How to clean your hardwood floors without ruining them!
Whether you installed hardwood flooring or inherited it from a previous owner, real hardwood floors can change the feel of an entire space. Whether light or dark colored, wide planks or parquet, hardwood floors are a sought after feature in a home.
But actual hardwood floors (as opposed to laminate, vinyl, or tile flooring designed to look like wood) also take some work to maintain. Even though it can last for centuries, the condition will deteriorate over time without the proper care.
Here’s what to know about cleaning hardwood floors without damaging them
Figure out the finish
Rub your finger across a clean floor. If no smudge appears, the floor is surface sealed. If you do create a smudge, the floor has been treated with a penetrating seal, oil finish, shellac, varnish or lacquer, and then waxed. Consider when your floors were installed. If you have a newer wood floor, it’s likely surface sealed.
How to safely clean different types of hardwood floors
Regardless of the floor’s finish, it’s best to place floor mats at all the exterior entrances to your home. This will help reduce the amount of dirt, grime, and grit getting into your home, and potentially harming the hardwood floor. Use a high quality broom or microfiber cloth to clean hardwood floors on a daily basis. If you are going to use a vacuum, make sure it’s one without a rotating beater bar.
Sealed surfaces
If your hardwood floors were installed recently, they likely have a sealed surface and have a protective coating. The easiest way to find a safe cleaning product is to see what the manufacturer recommends.
Wax finishes
Only use cleaning products made specifically for wax finishes. Follow the directions carefully. After the floor is clean apply a new coat of solvent based wax.
Acrylic impregnated finishes
These finishes create a very durable floor and are usually in commercial buildings.
