How To Hardwood Floors
#1 Free Hardwood Floor Care Online Resource for Hardwood Floor Owners
Clean Hardwood Floors Overview
To clean hardwood floors is a cinch with the right hardwood floor cleaners and equipment. There are so many 'specialized' wood floor cleaning products, hardwood floor vacuums and mops, and even wood floor stain removers that, quite honestly, aren't so special. But even worse, some can actually cause damage to your hardwood floor. We also offer some cautions and tips to clean hardwood floors in the most efficient and effective way.
How To Clean Hardwood Floors
A step by step process as suggested by our hardwood flooring craftsmen on how to clean hardwood floors.
Cleaning Hardwood Floors Cautions
There are two big things to keep in mind when cleaning hardwood floors - the type of cleaning product and the way you use it.
Vinegar?
Yes! Vinegar is an inexpensive, chemical-free, environmentally friendly cleaning agent for hardwood flooring with polyurethane finishes. It's also great for all-around house cleaning, personal hygiene, lawn and garden, cooking and much more! Learn how to use vinegar to clean hardwood floors.
Hardwood Floor Cleaners
Be mindful of the hardwood floor cleaning products you are using to be sure they won't damage your floor. Some can cause a wax or oil build-up that might look great at first, but can chip or peel in the future and/or cause big problems when it is time for a buff and recoat. Learn more and review our recommended hardwood floor cleaners.
Hardwood Floor Vacuum Cleaner
We recommend a hardwood floor vacuum rather than a broom as it does a better job of picking up the tiny debris that can scratch your floor. The particles you don't get with a vacuum or broom are going to be pushed around by a mop or your cleaning towel to 'leave their mark'. A hardwood floor vacuum is also handy for area rugs and door mats. Be sure the head of the vacuum is padded. Click here for more details and product recommendations on hardwood floor vacuum cleaners.
Hardwood Floor Mop
Some so-called hardwood floor mops can be used just as easily on any hard floor surface, they just cost more because they are marketed as a specialty item. And really, wouldn't any mop work just fine? But there are definitely some features, and some cautions, to consider before purchasing a hardwood floor mop that cleans your wood floors effectively and efficiently. We tell you what to look for on the hardwood floor mop page.
Hardwood Floor Broom
A hardwood floor broom is nice in between thorough vacuums for quick clean-ups. Be sure to use a soft-bristle broom that is gentle on your wood floor. An angled head is great for getting into nooks and crannys where dust and dirt collects. And a quick, frequent sweep of entrances such as door frames and steps - where tiny pebbles, mud and other outside debris gets dragged in - will do wonders for the longevity of your hardwood flooring. There are now brooms on the market who claim to be 'hardwood floor brooms'. They probably have the features mentioned above that can be found in a less expensive model.
Hardwood Floor Stains
There are hardwood floor stains that can probably be removed, such as black heel marks, lipstick or crayon. And then there are hardwood floor stains that are much more difficult to deal with, like pet urine stains, water stains and rug pad discoloration. The good new is that, unlike any other flooring material, hardwood floors can be fully restored to look like new, one way or another. Check out the hardwood floor stains section for help with stain prevention and clean-up.
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