People love having hardwood floors in their homes because they are often warm, inviting, elegant, and durable; however, they do not like to clean them! People should not let fear of time or effort of cleaning their hardwood floors get in the way of enjoying them because there are many ways to keep your floors clean. In our previous articles, we already covered how to clean ceramic tiles and vinyl floors. More so, we also covered the best dry dust mop for hardwood floors and its reviews.
Today we will discuss how to clean hardwood floors. Thus, if you have a hardwood floor, it is best to learn the proper way to clean it.
When homeowners think about cleaning their floors, they often immediately think that their only option is to use a mop and bucket or some sort of heavy-duty machine. However, these options are not the only ones for cleaning your hardwood floors. This article will discuss some of the most popular and time-efficient methods for cleaning your hardwood floors.
Method 1: Use a Wet Dry Vacuum
Most homeowners have a wet-dry vacuum at home. These vacuums are great for everyday cleaning of small messes and can easily pick up dirt, dust, grit, and even larger pieces on hardwood floors without scratching them. It is usually best to use the hose attachment for this job, if possible. However, it is important to make sure your vacuum can handle water and not damage your floor.
Method 2: Use a Microfiber Mop with No Water
Conventional mops and buckets of water will absolutely destroy any hardwood floors. Microfiber mops are the best alternative to regular cleaning without leaving behind water stains or streaks. They can be used to dry; however, it is best to dampen them slightly for an even better clean. We have an article dedicated to the dust mop for hardwood floors if you are interested.
Method 3: Use Baking Soda and Vinegar
Baking soda and white vinegar are miracle cleaning solutions that can be used for almost any cleaning chore in the house, including your wooden floors. All you need to do is mix a tablespoon or two of each into a bucket of water and then mop as usual. The results are outstanding on your floors, but don’t use this method if you have pets because it is not suitable for them at all!
Precaution: Vinegar alone is a harmful substance for wood floors, so it is not recommended to use vinegar without baking soda.
Method 4: Use an Old T-Shirt or Rag
This technique requires no money to be spent, but it does require a little extra time. To clean your hardwood floors with this method, you will need an old t-shirt or rag and a spray bottle of water. First, spray the rag lightly with water and then lightly wring it out. It is best to start from the top of the room and then work your way down. Take one pass over the floor and go back over it with a dry section of the rag to make sure you do not leave any water behind.
Method 5: Use a Steam Mop
The steam mops available on the market today are really cool and effective! They do a fantastic job at cleaning your hardwood floors without leaving behind any chemicals or residue. Like the other methods, start from top to bottom and then go back over them with a dry section of the mop for good measure.
Method 6: Use the Damp Cloth Method
Most people know of this method, but it is definitely worth mentioning. In essence, you just dampen a rag with water and then wipe your floors! It’s that easy! This technique is very effective for hardwood floor cleaning because there are no chemicals involved. However, if the rag is too wet, it can leave water stains, so make sure you wring it out before use.
Method 7: Use Glass Cleaner
Like the damp cloth method, this one is easy to do! Just spray down your floors with some regular household glass cleaner (again without residue) and then proceed to clean as usual by mopping up the moisture.
Method 8: Use a Buffer
Buffing hardwood floors is the best way to make them look nice and shiny again after being dulled by dirt and grime. Buffers come in many forms, from your standard robotic rotating pads to hand-held polishers that will do magic on your floors. Buffers may be a bit more expensive than other floor cleaners, but they generally require you to plug them in and grab the handle.
Read More: Orb550mc commercial buffer machine reviews.
How do you clean and shine hardwood floors naturally?
Cleaning your hardwood floors naturally takes a little more effort, but in the end, it is worth it for your health and the planet. There are quite a few more steps that you will need to take if you want your floors to shine after being cleaned.
Here are some of our favorite products for cleaning and shining your hardwood floors naturally:
1. Quick Shine Cleaner –
This is a beautiful-looking bottle that you spray on your floors. It is made with all-natural ingredients and smells lovely, without the harmful chemicals that a standard hardwood floor cleaner has.
2. Rejuvenate Professional Wood Floor Restorer and Polish –
This product is excellent because it has a high-gloss finish that brings out the natural beauty of your floors. It is free of harsh chemicals and smells great. Drop it on mop pads and use them when cleaning your floors.
