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 is best to mop a hardwood floor with?Use a damp-mop with a flat-head mop and microfiber pad or a microfiber string mop that has been thoroughly wrung out when it looks dingy. Move with the grain, and control the amount of cleaning solution by using a spray bottle, aiming for a heavy mist or gentle squirt of about a half teaspoon per 2 square feet.
Is Mopping good for wood floor?CR recommends cleaning surface-sealed wood with a broom, dust mop, or vacuum cleaner, then using a damp—not dripping wet—mop. If your wood flooring has a surface-penetrating floor sealer, use a damp cloth rather than a mop.
What should you not clean hardwood floors with?Vinegar, ammonia, or other alkaline products
These may be a great option for tile or vinyl flooring, but ammonia, vinegar or similar solutions – even when diluted – are too harsh to clean your wood floors with. Over time, these solutions can strip away the finish exposing the bare wood of your flooring.
How do I get my hardwood floors to shine after mopping?Olive Oil, White Vinegar, & Water: Mix all three of these natural ingredients together and you'll know how to make hardwood floors shine naturally. This mixture is one of the best ways to restore the natural shine back to your solid hardwood floor.
|