Hardwood floors can elevate the look of your home if properly cleaned and polished. However, maintaining the floor can be hectic if it’s not cleaned in the right way. During cleaning, it is important to pay attention to the little areas that can make a difference in the look of your floor.
Improper maintenance can lead to accumulation of dust, leaving it with a bad, dull look. Cleaning hardwood floors in the best way possible begins with regular, deep cleaning of your floor. Deep clean your hardwood floor and take preventive measures to protect your flooring while making it look its best.
Weekly cleaning can help avoid build-up of oil and dust. Clean your hardwood floor in spring or before the onset of winter. Use hardwood floor mop and recommended cleaning products for perfect results. If not properly taken care of, hardwood floors can become ugly due to accumulated dirt.
A vacuum, dry mop, water, soap and dry cloth are what you need to keep your hardwood floor clean. The following steps should help you to effectively clean your hardwood floor:
4 Steps to Cleaning Your Hardwood Floor
Remove Clutter from Your Floor
Remove clutter on your flooring so you can give it a thorough cleanup. Remove what’s not meant to be on your floor. If possible, move the furniture or take them to another room. Use furniture pads to ease moving your furniture from one place or room to another without damaging your flooring. Always prevent your hardwood floor from being scuffed to keep it looking its best.
Vacuum Clean the Floor
Use a vacuum cleaner or dry mop to remove debris and dirt on the floor. It would ensure your floor is easy to clean without leaving behind debris that might be difficult to remove afterward.
Mop the Hardwood Floor along the Wood Grains
If your flooring is finished with polyurethane, dump your mop with soapy water. Ring it to remove the water before using it on your floor. Mop in a forth and back manner along the wood grains on your flooring.
Never use water on lacquered and shellacked floors to prevent them from staining from the water used. The market is full of safe products you can buy to help clean your hardwood floors .
Use a Clean Cloth to Wipe the Floor
Use a soft, dry cloth to remove residues left on your hardwood flooring, be it dirt, water or soap. Gently rub the cloth on the floor in a circular motion for a sparkling look. A cleaner specifically for cleaning hardwood floors is recommended to get the best results. A cloth diaper can be used in place of a cloth cleaner to absorb and trap residues.
Remove scuffs on your hardwood floor by applying baking soda using a dump. Rub the cloth gently on the floor to diminish the marks. Use another clean cloth to rinse the floor afterward. If your floor is worn out, find a professional hardwood flooring company to refinish it or completely replace it.
Tips to Cleaning and Maintaining Your Hardwood Flooring
Avoid walking on your hardwood floor with dirty shoes or feet. You can’t do that and still expect your floor to look sparkling clean at the end of the day. Dirt tends to leave abrasive sand particles behind. The particles can easily damage your floor. For instance, the dirt can easily scuff the surface of your flooring.
Remove dirt particles using a vacuum cleaner or a dry dust mop before beginning to mop the floor. Mopping the floor before removing dirt particles can lead to rubbing of the particles against the floor. Add vinegar to your cleaning water to remove and avoid build-up of oil, dirt, and hair on the floor.
Use only a clean and soft cloth or mop to dry and polish the floor. Soak a clean cloth in water boiled with tea bags for a few hours or overnight. Wring the cloth well and use it to wipe the cleaned floor to give it a shiny look. Tea contains tannic acid that can give your hardwood floor a shiny look.
If you notice scratches on your floor, use a crayon of the same color as your floor to mask it. Rub it on the scratched part of the floor and pass a hot blow-drier over the area. Use a soft cloth to buff the place. Regularly vacuum clean your floor and remove stains immediately they are spilled.
Take care while cleaning your floor and only use recommended cleaning products and tools to avoid causing damages on the surface of your flooring.