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Cleaning Hardwood Floors: Caution #2
Cleaning hardwood floors with water, or cleaning products with water in them, is obviously an effective and good choice for hardwood floor owners. But water, or any liquid, should be used sparingly and with a clear understanding of why and how water can damage hardwood floors.
Water and Hardwood Floors Don't Mix
It is true that polyurethane is the most common finish applied to raw hardwood flooring because it is a powerful barrier of protection against fast and permanent damage to the wood. But no hardwood floor is "waterproof", no matter how many layers of coating are used. Cleaning hardwood floors carelessly is one of the top causes of blackened, water-stained, warped and ruined wood flooring.
So how does water reach and damage bare wood through the polyurethane finish?
Cracks and separations between the hundreds of individual boards in your wood floor are a natural occurrence. Many hardwood floor owners refer to these as quite noticeable gaps, and frequently blame their hardwood flooring contractor for a less than satisfactory installation. But these gaps can be tiny, nearly invisible openings too.
Why gaps? Because the wood planks naturally shrink and expand, depending upon the amount of moisture in the air, no matter the age of the flooring.
For example, during the winter months in colder climates when homes are heated and the air is dry, wood flooring loses some of its moisture and shrinks. A humidifier is recommended. Other ways to add humidity to the air include opening the dishwasher after the rinse cycle, turning off the bathroom fan, or hanging laundry to dry indoors.
In the spring, as air quality in homes becomes higher in moisture, wood flooring expands, and cracks begin to close up.
A polyurethane coating on your hardwood floor protects only the surface of the wood, covering the top of each plank individually. As the boards shrink and separations develop, the fibers within each board are exposed - and water is their number one enemy. Water can dull the finish and permanently damage the fiber of the wood, causing boards to warp and discolor.
When cleaning hardwood floors with water, or any liquid base, never leave standing water. Don't use a soaking wet mop or cloth. And don't pour liquids directly on the floor. Mist with a spray bottle, dampen but don't soak a mop or cleaning cloth, and always wipe your floors dry after cleaning.
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