for a complete guide to cleaning hardwood floors.
How to Deep Clean Hardwood Floors
Like all the other parts of your home, hardwood floors need a deep cleaning from time to time. While regular cleaning can maintain the appearance of your hardwood floors and remove surface level dirt, dirt and grime can build up on your floors over time. Deep cleaning hardwood floors removes any heavy buildup of dirt and ensures those hard-to-reach places get clean.
How often should you deep clean hardwood floors?
Deep cleaning hardwood floors may be a little more involved than regular cleaning, but it is not a process you have to do very often. You should deep clean your hardwood floors every few months to prevent damage from dirt buildup and make it easier to maintain clean floors.
Steps for Deep Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Before you jump into deep cleaning hardwood floors, make sure you have the right supplies on hand. What you use to clean your floors is just as important as the actual cleaning process. To deep clean hardwood floors, you will need:
- A dry mop, broom, or vacuum
- A wet mop or spray mop that is sturdy
- Extra mop pads or microfiber cloths
- Floor cleaner specific to hardwood floors – look for products that can remove stains, sanitize, and disinfect hardwood floors
The process for deep cleaning your hardwood floors is very simple and easy to do every few months.
- Use your dry mop, broom, or vacuum to collect all surface-level dust and dirt. Clean in the same direction as your floorboards for best results and to avoid compacting dirt between the floorboards.
- Remove any remaining dust particles and dirt with the wet mop or microfiber pad. Avoid using excess liquid, which can damage your floors.
- Attack any problem areas with dirt buildup or stains. Use cleaner that is safe for hardwood floors to gently scrub these areas. You can also use your vacuum cleaner to clean between floorboards. For buildup that is difficult to remove, try gently scraping it off with a putty knife.
- Go back over your floors with your wet mop and hardwood floor cleaner. Section the area off and change out your mop pad periodically. Using the same mop pad for the entire area will not produce the deep clean you are going for.
- Carefully examine your hardwood floors to make sure all stains and buildup are gone.
How to Keep Your Hardwood Floors Clean
In between deep cleaning your hardwood floors, you can easily keep your floors clean with a few simple tasks.
- Sweep your hardwood floors daily with a broom or microfiber dust mop
- Vacuum your hardwood floors on the hard floor setting once a week
- Mop heavily trafficked areas once every week or two with a flat mop and hardwood floor cleaner
- Use a damp cleaning cloth to quickly get up any sticky messes or debris
- Sweep the corners of your hardwood floor with a soft-bristled, angled broom
The Best Tools and Cleaners for Hardwood Floors
Harsh chemicals or cleaners meant for different surfaces can cause significant damage to your hardwood floors. It is always best to reference the cleaning products recommended by your flooring manufacturer. Visit the manufacturer’s website or give them a call to learn which specific products are best for your hardwood floors.
If you do not know which products are recommended for your hardwood floors, look for cleaners that are specifically intended for hardwood floors. Using other flooring cleaners, like vinyl or tile floors, will only damage your hardwood floors.
Traditional wet mops with buckets are not recommended for hardwood floors as well. These mops hold too much liquid, and water is sloshed on the floor as you take the mop in and out of the bucket. Wet mops for hardwood floors should only be slightly damp to avoid damaging the floors. Consider using flat mops or spray mops with hardwood floor cleaner.
Vinegar and ammonia are common “household remedies” to clean hardwood floors, but they are also not the best to protect your floors. Vinegar is acidic and can etch the surface of your hardwood floors, and ammonia can cause discoloration.
How to Make Hardwood Floors Shine
If you want to keep your hardwood floors looking shiny and new, it is important to protect them. Look for hardwood floor cleaners with solvents to speed up the drying process and chelators to fight water spotting. Once your hardwood floors are clean, you can maintain them with these tips.
- Use door mats or remove shoes to prevent dirt and liquid from tracking on your hardwood floors
- Place rugs in high traffic areas
- Prevent your furniture from scratching hardwood floors by using furniture pads, covering the legs of your furniture, or putting rugs under your furniture
- Clean up spills as messes as quickly as possible to prevent them from drying or staining
Professionally Clean Your Hardwood Floors
Ensure your hardwood floors are in the best hands with professional hardwood floor cleaning services from Hellamaid. Our experienced professional cleaners know exactly which products and tools are safe for your hardwood floors, and they can remove stubborn dirt and grime without causing damage. Whether you need a deep clean or regular maintenance for your hardwood floors, Hellamaid has you covered. Book your professional hardwood floor cleaning service online today!
