What is the best thing to use to clean wood floors?
First of all, the proper way to clean a wood floor depends on the finish. If you have a newly installed or refinished floor, follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
My dining room, entry hall and stairway all still have their original shellac finish. Any spots which can't be removed with a damp cloth are cleaned with a solvent type cleaner. The other wood floors in my house are oil base poly and spots on those are cleaned with a hardwood flooring cleaner - typically I use the one from Bona.
I'm a real fan of the two part Swedish finishes. They cost more than the basic oil based poly products but they're quite durable. Plus, being a water based product, they dry faster than oil...just follow the instructions and leave plenty of time for curing before putting down any rugs.
If you are environmentally conscious, the best way to clean your wood floors is by vacuuming and then very lightly damp mop with water. We use a Libby mop pad system, with a rubbermaid reveal pad (bigger than the Libby pad).Â
The pads are washable and wring able. You can fill your Libby mop system with whatever your preference…vinegar and water, detergent or cleaner. We used to use Bono, until the website data showed it was not a good non toxic cleaner. Once in a while, a little vinegar and/or dish soap is mixed in with the water. Right now, on the East Coast, we have salt being tracked in on our hardwood floors at the office. This is the perfect time to add something other than water to be rid of the white salt stains.
This handy little Meile vacuum is my favorite tool for keeping the floors dust free and clean. The wider attachment is used on the brick floors and the narrower attachment on the wood floors. Occasionally I also use a dry Swiffer on the wood floors, but at least once a year I wipe them down with Bona and a damp cloth. They look good as new after seven years. Another suggestion...."please take your shoes off at the door"!
Besides cleaning, here are some tips from Getcleaningdone to keeping your wood floors looking beautiful:
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS TO PRESERVE THE LIFE OF YOUR FLOOR:
• Sweep or vacuum regularly to keep your floor free of dust and eliminate abrasives that can scratch the finish. Beater bars and dirty wheels on your vacuum can mar your floor.
• Quickly wipe up any spills from the floor to protect wood from excess liquids.
• Use mats outside and inside entrances so sand and other rough particles cannot build up on the floor. Avoid mats with rubber or other dense backings that will block airflow beneath rugs or might retain abrasives and humidity.
• Use mats near sinks, dishwasher and workstations to protect your floor from cooking tools, water, soaps, oils, and other kitchen mishaps.
• Stick felt pads under all furniture or chair legs so they can easily slide and to avoid scratches. Always keep such pads clean. Check often for signs of wear, in which case replace promptly.
• Large soft polyurethane or rubber casters are much better than narrow hard plastic casters.
• Protect your floor when moving heavy furniture. One idea: Turn a mat over and then place a piece of plywood on it. Put furniture on this so it can slide smoothly over your floor. Make sure the mat’s surface is clean and free of sand, rocks, or other abrasive objects.
• Pointed objects such as spiked heels or sport shoes, can easily damage the finish of your floor especially if worn or damaged. Water and sand are the worst enemies of hardwood floors. Next are spiked heeled shoes. This is true for all floor surfaces, even concrete flooring.
• Keep the relative humidity level between 35-55% for your health as well as for your wood floors and wood furnishings. Wood is a natural material that absorbs and releases moisture depending on the relative humidity. With high humidity, wood absorbs the excess humidity and expands, which can cause buckling in the flooring.Â
Keep the humidity level down by using a dehumidifier or dehumidifying air conditioning system or with a heating system and good ventilation. During dry periods (periods of low relative humidity), wood releases moisture and will contract and shrink which can cause gaps between strips and even cupping.
• If the relative humidity is low, use a humidifier to reduce shrinking of the wood. Engineered flooring is not as prone to movement as traditional solid wood flooring, but it is still subject to the physical laws of nature and can shrink or expand in very dry or extremely humid environments.
• Pet claws should be trimmed regularly to avoid scratching floors.
• Your floor should be protected from sunlight and intense artificial lighting to reduce discoloration. Wood naturally changes color over time and with exposure to light. This is a natural phenomenon with all wood surfaces. Different kinds of wood will change color to varying degrees.Â
You can minimize this color change by moving around furniture and carpets and reducing strong light sources. If you follow the above preventive maintenance suggestions, you shall enjoy the beauty of your floor for a very long time.
Best Cordless Vacuum for Hardwood Floors
