How to Properly Clean Hardwood Floors

Those beautiful hardwood floors might not look like it, but they withstand a lot of wear and tear. From constant traffic to dropped pots and heavily dragged furniture and toys, they take a beating. Trying to maintain them in their original shine and beauty can seem almost impossible.

However, with proper care and regular cleaning, your hardwood floor will thank you. Below, we highlight proper ways to clean your hardwood floors.

Start by Sweeping the Hardwood Floor

Always start by sweeping to get rid of the dust, dirt, and any other debris. You want to use a brush or broom that has soft bristles.

If you prefer vacuuming, then use one that you can attach a brush. The soft brush will help minimize the risk of scratching or damaging your wood floors. Try vacuuming twice a week if you can.

Less Water

Hardwood floors don’t do well when and if soaked in water. This is true even when your floors have been waxed and sealed. Why? Wood is naturally porous and will end up absorbing the water if left to soak for too long.

This means that using a damp mop instead of a wet one can minimize damage. Moreover, it doesn’t hurt to follow up with a dry mop after you’ve worked a damp mop over the floors. If you happen to spill any water, dry it immediately with a dry cloth.

Simplicity Is Key

People often think that using strong detergents or soaps will leave the hard floor with a buffed, clean look. Yet, products that contain alkaline and abrasive ingredients can leave the surface scratched and dull. The same is true if you use ammonia to clean your wood surface.

The best thing to do is to use plain water or a mixture of plain water and plain soap. You can take it a step further and mix vinegar in lukewarm cleaning water. Vinegar acts as a suitable natural cleaning agent instead of harsh chemical ones that might strip the wood of its protective coating.

Simplicity is also crucial when dealing with a stain on your hardwood floor. If it’s a non-greasy stain, use some dish soap mixed in warm water. The cloth soaked with the solution should be soft to avoid damaging the floor.

If the stain is greasy, try rubbing a soft cloth with lye soap. Always remember that a little goes a long way when it comes to wood floors.

Use a Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner

Imagine being able to clean your non-waxed, unsealed or polyurethane wooden floor without having to worry about damaging it. Well, the Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner, a water-based cleaning solution, can do all that and more. You’ll notice that the solution dries fast as you spray it onto the wood floor, not allowing for any damage to occur.

Conclusion

In conclusion, hardwood floors hate water. They tend to stain and even change in appearance after being exposed to water too long. Avoid using harsh detergents and always use a soft broom to sweep the dust and dirt away.

With the above information, you should be able to increase your floors’ durability and maintain their beauty.

Of course, you can also contact us, the Maid Squad, to make your work a lot easier. With experience in cleaning residential homes in Los Angeles, California, we know just how to treat every wood floor type.