Cleaning Wood Floors

Cleaning Wood Floors — Different tasks to manage

Cleaning wood floors can be roughly broken down into three types of jobs: everyday maintenance, quarterly cleaning and, depending on wear and tear, periodic re-finishing.

Everyday cleaning for wood floors

Every day, your family brings sand, grit and dirt into your home and this is distributed through your house by the day-to-day activities of your family. Obviously, the larger the family, the more dirt is going to come in on the bottoms of your shoes. Pets are a big source as well and cannot be taught to wipe their feet! High traffic areas such as your entrance way and the kitchen are probably the most affected by the dulling power of tracked in dirt. All of this activity and all of the resulting grit acts like sandpaper on your wood floors, dulling their finish over time. So, the first rule of cleaning wood floors is to remove the dirt as often as it is practical. Soft brooms and vacuum cleaners with a soft bristled hose attachment work best for this job. Even if your upright vacuum has a setting for hardwood floors it is best to avoid using it as those spinning bristles can also damage your floors. Gentle is always best.

Preventive measures you can take to keep the dirt outside are to put mats on the outside of doors and area rugs on the inside. That way, the shoes get a double whammy before they hit your floors. If you get in the habit of wiping your dog’s paws after he has been outside, you eliminate one more big source of grit.

It can’t be emphasized enough that water is not a friend to your wood floors. Be vigilant in wiping up wet spills and, if you have a mud room, encourage everyone to use it in the winter time when snow and melting salts (ouch!) can wreak havoc on your floor’s finish. Even sturdy oak floors can be warped if liquid seeps in between the floorboards. When you do mop your floors as regular maintenance, use a well-wrung mop. Mop only after thorough sweeping. For weekly cleaning, a very weak solution of white vinegar or just plain water is sufficient to keep your hardwood flooring clean. Regular detergents and especially ammonia based cleansers can strip or dull the finish of your floor.

Periodic Deep Cleaning Wood Floors

Deeper cleaning is appropriate about every three months. For this task, it is best to invest in a good neutral pH cleaner. Follow the directions carefully as many products you can buy at home improvement stores and specialty stores will be highly concentrated. These products usually cost quite a bit more than run-of-the-mill grocery store cleaners so it should be easy for you to be stingy with their use. You should be. Use a soft mop and as little of the solution as you can. Wring your mop completely after dipping it in the solution. And, always have a mop that is only used on your wood floors so that you can keep it as clean as possible. Dragging dirt around with a wet mop is not something that will enhance the look of your wood floors.

Preventive maintenance is also necessary to keep your oak floors in great shape. Take care when moving furniture as you can really put some major scratches in your hardwood flooring by dragging a heavy object over it. Clever placement of area rugs and runners also goes a long way toward keeping your wood floors in good condition. It is possible for sunlight to discolor wood floors, so try to keep blinds or drapes closed when the sun is shining directly on your floors.

If you follow simple steps, you will not have to face the daunting task of refinishing your hardwood flooring for many, many years. Regular light maintenance and periodic deep cleaning with the proper product will keep oak floors and other woods looking fresh. Cleaning wood floors can actually be a pleasure as you lavish attention on something that brings such rich beauty to your home.

Cleaning wood floors Image Flickr: brooklyn

But there are a few simple steps you should take to extend the life of your wood floors and maintain their beauty.

Prevent damage from happening.

Water is especially damaging to wood floors and their finish, so use doormats outside and throw rugs inside your exterior doors, in front of your kitchen sink, and in the bathroom.  Wipe up any spills quickly, don’t wet mop your floors, and make sure there are no leaks under your potted plants.

Doormats will also help reduce the amount of dirt, grit, and sand that gets tracked in.  Shake our your doormats and vacuum your area rugs often.

To prevent scratches and dents, put fabric or soft plastic glides under the feet of your furniture.  And don’t slide heavy furniture across your wood flooring.  Pick it up and carry it.

Use the brush attachment when you vacuum, not the beater bars, and protect your wood flooring from direct sunlight.  Protect your floors with window treatments, and rotate your rugs and furniture so your floors are evenly exposed.

Also, be careful what kind of shoes your family and guests wear on your wood floors.  High heels, cleats, and athletic shoes can leave scratches.  And so can your dog’s claws.

If you use your heater or air conditioner a lot, a humidifier or dehumidifier may be needed to help ensure your wood flooring has enough moisture.  This will reduce cracks caused from drying.

Keep your wood floors looking their best.

Caring for wood floors is easy and inexpensive.

Don’t use products designed for other types of flooring on your wood floors.  Waxes and polishes can make your floors slippery, and oil-based soaps can build up and dull the finish.  Only use the cleaning products your floor’s manufacturer recommends.  Never use ammonia.

A good, cotton dust mop or soft-bristled broom can be used to remove most of the dirt or grit.  You can spray your mop the day before with a mist that attracts dust.  Or use a Swiffer or micro fiber mop, which also does a good job of attracting pet hair.

If the edges of your wood strips or planks have a bevel, you’ll need to use your vacuum to reach any particles that are between the boards.

Usually, that’s all that’s needed to clean your floors, but if you do have scuff marks or stains, rub the spot in a circular motion with recommended floor cleaner.

Following these easy tips will keep your wood floors looking beautiful for years to come.