3. Weiman Wood Floor Polish and Restorer –
This product is fantastic because it replenishes your flooring with the natural oils that have been stripped away by years of wear and tear. It is gentle and safe to use on all types of hardwood floors.
4. Bona Hardwood Floor Polish –
This product uses a micro-abrasive technology that helps eliminate scuffs and scratches. This will leave your floors looking radiant and shiny without the use of harsh chemicals.
5. Ultra HIGH Gloss 33% Solids Floor Finish Wax –
A great refinishing product for those who are looking to protect their floors from daily wear and tear. This cleaning product will provide you with the extra protection that your floors need to shine their very best throughout all the hustle and bustle of your daily life.
Read more: What Is The Best Mop For Armstrong Hardwood Cleaner?
How to deep clean hardwood floors?
If you really want to get your hardwood floors clean, you should hire a professional cleaning company for deep cleaning. Hiring a company to clean your floors will ensure that the job is done correctly.
These services consist of waxing and buffing your floor, which will help prolong the life of your floors and make them gleam.
Read more:
What to avoid using on your hardwood floors?
As a general rule of thumb, you should never use anything too abrasive on your hardwood flooring. If you have particularly stubborn parts that need some extra attention, you may want to try a few drops of dish soap and a toothbrush! However, do NOT use any sort of cleaner that leaves behind a toxic residue because it will be nearly impossible to get rid of later.
5 Tips for Cleaning & Maintaining Hardwood Floors:
- Make sure you dry your floor thoroughly after mopping/washing it! This is the number one cause of water stains on hardwood floors.
- Remember that some natural wood may have streaks or spots in it. You can try to eliminate these if you want, but they will never completely disappear.
- When purchasing your hardwood floors, be sure to ask the retailer about proper care and cleaning! They would love to help!
- If you are having trouble finding the right product for your hardwood flooring, speak to a professional.
- Don’t forget to use protection! Putting down a rug is a good idea to increase the lifespan of your hardwood. If you’re not sure what kind of rugs will look best in your home, consider looking at some carpet samples that come in all shapes and sizes!
What is the best cleaner for hardwood floors?
There is no such thing as a universal or best cleaner for hardwood floors. You should always check the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure that the product you are using (or plan to use) is safe for your flooring type and will not leave behind any residue. For example, waxes and polishes would be entirely inappropriate for use on unfinished hardwood, as the solvents in these products could impede how hard and solid the wood is.
When to clean wood floors?
You should sweep or vacuum your hardwood floors at least once a week. The more often you accomplish this task, the less dirt and grime will have a chance to accumulate, leading to a much cleaner and healthier floor. To prevent dirt and debris from accumulating, you should also mop or wash your hardwood floors at least once a month. You can try using the natural pH-neutral cleaners listed above, but make sure to test any sort of cleaner out in a small, inconspicuous area before you use it everywhere.
What type of mop do you use for hardwood floors?
Use a mop to clean your hardwood floors that are made explicitly for hardwoods. These mops will not harm or scratch the delicate floor surface of your wood. A microfiber mop is the best option for cleaning hardwood, as these mops are super absorbent, and they won’t leave behind any dust or streaks. You can very easily find microfiber mops at stores like Target, Walmart, Walgreens, etc.
If I have hardwood floors, can I use bleach?
No! Never try to use bleach on your hardwood flooring. Bleach is incredibly harmful to wood, causing the floor to become discolored and stripped of its finish.
How often do you refinish hardwood floors?
You should generally have your hardwood flooring refinished every 7-10 years. This will keep the finish intact and prevent any chips or scratches from occurring.
What type of hardwood floors are best?
Red Oak, White Oak, and Maple are great types of hardwood flooring. They are very sturdy and dense, meaning they will be much less likely to be damaged or scratched. However, they can be somewhat more costly than other types of wood.
Conclusion
Hardwood floors are beautiful and luxurious, but they require a decent amount of care and maintenance. If you love your hardwood flooring and want to keep it in the best condition possible, be sure to follow these tips so that you will get many years of enjoyment out of your investment!
