The beauty of the wood floor is surely undeniable. It will give a gorgeous touch to the overall look of your home in a natural way. That’s why it’s always one of the favorite options that a lot of homeowners adore.
However, cleaning wood floors can be quite tricky since you may end up damaging them if you don’t get the job done carefully. The harsh chemicals and sharp tools that you use can really damage your beautiful wood floor.
That’s why you need to check out some considerations that will guide you on how to clean the wood floor in a proper way. You can do the job all by yourself safely without hiring any pros.
(Read also: How to Get Rid of Spiders at Home with 5 Quick Steps)
Just keep scrolling to check out our easy tutorial on how to clean wood floor below!
How to Clean Wood Floor
Vacuum Daily
You may underestimate the small crumbs and dirt that fall onto the surface of your wood flooring when you actually have to remove them as soon as you spot them. Why? Because small crumbs, girt, and dirt can scratch your wood flooring especially when they are sharp enough.
The longer you let them scattered around your wood flooring, the riskier it can be. So, you need to vacuum or at least sweep your wood flooring on a daily basis. Use a soft-bristled broom to avoid scratching the floor even more.
Wipe Wet Spills
Wet spills as simple as drops of water, can leave annoying marks if you let them dry on your wood flooring. Don’t let wet spills stay on your wood flooring for more than a few minutes especially when it comes to muddy or food liquids since their marks are harder to remove.
After you remove those wet spills, rinse them by using a damp cloth. Keep in mind to wipe the floor in line with the direction of the grain.
Dust Mop
You may find piles of dust on your wood flooring and they can get worse over time. To avoid this, dust mop the floor at least once a week.
Deep Clean Seasonally
What it means by deep clean is when we use the cleaning solution which is made for wood flooring. This step only needs to be executed seasonally and after you are sure enough that all the loose dust and girt have been removed completely.
The reason why you can’t overly deep clean your wood floor is that excess water can lead to damaging the sealant. It’s enough for you to do this step a few times each year.
Here’s what you need to do to deep clean your wood floor:
- Prepare your microfiber mop and lightly damp it to clean water. If your area contains hard water, you may want to use distilled water. It’s because the excessive minerals contained in hard water can make the finish of the flooring look dull.
- Use a commercial cleaner food woof flor. It would be best for you to choose the one that comes with a refillable spray feature.
- A half teaspoon of the cleaner is enough to handle two square feet of the area of your wood floor. Spray the area with that amount and not more than that since your floor can get sticky and attract more dirt if you use too much wood cleaner.
- Make sure that your wood flooring is dry completely before you step on it. If you step on the wet wood floor, you may find some spots around.
Tips in Cleaning Wood Floor
- Always use a soft-bristled broom – As mentioned above, you need to use a soft-bristled broom to clean the grit and crumbs on your wood flooring because it can get the job done without scratching its surface. The ones which are made of rubber or nylon are the best options, they are good in grabbing particles since they are static-charged.
- Use two microfiber mops – In cleaning the wood floor, it’s best for you to use two mops. You can use one for dry mopping and one for wet mopping. Dry mopping is when you remove the dust while wet mopping is when you wipe the remaining dirt. The mop heads which are made of microfiber are better than the ones made of sponge or cotton since they are easier to clean and wash. Keep in mind to always use a clean mop for the best result.
- Vacuum carefully – Though you can use the vacuum to clean your hardwood floor, you still have to carefully get the job done. Use a vacuum with a soft-bristle roller and adjustable beater bar so the floor won’t get scratched. To reach the corner of the room, you can use an attached upholstery brush.
- Choose soft cleaning solution – Polyacrylic urethane and cured polyurethane are the most common materials used to seal wood flooring which can be quite sensitive to harsh chemicals. The flooring may look bright, but you will find some streaks. The rule of thumb is always to use the cleaning solutions which are specifically formulated for the wood floor instead of using chlorine bleach, undiluted vinegar, ammonia, or pine oil which can be harsh.
Tips to Prevent Scratches
You don’t want your wood floor to have scratches all over your gorgeous wood floor. They will instantly make the floor look worn out and dull. Check out some tips below to minimize the issue:
- Attach pads to the bottom of your furniture’s legs.
- Don’t place any sharp decor items like pots, statues, or paintings directly on the floor.
- Don’t drag around anything on the wood floor.
- Take off your shoes especially if it’s clear and stilettos.
- Always place rugs at the entrance of your house. If possible, placing the rugs inside and outside is a great idea since it can fully minimize the amount of dirt that can be brought into your wood floor.
- Always trim your pet’s toenails regularly since they can scratch the wood floor for sure,
