How To Clean Hardwood Floors

Hardwood Floor Vacuum Cleaner

I definitely recommend a vacuum for hardwood floor. Use a mop or broom for every day cleaning. Use the vacuum for your area rugs and for efficient yet convenient thorough cleanings. It should have a padded attachment, or pad the head yourself so as not to scratch your floor. Tips and reviews can be found on the Hardwood Floor Vacuum Cleaner page.

Mops and Brooms

There's a big market for the so-called "specialty" wood floor mop or broom. But it all boils down to your personal preference. The key is to find a soft-bristle broom shaped in such a way that you can get into those nooks and crannies in between good vacuums. A dust mop can be a good option instead of a broom because you can use it both dry and damp (never wet). I recommend the Bona hardwood floor cleaner system. I like their cleaning fluid as well as the mop. Again, more information can be found on the hardwood floor cleaners page.

Let's get to Cleaning Hardwood Floors

1.)  First, give the floor a good vacuum, dusting, or sweeping to get the dust, dirt, crumbs and other particles that scratch the floor.

2.)  Then, spot clean with a soft cloth, dampened (not wet) with water, or a water and vinegar mixture, or a professional hardwood floor cleaning product. Just take a quick tour of the floor and get the obvious sticky crusty smudges, stains and spots.

3.)  Next, clean the entire floor using a professional hardwood floor cleaning product. Squirt the cleaner onto an area of the floor in an "S" pattern, avoiding puddles, and mop or wipe. Move on to the next area in a like manner. You can also use a spray bottle with the appropriate cleaning product and spray a section of floor, mop or wipe, and continue to the next section.

NOTE: Cleaning the floor with water is okay as long as water isn't left standing on the floor for any length of time and the towel, cloth, or mop is not soaking wet - just damp.

Stubborn Stains

To clean tough stains such as black heal marks, crayon, tar or lipstick use a non-abrasive waterless hand cleaner. You can also use a cautionary amount of paint thinner. When you're finished, wipe with a slightly damp cloth to remove any oil residue.

Wood Floors and Water

A quick, important reminder: You aren't cleaning the wood boards themselves (unless they are damaged and exposed) ... you are cleaning the finish, the coating on top of the boards meant to protect them.

But regardless of this protective coating, no matter how thick and durable it is supposed to be, there is no such thing as a water proof wood floor. Water and other liquids can seep into the gaps between boards, especially as they shrink and expand due to moisture in the air, or because the coating is starting to wear or got damaged.

So it is so important not to use soaking wet cleaning tools or leave standing water on the floor. Read the Wood Floors and Water article to understand the effect moisture has on your hardwood floors.