4 Smart Ways to Clean Hardwood Floor

Wooden flooring is a major investment and an amazing addition to the interior, but the wear and tear can dull its beautiful look. Proper maintenance is essential for extending the lifespan of your floor and preserving it spotless, without damaging it.

1.       Preventive Maintenance

The best way to keep your flooring pristine and to cut down hardwood-floor cleaning time is prevention. Consider placing mats both outside and inside exterior doors to reduce the amount of dirt that enters your home. If raining or snowing, assign boot removal area to avoid damage from water and de-icers. Use floor protectors and rugs to prevent marks and scratches, especially in the kids’ room.

2.       Basic Care

Make the cleaning process easier by first dusting the floor with a mop and dusting agent to collect, dirt, pet hair and other debris that may scratch the floor surface. For weekly or biweekly cleaning, vacuum with a floor-brush attachment. Vacuum cleaners with a beater bar attachment can damage the floor's finish. Disposable electrostatic cloths are great for quick dusting. Use both sides to save money.

3.       Deep Cleaning

Eventually dirt, grease, and grime build up and cannot be completely removed by the weekly maintenance. It’s recommendable to deep clean the wood’s floor in the spring or just before the winter holidays. Use a wood-cleaning product and damp mop the surface, while preventing standing water on the floor. If needed, rinse with a clean mop and water. Wipe any excess liquid to minimize the risk of damage. If the weather is humid, speed up the drying time by turning the ceiling fan on. 

4.       Removing Marks

When removing a mark, you first need to take into account your floor's finish. Not sure on what you are standing? If the stain remains on the surface, the flooring has hard finish. If the spot has penetrated deep into the wood, you are dealing with soft oiled finish.  The latter can be found in older homes whose floors have not been resealed and refinished.  To wipe the stains from a hard finish simply use soft, clean cloth. You should avoid cleaning the floor with steel wool, sandpaper, or harsh chemicals on such a surface since they can ruin the finish. You can try the following remedies for hardwood floors with soft finishes.

• ·         Dark spots and pet stains: Use fine steel wool to rub the spot and floor wax. If the area is still dark, treat it with bleach or vinegar and let it sit for about an hour. Rinse with a clean damp cloth.

• ·         Heel marks: Rub in floor wax by using fine steel wool.

• ·         Oil-base stains: Apply dishwashing detergent on a soft cloth and rub the spot. Rinse the area with clear water. Repeat until you break down the grease. While cleaning the spot, keep children and pets out of the room. After the spot dries, smooth the raised grain with sandpaper.

• ·         Water marks or white stains: Rub the spot with fine steel wool and floor wax. If the spot penetrates deeper, sand the floor and clean with odorless mineral spirits and fine steel wool.      
  

 This article was created with the friendly support of Cleaners Cleaning team London