Flooring

Did you recently get hardwood floors installed? Or have you had them for awhile? Either way it’s important to know how to clean your hardwood floors. Here are a few tips to help make the process a little easier.

How to Clean your Hardwood Floors

Preventive Maintenance:

Cut down on some hardwood floor cleaning by using a few smart preventative maintenance steps. Place floor mats both outside and inside the exterior doors in your home. This will decrease the tracked-in dirt, rain, snow, rock salt, etc., brought in by shoes, boots and pets. It will definitely help to keep your floors looking as new as possible. Prevent marks on your floors by using protectors under furniture and also by using rugs in specific areas.

Basic Care for Hardwood Floors:

To speed up the cleaning process, mop up the dust, dirt, and pet fur regularly. For weekly cleaning, simply vacuum with a floor-brush attachment. Be sure not to use a vacuum with a beater bar attachment, as this could scratch up the floor and damage the finish. For the quick dusting use disposable cloths.

A Deeper Clean for Your Floors:

Dirt, oil, and grime will inevitably build up over time and won’t be completely removed by your weekly dust mopping and vacuuming. If you’re looking to do a deeper clean (consider doing this during the spring time), use a wood-cleaning product. Get a bucket of water (or fill up your sink) and then use a mop or sponge. Wring out most of the water so the sponge is just damp. Wipe up any excess water and if need be, turn on a fan to dry.

Removing Marks:

Be sure to think about the finish on your floor before trying to remove a mark. Mild cleaning is always better than harsh, as you don’t want to leave a bleached out spot on a hardwood floor. When cleaning, use gentle, even pressure, and work with, not against the grain of the wood. Try doing some research on what products you should be using on your floors.