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Hardwood Floor Vacuum
A hardwood floor vacuum could be one of your most prized investments as a hardwood floor owner. Hardwood floors are already a snap to clean, but the right vacuum will make the job fast and thorough. Look for the following features in a hardwood floor vacuum:
1.) No beater brushes or one that switches between brushes for carpet and none for hardwood
2.) Lightweight
3.) Maneuverable head
4.) Enough suction to pick up heavier debris like small pebbles
If the vacuum head does not come padded, attach a thin cushion (such as furniture pads) to the portions that rub along the floor to prevent scratches. Brush off the padding after each use to ensure grit isn't stuck to the pad, which will scrape the floor. An edging attachment as well as a smaller vacuum head for quick pickups would be ideal.
A dust buster is a very nice addition to your cleaning equipment collection. It's a convenient way to clean up dirt, pebbles and other objects brought in from outdoors in and around entrances and on door mats or area rugs. A dust buster is also perfect for the kitchen and dining room to catch crumbs from cooking and eating in between thorough vacuums. If the hardwood floor vacuum you choose does not have attachments, a dust buster commonly includes an edger attachment to get along baseboards and in nooks and crannies. You could get a stick-style hardwood floor vacuum rather than a dust buster to serve this same purpose.
Some hardwood floor owners have shared with us their preference for the wet/dry canister vacuum. These vacuums will quickly deal with both liquid cleanup (spills, melted snow, etc.) as well as dust and dirt. You don't need a broom, dust pan or mop if you have one of these machines! Many of them offer three options - vacuum, heated wet vacuum, and drying. First you vacuum, and then "mop" with heated cleaning product released on your floor by squeezing a trigger, and then dry the floor ... all with one piece of equipment. It takes practice to use a machine like this correctly. You may need to wipe up water leaks with a towel as you go since you never want to leave standing water on a hardwood floor.
HTHF has received many questions regarding the use of a hardwood floor steam cleaner. We're not very fond of any style "wet" vacuum for hardwood floors, including the wet/dry canister style mentioned above, because we see water damage time and time again. Perhaps some hardwood floor owners don't take the threat of water seriously enough or small amounts of water left on the floor don't get noticed. But if you are water-conscious and proactive, these types of machines are effective.
A hardwood floor vacuum is a valuable tool for cleaning hardwood floors with the versatility for other hard surface floors and even carpeting.
Hardwood Floor Mop
Hardwood Floor Cleaners
Hardwood Floor Area Rug Pads