The secret to cleaning hardwood floors so they appear lovely and keep their sheen for years is to clean them often and carefully. Because of this, our houses’ flooring experience the most damage. Consider all the grit, dust, and debris you carry inside with you from the outside. Allowing you to best way to clean wood floors to become too dirty is not only unhygienic, but it may also harm the wood, which is costly to repair, refinish, or replace in the worst-case scenario. You can help hardwood floors maintain their luster for many years by routinely cleaning them with a few simple tools and natural solutions. Here are some natural ways to clean hardwood floors so you can avoid harsh chemical cleaners.
Factors to Take into Account Before You Begin
- Verify whether the floor is sealed. Understanding the finish used on your hardwood floors is crucial before you start cleaning them. Does the flooring have a polyurethane coating to fill it? A water-based cleaning solution can clean the floor if a drop of water condenses on the surface, indicating that it is sealed. If the water drop is immediately absorbed, the sealant has either worn off or was never placed. Reduce the amount of water required for cleaning if the floor is unsealed. I advise using a dust mop often to ensure that accumulation is never excessive. Use a moist microfiber cloth (if necessary) to perform deeper cleanings, and dry the area immediately with a dry microfiber cloth.
- Eliminate clutter. To make cleaning quicker and more straightforward, pick up any clutter and take small objects off the floor, including area rugs.
- Select an opportune moment. Choose a time when there won’t be much foot traffic, such as when your family is away from home.
- Create a route. To avoid leaving footprints on a spotless floor, start in one corner of the space and work toward the door.
- Shorten the drying period. To aid shorten the drying period, turn on ceiling fans or add a circulating fan.
Cleaning Hardwood Floors
- Remove dirt and trash. Always begin by eliminating any loose dirt and dust before cleaning your floors. To remove the debris, use a broom or a vacuum without a beater bar (the beater bar can harm hardwood surfaces). However, a microfiber dust mop is the finest option. The mop’s fibers draw and hold the dirt, and you may wash the mop head to have a fresh mop every time.
- Prepare the homemade cleaner. One gallon of water and 1 cup of distilled white vinegar or 1/2 cup of cleaning vinegar should be combined in a big bucket or sink.
- Mop. A clean microfiber mop should be dipped into the solution and wrung out until it is moist but not leaking. Applying too much water to the floor is not a good idea. Once you’ve cleaned the entire room, start at the far corner and work toward the entrance. As the filth is transported from the floor, rinse the mop often (wring until barely moist!).
- Before you step on the floor, give it some time to air-dry.
How to Clean Cracks in Hardwood Floors
Older wood floor cleaning and improperly laid hardwood may have fissures between the boards that collect dust. When the wood dries out during low humidity, the cracks may get worse. The dirt and debris trapped are superficial to remove but take time. If you can only complete part of the room at a time, clean the area in little portions, beginning in the far corner and working your way to the door.
Two cups of warm water and 1/4 cup of white vinegar should be combined. Shake the solution on a soft-bristled toothbrush until it is barely moist. Scrub the cracks gently, then either suck up the dirt with a handheld vacuum or a crevice tool or wipe it away with a soft cloth. As usual, sweep the floor and dust it.
Should Hardwood Floors Be Steam Cleaned?
Cleaning non-porous surfaces like polished concrete, ceramic tile, stone, and sheet vinyl is a breeze using steam mops. However, if the wood is not sealed correctly, high temperatures and excessive moisture can cause hardwood floors to discolor, distort, and fracture.
Make sure your hardwood floors are properly sealed and free of wear patches if you want to use a steam mop. Avoid “steam bursts” while mopping by setting the mop to the lowest temperature. Make sure to leave the mop in one place for an extended period.
How to Remove Paint from Wooden Floors
Even while paint spills and drips occur, most can be cleaned up from hardwood floors with some elbow grease and the proper cleaning supplies. Oil-based paint can also be removed, although the most straightforward is water-based paint (acrylic paint).
Instructions
- Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid to two cups of hot water. A cloth should be dampened with the solution and wrung out until it stops leaking. Scrub the paint spatter while moving with the grain of the wood. Use a dry towel to wipe away the color as it becomes more brittle. If stubborn, carefully scrape it out using the edge of an old credit card or a plastic putty knife.
- Are there still paint drips? Switch to a more robust cleaning solution that contains one part lemon juice and three parts rubbing alcohol. Place a towel over the paint drips after dipping it in the mixture and wringing it off. Give it five minutes to settle before gently scrubbing it with an old toothbrush or scraping it with a credit card. Wipe the paint off.
- If the paint still won’t budge, use a hair dryer on high to soften it before trying the cleaning techniques once again. You might have to use an environmentally friendly, citrus-based paint remover from the supermarket if the paint is oil-based. Observe the instructions on the package.
Conclusion
Using a microfiber dust mop to remove dust, filth, and any other particles that may have been carried into your home is the finest approach to cleaning hardwood floors, according to Witulski. “Unlike other vacuums, the microfiber dust mop won’t scratch your flooring.”
To deep-clean the wood and make them shine, wood floors should be washed once a month (or more frequently if necessary). However, the residue left by many industrial floor cleaners can make wood floors look lifeless. The solution is vinegar, which may make wood floors glossy without leaving a film.
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