Cleaning Hardwood Floors

There are a few simple rules for cleaning hardwood floors that makes it a breeze!  Hardwood brings a warm and rich tone to your home.  It will last for years and years, if you treat it right.  In order to keep it beautiful and shiny there are some rules to follow.

The “no-never” rules in cleaning hardwood floors come first.

Never use steel wool, a wire brush, or abrasive cleaners such as Comet when cleaning hardwood floors with a polyurethane coating.  These will scratch the surface and cause the floor to look scratched and dull. If your flooring is unfinished or a waxed topcoat, then these are fine options.

Never use ammonia when mopping your flooring; use a specified hardwood cleaner or vinegar.  It might cost a few pennies more, but it will be worth it to keep your flooring looking brilliant.

Never use oil products when cleaning hardwood floors.  The oil interacts with the wax and may cause the top layer to discolor and peal.  If this occurs you will be forced to sand the top layer to clean the hardwood floors and refurbish it back to brilliance.  It is only recommended that you “screen” every two years or so.

Now, in cleaning hardwood floors, simple spills and tracked in dirt need to be cleaned up immediately. Use mild soap and water, but don't saturate the area.  Keep the cloth damp.  This is a major cleaning tip for your hardwood floors! 

On a polyurethane clear coat, a high luster is kept on your flooring. Never use a wax unless of course your topcoat is wax! 

And finally, use throw rugs and carpet runners in heavy traffic areas and at exterior doorways. This will collect the loose dirt that accumulates. Also use paddings under your heavy pieces of furniture and this will reduce marks in your floor.