It’s a pretty common desire to have hardwood floors as the pathway for you and your guests in your home. They’re beautiful, complement any kind of furniture or decorating scheme, and even seem to get better looking with age. Plus, they’re easier to clean and maintain than carpet and tile floors!
That’s right—if you want a floor that’s as gorgeous as it is low-maintenance, then hardwood floors are the way to go. But only if you’re diligent about taking care of them. Neglecting your hardwood floor can have big consequences later—it could age prematurely, and you’ll end up needing to refinish it.
So, how exactly do you clean hardwood floors? Is it really as simple as people say?
In order to keep your hardwood floors looking spotless and fresh, you need to clean them daily. This means vacuuming or sweeping them. Dirt, sand, dust, and grit should never have a chance to settle into the hardwood, as they can weaken the floor over time. So, it’s important to keep all that dirt—even the invisible stuff—off the floor.
Once you’ve cleared the floor, you can mop it. But be careful. One mistake many people make is using too much water. The mop you use should be only slightly damp, not soaking wet. Just add a little water—not a lot—to clean the floors.
Additional Tips for Maintaining Hardwood Floors
There are a few simple things you can do to help keep your hardwood floors in good shape. One of these is to use area rugs in high-traffic spots. For example, at the entryway of a door or the center of a room, you can place a rug to protect the floor from serious wear and tear. Rugs are also a great way to dress up your home. While hardwood floors are beautiful, they can look bland if there aren’t a few rugs scattered around to add some flair.
Routine cleaning will help prevent many problems down the road. A clean hardwood floor is less vulnerable to deterioration, and stains and dirt buildup won’t collect over time, making them harder to remove later.
However, you will inevitably face more than just everyday dirt and grime. From red wine to mud, coffee, urine, lemonade, and even blood, your floor will encounter a variety of stains! The key is to address these stains as soon as they appear. The longer you wait, the more difficult they will be to remove.
To clean these stubborn stains, there are many wood cleaners available at your local store. These are ideal for tackling tough spots. Combine the cleaner with water and gently rub the stain (steel scrubbers and sandpaper can be helpful). However, be careful not to rub too hard, as you risk pushing the stain deeper into the floor!
Above all, do not use ammonia to clean your hardwood floors. While ammonia is a miracle cleaner for many materials, it will only harm your hardwood floors. It can discolor them and shorten their lifespan. So, when using a cleaning product, always check the ingredients. If ammonia is listed, avoid it. On the other hand, vinegar can be helpful in cleaning your floors. In fact, hardwood floors won’t cost you much to maintain, as you can often tackle tough stains with just water and vinegar.
Just make sure the water dries thoroughly after cleaning, because if it doesn’t, it can leave a stubborn stain that will be tough to remove.
As a general rule, always use the mildest cleaning products and never use soap on hardwood floors. When in doubt, avoid commercial cleaning products unless they are specifically designed for wood surfaces.
