Who doesn’t love wood floors? They can certainly add warmth and beauty to any home, but they require proper care and maintenance to keep them looking their best. With the right tools and techniques, you can clean your wood floors effectively and extend their lifespan. After all, we want to maintain our floors and our homes in order to prevent larger and more expensive projects down the line. We’ve put together our Top 5 Professional Tips that you can use to keep your wood floors looking great not only today but for many years to come. I hope you enjoy it!
Sweep or vacuum regularly:
Dirt, dust, and other debris can scratch your wood floors over time, so it’s essential to sweep or vacuum them regularly. Use a soft-bristled broom, a dust mop, or a vacuum with a hard floor setting to remove any loose dirt or debris. Avoid using a vacuum with an aggressive beater bar, as it could scratch the surface of your wood floors.
Clean up spills immediately:
Now, this may seem like a no-brainer but spills, especially on wood, can cause permanent damage if left unattended. Clean up any spills immediately with a clean, dry cloth or mop. If the spill is sticky or greasy, use a damp cloth with a little bit of dish soap and dry with a clean towel.
Use the right cleaner:
Wood floors can be a bit particular when it comes to selecting a cleaner. You don’t want to use something that is so aggressive that it could cause damage to the finish or the wood itself, but you still want to get the floor clean. You also don’t want to use cleaners that have a waxy or shiny temporary finish. These can accumulate a residue over time which will get sticky and look BAD. We like to recommend a neutral PH floor cleaner. Why we suggest these cleaners is that they don’t need to be rinsed off the surface and will not leave a residue. The process of using them also requires lower moisture, which is good for wood floors. This one here from Ecolabs is great for almost all flooring types including wood.
The process we like to use is:
- Mix the cleaner in a spray bottle.
- Mist the floors in sections with the cleaner (We like to do a 10×10 area at a time)
- Use a microfiber flat mop and go with the grain back and forth
- Continue this process until the floor is completely clean
Use furniture protectors:
Heavy furniture can scratch your wood floors, so it’s essential to use furniture protectors on the legs of your chairs, tables, and other furniture. Felt or rubber protectors are ideal for wood floors, as they provide a soft cushion between the furniture and the floor.
Refinish your floors when necessary:
Over time, your wood floors may become dull or scratched. When this happens, it’s time to refinish your floors. Refinishing your wood floors can restore their shine and beauty, and make them look brand new again. It’s best to hire a professional to refinish your floors, as the process can be complicated and requires specialized equipment.