Cleaning & Caring for Your Hardwood Floors

 Learning to properly clean and care for your hardwood floors is one of the best ways to protect your investment. When cared for properly, your hardwood floors will last a lifetime. As a housekeeper, I can tell you that it is obvious immediately to someone coming into your home to clean it or to buy it whether your hardwood floors have been shown love or neglected.

STEP ONE: SWEEP OR VACUUM HARDWOOD FLOORS

Note: Don't forget to check with your manufacturer for any instructions specific to your flooring.

The best way to clean hardwood floors is to adopt a regular routine. The first step is to remove dust and debris that can scratch or dull your floor's surface. Sweeping and vacuuming work well no matter what kind of wood floor you have.

Use a broom or hardwood floor mop for daily cleaning. A microfiber dust mop pre-treated with a dusting agent will pick up dust and dirt, preventing scratches.

Vacuum your hardwood floor once a week. Your first option is to use your vacuum's "hard floor" setting, which will raise the cleaner, deactivate the brush roll, and work only by suction. Your second option, which I use when I clean for clients, is to vacuum with an attachment designed specifically for hard floors, like the one shown here.

If you use your regular vacuum, always be sure to turn the brush roll off, because it can scratch your floors. You should also keep in mind that vacuums with rubber wheels are less likely to leave scratches than models with hard plastic wheels.

STEP TWO: MOP HARDWOOD FLOORS

Hardwood floors should be mopped once a month, with heavily trafficked areas being cleaned more often, every week or two as needed. The mop shown here is what I use for my clients, in my own home, and what I recommend for your use in your own home.

There are two types of cleaning agents I use, depending on the client's preference. One is to use a 1/4 cup of a mild cleaning solution to one gallon of water (the preference of many clients since the pandemic began). The other is to use 1/2 cup white vinegar to one gallon of water. 

My own preference is to use vinegar, as it is all natural and will disinfect just as well as a cleaning agent. However, most clients prefer I use something that says "antibacterial" on the label.

If you choose to use vinegar, use it only on your hardwood floors. Granite, marble, and some other types of tile will be damaged by the use of vinegar.

Make sure to wring out most of the water from the mop. It should be damp, not wet. Rinse as needed.

Always mop with the grain of the wood.

Avoid leaving any standing water on the floor, as it can damage the wood.

You can use a spray-and-mop product or disposable wet pads safe for hardwood floors if you prefer, like a Swiffer Wet Jet.

Steam cleaning is not advised unless handled by a professional, because steam can damage the floors if not done properly.

Do not use harsh detergents, vinyl floor cleaner, or tile cleaner.

STEP THREE: REVITALIZE YOUR FLOORS

You'll have to take care of occasional scratches and dullness. I've included a few quick fixes here.

Try liquid scratch concealer matching the color of your floor's finish. When it dries, it forms a permanent seal that won't come off during cleaning.

Restore shine with wood floor polish. It will also protect your floor from wear and help fill in small scratches.

Use floor wax to revitalize and deep clean wood floors. Always apply with the grain of the wood. 

Other floor protection materials include repair kits, scratch repair kits, and touch-up kits.

If your floor is real hardwood, lightly sand it and apply a new finish to restore its natural beauty.

TIP: Don't overwax a hardwood floor. If it looks dull, try buffing instead.

STEP FOUR: MAINTAIN YOUR HARDWOOD FLOORS

Stick to a regular schedule of maintenance.

Sweep, dust, or dry mop daily.

Vacuum weekly.

Clean with a recommended hardwood floor cleaner once a month.

Apply a fresh coat of finish every 3-5 years.

Sand and refinish every 10 years.

STEP FIVE: PROTECT YOUR HARDWOOD FLOORS

At each entrance of your home, place a door mat so people can wipe their feet as they come in. This will keep dirt off your floors. Ideally, floor mats will also catch rocks and other small debris that could scratch the wood.

High-traffic areas can get scratched and worn more easily. Rugs can protect the floor from wear and tear where people and pets walk most often.

Furniture can leave deep scratches on hardwood floors. Rugs can provide a barrier between furniture and the floor.

If you don't want to cover your wood floor with rugs, use furniture pads on the legs of chairs, sofas, and tables.

Whether you're rearranging a room or shifting a piece to clean underneath it, use furniture sliders any time you move things around. They protect your floors and make it easier to move heavy objects.

If something spills on your floor, wipe it up as quickly as possible. Then clean and dry the area to prevent stains.

Proper care of your hardwood floors will make them last the life of your home, and will help maintain the value of your home. Replacement is costly and time consuming in comparison to regular cleaning and maintenance.