How to Clean Hardwood Floors in 4 Steps
There’s something about hardwood floors that truly makes a space feel much more comfortable and welcoming, but the catch is that they need meticulous cleaning and maintenance. This can be tricky, especially because of how delicate hardwood is as a material, but it’s definitely possible to keep your floors clean and beautiful with the right cleaning method. Here’s how you can clean hardwood floors easily to keep them looking their best!
How to Clean Hardwood Floors
Step 1: Prepare the Floors
When cleaning your floor, you should always start by vacuuming it. This will remove all the dirt, debris, and particles and prevent them from scratching and damaging the surface of your hardwood floors. Aside from this, this will also make the entire cleaning process much easier by removing any loose material and allowing the cleaning solution to penetrate more effectively through the grime.
Step 2: Choose Your Cleaning Solution
You’re more than welcome to use a commercial floor cleaner as long as it’s specifically formulated for hardwood floors. If you’ve chosen this option, make sure that you familiarize yourself with the information printed on the back label, as this will contain things like safety precautions and instructions for use.
If you want something more natural and easier to make at home, just add a few drops of dish soap to a bucket of water. You also have the option to add a bit of olive oil, which will help condition your floor and leave it with a natural shine.
Step 3: Start Cleaning
Dampen a microfiber mop with your cleaning solution and start mopping your floor, dividing up your floor into a grid and working one small square at a time. Before bringing the mop to your hardwood floor, make sure that you wring out as much excess liquid as possible to prevent oversaturation. Dip your mop back into your chosen cleaning solution as many times as needed until you’ve gone over the entire area.
Step 4: Dry the Floor
Once you’ve finished mopping the entire floor, go over everything with a dry mop to soak up any excess liquid and prevent any damage. Finally, let your floor air dry completely.
Additional Cleaning Tips
Here are some more cleaning tips to help keep your hardwood floor in the best condition:
- Regular Cleaning: Vacuum, sweep, or mop your floor at least once a week to prevent dust, dirt, and debris from accumulating. This may vary depending on the amount of traffic your floor receives. Alternatively, you can hire a professional cleaning service to ensure that your floors are regularly cleaned.
- Address Spills Immediately: The moment something spills on your floor, make sure that you blot and wipe it immediately to prevent the liquid from absorbing and staining the hardwood. Then, simply go in with a natural hardwood stain remover and follow the instructions of use.
- Mop Floors Properly: When mopping, make sure that your mop is not dripping with water or cleaning solution, as this will damage your hardwood floors over time. Additionally, make sure that you mop with the grain of your floor to prevent streaks.
- Avoid Harsh Cleaners: Harsh cleaners, as well as cleaning alternatives like white vinegar and lemon juice, should be kept away from your hardwood floors. These substances are too acidic and will definitely ruin your floor.
- Preventative Measures: To prevent dirt and dust from entering your home, placemats along the entryways of your home to catch these particles and prevent them from being tracked in. And to prevent any scratches, place rubber pads under the legs of your furniture.
Hardwood floors offer a simple and contemporary touch to any home, and the best way to keep them looking amazing is with proper cleaning and maintenance. With the right cleaning habits in place, your hardwood floors will surely look beautiful for years to come.
