If you're wondering how to clean hardwood floors so they look beautiful and retain their shine for years, the key is to clean them often and methodically. After all, floors face the greatest amount of wear and tear in our homes. Think about all the dust, dirt, grime, and debris you bring in from the outside. Allowing your wood floors to get too dirty is not only unclean, but it can also be damaging to the wood itself, which is expensive to repair, refinish, or at the very worst, replace. By cleaning hardwood floors regularly with just a few tools and natural products, you can help them keep their shine for many years. Here's how to clean hardwood floors naturally so you can avoid the harsh chemical cleaners. Show
How Often to Clean Hardwood FloorsMelissa Witulski, the business operations manager for Merry Maids, suggests quick regular cleanings a couple times per week to keep your floors from getting too dirty. "The best way to clean hardwood floors is to use a microfiber dust mop to remove dust, dirt, and whatever other particles were brought into your home," Witulski says. "The microfiber dust mop will not scratch your floors as some vacuums might." Once a month (or more often if necessary), wood floors should be mopped to deep-clean the wood and make them shine. Residue from many commercial floor cleaners, however, can make wood floors look dull. To make wood floors shiny without leaving a film, the answer is vinegar. Considerations Before You Get Started
What You'll Need
How to Clean Hardwood Floors
How to Clean Cracks in Hardwood FloorsOlder wood floors and poorly installed hardwood can have cracks between the boards that trap dirt and dust. The cracks can worsen during periods of low humidity when the wood dries out. Removing the dirt and debris that becomes trapped is easy but a bit time-consuming. Clean in small sections, starting at the far corner of the room and working your way out the door, so you can come back to where you left off if you can't do the entire room at once. Combine 2 cups warm water and 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar. Dip a soft-bristled toothbrush in the solution and shake until just damp. Gently scrub the cracks and then wipe away the debris with a soft cloth or vacuum it up with a handheld vac or a vacuum with a crevice tool. Dust mop and clean the floor as usual. Should You Steam Clean Hardwood Floors?Steam mops are great for cleaning non-porous floors like sheet vinyl, ceramic tile, polished cement, and stone. However, the high temperature and infusion of too much moisture can cause hardwood floors to discolor, warp, and crack over time, especially if the wood is not sealed properly. If you want to use a steam mop, be sure that your hardwood floors are well-sealed with no worn spots in the finish. Set the mop to the lowest temperature setting and do not create "steam bursts" as you work. Never leave the mop in one spot for too long. How to Clean Paint Off Hardwood FloorsPaint splatters and drips happen, but most can be removed from hardwood floors with a little elbow grease and the right cleaning products. Water-based paint (acrylic paint) is the easiest to remove, but it's possible to remove oil-based paint too. What You'll Need
Instructions
How to Keep Hardwood Floors Clean for Longer
Read Next: 8 No-Sweat Tricks to Clean Any Type of Floor What disinfectant is safe for hardwood floors?You can clean polished wood or non-porous hardwood floors with Lysol® . If you're just looking to – you can use Lysol® All-Purpose Cleaner to clean and disinfect your floor surface without causing damage to the wood.
How do you sanitize a hardwood floor?a disinfecting solution of 1/2 cup Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach and 1 gallon water. the area, then mop or wipe with the disinfecting solution. for 5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Air dry.
How do you disinfect hardwood floors naturally?Step 1: Mix Water and Vinegar. Clean wood floors with vinegar by adding 1/2 cup white vinegar to a gallon of lukewarm water.. Step 2: Mop floors. Follow the tips for how to clean hardwood floors with a mop, above, to prevent water damage. Then use vinegar to naturally clean the rest of your home!. How do you clean hardwood floors without ruining them?The best way to clean hardwood floors and keep them in shape is to stick to a regular schedule of maintenance.. Sweep, dust or dry mop daily.. Vacuum weekly.. Clean heavy-traffic areas with a damp mop twice a month.. Clean with recommended hardwood floor cleaner once a month.. |