Cleaning Wood Floors With Ease

Cleaning wood floors is not hard but it does require a different type of cleaning from other surfaces. If you lack the knowledge, then you may be surprised on how your hardwood floors deteriorate over time. Some extra care in reducing scratches and preventing water absorption can go a long way.

In this article, I will take you through the different ways on how to care for your hardwood floors.

Step 1: Sweep Your Floor

Of course, the first step for caring for your hardwood floors is to sweep it everyday. For this job, I would highly recommend using a soft bristled broom. Other types tend to leave scratches on the wooden surface. Remember that in hardwood floors, maintenance is the key.

Step 2: Vacuum It

Hardwood floors also have the tendency to retain dust particles in its gaps. Vacuuming once or twice a week will maintain your floors and keep it dust free. When vacuuming, refrain from using hard attachments that can scratch the wooden surface. Opt for the soft brush attachment instead.

Step 3: Mop It

You can also clean your wooden floors further by mopping it. The great thing with mopping is that it absorbs the dust from the surface of the wood. Note however that you should keep the mop dry and not dripping. The worst enemy of wood is water. You do not want your wooden floors developing mold because you got water trapped in the gaps.

Step 4: Wax It

This is a popular way of cleaning wooden floors in tropical countries. They use this particular wax that shines wooden floors like they’re new. The great thing with using wax is that it minimizes the look of scratches and it brightens the color of the wood. This works best when the wood is finished or varnished.

Step 5: Maintain It

And of course, you have to maintain your hardwood floors by sticking to a few simple rules.

First, wood is very sensitive to scratches. So you have to avoid anything that can scratch its surface. It is best to avoid wearing heavy shoes or heels when walking on wooden floors. The weight of the shoes can usually damage the wood. Also, avoid dragging furniture. Ask for the help of another person to carry the furniture instead. This way, the wooden floor remains undamaged. If you can, use furniture pads.

Another thing you must remember is that wooden floors are not compatible with water. Water usually seeps in. This creates molds or other bacteria beneath. Of course, I cannot advise that you prevent water from spilling on your hardwood floors. Instead, clean and dry it immediately when it happens.

So as you can see, cleaning wood floors is easy. It does not involve heavy equipments or expensive substances. It is something that anyone can do.
Just keep in mind that wooden floors are a little different from other surfaces. The key here is to keep it free from dust while keeping it dry and scratch-free.