How to Clean Hardwood Floors: A Guide

Hardwood floors can be very picturesque and elegant with its beauty and simplicity. It can give a home or even a business a very warm, gentle and inviting feeling but it also requires proper care. There are certain things that you should and should not do when caring and cleaning hardwood floors. Some of these things can help to prolong its beauty and durability, yet some things may appear harmless but could actually damage it over time. Here are some really good tips on caring for and cleaning hardwood floors.

1. Use Mats Or Rugs For High-Traffic Areas

You will know which areas of your home would be considered as high-traffic. For these areas, it would be advisable to use a mat or rug for some extra protection. Walking across the same area many times a day will eventually wear down the floor's finish. However, make sure that the rugs or mats used do not have a rubber or vinyl backing. These can trap humidity and eventually ruin the floor's finish and damage the wood. Also, if you happen to sit for long periods at a computer (barefoot), you will definitely ruin the finish and damage the wood as well. Make sure to place your feet on a small rug or wear protective slippers that won't damage the floor. During the hotter months, sweat from your feet placed on the same spot for extended periods of time will cause perceptible damage.

2. Do Not Get It Wet

As best as possible, do not let the floor get wet. So, if it's going to rain and there's a chance that water can get through a window and land on the floor, take measures to prevent this from happening. Be careful when watering plants as well. Make sure that water doesn't drip onto the floor. Whenever there's a spill, make sure to wipe it off immediately. Try not to use water when mopping either. Water can penetrate the wood and stain or damage it.

3. Sweeping & Mopping

When you're sweeping, use a broom with soft bristles, or better yet, a microfiber broom. You could also vacuum, but make sure the soft bristles are extended to avoid scratching the floor. When mopping, lightly mist the floor with a hardwood floor cleaner and use a microfiber mop or cleaning pad. You could also dampen the mop, but do not make it really wet, like you would with a normal mop. Whether sweeping or mopping with microfiber attachments, try not to lift it off the floor; instead, let there always be contact with the floor. Dirt will be trapped with the use of static electricity and it won't scratch the floor.

You may also have heard about mopping using water and vinegar or ammonia. Try not to use these, even though certain sources may tell you that it's alright to do so. These can actually leave a residue and you don't really want that. Try not to use steam cleaners as well, since this could crack the wood.

4. Protect From Sunlight

Over time, and also exposure to sunlight will cause some fading to occur. However, you can try to protect or prolong it by using blinds or curtains to protect your floors from sunlight, especially when you're not there. It's nice to have the sun come through to brighten up the day, but there's no point in ruining the floors if you're not there.

5. And Lastly.

A few more things to consider to help protect your hardwood floor:

If you have cats and dogs, try to keep their nails short.
Remove shoes and high heels in particular, at the door.
Use a rug under your coffee table.
Place those little felt pads under chairs and tables (chairs in particular) since chairs will be moved virtually every day when you sit or get up and this could cause scratches. Using the felt pads should protect against it.

Following a few simple rules should help to protect your floors and keep it clean and looking beautiful for years to come.