Know Your Floor’s Finish

Have you recently added hardwood floors to your home? Hardwood floors are not only a gorgeous addition to your home, but are also a more green approach. Compared to carpets, hardwood floors do not soak in harmful chemicals or fragrances. However, hardwood floors can be somewhat high maintenance when it comes to cleaning. What is the best way to clean hardwood floors? That answer depends on the type of sealant on the floor, but most hardwood floors are sealed with a water resistant formula.

Safe Cleaners for Hardwood Floors

The safest and easiest hardwood floor cleaners are water based cleaners. The only concern with this is to be sure that the floor is well finished. A well finished floor means either 3 coats of oil modified polyurethane, or 4 coats of a water based finish. Water based cleaners are not recommended on poorly finished floors. Wood wash is also safe on new finish floors, and is biodegradable. With its concentrated formula, it’s easy to make a little go along way. The best way to clean your floors using wood wash is to get on your hands and knees, spray the area that needs to be cleaned, clean the area, then with a dry rag, buff the area.

Damp Mopping Tips

Damp mopping is another way to clean hardwood floors. This can be used with any of the above cleaners. Damp mopping means just that, dip the mop into the solution and thoroughly ring the mop out before using. With a pre-finished floor it’s always a good idea to buff the floor after damp mopping with either a towel or a buffer. No matter the cleaner you decide to use on your floors, the key is a streak free shine. Water based, wood wash and damp mopping, if done correctly will keep your hardwood floors clean while looking new.

Hardwood Floor Cleaning FAQs

What is the safest way to clean hardwood floors?

For most sealed hardwood floors, regular sweeping or dust mopping followed by a water-based cleaner made for wood is the safest approach. Avoid soaking the floor, since standing water can damage wood, and check what finish the floor has before choosing a product.

Can you damp mop hardwood floors?

Yes, if the floor is sealed and the mop is only lightly damp, not wet. Wring the mop well, work in sections and let the floor dry quickly. Excess water can seep into seams and damage the wood over time.

How do you avoid streaks on wood floors?

Use the right amount of a cleaner designed for wood floors, a clean mop head and minimal water. Residue from too much product or dirty water is the usual cause of streaks, so rinsing or changing the mop pad often helps.