Different Ways To Clean Wood Floors
Not many floors can catch the eye quite like a hardwood floor. Wood floors are very pristine especially when they are clean and well-maintained. Most wood floors have very few cleaning requirements that involve not more than a mop, bucket of water and cleaning detergent. However, because wood floors are the ‘role models’ of all other floor types in the industry, they often need a little bit more care and attention for them to remain in top shape.
There are many different types of wood floors out there today. Each one requires slightly different cleaning techniques although most wood floors have similar cleaning challenges such as water damage, scratches and dull sheen. If you are not sure about the best ways to clean wood floors, the following DIY cleaning information should be of help to you.
1. Wet Mopping
Laminate and hardwood floors come with tough seals and finishes that make them both stain and water resistant. Wood floors that are coated with polyacrylic, urethane, or polyurethane surface seals can be mopped and swept just like any other floor. This means you can take your good old mop and bucket and clean away. However, make sure to check the floor manufacturer’s specifications before using water on a wood floor.
2. Dry Mopping
Seal-treated and oil-treated wood floors have softer seals and wax finishes that are not resistant to liquids and pastes. This means that this type of wood floors cannot be cleaned using a lot of water or exposed to rough materials. This type of wood floors should be dry mopped using an electrostatic or microfiber mop pad. Other wood floors that should be dry mopped include untreated wood floors, shellac, varnish, and lacquer wood floors. These floors prefer spot cleaning and dry mops for best results.
3. Using Vinegar
Vinegar is a natural cleaning detergent that’s an excellent substitute for chemical cleaners. Not many people know that vinegar is actually an amazing cleaner for wood floors. The recommended mix ratio for cleaning wood floors is 1/2 a cup of vinegar and 1 gallon of water. However, you should refrain from using this solution all the time as it can cause some wood floors to dull at a faster rate. You should always check your floor manufacturer’s specifications to confirm whether you can use vinegar for cleaning before starting .
4. Vacuuming
There is a common myth out there that vacuums are bad for wood floors. However, this is false. According to this article https://allgreatvacuums.com/best-vacuum-for-wood-floors/ Vacuums are great for wood floors, especially those that have large crevices between boards and corners. Vacuums are really effective at sucking up loose hair, dust and dirt that a mop or broom could miss.
There’s is a condition, though. You should not use a vacuum cleaner with a rotating roller brush like the one you would use on a carpet. You should switch off the rotating roller brush setting when cleaning wood floors. Instead, you can use a soft brush attachment, similar to what you would use for window blinds or lampshades.
Also, handheld vacuums are good for wood floors as they don’t have any wheels that may dent or scratch the floor.
These are just some of the different DIY cleaning suggestions to help you clean your own wood floors.