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Hardwood flooring is one of the best flooring options on the market.
But, sometimes cleaning hardwood flooring can be a bit confusing. Even though it’s much easier to sweep up a mess on a hardwood floor than it is from a carpeted floor, knowing which cleaning products to use and how often to use them can be a bit unclear.
And, seeing as the average cost of installing hardwood floors is $5 to $8 per foot, the last thing you want to do is ruin your flooring in the cleaning process.
So, how do you clean hardwood flooring?
Check out this guide to find out.
In This Post:
1. Dust and Sweep on the Daily
Giving your hardwood floors a quick sweep isn’t something you should do just on a weekly basis, you should be aiming to do it every day.
Although that may seem like a lot, a quick sweep takes no more than a few minutes.
To sweep and dust your floors, you should be using a microfiber mop or cloth of some sort. The static electricity in the microfiber will ensure that you are trapping as much dirt, particles, and other household allergens as possible.
Also, make sure you avoid lifting up your microfiber mop as you move around the floor, as this will only spread the dirt and debris further. Keeping the mop on the ground the whole time will make sure the particles stay stuck to the mop.
2. Vacuum and Mop on a Weekly Basis
In addition to dusting and sweeping on a daily basis, you should also be vacuuming and mopping on a weekly basis.
Vacuuming and mopping once per week will help you get to those harder to reach areas that dusting doesn’t hit.
However, make sure you take extra caution when using vacuums and mops on your hardwood floors.
If your vacuum contains a beater bar, make sure it doesn’t come in contact with the bare floor, as it can damage it. Also, make sure the wheels on the vacuum are padded so they don’t damage the wood floors.
And, when mopping, keep in mind that wood and water do not mix well. Too much water or water retention can cause your wood floors to distort and disintegrate. So, don’t just dump a bucket of water on your floor and start mopping. Instead, lightly mist your floors with a hardwood floor specific cleaner.
3. Additional Tips
In addition to regular maintenance, here are some extra tips to keep your hardwood floors clean:
- Polish your floors every few months to help buff out microscopic scratches and give it that shiny appearance
- Refinish and sand your floors every three to five years
- Use mats and rugs to minimize the amount of debris and dirt landing on your floors
- Avoid using soap-based cleaners, vinegar, or wax or steam cleaners on your hardwood floors
Also, consider investing in a stud finder to help detect any foundation issues with your floors.
Keep Your Hardwood Flooring Clean
As you can see, keeping your hardwood flooring clean really isn’t that difficult.
Comment below with any questions and be sure to check back in with our blog for more household cleaning tips and tricks.
